Ride Through Time

Tempo SEWICKLEY HERALD | JULY 1, 2010 | PAGE 13 RideRide ThrThrougoughh TiTimeme A looklook at the region’s rich amusement park history BY BOBBY CHERRY AND testament to the topography and the in- KRISTINA SERAFINI dustrialized nature of the region that so STAFF WRITERS many parks existed.” In 1906 alone, four parks opened: or more than 100 years, American West View Park, now a shopping plaza amusement parks have enter- that includes a Giant Eagle supermarket FFtained and thrilled those looking and other stores, Dreamland in Pitts- for summertime excitement. burgh, Coney Island in Neville Island But as cultures shifted and competi- and Dream City in Wilkinsburg. tion increased, thrills from many parks At least one park — White Swan stopped and left only memories behind. Park, opened in 1955 and situated on the Around the turn of the century “was Moon and Findlay townships border — the time when trolley companies were was designed as a roadside stop along LUNA PARK, above, located in Oakland, once was known for its many expanding and opening parks at the end- the Parkway West to the then-Greater lights and unique shows. ing of the line to generate traffic on Pittsburgh International Airport. SUBMITTED PHOTO evenings and weekends,” said Jim “At the time, people would travel Futrell, author of “Amusement Parks of from miles and miles away to drive on ioned” amusement parks to remain or funds for thrill rides.” Pennsylvania” and historian for the Na- the parkway,” said Bill Kleeman of open. But as parks continue to thrill riders tional Amusement Park Historical Asso- Sewickley, whose parents, Edward and Few records exist from many of the with bigger coasters, gone are the days ciation, based in Lombard, Ill. Margaret Kleeman, and uncle, Roy parks in the region, including Coney Is- of the family-owned amusement park. “They were a much different animal Todd, owned White Swan Park. land, a short-lived park that opened on The region’s last family-owned park — than what parks are today,” he said. When trolley companies merged into Neville Island on June 27, 1907. The park Kennywood and its sister parks of “They offered picnics, dances and larger entities, many owned multiple featured a 50-foot boardwalk, shoot-the- Idlewild Park and Sandcastle Waterpark maybe a roller coaster. It was a much amusement parks, like the Pittsburgh chutes ride and a 1,000-foot beach. — were sold in late 2007 by longtime different type of environment than what Railways Company that — at one time The Great Depression later threat- owners the Henninger and McSwigan you see today.” — owned Calhoun Park in Lincoln ened the local amusement park indus- families to Spain-based Parques Re- The number of parks in the region — Place, Oakwood in Crafton, Southern try, and left a handful of parks, includ- unidos. at least 21 opened between 1878 and 1955 Park in Carrick and Kennywood Park in ing Kennywood, Idlewild Park and West “You don’t get that personable feeling — was a reflection of Pittsburgh’s size, West Mifflin. View, Futrell said. from any park today,” said Steve Mca- Futrell said. Topography and industrial- The trolley company sold the parks As parks matured, visitors expected teer of North Fayette, a former White ized river towns gave rise to more parks to the Henninger family, which eventu- more, he said. Swan Park employee “They’ve gone too in the area. ally sold or closed three of the four “The industry was maturing, and commercial and too big.” “Initially, the parks could not have a parks. Kennywood opened in 1898, and people wanted more thrill rides,” Futrell MORE ON PAGE 14 wide drawing area,” he said. “It was a today is among one of the few “old-fash- said. “Smaller parks didn’t have space A GOLDEN AGE OF AMUSEMENT PARKS Families could choose from dozens of small amusement parks in the early part of the century for entertainment. Below is a list and when the parks opened. Source: Staff research 1901 –Maple Grove Park, Pittsburgh; Eldora Park, Eldora; Alameda Park, Butler; Homestead Park, Homestead 1905 –Luna Park, Oakland 1927 –Burkes Glen Park, Mon- 1955 –White Swan Park, Findlay 1903 –Southern Park, roeville; Harmerville Park, Blawnox Carrick; Oakford Park, Jeannette 1920 1910 1915 1930 1955 1895 1900 1905 1925 1935 1940 1945 1950 1960 1897 –Calhoun 1928 –Mapleview 1904 –Interurban 1906 –West View Park, West View; Park, Lincoln Place Park, Pittsburgh Park, Canonsburg All roller coasters were made of wood until 1959 when the Dreamland, Pittsburgh; Coney Island, Matterhorn, the first tubular-tracked steel roller coaster in 1902 –Oakwood Neville Island; Dream City, Wilkinsburg 1924 –Rainbow Amusement Park, Crafton Gardens, White Oak the world, debuted at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. PAGE 14 | JULY 1, 2010 | SEWICKLEY HERALD Tempo Southwestern Pennsylvania once home to many popular parks BY BOBBY CHERRY AND the gentle ministrations of trained Known for its Galaxy, Mad Mouse KRISTINA SERAFINI nurses, the park patrons saw them and large slide, White Swan Park en- STAFF WRITERS grow strong and sturdy again.” tertained celebrities heading to and Ingersoll filed for bankruptcy in from the airport and children from ake a look at just a few of the March 1908. The park closed in Au- around the West Hills. parks that once offered thrills gust 1909, nearly two years after a “There was a constant flow of pic- TTand fun to the people of South- lion escaped and killed a visitor. nics, too,” said Mcateer, of North western Pennsylvania. Fayette. “There was always some- White Swan Park thing going on at the park.” Luna Park Generations of visitors enjoyed Luna Park White Swan Park had everything the park, Mcateer said. Opened in 1905, Luna Park in from roller coasters to Skee-Ball. “They remembered it as a child,” Oakland was known for its perform- Everything that is, but white he said. “And then they’d take their ances and odd attractions. swans. kids until it closed. But it was most notable for its use “Dad always wanted to put white “The nice part about it was, if you of electricity. swans on the lakes in the park,” said wanted a Sunday afternoon thing to More than 67,000 lights illumi- Bill Kleeman, son of White Swan do, it was cheap. You could eat at the nated the park’s attractions situated Park owners Edward and Margaret park, spend all day down there and near Craig Street and what now is Kleeman. The park also was owned Baum Boulevard. enjoy yourself.” by Margaret Kleeman’s brother Roy Now, 20 years since the park’s “At the time, most people had one, Todd. rides were dismantled and sold at an maybe two lights in their house if Like the rest of the park, the lakes auction, Mcateer said, he still misses they were lucky,” said Jim Futrell, are gone. Rides and attractions were having the local attraction nearby. an amusement park historian. torn down nearly 20 years ago, as the “It was a great place,” he said. Owned by Frederick Ingersoll, an park was forced to close in 1990 after “It’d still be around, but not just be- inventor who owned 38 similar state Department of Transportation cause it was a family-operated busi- parks across the country, Luna Park officials relocated the Parkway West ness, but because they catered to offered concerts, foreign landmark to the new Pittsburgh International families.” replicas and rides. Airport in Findlay Township. In 1995, Kennywood Park paid The summer of 1989 would be the West View Park homage to Luna by recreating the last for the park, which entertained West View Park Shoot-the-Chutes ride and water locals for 34 years. The factors that originally made fountain features in its Lost Kenny- “Every time I drive past it, I look West View Park prosper also con- wood addition. up and realize I’m driving over tributed to its demise. Attractions such as Infant Incuba- White Swan Park,” said Steve Mca- During the beginning of its 71- ABOVE, VISITORS to West View Park in the tor dazzled visitors. teer, who worked most of the rides year run, the park, located on Per- 1930s or ‘40s enjoy the Dips. Below, the shop- A 1906 brochure for the park ad- before becoming a maintenance man rysville Avenue in West View, was a ping center where the park once was. vertised, “Little mites of humanity, for the park in the late 1960s and hot spot for community picnics ABOVE PHOTO FROM FILE/ whose lives were despaired of, were early 1970s. throughout the years. More than 100 BOTTOM PHOTO BY KRISTINA SERAFINI taken to the incubator, where, under “It was a grand old thing. It was CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 the care of learned physicians, and like one big family.” 1549107 1549100 EberhardtContracting 1547706 All Phases Of Home Remodeling 1549111 •Windows •Siding Roofs •Additions •Kitchens •Bathrooms •Gamerooms •Water Lines •Sewage Lines •Gas Lines MASTER PLUMBER ON ALL JOB SITES 30+ Years 724-695-0593 FullyInsured OR 724-695-3254 PA 12511 (24 Hr.Emergency) 1549114.

Load more