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Thanks, John, for the great photos. Though I never visited the park, while in high school I had a penpal from Canfield. He practically lived at Idora in the summers, and sent me many photos. I'll post them to this thread, if you don't mind. If I can find them. Lesson to be learned here: don't take the smaller parks for granted. Support and enjoy them, as they may be gone with little notice.

If you're going to depart from Indianapolis the next day, you might consider staying in Lafayette. I've stayed at a nice Hampton Inn there, and it's in the direction of IND.

Great to see those photos! Thanks for sharing so quickly.

Here's one that is said to be the Jack Rabbit, found at this site called Historic Pictures of Old Orchard Beach. The later Cyclone looks much more thrilling.

Another coaster with rider warnings posted on the outside of the train. This area is still a lovely summertime beach destination, with a small amusement area. Would be much lovlier, however, with a classic seaside woodie. The ride pictured here is most likely the Jack Rabbit, which operated from 1917 to 1946.

The Glen Echo Guillotine... has a nice ring to it. Yes, that rider safety warning placement is questionable. Maybe directly related to their number of accidents?

Here's another beauty, and one of my favorite cards. This is the Coaster Dips, which operated from 1921 to 1968. This photo is prior to 1949, when new streamlined NAD trains were installed.

^ You're right, Mark. I noticed the similar numbering system on the lower right of most cards with a white boarder. I'd sure like to see a catalogue of all this company produced related to amusement parks. Here's another beauty they did. Although it's not identified on the card, I think this must be the Dips coaster, which began operation in 1909 and was designed by Edward Vettel.

Lake Compounce it is! No idea of the date of this photo, but the cars look really old. Wildcat opened in 1927, so it might have been taken near that time.

OK, here's another. Maybe a little tougher. Again, park is still in operation. I think both buildings pictured are still there, but not the circle swing, of course. In this case, the background topography might be the best clue.

Those who guessed Cedar Point are correct. Though the card is postmarked 1941 I would have guessed the photo to have been much earlier. I suppose it still could be, maybe a little earlier. rcdb.com lists eightpast wooden coasters for this park. postmark is July 2, 1941

Here's a detail of an old postcard. Shouldn't be too difficult to guess the park. It's still in operation today, but the three woodies pictured are gone. I'll post the full front and back after the correct guess.

Here's another GL card that illustrates the changes Shane mentions. I worked at the drink stand near the loop the summer of 1979. When this ride first opened the station and queue weren't finished. I remember going up the exit ramp and boarding on a bare platform with no roof! One summer day while manning the drink stand, I watched the GL train launch as usual, but this time there was a problem with the "pusher", which didn't disengage at the end of the launch. It was torn off and carried to the top of the loop, where it fell and hit part of the base of the loop before the first car passed the same area of track. That made quite a noise! The ride was close for quite a while after that.

Great photos. My first visit to CP was when Magnum was their newest coaster. Back then it seemed SOOOOO big (both the coaster and the park). These photos of yours put it all in perspective today. Thanks for taking that ride and sharing the photos.

^^ Thanks for those nice cards, Matteo. I've never been to Europa Park, but it's on my list. That first card you posted is the most beautiful photo of Silver Star I've ever seen!

Well, rating them 1 to 4, the Arrow comes in last. Love that the Sky Whirl sneaks into the Tidal Wave photo.

Wow, great card! I really love three of those rides.

That's a very keen observation, Scott. Certainly one that I missed. This ride doesn't reach the small numbers of many enthusiasts' lists, but it's certainly had a more interesting history than most. Here is a card that was mailed in 1955. postmark July 28, 1955

1. ditto 2. my pleasure 3. I sure do, as you'll see...

There was one at AstroWorld. -Tatum While many parks (including Hersheypark, both Great Americas, and AstroWorld) had huge multi-arm wheels, none that I have seen were exactly like Magic Mountain's Galaxy. Here is an AstroWorld postcard from 1968 featuring the Astrowheel.

^Was Ninja's station an existing building? Maybe that was formerly the Magic Pagoda? This is really a great little souvenir, Bill. I had completely forgotten about the Galaxy wheel. Was that a one-of-a-kind? And where in the park was it located? Thanks for sharing those! Really enjoyed them.

Hey Mark, do you have one from Australia yet? postmark is August 1987 this Arrow ride opened in 1982

^ Those two were perfectly suited for this effect. Well done! Here's the Kennywood entrance. July 2008

The participation in this thread is really exciting. Since there are now members at the four corners of the earth, anything that gets the TPR peeps to share their photos can be truly inspiring. (I'm sure there are more out there lurking...) Thanks to bgroodog for taking the amazing CP photos, then sharing the link to the tilt shift tutorial. I have access to photoshop and enjoy messing with it when I have the time, but am a dummy, not a master (see my avatar for proof). This tilt shift seems to require a certain type of photo to work just right, but can be tweeked. Here's one I've posted in Shane's Amusement Attic, then three using the tilt shift trick. Took a break from the wonderful Waldameer to see the Presque Isle State Park - this is the cheerful park at Misery Bay (near Graveyard Pond...) What's a trip to Martin's Fantasy Island without a visit to the falls? Also July 2008 Auto Race at Kennywood - July 2008 Phantom's Revenge - cropped, then adjustment of saturation and hue

Wow Jeff, great pics. I especially like the twilight ones. My only visit to Geauga Lake was prior to this B&M's construction, and it's been far too long since I've been to KD. Need to get to VA this summer! Thanks for the post!