Hersheypark in 1960

60 years ago, Hersheypark operated for it’s 54th season.

Advert for Hersheypark in the Lancaster New Era, April 22, 1960, on page 4. Note that the mention of the park operating for it’s 53rd season dates to 1907, which is not correct. The park opened on May 30, 1906.

The season began on April 24, 1960, and operated through September 11, 1960. The park was closed on Mondays.

Hersheypark advert from the Daily Intelligencer Journal [Lancaster, PA], September 15, 1960, page 33.

Hersheypark remained open on Sundays in September due to popular demand. The park opened at 1:00pm on these Sundays. The park remained open until demand no longer required it; it’s unclear what Sunday was the last day of operation for the 1960 season, but we can assume the park operated on September 18 and 25. It is unlikely the park operated on October 2, since the park doesn’t appear to have operated in October until the late 1960s or mid 1970s.

New for 1960

A new ride was introduced – the Turnpike – and a new attraction – a miniature golf course – was also added.

From Hershey News, April 14, 1960, page 1.
From Hershey News, April 28, 1960, page 1.

List of rides in Hersheypark

Hersheypark had 22 rides. 12 were what the park called major rides (family / adult rides) and 10 were kiddie rides. The park counted the Carrousel as a kiddie ride even though it is a full size ride for children, families, or adults.

Major rides

  1. Miniature Railroad – installed 1910
  2. Mill Chute – installed 1929
  3. The Pretzel – installed 1931
  4. The Bug – installed 1933
  5. The Whip – installed 1937
  6. Laugh Land – installed 1940 (originally 1938 as Death Valley)
  7. Aerial Joy Ride – installed 1941
  8. Comet – installed 1946
  9. Funland – installed 1946
  10. Cuddle Up – installed 1947
  11. Skooters – installed mid-1950s (first set of Skooters in 1938)
  12. Turnpike – installed 1960
  • Carrousel – installed 1945 – counted as a kiddie ride

Kiddie rides

Kiddie rides were primarily located in the Kiddieland region of the park, adjacent to The Pretzel and Aerial Joy Ride (where Fender Bender is today).

  1. Airplane Swing – installed 1926
  2. Ferris Wheel (1926) – installed 1926
  3. Sailboats – installed 1928
  4. Automobiles – installed 1935
  5. Carrousel – installed 1945
  6. Horse & Buggy – installed 1949
  7. Lucas Motor Boats – installed 1949
  8. Miniature Train – installed 1952
  9. Kiddie Turnpike – installed 1955
  10. Ferris Wheel (1959) – installed 1959

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