One question that often comes up is over the years, what date was Hersheypark’s first operating day of the new year. Of course, the answer is not simple: Hersheypark has had its opening day on different days, whether it was May 30, April 21, March 30, or even July 3. Learn more about the Opening …
In 1997, Hersheypark expanded Midway America. One of the rides added was The Whip. Manufactured by Sarasota, Florida based Rideworks, Inc., this ride was an homage to the park’s first Whip. The back wall of Whip featured historic photos of Hersheypark. The picture to the left was of the Twin Ferris Wheels while the picture …
Since 1973, when Tudor Square was constructed, Hersheypark has had a restaurant at the entrance of the park. The restaurant was constructed on the south side of the Tudor Square midway, with the back of the restaurant up against Park Boulevard. There have been five different restaurants to operate in this location. Hersheypark’s current restaurant …
On January 1, 2019, the main entrance of Hersheypark was used for its last time. Within a few days, the demolition of the 45 year old Tudor Castle began. Shortly thereafter, the remainder of the former Tudor Square region of the park was razed. Springtime to Halloween By April, a temporary entrance was set up …
Merlin Cless Crawford was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on May 4, 1895, to Walter B. (W. B.) Crawford and Laura Crawford née Cless. He was a co-founder of the Banjo-Saxo Orchestra of Harrisburg, and a founding member of the Hershey Orchestra (a predecessor to the current Hershey Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, …
On May 7, 1972, Hersheypark opened for it’s second season as Hersheypark. This was the first season Hersheypark would operate as a theme park – featuring three new themed regions: Carrousel Circle, Der Deitsch Platz, and Animal Garden. Hersheypark also included a new primary logo: the pinwheel. Local Harrisburg newspaper, The Patriot News, printed a …
Traffic Jam is a kiddie ride in Hersheypark manufactured by Hampton Amusement Company. The ride, sold as a Kiddie Variety Ride in the 1960s, was installed in Hersheypark in 1968. The ride is registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Amusement Ride Safety Division as PA Ride ID 76, under the name Motorcycles. …
Starship America is one of Hersheypark’s oldest rides. It was originally called Aero Jets and purchased used from Pontchartrain Beach amusement park, which was located north of New Orleans, Louisiana. Pontchartrain Beach Roto Jet At Pontchartrain Beach, Starship America was known as Roto Jet. It was purchased from the ride manufacturing company Kaspar Klaus of …
Minty Bees is a Hampton Amusement Company kiddie Super Jet ride which was installed in Hersheypark in 1961.
On June 14, 1984, an act – providing for the inspection of amusement rides and attractions; granting powers and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture; creating the Amusement Ride Safety Advisory Board; and imposing civil and criminal penalties – was entered into Pennsylvania law as P.L. 384, No. 81, the Pennsylvania Amusement Ride Inspection …
Dizzy Drums is a kiddie ride that operates in Founder’s Way across from Fender Bender. It was manufactured by Hampton Amusement Company, and it has been operating in Hersheypark since April or May of 1961. The ride is registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Amusement Ride Safety Division as PA Ride ID …
Lewis Henry Garbrick operated a dairy in his hometown of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. This dairy, called Garbrick & Son Dairy, closed in 1937. Garbrick left the dairy business to start a new manufacturing company called Garbrick Manufacturing Company. This company would go on to be best known as Garbrick Rides. History Garbrick’s son, Lewis Ardell …
Aerial Joy Ride existed in Hersheypark from 1941 to 1961. It operated at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City, and was the second ride the park purchased that operated at a world’s fair. The first ride purchased from a World’s Fair was The Bug, purchased from the Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago …
Space Age is an umbrella kiddie ride, installed in Hersheypark in 1965 and is still operating today in the Founder’s Way region of Hersheypark. The ride has maintained the same theme throughout its 56 year history at Hersheypark. The ride is registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Amusement Ride Safety Division as …
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 was one of Hershepark’s most classic rides, located in the Hollow, adjacent to Comet.
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).
The Carrousel Fair was an event at Hersheypark that can trace its roots to the 1978 season. The event was last held in 1999. It started out as a promotional pay-as-you-ride event advertised as “October Days.” It was an extension of the summer season and the park operated during AACA’s Eastern Region Fall Swap Meet …
60 years ago, Hersheypark operated for it’s 54th season. The season began on April 24, 1960, and operated through September 11, 1960. The park was closed on Mondays. 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 …
In 1910, Hersheypark opened for its fifth season on May 30, Memorial Day. At the time, Memorial Day was also commonly called Decoration Day, which was the original name of the Federal holiday. This was the traditional opening day of the park, which began in 1906 when the park first opened, and continued into the …
Hersheypark has had many jazz orchestras and bands appear at the park throughout the years, especially between the 1910s to 1960s. One regularly scheduled resident performer for the first half of the 1920s was a group called Banjo-Saxo Orchestra of Harrisburg. The name of the band came from two of its prominent instruments, and they …
The featured image above is courtesy of the Jim Abbate Collection. Alanson Wood was an inventor who was born in the State of New York in 1829. He married Lovinia H. Wood (her maiden name is unknown), born in 1830, and had one child, a daughter named Lucy. Roller Skates and the Circular Gravity Railway …
Valley Video Cable Company (VVC) was a company founded by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company on October 27, 1966 (at the time the company was named Hershey Estates). The president of the company was Arthur Whiteman, chief executive of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts at the time. Establishment of VVC On February 21, 1967, VVC had …
Hersheypark had not produced any maps of the park until 1972, when a map of the park produced by a third party was put into the park’s rack brochure and a “Welcome to Hershey” handout that was likely an additional rack brochure that was only available in Hershey. In 1973, Hersheypark produced another map for …
There is a postcard that Hersheypark has sold since approximately 1970 that shows the Monorail, installed in 1969, crossing over the entrance of Hersheypark and its main feature – the famous Elk statue. In the background of this picture is something rarely noticed. It is located in front of the entrance of Hershey Park Zoo, …
Happy Fourth of July from The Amusement Parkives! Have a great day and thanks for checking out the website! There’s a lot more new content the works. If you’d like to support The Amusement Parkives, consider giving a donation so new content can be more easily created. Click here if you are interested. Here are a bunch …
Before the pool at the intersection of Park Boulevard and West Derry Road was opened in 1929, there was another major pool in Hersheypark – the original Hershey Park Pool, which operated from 1908 to 1928 in what we know today as The Hollow. History In August 1907, Harry Herr and his subordinates began surveying …
In 2005, Starship America and Balloon Flite were installed in Founder’s Circle (what was previously called Carrousel Circle from 1972-2004 and later Founder’s Way). These two rides took the place of the iconic Giant Wheel, which was closed in 2004. However, a different ride was supposed to be installed in that location: Turbulence. This is …
The featured photo above is courtesy of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company. Ride The New Carrousel On Sunday, May 20, 1945, a mere twelve days after Germany surrendered to the Allies in World War II, the venerable carousel known as PTC #47, began to operate in Hersheypark. This carousel was much more impressive than its …
Springtime in the Park is open Saturday. There will be a new temporary main entrance for the park this year.
Omnivision, Inc., was a company that was incorporated in Sarasota, Florida, from 1976 until 1994. Omnivision existed as a subsidiary of Omni Films International, Inc., a successor company to Omnivision. The successor company existed until 1994, when the company was purchased by Iwerks Entertainment, Inc., of Burbank, California. Cinema 180 history Fred Hollingsworth III began …
On March 7, Hersheypark announced some new information about the 2019 season. Reese’s Cupfusion will open in the summer of 2019, while the summer season will begin on May 3. Reese’s Cupfusion theming Two kiddie rides adjacent to the new Reese’s Cupfusion will be taken over by ride characters Mint the Merciless and the League …
Cinema Vision operated in Hersheypark from 1982 to 1985 in what is the Pioneer Frontier region, today.
In 1976, Hersheypark added a new ride: Ladybug. This replaced the Sailboats kiddie ride which had been in the park since 1928.
Happy New Year’s Eve! As done in 2017, here is a look back at the top 10 articles published on The Amusement Parkives during the year. These are ranked by number of views. There is also a list of other notable articles worth reading. The Top 10 Hersheypark plans to expand 23 acres Hersheypark to introduce Reese’s …
The featured photo above is courtesy the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society. If you are interested in looking at more photos in their collection, check out the Historical Society’s Online Collections Database after reading this article! On April 21, it was the 50th anniversary of the opening of Hersheypark for its 1968 season. This was Hersheypark’s …
Just down the road from Hersheypark, on Hersheypark Drive, is the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. It is located on the same hill as The Hotel Hershey and Catherine Hall, part of Milton Hershey School. On Wednesday, December 19, tear gas from a training drill at the Academy blew into the Midway America section of Hersheypark. …
Tear Gas from Police Training Drifts into Hersheypark Read More »
Here is your Hersheypark update for December 17, 2018. Digging is underway in the old Hershey Park Pool area.
Hersheypark’s first Christmas Candylane was held 35 years ago in 1983.
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.
Construction of the perimeter gate for the expanded area of Hersheypark has continued. Fence poles have been installed on part of the fence line. It is set a handful of feet away from Park Boulevard, presumably to allow a public right-of-way for a fire lane, similar to what can be seen along Hersheypark Drive behind …
Hersheypark’s Hershey’s Chocolatetown preliminary construction is underway.
On October 23, Hersheypark in the Dark will turn 20 years old. The first season the event occurred was in 1998. Creatures of the Night originally began as a single night event on October 31, 1979 in ZooAmerica. In 1992, Creatures of the Night expanded into Minetown (today, Kissing Tower Hill) and several kiddie rides …
Hershey’s Chocolatetown, the first theme region added to Hersheypark since 2007, was announced on October 3, 2018. It will open in Summer 2020.
West Derry Road was a public road that existed until 1980 that cut through what is today Hersheypark. One of the former homes on West Derry Road exists in Hersheypark today – The Lingle House in Pioneer Frontier Food Court. This house was sold to Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company (the owner of Hersheypark, then …
On September 12, Hersheypark posted on social media a teaser for the park’s “biggest announcement ever” in their history. This is more than likely related to the proposed 23 acre expansion of Hersheypark which was submitted to Derry Township for necessary approvals in the late spring. This proposed expansion includes a relocation of the main …
Now inside Hersheypark, Castelli’s Hotel was a restaurant that operated from 1940 to 1964 on West Derry Road in Hershey.
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 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 is scheduled to reopen on July 24. Knoebels has not yet announced their plans for tomorrow.
On July 19, 2018, Kennywood Park and the Pittsburgh Steelers announced a collaboration that has resulted in a new themed region being added to the park, which will be called Steelers Country. The main fixture of the region, which is roughly where Log Jammer used to stand, is The Steel Curtain, which will be the …
Steelers Country to open in Kennywood Park in 2019 Read More »
The mission begins on August 2, 2018. What will it be? #Hersheypark2019
In 2014, Hersheypark added a new branded food stand, one that was local to the Philadelphia and Jersey Shore area – Chickie’s & Pete’s. Chickie’s & Pete’s opened up a location inside Hersheypark in the Midway America region of the park. A new structure was built adjacent to the Midway America Subway stand across from Midway …
One hundred and ten years ago, Hersheypark opened for its third season of operations on May 30, 1908. This season was the year Hersheypark added its first amusement park attractions. On the evening of May 19, 1908, the Patriotic Order Sons of America (P.O.S. of A.) Hall, built by Milton S. Hershey for the Camp …
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.
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company presented Plat #1298 to Derry Township Planning Commission.
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Today’s Hersheypark update features news of an upcoming improvements and updates to Hersheypark over the next two seasons, as well as updates on the construction of the new Racer Corner rides being installed in The Boardwalk at Hersheypark for the 2018 season. Hersheypark Entrance Improvements and 2020 Attraction According to recent Dauphin County records, Hersheypark …
This is a special article about the history of Waagner-Biro’s double and triple wheels. For more information about Giant Wheel at Hersheypark see here and here. Waagner-Biro produced a new kind of Ferris Wheel in the 1970s through the 1980s that were twin or triplet wheels attached to a swivel bar to raise the wheel into …
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.
After the 1911 season, the popularity of the park’s first carousel required the park to purchase a larger carousel for the park. The original carousel, often called the Merry-Go-Round, was a smaller Hershchell-Spillman carousel. It simply didn’t meet the needs of Hersheypark’s operation in 1911, and so the ride was slated to be replaced. For …
In 1983, Hersheypark began drafting operations capital requirements for the years 1984 to 1988. What was created wasn’t a plan for the park to follow, just an idea of what future operating budgets may need to be. To understand the motivation for this projection, we need to look back at the previous five years 1978 …
What Could Have Been | Hersheypark in the mid-1980s Read More »
This is a biographical profile of Randall A. Duell, one of the preeminent amusement park designers of the 20th Century. But not only was he distinguished for that – he was also a long time art director for MGM Studios from the 1930s to the 1950s, being nominated for several Academy awards. Randall A. Duell …
In 1913, Hershey Park Ball Room opened. Seventeen years later, the ballroom gained national notoriety when Rudy Vallee, one of music’s first teen idols, performed to a sold out crowd. According to the Hershey Community Archives in a Spring 2011 Derry Township newsletter, John Sollenberger was responsible for booking Vallee: Hershey Ballroom typically paid $250-$300 …
The City of Pittsburgh got its first roller coaster in 1885, at the Penn Incline Resort. This was not only Pittsburgh’s first roller coaster, it was one of the first three roller coasters constructed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The first roller coaster constructed in Pennsylvania, The Roller Coaster, appears to have operated in Philadelphia …
On April 24, 1894, the Schenley Park Pleasure Railway Company announced that a roller coaster was being built near the entrance of Schenley Park, on Forbes Street, opposite the Carnegie library. The roller coaster was constructed inside a two story building that included a restaurant and a dessert bar, as well as a barber and a …
Schenley Park Pleasure Railway in Pittsburgh | 1894 – 1897 Read More »
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.
The Greater Pittsburgh Exposition was an annual event which occurred in the fall of each year between 1889 and 1916. The exposition was located where Point State Park and PNC Park are in Pittsburgh today. The grounds were spread between downtown Pittsburgh and the city of Allegheny (today the North Shore). Twin Gravity Railway (1895 – …
Universal Mobility, Incorporated (UMI), was a company based out of Salt Lake City, Utah that existed from approximately 1967 to 1989. UMI was best known for constructing a handful of monorail systems in places such as Hershey, Pennsylvania, Magic Mountain in California, and the Louisiana World’s Fair in 1984. Other products UMI manufactured included tram …
With various haunted attractions available within close distance of Hershey, Hersheypark didn’t try their hand at having a haunted attraction in Hersheypark. That changed in 2004 when park management decided to have one. This attraction was Haunted Harvest. I want to take a moment to thank Roy J. Brashears for his help with this article. …
In 1969, Hersheypark received a donation from Reading Railroad Company – a rare red caboose. It was briefly used as a children’s ride in 1970, and by the mid-1970s became the Lost Children’s Caboose. It served that function until 2006, and then remained in Hersheypark until March 2014, when it was donated to the Reading …
In 1964, Hersheypark installed several new rides (and remodeled one as well). One of these new rides was a Norman Bartlett-invented ride called Flying Coaster. Flying Coaster is a type of flat ride, not a roller coaster. Manufactured by Aeroaffiliates, Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas, this ride was only in the park for eight years. An example …
Canyon River Rapids was installed in the Pioneer Frontier section of Hersheypark for the 1987 season. This was the first major ride added to the park since the addition of sooperdooperLooper for the 1977 season. Hersheypark added 5 acres of land with the addition of the new ride. History The ride was purchased at a …
Hersheypark has had 5 different Turnpike rides over the years. This article is about the first Turnpike ride Custer Car Ride. History Hersheypark was increasing in popularity throughout the 1930s, and to meet the growing trend with rides in other amusement parks, Hersheypark installed a ride manufactured by the Custer Specialty Company. Known as the …
I wanted to cover a few more things on Giant Wheel that I really didn’t touch upon in my article last Thursday. I plan to do similar follow ups with other articles as I publish them on the blog. Astron International Corporation As I mentioned in the previous article, Giant Wheel was Waagner-Biro’s first double …
When the Hersheypark renovations were drawn up by R. Duell & Associates, Phase I included Carrousel Circle – one of the biggest parts of the additions to Hersheypark planned. While the Carrousel was obviously the focal point of the area, another ride was planned to be installed but was part of Phase II. This ride …
While the park doesn’t have a kiddie Ferris wheel today, Hersheypark has had three kiddie Ferris wheel’s in its history.
Hersheypark has had a number of Ferris wheels in the park since 1926…
Phase I Opens. Printed on May 7, 1972, in The Patriot-News, was a special features section all about the grand opening of the new Hersheypark (although it was renamed a year earlier in 1971). Below was the front page of that section which displays one of the first prominent appearances of the Hersheypark pinwheel logo. …
This article is part of a short series on Aloha Park, which was located in the Waikiki section of Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. This article is about the Church & Prior roller coaster at the park, Big Dipper. Aloha Park had one roller coaster, Big Dipper, which was designed by Church & Prior and construction …
This is a short series of articles about Aloha Park, which was in the Waikiki section of Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. This first article is about the history of Aloha Park. From September 14, 1922, until October 1925, there was an amusement park in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, initially called Aloha Park. The park featured …
Nowlen’s Store was a house on 324-326 Park Avenue. This house was built on two tracts of land that had been merged into one. It was home to a grocery store and restaurant best known as Nowlen’s Store in the 1920s and 1930s. The property dates back to the 1880s, when William Miller purchased two …
