Added: 03/06/2006 |
Hershey Park - the best through the yearsThe Hershey Park opened in 1907 and its original appearance was characterized by simplicity and natural beauty. It was an ideal and serene spot with beautiful trees and green grass for sports and outdoor activities, including picnicking, boating and canoeing.
A merry-go-round and an amphitheatre were opened in 1908, and the amphitheater became known as one of the most acoustically advanced buildings of its kind. In 1909, two bowling alleys, a tennis court, a large band shell and a photography gallery were added to the Hershey Park. The Scenic Railroad was also completed that year and began to offer guests a relaxing ride through the picturesque area. The train operated for sixty years and it is estimated that it traveled more than half a million miles.
The carrousel was designed by famous William H. Dentzel of Philadelphia and installed in 1912. During those days, the carrousel at the Hershey Amusement Park was one of the largest carrousels in this part of the country. It was fifty feet in diameter and featured fifty three animals, including pigs, rabbits, lions, ostrich, deer, goats, giraffes, bears and two chariots.
From 1913 to 1923, many attractions were constructed and added, including a dance pavilion, known as the Starlight Ballroom, a new stage to accommodate the big band era, a new Convention Hall that later became the Hershey Museum, the Hershey Park Cafe and the Hershey Zoo. In 1923, on the 20th anniversary of the Hershey community, the Wild Cat, a new roller coaster, the small Ferris Wheel, the Aeroplane Swing and the Scooter started operating at the Hershey Park.
Each season brought new attractions to the Hershey Park, and there had been already over twenty rides and attractions by 1945. In 1971, the Hershey Park began to gain popularity throughout the country and started its redevelopment campaign toward a theme park concept. In 1973, a new open amphitheater was opened on the same spot as the park's first amphitheater, and the Dry Gulch Theater and the Music Box Theater followed in consecutive years. With these additions, the quality of entertainment, provided by the Hershey Park, started to be compared to that of Broadway.
The 1970s were the starting years for numerous and most advanced thrill rides additions. In 1977, the first steel looping roller coaster on the East Coast, Sooperdooperlooper began to operate. The 1980's added such breathtaking rides as the Cyclops, Pirat, Wave Swinger, Conestoga and Timber Rattler. In 1987, the Canyon River Rapids, a white water rafting trip, opened. The Sidewinder, a multi-loop steel coaster, opened in 1991. The Tidal Force, the world's tallest water plunge ride, opened in May of 1994. In 1996, the Hershey Park added a new one-of-a-kind wooden roller coaster, The Wildcat, named for The Wild Cat at the Hershey Park from 1923 to 1946.
A new decade of attractions and roller coasters started in 1998. The same year, the Hershey Park installed the Great Bear, the first steel inverted looping roller coaster in Pennsylvania. In 2000, the Hershey Park debuted the first racing / dueling coaster in the United States - the Lightning Racer, and 2002 brought guests the ultimate aerial water ride, the Roller Soaker with magnificent water curtains, water blasters and exploding geysers. In 2003, The Claw, a thrilling, sixty five-foot spinning pendulum ride, the first of its kind in the Northeast, was installed. The world's first hydraulic launch coaster, featuring inversions, the Storm Runner appeared in 2004.
So many changes and events have happened since the park opened in 1907, but one aspect has always remained unchanged - the park's commitment to the ultimate fun and entertainment in splendid natural surroundings.
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