User:Rod mcinnes/James Ellis (amusement park entrepreneur)

James Ellis, pleasure garden entrepreneur James Ellis (1812-1874) was a entrepreneur of entertainments, most famously the Cremorne Gardens in London. None of his investments seem to have brought him financial success, but they have considerable cultural significance, with the Cremorne Gardens, London being associated with the significant Pre-Raphealite art movement. He brought his Cremorne Gardens concept to Melbourne, Victoria, and this was copied in many different locations in Australia by others. The name of the current Melbourne and Sydney suburbs of Cremorne both derive from his garden concept.

Early Life
James Ellis was born in London in 1812. His early life is unknown. He first come to notice with the development of the Cremorne Gardens.

Cremorne Gardens, London
Cremorne Gardens, London opened on Monday 29th May, 1848. James Ellis is described as proprieter and caterer, the latter being is probable prior profession.

Salle de Valentino
The Salle de Valentino was a circus like venue, described as half-tent half-barn, as can be seen in its photograph which James Ellis took over from Noble's Circus, a well known circus operator of the Gold Rush period. It was located at the top end of Bourke Street, Melbourne, opposite Parliament House and where the Imperial Hotel now stands. It was announced in June 1853. James Ellis was cited as the proprietor, but it noted that he was the lessee of the Cremorne Gardens, Richmond, which were being prepared for opening. It's possible that this venue was a means of providing cash flow to the business while the Gardens were being prepared.

As for the origin of the name, there was a Salle Valentino in Leicester Square, London not far from Laurent's Casino venue in Lowther's Arcade, Adelaide Street. Perhaps coincidentally, James Ellis was prosecuted for operating Laurent's Casino as a dancing venue without a license on the same day that the proprieters of the Salle de Valentino, London were prosecuted for the same offence (see above). It's probable that originally the name came from the Salle Valentino a grand ball venue at 251 Rue St Honoré, Paris (1807-1890).

Cremorne Gardens, Melbourne
On Saturday, December 3, 1853, Mr. James Ellis, late of Cremorne Gardens, London, opened to the public, after extensive advertising, the resort which was to become so famous under George Coppin. At first Ellis declared the gardens to be "open for promenade and refreshment, without charge for admission " At this time he was also running a circus at the Salle de Valentino, at the top of Bourke street. A special charge of 5/ for admittance was made for the "opening day of the entertainment season" at Cremorne-Saturday, December 10, 1853 - when the gardens were formally opened at 1 o'clock. "Tickets," said the advertisements, "of Mr. Baker, stationer Swanston Street, Mr J. Wiliams, stationer, Swanston street, and of S Goods, printers, 56 Swanston street".

In the centre of the gardens had been elected a "Parisian platform," on which a concert and dance were given each evening. "Instruction," stated Mr. Ellis, "given nightly on that last new and very exciting  dance 'Pop Goes the Weazel,' M. Jullien's new dance." "The Argus" of the following Monday described the gardens as an "Elli- sian (sic) retreat, and not inferior to the Cremorne Gardens at Battersea " "A warm evening it was," added the writer, "for polka, quadrille, and waltz," The Speaker (Dr. Palmer) and the mayor (Mr. Hodgson) were there, although the Lieu- tenant-Governor (Mr. La Trobe) did not

Later life and death
Despite his lack of financial success, James Ellis continued his entrepreneurial endeavors. At the time of his death at age 62 in January 1874 he was marketing a newly invented gas oven.

Attribution
This article incorporates public domain material from