[RCT2] Lake Norris Amusment Park

Bear with me as I introduce the story...

Lake Norris Park (later Lake Norris Amusement Park) was initially created in 1885 as a beach resort on the property of owner Baldwin Norris (after which the lake is named). The lake, located on Norris' property was initially used for agriculture on the property, but as Baldwin noticed the southern end of it contained a large amount of sand, he opened the property as a "getaway" for local residents in the area to enjoy the lake during the hotter summer months.

As the years went on, the beach found more and more residents and localites traveling to "cool down." It was in 1890 that the park itself began to grow as a true getaway for people, beginning to offer attractions for guests beyond just the sandy beaches. In 1890, the first attraction on the property opened, the "Lakeside Bath House." The new building, still standing today, was one of the largest in the area at the time, and contained 200 changing rooms for men and women, a large "common area" for speakers, performers, and gatherings, as well as eating areas where those who brought along food could escape the sun and heat to enjoy their meals.

Through 1900, consistent additions were made to the property, including the addition of various water attractions such as the "water trapeze," where daring guests could test their skills on a slippery wooden structure located a short distance out from the beach, as well as other slides, swings and other water attractions.

The first major addition to the park was in 1907, with the addition of the "Leap the Dips" roller coaster. This roller coaster, designed by Edward J. Morris, the same mastermind behind the Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park, stood at a height of 45 feet tall, an amazing feat at the time. This new attraction drove more people to visit the park though the following years and truly acted as a catalyst to kick starting the park as more than just a beach-side resort.

Various other small attractions, including a few in-house mechanical rides continued to open year after year and continued to draw in the crowds.

The next major attraction was added in 1926. The Comet roller coaster, designed by John Allen. This out-and-back style roller coaster stood at 70 feet, and reached speeds of over 40 mph. Thrill seekers traveled from miles around to ride this "unbelievable" ride, which traveled faster than the average new-age vehicles did at the time.

Now with two roller coasters on the property, the focus shifted towards amusement rides. The park was renamed "Lake Norris Amusement Park" in 1927, and saw the addition of "The Whip" the same year. This ride, located under a large structure took riders around the course by whipping them extremely fast around each rounding corner, creating a completely out of control feeling. The ride still operates today, with the same popularity as the year it opened.

Not stopping yet, the park added the "Cyclone" roller coaster in 1928, designed by Harry Traver, the designer of the infamous Crystal Beach Cyclone. The ride wasn't nearly as extreme as the Crystal Beach version, but contained a large amount of speed an airtime. At 70 feet tall and reaching 44 mph, the ride delivered a "hair raising experience" to anyone that boarded it's trains.

The addition of the Cyclone in 1928 kept people coming. The attendance at the park peaked in the summer of 1929. The beach was full and the rides were giving the thrill seekers delights all summer long, but the good times wouldn't last.

With the stock market crash in October of 1929, the nation descended into a depression. This depression affected Lake Norris Amusement Park drastically. People who normally flocked to it's beach and to ride it's rides were no longer there. With less and less people attending, the park went dormant. The park added the Ferris Wheel in 1931, but thsi was not enough to bring people in. Baldwin Norris, who had owned the property since 1880, was forced to sell the park or go bankrupt. The park closed, and didn't reopen for the following season.

The park would go on to sit idle, not opening to the public for the following 7 years, allowing many of the rides and buildings to go into disrepair.

In 1938, the park was purchased by George Walters, a wealthy man whose family was able sustain during the Great Depression. After purchasing the park, the plan to reopen the park began. Attempting to fix and repair as many rides as possible, Walters' crews spend the entirety of 1938 and 1939 restoring the Bath House, rides and roller coasters. Many of the rides were removed, due to deterioration, but the park was able to reopen in the summer of 1940 with fully restored buildings, rides, and "Comet" roller coaster. The "Cyclone" and "Leap the Dips" sat idle throughout the summer, as the park evaluated whether or not they were salvageable.

By the end of the summer, construction crews begin restoration on the "Leap the Dips", and plans were put in place for restoration of the "Cyclone." The "Leap the Dips" reopened with the park in 1941, which the "Cyclone" was not able to get back to running condition until the summer of 1942. With the onset of World War II on the horizon, the guests started to flock back to the park, and it's beach. Guests saw the park, again, as a getaway, and the rebirth of the park had begun.

A new "Grand Ballroom" was added to the park in 1943. This new ballroom held multiple events, such as music events and bandstands, as well as various dances for guests.

Throughout the following years, some improvements were made, but with the US involvement in World War II starting in late 1944, the park ceased additions and focused squarely on just staying open for guests to enjoy a day away.

After the conclusion of World War II, the park began to add more attractions at a much faster pace. In 1947, a new restaurant, bar and dockside seating area, called the "Beach Club" was added to the park. This new "Club" allowed guests to take in the lake, without having to use the beach itself.

In 1948, a new roller coaster, the "Wild Mouse" was added to the park, which featured single cars moving along it's hairpin turns along a wooden structure.

For the 1949 season, the "Cadillac Cars" ride was added, allowing guests to leisurely ride through the lush trees of the park in the shadows of the "Comet."

For the 1951 season, the park added the main midway, which consisted of food stands, and various park games where guests could win prizes, which was becoming extremely prevalent at other amusement parks.

1954 brought the "Lake Norris Railway," a steam-powered train system which took guests from the "Bath House" area around "Leap the Dips" towards the "Beach Club" and back.

In 1956, the park added the "Scrambler" a new mechanical ride which rotated and whipped guests along circular pattern.

Small improvements were made over the following years, which brings to "today", 1966.

Note: All "high resolution" images can be found in this album.

The main midway food and games, as well as the "Grand Ballroom" (1943)

The "Lakeside Bath House" (1890) after it's restoration.

The "Beach Club" (1947) bar and restaurant, and "Wild Mouse" (1948) roller coaster.

The "Cyclone" (1928) roller coaster, and "The Whip" (1927)

The "Leap the Dips" (1907) roller coaster

The overview of the park as it stands in 1966.

Another view of the "Beach Club" (1947) bar and restaurant, and "Wild Mouse" (1948) roller coaster.

Looks very nice! I wish there were more old amusement parks in Pennsylvania, and maybe else where!

Start of the 1967 Season:

As the park's resurgence continued, the park focused in on 1967 to continue to solidify a foundation with the the local community. The park teamed up with local companies to gather their insight into partnerships, as well as what can be done to bring not only more people into the park, but into the local area.

Also for the 1967 season, the park added a new dark ride, Earthquake, built by Arrow Development and based on the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The ride takes riders through thematic elements depicting the earthquake, as well as "collapsing" elements throughout the ride.

The park added multiple restrooms prior to the 1967 season, as well as continued refurbishment to pathways, buildings, and other structures. Included also in this was the repainting of the main midway building adding some color to the main midway stretch, now in green and white.

The new Earthquake (1967) ride.

The newly repainted main midway games and food.

The newly repainted main midway games and food.

still very welcoming!

Start of the 1968 Season:

After discussing and setting plans / deals in place with local businesses and organizations, the park decided that there was a need for more gathering space outside of just the Ballroom and Bath Houses. After some considerations, the park decided to add a little section just outside of the turnaround of the Comet, which contained six new picnic pavilions, as well as a larger bathroom area. This new section branches off the midway between the Comet and the Wild Mouse into a wooded area that allowed these groups to enjoy their outing while not having to be confined within a building for most of the day.

1968 also saw the largest capital expansion in the park's history with the addition of 'Shine Runner, a mine train roller coaster built by Arrow Development. The ride is named, and themed, after a runaway train used to transport moonshine during the prohibition era, which was common to the area in the past. This new coaster was the park's first steel tracked ride, as well as the tallest roller coaster in the park. The ride spans the shoreline of the lake, offering great views while keeping intact with the lush greenery that envelopes the entire park.

With the addition of 'Shine Runner, the park has begun to expand outside of the initial "park grounds" that had been establish since the park's inception in 1885. The new section of the park expands off the walkways around the Bath House, and infrastructure has been established now for further expansion.

Six new picnic pavilions

The ride expands the park grounds just east of the Bath House.

New for 1968, 'Shine Runner

The second half of the ride offers a "stormy" ride as riders are subjected to lighting and water effects inside the building after the midcourse brakes.

The park overall as of 1968.