Author: Rob Lewis Publisher: Arcadia Publishing ISBN: 1439637296 Category : Travel Languages : en Pages : 132
Book Description
Rhode Island Amusement Parks brings back the memories of a time less complicated than the present, when a sense of family held communities together. Rhode Islanders were once able to enjoy amusement parks without traveling far; the state was home to several ocean front parks as early as the mid-18th century, with some of them surviving into the late 19th century. Photographers Rob Lewis and Ryan Young have embarked on a journey to discover the amusement parks of the past in this delightful and unprecedented collection of images. View the parks that provided a recreational outlet for so many Rhode Island families and the visitors who frequented them. Scenes from several neighboring Massachusetts amusement parks are also pictured. The images in this collection are from two large private archives as well as treasured family collections. Special highlights include photographs of hand-operated rides of the 1800s and views of President Taft's plane, which landed at Sandy Beach in 1911. Also featured is Vanity Fair, an amusement park that lasted only five years during the first decade of this century. Residents of these communities will enjoy seeing Rhode Island as it once was and will witness the changes it has endured over the years.
Author: David Bettencourt Publisher: Arcadia Publishing ISBN: 1467123366 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 96
Book Description
In 1938, a tremendous hurricane devastated southern New England, including Rocky Point Park. The shore dining hall was washed away, and the roller coaster lay in ruins. Owners began to look into other options for this beautiful 80 acres of land along the coastline of Narragansett Bay. The park's future was in jeopardy until 1948, when Providence businessman Vincent Ferla bought it and brought it back to life. He revitalized the midway and brought in new and exciting rides, and on the park's first day back, more than 35,000 people visited. The park thrived for nearly 50 years until its eventual closure in 1995. Today, this scenic spot along the Atlantic Ocean has been returned to the people of Rhode Island as a nature preserve and is flourishing once again.
Author: Jim Hillman Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing ISBN: 0747813590 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 65
Book Description
From Jones's Woods, America's first amusement resort, to Coney Island during the golden age of the mid-1900s, and well beyond into the twenty-first century, the thrills of the amusement park have been a treasured part of childhood for Americans from coast to coast. Though many of the country's grand amusement treasures have now vanished, and many other parks are struggling for survival, their memory and legacy are very much alive: there will be a fascination with these American classics as long as the clatter of the old coaster cars and the thumping of the carousel band organ remains. Through thoroughly researched text and historic images, Amusement Parks author and park enthusiast Jim Hillman captures the sights, smells, and continuing vitality of a grand American tradition.
Author: Kelly Sullivan Pezza Publisher: History Press Library Editions ISBN: 9781540223623 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 130
Book Description
On a summer day in 1893, little Maggie Sheffield was murdered. Maggie's own father did the unthinkable against a backdrop of laughter and barrel organ music at Rocky Point Amusement Park. The tragedy aroused a strange reaction from the peaceable community of Warwick, Rhode Island. Many seemed to be more concerned for the murderer, Frank Sheffield, than for his young victim. Frank was rumored to be insane or addicted to drugs, and after a trial, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. The murder did not tarnish Rocky Point's reputation as a premier destination, and the park operated until 1995. Investigating official records and newspaper archives, author Kelly Sullivan Pezza uncovers the facts and oddities behind a grim crime in Rhode Island's summer paradise.
Author: Vince Gargiulo Publisher: Arcadia Publishing ISBN: 9780738538624 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 132
Book Description
High atop the Palisades cliffs in the boroughs of Cliffside Park and Fort Lee once stood the home of the famous Cyclone roller coaster, the Tunnel of Love, and the world's largest outdoor saltwater pool. The place was called Palisades Amusement Park, and even today, several decades after it closed, the park is warmly remembered. For those who ever visited the park, this book is sure to bring back cherished memories and re-create the thrills, laughter, and joy that was Palisades.
Author: Jim Futrell Publisher: Stackpole Books ISBN: 9780811732628 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 244
Book Description
This comprehensive guide profiles 16 major amusement parks in the Empire State and offers information on smaller parks as well. Offers complete information on rides and attractions, a history of each park, and best times to go. Features vintage photographs and postcards scenes.
Author: Jim Hillman Publisher: Shire Publications ISBN: 9780747812098 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
America's amusement industry emerged from simple swimming ponds, family picnic areas, and community gathering spots. Although the first major entrepreneurial-driven amusement resort, known as Jones Woods, grew from the banks of New York's East River in the 1800s, the Golden Age of American amusement parks began with the mid-1800s development of a Brooklyn peninsula into "America's Playland": Coney Island. Coney Island also paved the way for other developments, including America's oldest continuously operating amusement park, Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, and the defunct Rocky Point Park in Warrick, Rhode Island. By 1893, and the opening of the Chicago World's Columban Exposition, Americans were becoming familiar with the marvels of the midway. By the early 1900s, amusement parks dotted the landscape and several larger cities had more than one commercial park. Many of these parks became the stuff of lasting memories, icons of America: Playland Park in San Francisco, Elitch Gardens in Denver, Riverview in Chicago, Riverside in Indianapolis. Many of America's grand amusement treasures have vanished, and many other parks are struggling for survival. But while many of the parks have disappeared, amusement park memories are alive and are firmly part of nostalgic America. As long as the clatter of the old coaster cars fosters nervous anticipation and the thumping of the carousel band organ remains, there will be a market for these American classics. With thoroughly researched text and historic images, author and park enthusiast Jim Hillman captures the sights, smells, and vitality of America's grand amusement park traditions.
Author: Rob Lewis
Author: David Bettencourt
Author: Rob Lewis
Author: Jim Hillman
Author: Kelly Sullivan Pezza
Author: Vince Gargiulo
Author: Jim Futrell
Author: Jim Hillman
Author: Dale Samuelson
Author: Carole Marsh