Have you ever wondered what recreation sites and amusement parks looked like in the past? The ’60s marked an era of growth and change in the United States and the world. As urban entertainment preferences began to gain popularity, the demand for amusement parks increased. This is what amusement parks looked like in the 60s.
Cincinnati’s Coney Island
Cincinnati’s Coney Island used to be popular in Ohio. It was opened in 1886 and has experienced numerous changes over the past few years. The park was filled with numerous rides and side attractions as people enjoyed their time on the rollercoaster, water rides, and the ferris wheels.
The park also has another stand that allows you to play games and win prizes or tickets to board another ride. As for the safety of the rides, it is important to know that safety standards set during the 1960s were quite different from now and may not be considered safe compared to today’s standards.
Palisades Park
Palisades Park was built on a 26-acre area and was one of the biggest parks in the 1960s. It cuts across both the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Bay and provides visitors with a sunny view of the ocean and bay.
The park was home to many roller coaster designs, but only a handful lasted beyond the 2000s. Among the many rollercoaster designs that many visitors loved was “The Skyrocket,” which was built by John Miller and his assistant, Erwin Vettel, in 1926.
Euclid Beach Amusement Park
Inspired by the success of the parks in New York, the Euclid Beach amusement park opened in 1895. Initially, it served as a relaxation spot for the wealthy people of Cleveland. The park had three custom-made roller coasters; John Miller built the first in 1913.
Fans and families loved the rides, but the Derby Racer stole the hearts of both young and old. The Derby Racer is a fun device in which the two opposite trains start from one side of the park and finish at the other.
Riverview Park
Riverview Park was one of the booming amusement parks in the 60s. It was located in Chicago and began operation in 1904 before closing in 1967. Aside from the rides, the park was home to some of the best foods, music, and side attractions.
The park also had a great collection of rides, including The Scary Bob, a terrifying 11-car roller coaster built in 1942. They had the “Pair-o-Chutes,” too, which is a free-fall parachute ride.
Pacific Ocean Park (POP)
The Pacific Ocean Park was another amusement park in Santa Monica, California. It was a haven for fun in the 50s and 60s as there were many rollercoasters and fun-themed side attractions. Like many other parks, it had many attractions, including roller coasters, fun tents, food, and music.
The park opened on July 28, 1958, and had a sweet run before it closed down on October 6, 1967, due to low customers. The park was one of its kind as its architectural design was rooted in futuristic designs. After filing for bankruptcy, major parts of the park were auctioned off.
