It was an ordinary day. Scrolling down through link after link on the Facebook page: Friends of Rocky Springs Amusement Park Lancaster PA. Bringing back memories of past times when my parents would take me to the park to ride the rides or even ride down the Conestoga Creek in the "Lady Gay"; then as I got older, enjoying those same times with friends and family. I have written a few stories in the past about the park, but after viewing the many new "old" photos of the park from the past, thought I would once again visit the park with you and show you what a great time I used to have while visiting Rocky Springs in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
One of the few remaining remnants from the old Rocky Springs Amusement Park is the building pictured here. It is now a Bed and Breakfast on the property once occupied by the great amusement park.
One other remnant is a pier that held the famous roller coaster.
This is a post card picture of the first roller coaster at Rocky Springs called the Figure 8. It was built by T.M. Harton around 1905 and removed in 1917. Next came the Figure 8, The Jack Rabbit designed by John Miller, The Wildcat designed by Herb Schmeck and built be The Philadelphia Toboggan Company, and finally the Wild Mouse.
This is the entrance to The Wildcat Roller Coaster. The coaster had two gigantic hills that were close to a 90 degree drop. You were held into your seat with a belt that you buckled yourself.
The first thing you saw when the ride started was this tunnel you entered. Rather spooky at night since the tunnel wasn't lit.
This was the trolley that made the last run from the city of Lancaster, PA to Rocky Springs Park. I never rode the trolley since it I was only 3 years old when it stopped running.
The Trolley station at Rocky Springs
The city of Lancaster had two open-air trolleys they would use to take people from the city to Rocky Springs during summer months.
Another photo showing the entrance into the park.
Tickets for the Carrousel ride in the park. Notice the price.
The Rocky Springs Carrousel was dismantled and taken to a park in the south. It is now back in storage, awaiting a move to another location in Lancaster County.
The "Laff in the Dark" was a fun building, but the screeching of the laughters was at time scary.
What amusement park didn't have a whip which threw you around for a few minutes.
The Airplanes were also a popular ride at Rocky Springs.
One of my favorites was the Shooting Gallery. Not sure what they used for ammo, but it may not be acceptable today.
I can remember when I visited with my Grandpap on South Prince Street in the city and I would go to Rocky Springs to swim with my Aunt Lois, who happened to be a year older than me.
And, my last photo is one showing protesters pushing for integration of Rocky Springs swimming pool. Rocky Springs attempted to prevent blacks from swimming there by making it a Members Only pool. What a shame that we all couldn't have a good time together. And now for a trip back in time with "A Rocky Springs Saturday Night by Bobbi Carmitchell ……..
I just have to say perusing your photos just made me feel like it was yesterday. The smell of the food, the music playing as soon as you approached the park and the crowds of people waiting in lines. I for one loved the whip. Wow what fun that was. My other favorite was the fun house. Thanks for the memories.
And Lancaster today is being destroyed by liberal Democrats. At one time in Lancaster one could quit a good paying job at lunch time and have a better one by dinner time. Today all Lancaster has to offer us 28 percent poverty, a park full of druggies, change the name of neighborhoods but not change the attitude of the residents.....Lancaster, a good example of Democrat failure.
The good times
ReplyDeleteI just have to say perusing your photos just made me feel like it was yesterday. The smell of the food, the music playing as soon as you approached the park and the crowds of people waiting in lines. I for one loved the whip. Wow what fun that was. My other favorite was the fun house. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteThe Wildcat had fixed lap bars but NO seat belts- I rode it over 50 times over the year- no one was ever buckled into the seat!
ReplyDeleteThis is so so cool to read about! I love living in Lancaster city and learning about its history
ReplyDeleteAnd Lancaster today is being destroyed by liberal Democrats. At one time in Lancaster one could quit a good paying job at lunch time and have a better one by dinner time. Today all Lancaster has to offer us 28 percent poverty, a park full of druggies, change the name of neighborhoods but not change the attitude of the residents.....Lancaster, a good example of Democrat failure.
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