Since 1928 Ponchartrain Beach provided New Orleans families iconic entertainment. When Harry Batt, Sr. founded Playland Amusements, Inc. a dynasty was born. Until it was shuttered for good in 1983, Ponchartrain Beach captured the imagination of generations. But this was now the mid-1950’s. While Walt Disney was just embarking on his vision of family entertainment, Harry had it all down pat at a long time ago. . . “Well, who needs Disneyland, anyway?” We’d sniff. The closest we were likely to come to Disneyland was to press our noses to the porthole-like screens of our black and white TV’s. Enjoy this stroll down memory lane to a simpler time of family entertainment. . .