Merry-Go-Round Concessions

Photographs, taken by Clarence Durbin in the waning years of Rock Springs Park (1968-1970), show concession stands along the midway near the Merry-Go-Round. Many today recall the cotton candy stand at the top of the staircase which led past the spring and the lower picnic park and the lunch stand next to the octagonal carousel pavilion. However, the photograph below, part of a series belonging to Sayre W. Graham and illustrating the many structures built by The Finley Brothers Construction Company, reveals for the first time that during C.C. Macdonald’s time as owner of the park, concession stands were constructed as part of the carousel’s waiting platform. An ice cream stand (right) and a popcorn stand (left) border the entrance and share the red and green striped roof in 1928.

(Courtesy of Sayre Graham, Jr.)

Idlewild Park: Number 1 for Kids

Monday, September 13, 2010

On this date, Rock Springs’ sister park, Idlewild Park, in Ligonier, PA, was ranked number one for kids. Read more at http://rockspringspark.blogspot.com/2010/10/idlewild-park-named-1-kids-park.html.

First Annual Tri-State Fair

Tuesday, September 12, 1911

On this date, the first annual Tri-State Fair began at Rock Springs Park. An ad from the time exclaimed, "Big sensation promised."

Letter to Bob Hand

Friday, September 11, 1970

On this date, Rock Springs Park Carousel fan, Dick Bowker, pens a letter to park owner Bob Hand thanking him for allowing himself and a few friends to tape-record their favorite march rolls on the park’s 153 Wurlitzer Band Organ. Mr. Hand passed away a month later in October from complications following a heart attack. Read Dick's letter at http://rockspringspark.blogspot.com/2011/06/dick-bowker-letter.html.

Gambling in the Park

Alert reader George Allison sent me this news brief from the East Liverpool Evening Review. It appeared on page 10 of the East Liverpool, OH, newspaper on Monday, October 4, 1915. George noted, “Came upon this in my files… Gambling in the park.”

Headline: Raid Poker Game

Four young men were arrested at Rock Springs park yesterday by Chief of Police Householder and Constable Allison on a charge of gambling. The quartet were apprehended during a poker game. They were given a hearing in the court of Justice A. G. Allison and were released upon the payment of costs in the case.

Historic Marker Negotiations Begin

Friday, September 8, 1978

On this date in Rock Springs Park history, Roy C. Cashdollar began a 3-year negotiation with West Virginia Congressman Robert Mollohan to have a historic marker forged to mark the site of the one-time Panhandle Playground. It has only one flaw. Do you know what it is? Find out at
http://rockspringspark.blogspot.com/2011/06/historical-marker-moved-three-times.html.

Last Day of Operations

Thursday, September 7, 1905

The Richland Shield and Banner reports on “A merger of local street railway and electric lighting interests of this portion of the Ohio valley is in process of formation. The properties to be taken over are the East Liverpool railway, now operating in this city (Wellsville) and East Liverpool, and its two branches, the East Liverpool and Rock Springs street railway, running from East Liverpool to Chester, W. Va.; the electric lighting plants and power houses of the United Power company in East Liverpool and Chester and Rock Springs park, a large and valuable pleasure resort at Chester. Several million dollars are involved.” Read more at http://rockspringspark.blogspot.com/2011/07/trolley-merger.html.

Monday, September 7, 1970

This date was the last day of operation for Rock Springs Amusement. One final ride was taken on the Cyclone this Labor Day evening as the myriad of park lights were forever extinguished.