Big Dipper at Aloha Park | 1922 – 1925
This article is part of a short series on Aloha Park, which was located in the Waikiki section of Honolulu,Continue Reading
Latest Posts
Aloha Park
This is a short series of articles about Aloha Park, which was in the Waikiki section of Honolulu, Territory ofContinue Reading
Charles F. Ziegler
Charles Franklin Ziegler was born in Lancaster County, PA on August 17, 1884, to Frank and Ida Ziegler. Ziegler firstContinue Reading
Nowlen’s Store | Inside Hersheypark
Nowlen’s Store was a house on 324-326 Park Avenue. This house was built on two tracts of land that hadContinue Reading
George W. Bartels
George William Bartels, born on January 19, 1898 and passed away on January 26, 1964, was the fifth general managerContinue Reading
The Restaurants at Hersheypark’s Entrance
Since 1973, when Tudor Square was constructed, Hersheypark has had a restaurant at the entrance of the park. The restaurantContinue Reading
Hersheypark entrance | 2019
On January 1, 2019, the main entrance of Hersheypark was used for its last time. Within a few days, theContinue Reading
Merlin C. Crawford
Merlin Cless Crawford was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on May 4, 1895, to Walter B. (W. B.) Crawford and LauraContinue Reading
Hersheypark’s pinwheel logo turns 50
On May 7, 1972, Hersheypark opened for it’s second season as Hersheypark. This was the first season Hersheypark would operateContinue Reading
Traffic Jam at Hersheypark
Traffic Jam is a kiddie ride in Hersheypark manufactured by Hampton Amusement Company. The ride, sold as a Kiddie VarietyContinue Reading
Starship America at Hersheypark
Starship America is one of Hersheypark’s oldest rides. It was originally called Aero Jets and purchased used from Pontchartrain BeachContinue Reading
Minty Bees at Hersheypark
Minty Bees is a Hampton Amusement Company kiddie Super Jet ride which was installed in Hersheypark in 1961.
Pennsylvania’s Amusement Ride Inspection Act
On June 14, 1984, an act – providing for the inspection of amusement rides and attractions; granting powers and imposingContinue Reading
Dizzy Drums at Hersheypark
Dizzy Drums is a kiddie ride that operates in Founder’s Way across from Fender Bender. It was manufactured by HamptonContinue Reading
Garbrick Amusements, Inc.
Lewis Henry Garbrick operated a dairy in his hometown of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. This dairy, called Garbrick & Son Dairy,Continue Reading
Aerial Joy Ride at Hersheypark
Aerial Joy Ride existed in Hersheypark from 1941 to 1961. It operated at the 1939 World’s Fair in New YorkContinue Reading
Space Age at Hersheypark
Space Age is an umbrella kiddie ride, installed in Hersheypark in 1965 and is still operating today in the Founder’sContinue Reading
The entrances of Hersheypark
Hersheypark’s entrances have had a variety of locations since the park opened in 1906. Changes occured in 1971, 1972, 1973, twice in 2019, and 2020.
The Bug at Hersheypark | 1933 – 1981
The Bug was one of Hershepark’s most classic rides, located in the Hollow, adjacent to Comet.
Skyview at Hersheypark
Skyview has operated in Hersheypark since 1966. It is a scenic, round-trip gondola ride. This should not be confused with Sky Ride (1973-1991).
Hersheypark’s Carrousel Fair
The Carrousel Fair was an event at Hersheypark that can trace its roots to the 1978 season. The event wasContinue Reading
Hersheypark in 1960
60 years ago, Hersheypark operated for it’s 54th season. The season began on April 24, 1960, and operated through SeptemberContinue Reading
Hersheypark 1910 | Memorial Day
In 1910, Hersheypark opened for its fifth season on May 30, Memorial Day. At the time, Memorial Day was alsoContinue Reading
Banjo-Saxo Orchestra of Harrisburg
Hersheypark has had many jazz orchestras and bands appear at the park throughout the years, especially between the 1910s toContinue Reading
Alanson Wood | Inventor of the Roller Coaster
The featured image above is courtesy of the Jim Abbate Collection. Alanson Wood was an inventor who was born inContinue Reading
Valley Video Cable Company
Valley Video Cable Company (VVC) was a company founded by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company on October 27, 1966 (atContinue Reading
Charles F. Bofinger | Bofinger & Associates
Bofinger & Associates, founded by Charles F. Bofinger, was an advertising agency that produced brochures for various Hershey Entertainment &Continue Reading
History of Hersheypark Maps
Hersheypark had not produced any maps of the park until 1972, when a map of the park produced by aContinue Reading
The Statue at the Entrance of Hershey Park Zoo
There is a postcard that Hersheypark has sold since approximately 1970 that shows the Monorail, installed in 1969, crossing overContinue Reading
Happy Fourth of July!
Happy Fourth of July from The Amusement Parkives! Have a great day and thanks for checking out the website! There’s aContinue Reading
Hershey Park Pool | 1908 – 1928
Before the pool at the intersection of Park Boulevard and West Derry Road was opened in 1929, there was anotherContinue Reading
What Could Have Been | Hersheypark in 2005
In 2005, Starship America and Balloon Flite were installed in Founder’s Circle (what was previously called Carrousel Circle from 1972-2004Continue Reading
Hersheypark’s Carrousel | 1945 – present
The featured photo above is courtesy of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company. Ride The New Carrousel On Sunday, May 20,Continue Reading
Hersheypark’s Springtime in the Park starts this Saturday
Springtime in the Park is open Saturday. There will be a new temporary main entrance for the park this year.
Omnivision, Inc.
Omnivision, Inc., was a company that was incorporated in Sarasota, Florida, from 1976 until 1994. Omnivision existed as a subsidiaryContinue Reading
Springtime in the Park 2019 map
Hersheypark has published the 2019 Springtime in the Park map.
Hersheypark 2019 season opens May 3
On March 7, Hersheypark announced some new information about the 2019 season. Reese’s Cupfusion will open in the summer ofContinue Reading
Cinema Vision theater
Cinema Vision operated in Hersheypark from 1982 to 1985 in what is the Pioneer Frontier region, today.
Ladybug | Hersheypark
In 1976, Hersheypark added a new ride: Ladybug. This replaced the Sailboats kiddie ride which had been in the park since 1928.
2018 in Review
Happy New Year’s Eve! As done in 2017, here is a look back at the top 10 articles published onContinue Reading
Amusement parks Carrousel / Founder's Circle Events Former HP rides Hershey Hershey Gardens Hershey Theater Hersheypark Hrubetz companies
Hersheypark in 1968
The featured photo above is courtesy the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society. If you are interested in looking at more photosContinue Reading
Tear Gas from Police Training Drifts into Hersheypark
Just down the road from Hersheypark, on Hersheypark Drive, is the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. It is located on theContinue Reading
Hersheypark Update | December 17, 2018
Here is your Hersheypark update for December 17, 2018. Digging is underway in the old Hershey Park Pool area.
The First Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Hersheypark’s first Christmas Candylane was held 35 years ago in 1983.
A Brief History of the Rotor
The Rotor was invented in Europe in the 1940s and was brought to the United States in 1951. Kennywood Park installed a Rotor in 1955, and Hersheypark installed a Rotor in 1970.
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from The Amusement Parkives!
Hersheypark Update | November 8, 2018
Construction of the perimeter gate for the expanded area of Hersheypark has continued. Fence poles have been installed on partContinue Reading
Hersheypark Update | October 23, 2018
Hersheypark’s Hershey’s Chocolatetown preliminary construction is underway.
Hersheypark in the Dark turns 20
On October 23, Hersheypark in the Dark will turn 20 years old. The first season the event occurred was inContinue Reading
Hershey’s Chocolatetown to open in 2020 at Hersheypark
Hershey’s Chocolatetown, the first theme region added to Hersheypark since 2007, was announced on October 3, 2018. It will open in Summer 2020.
When the Last Home on West Derry Road Was Sold
West Derry Road was a public road that existed until 1980 that cut through what is today Hersheypark. One ofContinue Reading
Hersheypark teases major October 3 announcement
On September 12, Hersheypark posted on social media a teaser for the park’s “biggest announcement ever” in their history. ThisContinue Reading
Castelli’s Hotel | Inside Hersheypark
Now inside Hersheypark, Castelli’s Hotel was a restaurant that operated from 1940 to 1964 on West Derry Road in Hershey.
Hersheypark to introduce Reese’s Cupfusion ride in 2019
Reese’s Cupfusion is new for summer 2019. It will replace Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge, which will permanently close on September 3.
Hersheypark and Knoebels experience continued flooding – both parks closed July 25 and 26
Hersheypark and Knoebels are experiencing continued flooding since Monday – both parks announced they would be closed on July 25 and July 26.
Hersheypark and Knoebels closed on July 23 due to localized flooding
Hersheypark and Knoebels closed on July 23 due to localized flooding. Hersheypark is scheduled to reopen on July 24. Knoebels has not yet announced their plans for tomorrow.
Steelers Country to open in Kennywood Park in 2019
On July 19, 2018, Kennywood Park and the Pittsburgh Steelers announced a collaboration that has resulted in a new themedContinue Reading
Hersheypark adding something new for 2019
The mission begins on August 2, 2018. What will it be? #Hersheypark2019
Chickie’s & Pete’s
In 2014, Hersheypark added a new branded food stand, one that was local to the Philadelphia and Jersey Shore areaContinue Reading
Happy Fourth of July!
Happy Fourth of July from The Amusement Parkives!
Hersheypark in 1908
One hundred and ten years ago, Hersheypark opened for its third season of operations on May 30, 1908. This seasonContinue Reading
The Wild Cat | 1923-1945
The Wild Cat operated in Hersheypark from 1923 to 1945. It was manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Company and The Wild Cat was the first roller coaster designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
Hersheypark plans to expand 23 acres
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company presented Plat #1298 to Derry Township Planning Commission.
Support The Amusement Parkives
I have created a donation page through PayPal if anyone would like to help support my research and writing efforts here and through The Amusement Parkives.
Hersheypark Update | February 15, 2018
Today’s Hersheypark update features news of an upcoming improvements and updates to Hersheypark over the next two seasons, as wellContinue Reading
Waagner-Biro | Double and Triple Wheels
This is a special article about the history of Waagner-Biro’s double and triple wheels. For more information about Giant WheelContinue Reading
Miniature Railroad | 1910-1971
One of the earliest rides purchased by Hersheypark, the Miniature Railroad debuted in 1910 and was operated to the 1971 season. This is a detailed review of the history of the Miniature Railroad.
Hersheypark’s Carrousel | 1912 – 1944
After the 1911 season, the popularity of the park’s first carousel required the park to purchase a larger carousel forContinue Reading
What Could Have Been | Hersheypark in the mid-1980s
In 1983, Hersheypark began drafting operations capital requirements for the years 1984 to 1988. What was created wasn’t a planContinue Reading
Randall A. Duell
This is a biographical profile of Randall A. Duell, one of the preeminent amusement park designers of the 20th Century.Continue Reading
Rudy Vallee at Hershey Park Ball Room, 1930
In 1913, Hershey Park Ball Room opened. Seventeen years later, the ballroom gained national notoriety when Rudy Vallee, one ofContinue Reading
Pittsburgh’s first roller coaster
The City of Pittsburgh got its first roller coaster in 1885, at the Penn Incline Resort. This was not onlyContinue Reading
Schenley Park Pleasure Railway in Pittsburgh | 1894 – 1897
On April 24, 1894, the Schenley Park Pleasure Railway Company announced that a roller coaster was being built near the entranceContinue Reading
The Opening of West View Park
West View Park opened on May 23, 1906, a Wednesday. Learn more about how the park was developed and who was on the first Board of Directors.
Pittsburgh Exposition roller coasters
The Greater Pittsburgh Exposition was an annual event which occurred in the fall of each year between 1889 and 1916. TheContinue Reading
1984 Louisiana World Exposition California State Fair Carowinds Hershey Hersheypark Kings Dominion Kings Island Magic Mountain Manufacturers Series Minnesota Zoo Rides Zoo Miami
Universal Mobility, Incorporated
Universal Mobility, Incorporated (UMI), was a company based out of Salt Lake City, Utah that existed from approximately 1967 toContinue Reading
Haunted Harvest | 2004
With various haunted attractions available within close distance of Hershey, Hersheypark didn’t try their hand at having a haunted attractionContinue Reading
Little Red Caboose (Lost Children’s Caboose)
In 1969, Hersheypark received a donation from Reading Railroad Company – a rare red caboose. It was briefly used asContinue Reading
Canyon River Rapids | 1987-2008
Canyon River Rapids was installed in the Pioneer Frontier section of Hersheypark for the 1987 season. This was the firstContinue Reading
Custer Car Ride
Hersheypark has had 5 different Turnpike rides over the years. This article is about the first Turnpike ride Custer CarContinue Reading
More on Giant Wheel
I wanted to cover a few more things on Giant Wheel that I really didn’t touch upon in my articleContinue Reading
Giant Wheel | 1973-2004
When the Hersheypark renovations were drawn up by R. Duell & Associates, Phase I included Carrousel Circle – one ofContinue Reading
Kiddie Ferris Wheels in Hersheypark
While the park doesn’t have a kiddie Ferris wheel today, Hersheypark has had three kiddie Ferris wheel’s in its history.
Twin Ferris Wheels | 1950-1974
Hersheypark has had a number of Ferris wheels in the park since 1926…
Harrisburg Moose Band
The Harrisburg Moose Band was a concert band that played in Central Pennsylvania from the late 1910s to the 1980s.Continue Reading