The Amusement Parks - Past & Present

 

An Index Of Amusement Parks, Past & Present

In and Around The West Branch Of The Susquehanna River

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THE TROLLEY PARKS
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North America's first streetcar [trolley] line opened in 1832 in New York.  30 years later, the first trolley line came to Williamsport, with the line in Milton and Lewisburg opening in 1898.   Although busy during the day, as many used the trolleys for their commute to work, the cars were often mostly unused in the evenings and week-ends.  Most trolley lines purchased electricity from a local electric supplier, who charged them a flat monthly rate.  To maximize their profits, the trolleys needed more passengers.

And so, one of the owners came up with the idea of adding a park at the end of the line - giving families a destination, and reason, to ride the trolley. This was not a new idea.  Ferry and Steam boat owners were creating parks before the trolley existed. 

"Trolley Parks" began popping up along nearly every trolley line. By 1910, there were 1,500 trolley parks in the United States. The early parks were typically built next to lakes and streams, and included simple picnic groves, bandstands and dance halls.  Before long, mechanical rides and other amusements were added, allowing the trolley company to make money not only from the fare, but also from games, rides, and concessions at the park.

According to a trolley park history by Arthur Levine, "Because the electricity flowing to the park wasn’t metered, operators often strung thousands of lights along the park’s rides and buildings. They helped illuminate the grounds at night and also provided visitors, many of whom did not have power lines connected to their homes, the opportunity to experience the then newfangled electric lights. Twinkling lights remain a mainstay–and a delightful sight–at amusement parks and theme parks today"

In the 1920s, automobiles replaced the trolleys, and most of the trolley parks that hung on soon closed during the Depression. 

Rolling Green Shamokin Dam PA 1908-1971 S&S Railway	Riverside Park  Between Milton & Watsontown PA Abt 1898 - abt 1928
Starr Island [Indian Park] Montoursville PA [Was this a trolley park?  Or just a park with Trolley Service?] 1898-1924	Edgewood Park Shamokin Pa 1893-1964

Island Park Sunbury Pa S&N Railway

Nippono Jersey Shore & Antes Fort Railway

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FERRY & STEAMBOAT PARKS
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Although not actually what they were called, in Williamsport, there were parks that you rode the Hiawatha [or sister steam boat, the Abe Lincoln] to visit. Were the parks affiliated with the boats?  That will require a bit more research - I'm really not certain.  You may also argue that Sylvan Dell was not truly an "Amusement Park", as I don't believe it ever had rides beyond a carousel, it was more of a summer resort, similar to Central Oak Heights in West Milton.    But there were shows -  such as the Spiral Tower...

Sylvan Dell   1888-1930 And Goose Island Beach Williamsport Pa

Nippono Although Nippono became a trolley park, it was first a resort accessed by steamboat

View From Clements Park 

The area today known as Tedd's landing was once Clements Park - the "first picnic and amusement park in this area" Ira Clement ran a steam boat ferry from Sunbury to his park, a ticket was just 5 cents.

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MORE AMUSEMENT PARKS:

The Whip At Memorial Park Williamsport Pa	Sunset Park Lycoming Creek Road 1931-abt 1950
Trout Pond Park,  Muncy PA	Shady Nook Park Hughesville Pa

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KNOEBELS
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From Spaceship  To Sky Slide	From A Swimming Hole On Peggy's Farm To Knoebels Grove	1933 Roller Skating   Endurance Contest  1 full week of nonstop  roller skating to win.
The Phoenix When The Texas Rocket Rose Again	The Art Of Matt Rusnak  At Knoebels

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Other Pennsylvania Amusement Parks

Croops Glen Amusement Park The Knoebels Kiddie Land Carousel Came from Croop's Glen 1920s Purchased by Croop's Glen Amusement Park 1948 Purchased by Lawrence Knoebel - used as a traveling carousel for fairs and carnivals 1950/51 Sold to Sunset Beach Park At Harvey's Lake Late 1960s Sold to George Perluke for the amusement park near Beach Haven Speedway 1976 Sold back to Knoebels, where it still stands today in Kiddie Land. The Wurlitzer Organ and The Whip, at Knoebels, also came from Croop's Glen

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READ MORE

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Not an amusement park - this was a carnival - 

On June 25th 1960 - the 3 inch main shaft of the Ferris Wheel at the Jersey Shore Fireman's Carnival snapped, causing the wheel to stop and tilt at an angle. Some passengers where stranded for nearly two hours. Read more here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/06/when-30-people-were-stranded-on-ferris.html