A book from arcadia publishing entitled willow grove park 2005 includes over 200 photos of the park and is the only comprehensive history of the. Willow grove amusement park, willow grove, pa, aerial view of the park and surrounding area. I was so pumped to see this film, as i loooove old amusement park footage. Willow grove pennsylvania amusement 4x6 1900s photo here is a neat collectible from the will grove amusement park pennsylvania. Welcome to the upper moreland historical association online upper moreland township is located in montgomery county, pa, approximately 17 miles northwest of the city of philadelphia.
Life is a lark at willow grove park internet archive. A community in philadelphias northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. Life was a lark at willow grove park, video memories of a philadelphia amusement park. The library is closed in compliance with the commonwealth of pennsylvania measures to mitigate the spread of covid19 in montgomery county, pa. In a dark ride at an amusement park outside of philly pa. Ferris wheels, roller coasters, tram cars on the wildwood, new jersey boardwalk. It was generally an alternative to the woodside amusement park in fairmount park until its closure. The park was replaced by willow grove mall in 1982. Feb, 2006 willow grove park illustrates the fascinating history of one of americas most famous amusement parks. This is the film which contains a commercial for willow grove picnic area and amusement park, with narration and music.
An illustated book about amusement park rides and roller coasters. Oct 21, 2015 the spooky allure of a fair is made all the stronger when the place is completely abandoned. Upper moreland free public library knowledge and adventure. At the heart of the grove, directly across from the iconic tree sits wildwood creek, a welcome oasis for cooling off, making music and taking a break.
Willow grove park, pennsylvania images of america series by old. Aug 08, 2011 this wonderful 12 minute film of willow grove park shows what it was like visiting it in the late 50s, 60s and finally the early 70s. Amusement and water parks around willow grove, pa aarp. Willow grove park, end of an era, amusement parks, historical photos, book. Welcome to the upper moreland historical association online. The apple store is located in willow grove park mall, level 2 center, opposite baby gap. Life is a lark at willow grove park historical society of pennsylvania.
A documentary of the park was created in 1991 titled life was a lark at willow grove park ntsc 1991 50 mins. Willow grove park, philadelphias fairyland walkabout books. This was the era of the trolley park, when amusement parks were usually built on a parcel at the end of a trolley linemuch like this regions other amusement center, willow grove park. Willow grove park illustrates the fascinating history of one of americas most. The demise of the rotunda amusement park, folkestone martin easdown and linda sage.
Media in category willow grove park the following 5 files are in this category, out of 5 total. Willow grove park has given locals and campers from afar the opportunity to enjoy nature and escape from their busy lives for many years. It brought back a lot of fond memories of this longdefunct philadelphia area amusement park and its slogan, life is a lark. A book from arcadia publishing entitled willow grove park 2005 includes over 200 photos of the park and is the only comprehensive history of the park. The rotting structures of the abandoned williams grove amusement park near mechanicsburg are hauntingly beautiful. Which i know for a fact is based on a real park called willow grove. The best apartments in toeplitsch for your vacation from. The willow grove park committee focuses on preserving the memory and history of this local landmark. Amusement parks of new york by jim futrell stackpool 2006. Before it was a shopping mall, and even before it was an amusement park, willow grove park has always been a main attraction in the upper moreland area. View of mountain scenic railway amusement ride from casino, willow grove park, pennsylvania 1 photographic print. This ingenious concept proved a remarkable success, and the. Though the amusement park is no longer in use and has fallen into disrepair, the property itself is not abandoned. The thoroughly researched book also corrects many of the historical inaccuracies that have grown up surrounding the history of the park.
Willow grove pennsylvania amusement 4x6 reprint of 1900s old photo. Willow grove park, which opened in 1896, was a genteel version of an amusement park, developed by the peoples traction company of philadelphia to encourage trolley ridership to. Enjoy three levels of shopping at the retailers you love. Willow grove is a censusdesignated place cdp in montgomery county, pennsylvania. Willow grove park also had stupendous carousels, other classics like the whip, and a midway full of carnival games.
Feb 6, 2020 old willow grove amusement park aerial photowilllow grove,pa. Willow mill park was an amusement park in mechanicsburg, pennsylvania, nestled alongside conodoguinet creek. Willow grove park was an amusement park located in willow grove, pennsylvania united. Remembering woodside park, philadelphias own amusement. Life was a lark at willow grove park 1991 documentary. Subject headings amusement parkspennsylvaniawillow grove19001910. Significant upgrades to the park are currently underway, with more planned in.
Willow grove was once known for willow grove park, an amusement park that was open from 1896 to 1976, now the site of willow grove. Willow grove park, pennsylvania library of congress. Amounts shown in italicized text are for items listed in currency other than canadian dollars and are approximate conversions to canadian dollars based upon bloombergs conversion rates. This ingenious concept proved a remarkable success, and the park set the standard for providing firstclass entertainment and amusement. Nights ended with a spectacular colored fountain show on the parks immense lake. On october 28, 2014, port commissioners unanimously voted to take over the 75acre park on the columbia river. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The track operated succesfully through until 1978 when it closed due to a death in the family. Willow grove park is located in southern willow grove, sw of rt 611 and the pa turnpike. Jun 15, 2011 willow grove park was an amusement park located in willow grove, pennsylvania a part of abington township, usa, that operated for eighty years from 1896 until the 1975 season. Ive been reading willow grove park, a book which is primarily a bound collection of captioned photographs. A collection of postcards and photos of conneaut lake park in ohio. Abandoned williams grove amusement park, pa is beyond creepy.
The titlethe disappearance of mary young doesnt make sense to me. Like so many of the other recent additions to prelinger archives, a real treat and. Willow grove park mall 2500 moreland rd, willow grove, pennsylvania 19090 rated 4. Willow grove park was an amusement park located in willow grove, pennsylvania the part which is in abington township, united states, that operated for eighty years from 1896 until the 1975 season. Upper moreland township is located in montgomery county, pa, approximately 17 miles northwest of the city of philadelphia. Photo courtesy of east falls historical society the citys trolley park. Willow grove park by old york road historical society arcadia.
Willow grove park lake dallas, tx official website. Most of these attractions would remain until the parks. The spooky allure of a fair is made all the stronger when the place is completely abandoned. Willow grove park, which opened in 1896, was a genteel version of an amusement park, developed by the peoples traction company of philadelphia to encourage trolley ridership to the end of the line. Significant upgrades to the park are currently underway, with more planned in the coming months. Willow grove speedway opened as a 38 mile dirt oval speedway in 1969 on the privately owned farm of lester and willamae wright. Willow grove park willow grove, pa opened in 1896 and continued operation until it was later replaced in 1982 by the willow grove park mall. Advertisement for hang the coon, an amusement park throwing game. The paperback of the willow grove park, pennsylvania images of america. Willow grove is considered an edge city of philadelphia with large amounts of retail and office space. Aarp is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. List of published amusement park history books about specific parks and general amusement ride history. Willow grove park the old york road historical society arcadia publishing willow grove park illustrates the fascinating history of one of americas most famous amusement parks. Willow grove park was built in 1896 as a way of encouraging people to ride the trolley on weekends.
This vhs tape was released in 1991 to commemorate the upcoming 90th anniversary of the park in 1992. Alps six gun territory willow grove, pennsylvania, united states removed, operated from to roller coaster wood sit down. The title is based on the popular park slogan life is a lark at willow grove park. Life is a lark at willow grove park historical society. The linwoodgilliland community room is a great place for special occasions such as wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, and family reunions as well as for meetings and conferences. Willow grove park upper moreland historical association. Willow grove park in late 20, cowlitz county commissioners offered willow grove park to the port of longview. Upper morelandwillow grove, pa at the most recent meeting of the upper moreland historical society, members viewed video of the amusement park from the 1950s to 1970s. Willow grove park, which opened in 1896, was a genteel version of an amusement park, developed by the peoples traction company of philadelphia to. They featured many kinds of entertainment, including amusement park rides, music, and much more. Life is a lark at willow grove park historical society of. Old willow grove amusement park aerial photowilllow. Willow grove park old york road historical society.
During the 1970s it became sixgun territory, an amusement park with a western theme. This wonderful 12 minute film of willow grove park shows what it was like visiting it in the late 50s, 60s and finally the early 70s. It is located in upper dublin township, abington township and upper moreland township. Allinclusive resorts in barbados embassy suites by hilton west palm beach central hotels in cape girardeau hotels near grand ole opry hyatt regency grand reserve puerto rico candlewood suites philadelphia willow grove hotels near sahara sams indoor water fun park hilton hotels hotels in davenport athens gate hotel holiday inn express mackinaw. Remembering woodside park, philadelphias own amusement park. In the book, the murderer had an even easier time of it. A collection of postcards and photos of pennsylvanias willow grove amusement park. A collection of postcards and photos of conneaut lake park in pennsylvania. There were many of these in graces era and they were built to encourage trolley ridership outside of the regular business commute through the week.
This ingenious concept proved a remarkable success, and the park set the standard. A scenic creek winding through the area, it invites young and old to roll up their cuffs, wade in and splash around in the cool mountain water. Many bw illustrations from photographs, including a doublepage panorama at the center. For a time, life really was a lark at willow grove park. Mall walking around willow grove willow grove, pa aarp in your city. Willow grove park was an amusement park located in willow grove, pennsylvania a part of abington township, usa, that operated for eighty years from 1896 until the 1975 season. Willow grove park is leased by the city of lake dallas from the united states army corp of engineers. Willow grove park offers both rv and primitive camping as well as many different amenities. Most of these attractions would remain until the park s. Alps six gun territory willow grove, pennsylvania, united. The little dipper brought to the park in 1950 and removed in 1963 dantes inferno dark fun house ride allotria fun house walkthrough the 2 waterslides of williams grove amusement park were the first waterslides in the area and installed in the 1980s.
When balmy summer breezes blow, and music fills the air. Films reveal willow grove park past upper moreland, pa patch. Willow grove park, pennsylvania images of america series. Willow grove park arcadia publishing history books. Important events in the area date back to the revolutionary war, and in the early 20th century, a park in the little town of willow grove became worldfamous. Parks roller coasters fairs circus entertainment seaside. Willow grove park, paperback by old york road historical society, isbn 07385399, isbn 97807385393, brand new, free shipping in the us willow grove park illustrates the fascinating history of one of americas most famous amusement parks. This park set the standard for providing firstclass entertainment and amusement. Willow grove park in pennsylvania, which reminded me that i had this book. Willow grove was once known for willow grove park, an amusement park that was open from 1896 to 1976, now the site of willow grove park mall.
Willow grove park was an amusement park that operated from 1896 to 1975. This is the film which contains a commercial for willow grove picnic area and amusement park. Many thought that the little scenic was the best of the 3 coasters in the park, beating out the thunderbolt which was the top coaster in the park. Alps six gun territory willow grove, pennsylvania, united states removed, operated from to roller coaster wood sit down pictures maps. Back when this was written, 1928, you could stay on the ride, right in your own seat, by. But when i started to watch this, i began sink lower and lower into my chair, as this amusement park surely looks to be on the lower end of the scale in terms of fun. Willow grove park illustrates the fascinating history of one of americas most famous amusement parks.
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