Album Amusement Parks from Alan Mays

Bank and Balloons at Disneyland, 1967

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 13 May 2024 03:55:02 +0000

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of people holding balloons.

"Disneyland, 1967" is written on the other side of this snapshot.

A woman and a man pose for a photo while a man behind them holds balloons shaped like Mickey Mouse's head. A sign on the building in the background identifies it as the "Bank of America," which operated a branch on Main Street, U.S.A., in the Disneyland theme park, Anaheim, California, from 1955 to 1992.

Missouri Mule (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 03:58:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Are these people riding in a Missouri Mule? For more information, see the original version of this photo.

Missouri Mule

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 03:58:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo for the theme of what on earth is going on? in the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

This photo shows nine or more people who are riding in a open vehicle that's popping a wheelie (see a cropped version for a better view of the contraption). Painted on a wall in the background are the words "Missouri [Mu]le." What in the world is happening here?

After some searching, I learned that the Missouri Mule, "known for its strength, hardiness, intelligence and even temper," is the state animal of Missouri. In addition, I found an Ultimate Rollercoaster article about Harry G. Traver, a roller coaster designer and founder of the Traver Engineering Company, who created the "Missouri Mule," an amusement park ride also known as "Bumping Autos." Could this be a picture of the Missouri Mule ride?

Kevin the Konjuror, Storyland Magician

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 03:32:52 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of amusement parks.

Signs: "Kevin the Konjuror, Storyland Magician. World Renowned Kevin the Konjuror Performing Every Hour on the Hour Free."

This is an undated photo of "Kevin the Konjuror" taken during a performance at one of the Storyland amusement parks. I'm not sure which Storyland this was, however, since there was a Storyland in Pennsylvania, a Storyland in Ontario, and there's still a Story Land in New Hampshire.

Gently Down the Stream

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 03:58:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of at the amusement park.

A snapshot of a boat ride in an amusement park, date and location unknown.

Rosa and Tom at Luna Park, Scranton, Pa., ca. 1910

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 03:58:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of sitting on a park bench.

Printed on the verso: "Luna Park Photo Co., Scranton, Pa. Souvenir Luna Park."

Names handwritten on the other side: "Rosa & Tom."

Tom was sitting on a park bench and Rosa was standing behind him as they posed for this photo as a souvenir of their visit to Luna Park, an amusement park located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, sometime in the late 1900s or early 1910s.

The painted backdrop behind the couple depicts a scene in the park (see a photo of the southern section of Luna Park, Scranton, for a similar view). To the right of the couple is the park's Shoot the Chute water ride. The building to the left of Rosa's head is the park's dance hall.

This is an unused real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box on the other side (diamonds in corners) that indicates a date that may be as early as 1907 to 1909.

Lovey-Dovey Couple at Elitch's Gardens, Denver, Colorado

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 04:21:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of romantic or in love.

"Greetings from Elitch's. Smile-A-While Studio, Elitch's Gardens, Denver, Colorado."

A souvenir novelty photo from Elitch's Gardens, an amusement park in Denver, Colorado.

For an earlier picture from the park, see Labor Day Photo from Elitch's Gardens, 1905.

Gliding Swans Ride, Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pa., ca. 1966

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 03 May 2021 03:40:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of amusement parks.

This is a 1960s snapshot of the Gliding Swans ride at the Dutch Wonderland amusement park, which opened in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1963. Austen Dennison in his book, Dutch Wonderland (Arcadia Publishing, 2015), p. 21, provides some details about the swan-shaped vehicle:

"A unique tram-like ride with a swan design was introduced in 1965. Beneath the swan overlay, the ride's framework consisted of a farm tractor with two trailers that carried passengers throughout the park. The Gliding Swans, as they were referred to in a 1966 pamphlet, operated for only three seasons before being removed due to increased foot traffic."

For another photo from the park, see Amish Folks at Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pa.

Labor Day Photo from Elitch's Gardens, 1905

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 01:42:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Handwritten caption: "Labor Day, 1905, Elitch's Gardens."

This real photo postcard wasn't postally used, and there's no address, message, or postmark on the other side that might help identify these three individuals.

According to Wikipedia, "Elitch Gardens was a family-owned seasonal amusement park, theater, and botanic garden in the West Highland neighborhood in northwest Denver, Colorado, United States, at 38th and Tennyson streets."

Bear on a Bicycle at the Steel Pier, Atlantic City, N.J., 1957 (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 13 May 2018 15:59:18 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

For more information, see the full version of this photo.

Bear on a Bicycle at the Steel Pier, Atlantic City, N.J., 1957

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 13 May 2018 15:59:20 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo of a dock or a pier for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

This is a 1957 snapshot of the Steel Pier, an amusement pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Billed as "The Show Place of the Nation," the pier hosted a variety of shows and acts, including a diving horse and a bicycle-riding bear.

When I purchased this photo, however, I didn't realize that it showed a bear and a woman riding bikes on the high platform visible on the left-hand side (mouse over the image to see an enlargement). After I spotted the bear, I still couldn't imagine that you could train an animal like that to climb a ladder and ride a bicycle. But a YouTube clip of the Bicycle-Riding Bear that's part of The Nieroslavski Family at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, N.J.--filmed during summer 1960--provides a glimpse of how the bear performed its act.

Attitudes toward animal acts have changed over the past fifty years, however, and making a bear ride a bicycle seems inhumane and dangerous by today's standards. As far as I've been able to determine, there are no longer any bicycling bears or diving horses in Atlantic City.

Aquarama, Old Mill, Rock Springs Park, Chester, West Virginia

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 05:55:20 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Old Mill, Rock Springs Park, Chester, W. Va. Aquarama."

The Aquarama (see sign on building) or Old Mill was an enclosed water ride at the now defunct Rock Springs Park in Chester, West Virginia. An "old mill" ride was also called a "tunnel of love" at some amusement parks.

Paddling Their Own Canoe at Olcott Beach

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:47:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Printed on the other side of this real photo postcard: "Boeckmann, park photographer, Olcott Beach, N.Y." Handwritten on the other side: "Ornan Rebert."

Two fellows pretend to paddle their canoe in photographer John Boeckmann's studio in Luna Park at Olcott Beach, located along the shore of Lake Ontario in Olcott, New York.

Engine Number 30 at the Grangers' Picnic, Cumberland Valley Railroad Yards, Williams Grove, Pa., 1916

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 07:10:57 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Caption on the front of this postcard: "C.V.R.R. Yards, Williams Grove, Pa."

Printed on the back: "14546 - Pub. by A. M. Deichler, Lancaster, Pa., for J. Hurst Est., Mechanicsburg, Pa."

Postmarked Mechanicsburg, Pa., Aug. 30, 1918, and addressed to Miss Grace Hoy, 730 S. Duke St., York, Pa.

Handwritten message: "Dear Cousin, Expected to see you at the Grove but failed to see you there. Such a crowd of people I never seen as was there on Thursday. All well. Hope this will find you all the same. Emma."

A photographic version of this scene appeared in "Grangers at the Grove: Annual Farmers Exhibition Ended Nearly a Century Ago," a newpaper article by Joseph Cress, which was published in The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.), Sept. 5, 2015. "Engine Number 30 arrives in Williams Grove during the Grangers' Picnic in 1916" was the caption of the photographic version, which was provided by the Cumberland County Historical Society.

Richfield Autopia Driver's License, Disneyland, Anaheim, California, 1950s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 18:40:21 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A 1950s ticket and license for driving the cars at the Autopia ride, which was--and still is--located in the Tomorrowland area of Disneyland.

The Richfield Oil Corporation, which operated a chain of gas stations in the 1950s, sponsored the Autopia ride, so it's not surprising that the license also doubled as a membership card for the "Richfield Autopia Safe Driving Club." The main benefit of the club, as stated on the license, was "friendly, courteous service at more than 4,000 Richfield stations in the West," so it served as an advertisement as well.

For other versions of this ticket / driver's license / membership card / advertisement, see the Official Driver's License for Autopia posting on the Vintage Disneyland Tickets blog.

Richfield Autopia, Tomorrowland

These are the cars of the future at Disneyland.

This official Autopia Driver's License may be filled in and retained as a souvenir of your visit to Disneyland. It identifies you as an active member of the Richfield Autopia Safe Driving Club. It entitles you to friendly, courteous service at more than 4,000 Richfield stations in the West.

Richfield Autopia, Disneyland, Anaheim, California

Operator's License No. 711137

Full Name ________. Address ________. City - State ________.

Sex M - F ____. Height ____. Color of Eyes ____.
Color of Hair ____. Weight ____. Date of Birth ____..
Age ____. Occupation ____.

Right Thumb Print ________.

Your Signature ________.

Globe Ticket Safety.

Electrical Department, Luna Park, 1910 (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 20:41:07 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard (below).

Electrical Department, Luna Park, 1910

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 20:41:09 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

The caption on this photo tells us that these fellows worked in the Electrical Department at Luna Park in 1910. But was it the original Luna Park at Coney Island?

And what location in the park did they choose for their photo? Looks like they may be sitting on a flume or water-chute, and there's a water wheel behind them, so perhaps it's some kind of water ride.

Mouse over the image above for a closer view of the men.

Scenic Railway, Venice, California

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 14:18:34 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"2888 - Scenic Railway, Venice, California."

An early "scenic railway" (roller coaster) constructed with peaks, walls, and tunnels--plus an elk statue on top--to simulate a ride through the mountains.

Hansel and Gretel House, Enchanted Forest, Ellicott City, Maryland

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 04:23:45 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A huge ice cream cone towers over the kids standing in front of the Hansel and Gretel House at the Enchanted Forest theme park in Ellicott City, Maryland, in this postcard from the 1950s.

Miniature Railway and Playground, Pen Mar Park, Pen Mar, Maryland

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 15:47:42 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A postcard view of the miniature railroad and playground at Pen Mar Park, circa 1937.