Notable People
Ridgway Family

"Charles Lowell Ridgway, Revere Beach's "grand old Man" and prominent Boston and Winthrop resident, died yesterday at his Boston home. He was 83 years old. His Winthrop home was beneath Great Head.
    Mr. Ridgway, who was probably one of the most widely-known inventors of amusement enterprises at America's parks and beaches., was born in Boston, June 24, 1844 He was the son of John Ridgway, the inventor of the celebrated "disappearing gun" which was used in the last days of the Civil War.
    He mad what was said to be the first houseboat in Boston Harbor and for several summers back in the 90's he and his family lived on it, floating on the waters of Crystal Cove, the little sheltered basin behind the hook of Point Shirley.
    Later he built a large bungalow beneath Great Head and went there every summer. The pleasantly situated home is one the the sights of the town, being prominently in view going and coming to the top of Point Shirley.
    Mr. Ridgway inherited the inventive genius of his fater and patented many inventions, among them are the many amusement park devices and the famous Ridgway furnace. He formed the Ridgway Construction Company, of which he was president; his son, Charles J. Ridgway treasurer, and other son, Herbert N. Ridgway, vice president. Until very recently Mr Ridgway was to be founf every day at the office, or at Revere Beach looking after his enterprises there, know to millions as "The Pit" and the "Nautical Gardens."
    When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Ridgway enlisted in the 7th Massachusetts Unattached Infantry. He always took and interest in G.A.R. affairs and was one of the four surviving members of the Winthrop Civil War Veterans' Association."

   "Herbert Newell Ridgway, 83, descendant of one of the oldest families in Massachusetts, inventor, and developer of Revere Beach, died yesterday at his home at 81 Washington Ave., Winthrop.
   Born on Beacon Hill, he was descended from the Ridgway family which emigrated from England to Boston in 1630. He was a self-employed inventor following a pattern set by earlier generations of his family.
    Among his inventions were a disappearing submarine gun used by the U.S. Navy in World War I, a prototype of the modern diesel engine which was used on Winthrop street cars in 1911, and numerous amusement park rides and devices.
    He built the first amusement ride in Revere Beach in 1898, a "Swan Boat Ride." There followed the original fun house, "The Pit," whirlpool rides, roller coasters, and other devices, which he continued to operate most of his life.
    He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in Boston.
    He leaves his wife, Madeline (Clark), a son, Lincoln, or Marblehead, and a daughter, Mrs. John S. [violette Lane] Van Buren, of Westminster, Vt.