Mystery Amusement Park, 1950s
I have a set of four vintage slides from the 1950s featuring a small amusement park (or possibly a fair or carnival). I'm always a little disappointed when I don't know the location of one of these places, but there are not many clues - it all looks rather generic. But they're still fun to view!
Two boys enjoy a flight on a rocket. Not a lame airplane, like little babies might ride! Not only are they on rockets, but they have guns to shoot down pursuing UFOs - you can't be too careful. In the distance, two other spinning rides, at least one must be a Merry-Go-Round.
I'm not sure what kind of ride this is... some sort of kiddy-coaster? The little girl has gotten into the spirit of things. Dad doesn't have a pack of cigs in his rolled up sleeve, I don't know how to process that. I wish I could read that sign in the distance, it might hold valuable clues.
Uh-oh, rockets again. Or still. I'm trying to figure out what is going on in the building to the left, possibly Ski Ball or something like that.
Oh nice, a little train! I get a "midwest" vibe from these (the surrounding land is so flat!), though of course they could be from anywhere. Not California, I'd wager.
4 comments:
1) Love the expression on the face of the kid in the front of the rocket. Are these rockets intended for shooting UFOs in 'outer space'? If so... you know... no air up there... these open cockpits could present a problem. The ride seems to be clean and well painted; so that's something anyway. Pretty sure the ride in the distance is a merry-go-round, like you said. The ride directly behind the rockets has 'cars' (with faces) that look like they might spin around, like teacups.
2) Don't fret none, Major. I'm sure Dad has his cigs in his other rolled-up sleeve; the one we can't see. This is definitely a kiddie coaster; we can see the gently undulating track in the background.
Besides being flat, the area looks pretty barren; not much greenery. I don't think this was a traveling carnival, there are signs of permanency here. Like the wooden fencing and the little white rock borders around some areas.
Unless one of the Jr. Gs was actually at this place in times of yore, I don't think we're gonna solve the identity of this mystery park, or its location. But like you said, Major, it's still fun to view. Thanks.
Those rockets are interesting, with their rear-facing second seat. The Astro Jets at Disneyland should have had "guns," so guests could pretend to shoot at the Skyway buckets.
That kiddie coaster was coming a little too close to that wire fence. Don't stick your hands out, or you just might lose a finger. A friend of mine has a story about a girl at her high school, who lost a finger while climbing over a chain link fence. It got caught in the fence and ended up "popping off" of her hand. I just thought I would share that with everyone!
Thanks for these fun kiddie park photos, Major!
Thanks, TM! I can always count on a great story here at GDB while I eat my breakfast. Excuse me for a moment while I’m bringing it back up.
I can only read one word on the sign in the first photo, “chili,” which, as a widely-distributed superfood that has prevented starvation throughout much of North America, isn’t much help in identifying the location. The Sunoco signs in the last photo place this park anywhere in the Northeast from Boston to as far west as Indiana or Illinois. This is further reinforced by the New York Central colors on observation car of the Miniature Train Company G-16.
Wherever it was, the people in these photos look like they are having fun, and in the end, that’s what really matters.
Thanks, Major!
Yes, definitely having fun, and not California. Chuck has pointed out the Sunoco connection.
I seem to remember a rocket jet ride with machine guns, not sure where though. Might have been at a fair too? Can’t be too careful with ufo’s either.
I wish the signs in the background were more readable, and someone to ID that swoopy car. I think it’s a Chrysler but Nanook would know in an instant.
Dad’s cigs are in his left sleeve if he is right-handed.
Let’s go play some skee-ball. Hope you’re having a good trip, Major!
JG
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