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Corrigan's Amusement Arcades (Established c1960 - 1969)

 Organisation

Biography

The Corrigans are a Yorkshire fairground family who expanded into seaside entertainment, arcades, bingos and nightclubs around the north of England including Scarborough and Bridlington.

After the family settled in Scarborough at the end of the Second World War Jimmy senior (d. mid-1970s aged 76) founded Corrigan’s Amusements and Coney Island Amusements.

Jimmy’s son, James (1938-2000) took over running the business after his father’s death, while Jimmy’s nephew James Corrigan opened the famous Batley Variety Club, which attracted some of the biggest stars of the time.

Jimmy’s brother Albert Corrigan, also stablished his business in Scarborough, building Scalby Mills Amusements and Monkey Island Amusements in in 1963. Monkey Island offered a cafe, slot machines, paddling pool, fairground rides and an Astro Slide. Scalby Mills Amusements closed in 1990 and the Sea Life Centre was built in its place. Albert Corrigan died in 2008 aged 69.

James Lord Corrigan (b.1972) is the current head of Corrigan’s Amusements.

Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:

Corringan's Front Rounding Board Artwork, c1920 - 1930

 Item
Reference code: 178V10.54(xviii)
Scope and Contents

War themed design for Corrigan's front rounding showing a seascape with war ships and biplanes.

Dates: c1920 - 1930

Design Drawings for Ride and Show Fronts, c1880 - 1939

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178V10.54
Scope and Contents

Drawings for ride fronts, shows and carts, including Chamberlain’s show front carved by W.E. Hilton, Bostock’s show front, chalk rubbing for window design, centre pay box for organs, Ghost trains, Corrigan’s front entrance, Smart and Elson sign, Frank Codona’s Speedway, Egyptian Helter Skelter design and Parry’s Famous Shows front.

Dates: c1880 - 1939

No.61 Ark Frontage Sketch, c1930 - 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178V10.54(xvi)
Scope and Contents

Colour sketch of section of Corrigan's No.61 Ark's frontage.

Dates: c1930 - 1939

Photographic Album, 1937 - 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178C57.13689
Scope and Contents Photographic album containing black and white photographs of fairgrounds, fairground rides, fairground organs, steam engines, living wagons, wall of death, fairground shows and showpeople, including Corrigan, Marshall, J. Scott, Robinson, Tuby, Waddington, Butlin, Farrar, at Heckmondwyck Fair, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Holmfirth, Sheffield, Keighley, Dewsbury, Woodhouse Feast, Holbeck, Hull, Leeds and Harrogate and other locations and showmen with notes. Photographs taken and collected by...
Dates: 1937 - 1956

Photographic Album, 1905 - 1954

 Item
Reference code: 178C57.13693
Scope and Contents

Photographic album containing black and white photographs of fairgrounds, fairground rides, steam engines, living wagons, globe of death, fairground shows, circus and showpeople, including Holland, Pat Collins, Cox, Proctor, Corrigan, Shufflebottom, Shaw, Marshall, Waddington, Ling and Pullen at Nottingham Goose Fair, Hull Fair, Lincoln, Huddersfield and other locations and showmen with notes. Photographs taken and collected by Rowland Scott, 19p.p.

Dates: 1905 - 1954

Photographs and Postcards, c1899 - 1969

 Series
Reference code: 178C57
Scope and Contents

Photographs, postcards and negatives of fairgrounds taken by Rowland Scott and other fairground enthusiasts.

Dates: c1899 - 1969

Rowland Scott Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0037
Scope and Contents

Photographs related to all aspects of British travelling fairgrounds including; rides, transport, living wagons, showpeople, fairground shows, circuses and organs by Rowland Scott and other authors, a selection of manuscripts by Rowland Scott and a small amount of correspondence.

Dates: c1899 - 1989