National Amusement Park Historical Association

National Amusement Park Historical Association The official page of the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Also, visit our Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58582076659/

The S.S. Ste. Claire, one of Detroit’s Boblo boats, is in the news this week as it opens to the public as a floating mus...
09/04/2026

The S.S. Ste. Claire, one of Detroit’s Boblo boats, is in the news this week as it opens to the public as a floating museum. On September 3, 2026, the 1910-built steamship opened at Riverside Marina in Detroit, where visitors can see historic artifacts, machinery and displays about the vessel’s history.

The Ste. Claire’s history is connected to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which operated on an island in the Detroit River. Beginning in the early 20th century, the Ste. Claire and its sister ship, the S.S. Columbia, transported passengers from Detroit to the amusement park. The boat trip was part of the experience, with music, dancing and views of the river.

The Ste. Claire made its final trips to Boblo Island in 1991, and the amusement park closed in 1993. In 2014, the ship also appeared in the Hollywood film Transformers: Age of Extinction, where it and the Columbia were temporarily modified for filming. 
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09/02/2026

🎃🍂REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR TWO FALL EVENTS. 🐈‍⬛ 👻

EVENT #1: All aboard for Park Train Trivia Night! Join us and put your knowledge to the test about the trains that have pulled visitors around the parks for decades. Whether trains are your thrill-ride or not, climb aboard to have some fun and learn some new facts about the trains at some of your favorite parks!

EVENT #2: NAPHA's Fall HipHop is the premier fall event for amusement park enthusiasts, historians, and fans. Silver Dollar City will be the host park for our third annual fall event... done the NAPHA way! Note that Silver Dollar City's popular Harvest Festival is taking place this weekend. In addition musician Sara Evans is performing on September 26 at 7:30 and is included with your admission. And…this is your last chance to ride THUNDERATION before it is retired.

Visit napha.org/events to learn more and Register

09/01/2026

Carousel at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia, OH
Made by Hershcell-Spillman in 1928, this carousel is home to 36 all jumping horses, 2 chariots, and a Wurlitzer 153 band organ. Relocated to Tuscora park in 1941, this ride has been delighting guests in New Philadelphia, OH for 85 years and counting!

Check out the NAPHA YouTube Channel with regular uploads of historic and unique rides and attractions from around the country!
https://www.youtube.com/

Montgomery County has finalized its purchase of the former Forest Park property in Harrison Township, securing 40 acres ...
08/31/2026

Montgomery County has finalized its purchase of the former Forest Park property in Harrison Township, securing 40 acres for a new Job and Training Center. The county paid $729,000 for the site, which had remained vacant since a shopping plaza on the site was demolished in 2013.
The planned center is expected to cost $40 million and measure 140,000 to 160,000 square feet. Forest Park opened in 1928 as a Zoo and later became Frankie’s Forest Park amusement park, offering rides including the Comet roller coaster, a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, along with an auto-racing track; it closed in 1958.

The National Amusement Park Historical Association remembers Dolly Parton not only for her lasting contributions to musi...
08/26/2026

The National Amusement Park Historical Association remembers Dolly Parton not only for her lasting contributions to music, pop culture, and philanthropy, but also for her impact on the theme park industry through DollywoodDollywood.

Dolly’s role in shaping Dollywood and its place in amusement park history.

Her work connected the theme park, music, and regional heritage.

By combining rides and attractions with live entertainment, regional culture, and storytelling, she helped establish a distinctive model for the destination theme park.

In the Autumn 2024 edition (V46N3) of NAPHA Chronicle Magazine, the article “Dollywood Before Dolly” features a quote from Dolly about the new park that demonstrates her sense of humor, as well as the genuine kindness and caring for which she was known:

“I’ve had this dream for some time,” said Dolly. “It’s not just something I hope to make money with, although I do, but I want to preserve my Smoky Mountain Heritage.”

She went on to describe her desire to give back to her hometown community, saying, “I didn’t want to compete with businesses when I came here, I wanted to work with them.”

We will always love you, Dolly!

——————————————————-

Slide 1: Dolly when she announced her partnership with Herschend to rebrand what was Silver Dollar City’s Pigeon Forge location into Dollywood in 1985. This photo appeared in NAPHA Chronicle Magazine’s Autumn 2024 edition (V46N3). (📸 Dollywood)

Slide 2: NAPHA attendees give a shout out to Dolly at NAPHA ParkHop25’s hop at Dollywood in front of Blazing Fury.

Slide 3. The Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood. (📸 Christopher Churilla)

The National Amusement Park Historical Association remembers Dolly Parton not only for her lasting contributions to musi...
08/26/2026

The National Amusement Park Historical Association remembers Dolly Parton not only for her lasting contributions to music, pop culture, and philanthropy, but also for her impact on the theme park industry through Dollywood.

Dolly’s role in shaping Dollywood and its place in amusement park history.

Her work connected the theme park, music, and regional heritage.

By combining rides and attractions with live entertainment, regional culture, and storytelling, she helped establish a distinctive model for the destination theme park.

In the Autumn 2024 edition (V46N3) of NAPHA Chronicle Magazine, the article “Dollywood Before Dolly” features a quote from Dolly about the new park that demonstrates her sense of humor, as well as the genuine kindness and caring for which she was known:

“I’ve had this dream for some time,” said Dolly. “It’s not just something I hope to make money with, although I do, but I want to preserve my Smoky Mountain Heritage.”

She went on to describe her desire to give back to her hometown community, saying, “I didn’t want to compete with businesses when I came here, I wanted to work with them.”

We will always love you, Dolly!

——————————————————-

Slide 1: Dolly when she announced her partnership with Herschend to rebrand what was Silver Dollar City’s Pigeon Forge location into Dollywood in 1985. This photo appeared in NAPHA Chronicle Magazine’s Autumn 2024 edition (V46N3). (📸 Dollywood)

Slide 2: NAPHA attendees give a shout out to Dolly at NAPHA ParkHop25’s hop at Dollywood in front of Blazing Fury.

Slide 3. The Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood. (📸 Christopher Churilla)

08/25/2026

Old Mill at Kennywood in West Mifflin, PA.
Opening in 1901, Old Mill is the world's oldest continuously operating dark water ride. Using a waterwheel to push a flow of water, riders in wooden boats travel through dark tunnels and various show scenes. In the early years, Old Mill changed names and themes several times, including Fairyland Floats, Panama Canal, and Rapids Gorge. While never officially called this, Old Mill and similar rides of the time were referred to as The Tunnel of Love. Old Mill was rebuilt in 1926 after a fire. Over the last century, the attraction had more overlays including Trip Around the World, Hardheaded Harold's Horrendously Humorous Haunted Hideaway, and Garfield's Nightmare. However, the original Old Mill name and western theme would keep returning, including the most recent 2020 update of the ride. NAPHA celebrates 125 years of the Old Mill at Kennywood!

Check out the NAPHA YouTube Channel with regular uploads of historic and unique rides and attractions from around the country!
https://www.youtube.com/

Well, folks! We’ve got two mighty excitin’ events lined up fer all you park enthusiasts, fans, historians, and good folk...
08/22/2026

Well, folks! We’ve got two mighty excitin’ events lined up fer all you park enthusiasts, fans, historians, and good folks of… Silver Dollar City! We’ve got our big ol’ fall event at the park, plus a dandy little Virtual Trivia Night!

To learn more about both events and register, visit. napha.org/hiphop26

A week ago, the carousel building at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, Connecticut sustained damage that included many...
08/19/2026

A week ago, the carousel building at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, Connecticut sustained damage that included many windows and an entire corner of the building being blown out, although city officials said the carousel itself seems to be unharmed.

The carousel features 72 hand-carved figures—including 69 horses, a camel, and two dragon chariots—reportedly built around 1911–1916 by master carvers like Charles Looff, Charles Carmel, and Timothy Murphy. Housed in a historic 1916 Renaissance Revival building, the ride is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

(📸 New Haven Register.)

08/18/2026

Colossus: The Fire Dragon at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, UT.
Premiering in the German fair circuit in 1981, this double looping coaster made by Schwarzkopf found its home at Lagoon in 1983, and has been running ever since! Standing 87 ft tall, riders fall in a curving drop at 49 mph through 2 back-to-back vertical loops and 2 extended helixes across 2,297 ft of track.

Check out the NAPHA YouTube Channel with regular uploads of historic and unique rides and attractions from around the country!
https://www.youtube.com/

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