Who Named Chester and When Was It Founded?

Do a quick history-search of the home of Rock Springs Park, Chester, W.V., online and you will get dozens of hits explaining that the city of Chester is named for J.C. McDonald, “one of its original planners.”

But in my book and in several other dependable sources, J.E. McDonald, not J.C., is credited as being the original planner. In fact, I have not been able to find a single reference to a J.C. McDonald anywhere in Chester’s history, and besides, where is the “Chester” in “J.C. McDonald”? Obviously, it must be his middle name, but that is not clearly stated either.

The East Liverpool Historical Society describes J.E. McDonald as surveying the land in the new south side suburb of East Liverpool in West Virginia for the new town which would “enjoy every modern improvement.” Also stating that in 1899 the town of Chester, West Virginia was granted a charter.

However, many other sources list 1896 as the year the town was established and have it not being incorporated until 1907. So, both the naming and the founding of my home town seem to be in dispute.

Even folks in recent times are just as confused as I. The town celebrated two centennials in the last decade: one in 2000 and one in 2007.

“Chester, West Virginia, celebrated its 100th birthday on Saturday, September 9, 2000. They repainted ‘The World's Largest Teapot’ and got the town ready for its 100th birthday party.”

“Mystery Writer Lauren Carr will kick off the book signing tour for her next book, A Reunion to Die For, in Chester, West Virginia, at their Centennial Celebration on the Fourth of July, 2007.”

In his obituary, dated October 13, 1953, C. A. Smith, not surprisingly, is given the credit. “Mr. Smith founded the village of Chester and named it after his uncle, Chester Mahan.”

On the other hand, Chester historian, Roy C. Cashdollar wrote that “the flatland along the Virginia shore was called Chester prior to the Civil War.” William Pusey came from Chester County in eastern Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, and applied the name Chester “in tribute to his original home.” He notes later in his The History of Chester: The Gateway to the West, “J.E. McDonald came upon the scene first and immediately began to lure people to the area. He did not name Chester, but did popularize the name in all his business deals.”

A 1941 edition of the West Virginia Guide to the Mountain State appears to over rule Cashdollar’s claim. “Chester a predominantly residential town was laid out in 1896 and incorporated in 1907, it was called Chester by its founder, J.E. McDonald, ‘solely because it was a short name, easy to remember.” Really?

This brings me back to my original inquiry: “Who named Chester and when was it founded?

I still don’t know.

In Images of America: Rock Springs Park, I skirt the issue. “J.E. McDonald is sometimes credited with giving Chester its name by popularizing its use in many of his business advertisements, but there can be no doubt that he is the man who helped transform Rock Springs Park from ‘Natures Beauty Spot’ to the ‘Showcase of the East.” Clever, huh?

Okay, readers, help me out.

Do any of you know the real story? Could it be that it was simply a matter of not wanting to make the town’s name too difficult to remember? Were our ancestors really that slow? I don’t think so.

I’ve noticed that most of the sites which give J.C. McDonald credit are simply using Wikipedia as their source? Can Wiki be trusted on this? Where did they get that name, anyway?

Perhaps some of you have insight and will share it here.

In the meantime, I’ll keep researching.

Clap-Trap Features Nonexistent

Ever wonder why Rock Springs Park was considered "The Showplace of the East"? Perhaps because it was "charmingly situated" and "devoid of clap-trap features." At least that is what the "Street Railway Journal” reported in 1906. The magazine also emphasized that the trolley line from East Liverpool not only provided easy access to the park from points west, but that the “ride (was) considered by many a special part of the day's outing.”

Read the excerpt below:
Rock Springs Park is located in Chester, W.Va., across the Ohio River from the city of East Liverpool, Ohio. The park is most charmingly situated, commanding a magnificent view of the Ohio River, and constitutes the chief pleasure resort of Eastern Ohio. Although devoid of the clap-trap features found at New York's Coney Island, it bears about the same relation to the territory tributary to the Ohio Valley as does this famous resort to the surrounding country. Rock Springs Park is served not only by several steam lines but also by the line of the East Liverpool Traction & Light Company, thus making it unusually easy to access to the population for miles around. The steam railroads find it advantageous to feature this park in their advertising literature, with the result that each season they carry from 80,000 to 100,000 excursionists to the resort, and not infrequently a dozen special excursion trains will be operated to the park in a single day, many of these coming from distant Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania Points.
The park line of the East Liverpool Traction & Light Company operates from the center of East Liverpool over its own steel suspension bridge, 1700 ft. long, crossing the Ohio River, and thence to through the city of Chester, W. Va., to Rock Springs. On this line a frequent service is given, and it serves the double purpose of carrying the people from East Liverpool and neighboring points to the park as well as affording means whereby many steam railroad excursionists who visit the park can cross into Ohio and reach all points touched by the comprehensive system of East Liverpool Traction & Light Company. A surprisingly large number of out-of-town patrons of the park take advantage of this ride, returning from Rock Springs Park in time to take the evening trains, this trolley ride being considered by many a special part of the day's outing in addition to the pleasures and attractions afforded by the park itself.
The natural and artificial attractions of Rock Springs Park have been handled with rare skill to obtain the best effects. The grounds cover forty-three acres of woodland, and include a ravine which has been partly cleared to give accommodations for picnic parties and strollers. Recognizing the drawing attractions of aquatic features, the management has at considerable expense damned a small stream which runs through the grounds, thereby creating a lake that may well be described as a gem of its kind. This artificial lake covers about five acres and is not over 40 ins. deep, but it possesses all the scenic attractions of a natural body of water and gives the fullest opportunities for rowing without the slightest danger. The company maintains about thirty first-class rowboats and several naphtha launches for use of patrons. The dam which holds back the water of the lake is about 175 ft. long, 21 ft. high, 8 ft. at the base, and is built of concrete and masonry.
(All images courtesy of Richard Bowker)

The Swimming Tank

A book I recently discovered entitled, “The Street Railway Transit Journal, Volume 28," published in 1906, gives some insightful details into the Crystal Pool at Rock Springs Park. Did you know that even in the early days the pool, referred to in the article as the "Swimming Tank," was warmed to an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or that bathers rented their swimsuits and towels?

Below is an excerpt:

Swimming Tank

A unique attraction, and perhaps the most popular at the resort, is a large swimming tank measuring 70 ft. long by 20 ft. wide and giving convenient accommodations for several hundred bathers. This swimming tank is built from ideas suggested by C. A. Smith, the present lessee of the park and its promoter.

The walls and floor of the swimming tank are formed of reinforced concrete. The excavation for the pool was first made by cutting away a portion of the hill. In the bottom of this excavation was laid 12 ins. of ashes on the earth. On this bed of ashes was placed a layer of concrete 14 ins. thick, with a 2-in.concrete dressing on top to give a smooth waterproof flooring. The side walls are 3 ft. thick at the base and taper to 18 ins. at the top.

These walls are reinforced with steel cables 1 in. in diameter. One-half of the tank is designed to give a uniform depth of water of about 9 ft. In the other half the bottom is built on a slope, beginning at the water’s edge and gradually sloping downward to give a depth of 8 ft. at the outer wall. This arrangement accommodates all classes of bathers. Children and young people can safely enjoy themselves in the shallow water, while the expert swimmers take advantage of the deeper sections to dive and swim to their hearts' content. At one end of the tank two wooden towers of different heights have been arranged with spring boards and platforms for those who enjoy diving. The tank when fill holds about 600,000 gallons of water.

The water supply comes from a clear running stream and is fed into the tank from perforated pipes which pass along one side of the tank and deliver the water in a series of spray effects. As the spring water is rather cold there is an auxiliary line of piping for supplying sufficient hot water to keep the temperature in the tank at about 70 deg. F. The water for this purpose is heated in two ten-gallon heaters which burn natural gas. There is also a 20-hp boiler which is utilized for heating water. A point is made of keeping water absolutely fresh and clean, and at frequent intervals the entire contents of the pool are drained off, the bottom is scrubbed with wire brushes, and a fresh supply of water is allowed to flow into the tank. Along one side of the swimming pool are concrete steps and a concrete platform upon which the bathers may rest and enjoy sun baths.

A commodious building at one end of the pool gives commodations [sic] for 120 dressing rooms, and the structure has wide verandas which are utilized for refreshment stands and for spectators who may care to watch the antics of the bathers. There is also a grand stand at the side of the pool which gives seats for 800 spectators. In the basement of the bathing pavilion, under the dressing rooms, is an apartment containing the hot water apparatus and which is utilized as a laundry for cleaning and drying the bathing suits. In this connection, the management believes that the secret of successfully maintaining a swimming tank lies in the care used in keeping everything absolutely clean and sanitary. All of the bathing suits and towels, as soon as they have been used once, are put in a laundry machine in which they are washed and sterilized. They are then thoroughly dried in a centrifugal drying machine. The popularity of the bathing facilities at the park is due in very large measure to this care in washing and drying the suits and towels as well as the attention that is paid in keeping the water tank in good condition. The degree to which the swimming tank is patronized will be understood from the fact that last season, constituting about one hundred days, over 25,000 people paid to bathe in the tank. The practice is to charge 25 cents for each person, which includes suit, towel, and the use of the pool and dressing rooms. On busy days each bather is limited to one hour in the pool. The pool is well lighted at night, and bathing at night is almost as popular as in the daytime
(All images, with the exception of the RSP Bath House Cash Box, Courtesy of Richard Bowker.)

2 More Pretzels, Please

Yesterday, I posted about the Pretzel Spook House Ride in Rock Springs Park. Besides this very popular dark ride, Rock Springs had two other rides made by the Pretzel Company. They were both Kiddie Rides.

A daily receipt log from the park's final years shows two Kiddie Rides manufactured by the Pretzel Co. of New Jersey. (Courtesy of Richard Bowker)

Recognizing that the post-war baby boom was on the horizon, The Pretzel Company began work on establishing a line of kiddie rides and Rock Springs purchased two of them.

The Kiddie Whirlo, seen here in 1969, was a junior version of the Buckets or Spineroo shown below beyond the Turnpike Jr. (Both Courtesy of Rich Brookes)

Pretzel started to diversify their ride lineup in the mid-'50s, advertising their "Big 3", with the Whirlo and Kiddie Circus joining the Pretzel ride. Rock Springs’ Whirlo was located at the northern end of the upper park mall at the end of a line of several other Kiddie Rides, including the Kiddie Ferris Wheel, the Kiddie Autos, Kiddie Airplanes and Kiddie Boats.

Pretzel later introduced their enormously popular Thunderbird Jr. This Kiddie Turnpike ride showcased miniature electrically powered T-Birds with fiberglass bodies authentically scaled from Detroit blueprints. Rock Springs’ Turnpike Cars ran at the southern end of the upper park mall near the chainlift hill of the Cyclone Roller Coaster. (Courtesy of Richard Bowker)

Why A Pretzel?

Scot Campbell of Toronto, OH, sent me this delightful photo of himself and his girlfriend, Sally Hughes Porter, on the Rock Springs Park Pretzel Spook House Ride in June 1962.

Why did Rock Springs Park and thousands of other amusement parks have spook houses with cars designed with pretzels on the sides?

Leon Cassidy inventor of the Pretzel Ride began his career as a pianist and organ player in early cinemas. “He soon went from being a hired musician to operating his own theater, and in 1920 acquired his first movie house with his future wife selling the five-cent tickets,” according to the website Send’em Out Laffing. Cassidy then sought other forms of entertainment opportunities and in partnership with Marvin Rempfer took over Tumbling Dam Amusement Park, a trolley company park at Sunset Lake in Bridgeton, NJ.

One of the attractions that Cassidy felt the park needed was an old mill, a very popular ride with boats floating through a cavern of darkness filled with eerie scenery. But the construction of the mill and its waterways was beyond the budget of the struggling park. Cassidy and Rempfer began looking for a cheaper alternative and started tinkering with a spare Dodgem car. Soon they had a "dry" version of the mill which took riders through a darkened pavilion in small cars that followed a single electrified track. It premiered in 1928.

Cassidy and Rempfer vigorously promoted the new and as yet unnamed ride, and decided to hold a contest to allow the public to choose what the ride would be called. A young Miriam Dawson took the golden prize for her name, "The Firefly", inspired by the characteristic sparking of the electric pickup at the rail. The name didn't stick, though, not to mention the fact that Cassidy and Rempfer were uncomfortable with the association of sparks flying in their wooden buildings, and soon assigned the name "Pretzel" to the attraction after a rider exclaimed that he felt like he'd been bent into a pretzel by the twisting path followed by the car.

With the success of their new ride and the interest shown by other park owners, Cassidy and Rempfer quickly established a company to manufacture and market the Pretzel ride. Initially built to resemble Model A Fords, the cars were redesigned with the familiar pretzel-shaped decorations, just like those found at Rock Springs

"The Man With The Smile Rode The Pretzel A Mile" - early Pretzel slogan (Image courtesy of Rich Brookes; Photo by Clarence Durbin).

To take a ride on a virtual spook house click here,

Highway Stake

On page 117 of Images of America: Rock Springs Park I wrote, "In 1974 the lower picnic area was being flagged to mark the route of the new highway approach to the Jennings Randolph Bridge. Many felt that the new path of Route 30 and the approach to the bridge could have been restricted to this lower park corridor, however, planners and engineers chose to curve the highway toward the west, effectively eliminating all but a small section of the upper park."

But just how far to the west does the highway run? The image above marks the spot were the western edge of the proposed highway was drawn.
In this second photograph (above) one can see the stake which marks this spot. This area was on the southern edge of the final turn of the Cyclone roller coaster between Virginia Gardens and the office at the northern end of the midway in the upper park.
Today this spot is part of the south bound lane of Route 30 just off the Jennings Randolph Bridge as drivers enter West Virginia from Ohio. (Courtesy of Rob Morrow)

Hey, That’s My Car!

Just days before my book deadline in early December 2009, I learned of Rich Brookes and a set of postcard proofs he had in his possession which showed the very early days of Rock Springs Park. I called ahead and stopped by his workplace, Pottery City Antiques in East Liverpool. The proofs were black and white photographs of images I recognized from antique postcards of the park. It was interesting to see the original images which through various artisits techniques became some of the same postcard images I was planning to use in the book, but I was really looking for more pictures of Rock Springs Park's later years.

Rich did not disappoint. He said he also had a book of photo negatives at home that was given to him by Ira Sayre. Ira, as I explain in the book, had a large collection of photographs and postcards of the park. He took many pictures of the park himself but also collected works from some of the older photographers in the area, including Clarence Durbin. Ira used to give slide show talks, and although I never saw one in person, I did see a video of one he gave outside in summer.

When I met Rich later and saw his book of negatives I was truly regretting that I could not use any of them as my deadline was just days away. I drove back to Greensburg and thought about them all the way home. I decided to call my editor to see if I could get an extension. Clarence's photographs, especially the ones of the Cyclone taken a year after the park closed, needed to be shared in the book. Fortunately, I was given ten days and returned to Chester the following week.

Rich was gracious enough to let me take the book back home and gave me as much time as I needed to have the proofs developed. The book was like a family Bible that had been passed down from the original owner to several others before Ira gave it to Rich. I felt privileged to have it, even if it was just for a short time. Each owner's name was written on the inside cover. The original owner and photographer was Clarence Durbin of Chester. He had taken the photographs over the course of seven years (1968 – 1974).

The book was organized in such a way that he could show potential customers the tiny proofs and they could choose from the numbered collection and place an order. Behind each proof was a small hand-folded envelope containing the negative. Most were labeled with the subjects name and the year, which made my job a lot easier.

I gave all of the negatives to a local photographer and she was able to develop about two-thirds of them. They were, after all, 40 years old. While some came out with tiny scratches that look like hair or fibers, most were as clear as if they were taken yesterday.

I scanned the ones I wanted for the book and made two sets of CDs of the rest: one for my family and one for Rich. It took a couple months before I was able to get the collection back to East Liverpool. (Those in the area will remeber 2010 was the worst winter we’ve had since 1978, as far as snow accumulation is concerned.) Eventually, I made it back and Rich and I sat in the backroom of the antique mall and reviewed all of the CD images on my laptop. He was impressed with their quality and grateful to see them finally enlarged.

Rich recognized a lot of the faces in the park and I noticed he took extra time examining many of the scenes along Carolina Avenue taken from the park. When he saw the image above of the Jennings Randolph Bridge under construction, he laughed in surprise and said, “Hey, that’s my car! That’s my Volkswagen” He didn't mean it was a VW Bug like his. He meant the car in the photo was his! Weird, huh?

I had been researching the park and collecting digital images for five years prior to the book's publication. Writing a picture history was not on my radar until Kassy Hand, granddaughter of Bob and Virginia Hand, suggested it on this blog several years ago. The coincidence with Rich seeing his car under the bridge was one of dozens of unusual coincidences which have led me to think that the timing of the book and the events leading up to it were somehow in bigger hands than my own.

I heard about Rich and his collection because Bill Gray of ELO saw an article about my visit with Dick Bowker to the Lou Hotz Museum in the fall of 2009. Bill is an author and collector himself and appears in the final chapter of my book. He came to a book talk I gave at Fox’s Nursing home and invited me to see his collection. Afterwards, he set up the meeting with Rich.

I am now learning that some of the people who shared their stories and collections with me are at this time too ill to have helped me had a waited a year or two to write the book and still others have since passed. Everything seems to have fallen into place just so. Had I waited even a few months I may not have been able to do the book at all.

My editor kidded me about the length of my acknowledgements. She said normally an author will thank one or two people. I chose to thank everyone who gave me even the slightest bit of help along the way as well as those whose work on the park’s history preceded mine. I would like to end today's blog post by thanking all those people again. It has been a wonderful ride! "Punch Buggy!"


Read the "Punch Buggy" rules here.