Glen Echo Park

Minnehaha Creek

At the overlook situated in the main car park there is a good view of Minnehaha creek and some of the stone foundations that are the only remains of the great Glen Echo Chautauqua amphitheater. An interpretive plaque containing photos, descriptions, and plans show how the creek has fared over the past 100 years. Today it flows freely through the park.

This is a view from the bridge over the creek.

Some History

The arrival of the Glen Echo Chautauqua changed Minnehaha Creek; a large amphitheater was constructed over the creek in 1891. Later, after the failure of the Chautauqua, in 1899 The Glen Echo company developed the site as an amusement park and remodelled the amphitheater as the "Midway" in 1911.

Glen Echo's popularity again changed Minnehaha Creek; in 1956 the park owners removed the termite infested, condemned "Midway" to extend the parking lot and installed a large metal pipe (called a culvert) for the creek to flow through.

For 33 years Minnehaha Creek flowed silently under the parking lot until record breaking rains collapsed the parking lot in May 1989. Following the flood, the National Park Service restored the natural stream bed.

When you visit the park, look closely along the bed of the creek to see the signs of the past.

The deep ravine and rocky creek are typical of streams in the Potomac River Valley.