Starr Island , located in what today is Indian Park in Montoursville, opened in 1898. The popular recreation area had a merry-go-round, a train ride, Ferris Wheel, and trolley service. In 1908, the park was sold to new owners, who made major improvements. After a brief mention that the new park would be named Luna Park, the park would officially open in 1909 with the name Indian Park.
Photos Of
STARR ISLAND
STARR ISLAND
The Dam on Mill Creek, at Starr Island Park
The trolley crossing Mill Creek on the road to Starr Island
Read more about the Montoursville Passenger Railway (Trolley Line) here:
The Train At Starr Island Park
The Park was "monetized" in 1905, with a variety of amusements being added.
A dancing pavilion, roller skating rink, and theater were all built in 1905. Vaudeville shows, a shooting gallery, and a Ferris wheel were added to the park.
In 1908, a 17 day long Firemans Festival was held at Starr Island
The Starr Family also owned a Lumber Mill in the Montoursville area.
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In 1909, The Park Reopened as
Indian Park
Indian Park
Here the carousel can be seen on the left, and part of the roller coaster to the right.
The Train At Indian Park
The above newspaper photo, shown below in full color:
Path To Boats & Bathing, Indian Park
The Dip To Dip Roller Coaster
The Largest On The East Coast?
Many histories of the park state that that park hosted the "largest roller coaster on the east coast", but roller coaster historians examined photos and found that it was a standard figure eight coaster, no different from many others around that time. Historian Don King is quoted in a newspaper article - "King said the roller coaster was named the Dip-to-Dip and was made of wood. It ran the length of the park and was known by all the locals." So perhaps it was larger than what the roller coaster historians were estimating.
"The more adventuresome have but one aim, the largest roller coaster in the East. The line is long, but never mind. Many of those courting decide on a boat ride; some twenty acres are covered by water. Still others head for the theater; it seats a thousand people and possibly lines at the rides may thin a bit later.
Some of the elderly rock on the porch which surrounds the giant merry-go-round. This day there are family reunions and the men and boys play baseball while the women prepare a picnic lunch.
By nightfall the Park is lit up like a Christmas tree and music fills the air as couples expend their last energy dancing before beginning that return journey. The sounds of insects and the smell of wildflowers soothe the tired but happy riders as they leave this place of enchantment." - http://www.montoursvilleborough.org/Pages/Indian%20Park%20History.aspx
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1916 - Trolley taking Salvation Army guest to Indian Park for a picnic, July 1916.
Market St Square, Williamsport
The Loyalsock Creek flooded the park nearly once a year, and reconstruction costs eventually forced the park to close in 1924. By the mid-1930s a large portion of the land that was Indian Park was owned by George Nicely.
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BIBLE CONFERENCE GROUNDS
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In 1937 Nicely sold 13 acres of this land to the Indian Bible Conference (group) organized by Charles and Bill Young. They would hold youth bible conferences and other events on the grounds. An October 17, 1937 Grit article shows a picture of the tabernacle being built. Also constructed were dormitories and cottages.
1943 photo showing the tabernacle. It's said that this tabernacle was the original gift shop at Starr Island Park.
In 1947, the Tabernacle was dis-assembled piece-by-piece by men from the camp from Indian Park and trucked to its existing location by these men’s personal trucks. Re-assembled piece-by-piece at its Lamar Lighthouse Camp along Route 64 in Clinton County.
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JALOPY RACES
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In the early 1940's, Jalopy Races were held at the former Indian Park
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Indian Park Recreation Area
Today
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In 1988 Indian Park was reestablished as a recreational facility. It is once again a great place for outdoor concerts and picnic, with both walking trails and a connection to a nice bike path. There is playground equipment, basketball courts, and baseball fields.
See more here:
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READ MORE
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March 1905
To Monetize Starr Island
does anyone know what type of band organs (wurlitzer, frati and etc) where used )there and what type of carousel was it (loof, s&g)?
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