by Stephen M. Silverman
Review by John Joseph Fahey
The Amusement Park: 900 Years of Thrills and Spills and the Dreamers and Schemers Who Built Them (Hardcover and published by Black Dog & Leventhal, New York,) is an expansive volume consisting of four parts with approximately 8 subdivisions each.
Wide ranging in scope, this ambitious project could possibly be considered the definitive work on the history of what is considered today the Amusement Park.
The author certainly allows the reader to explore these venues of amusing activities and attractions; and indeed, Silverman also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how these settings of recreation, entertainment, thrill rides and oftentimes educational expositions were established – and for many of these parks, how they continued to be such an enduring component of the cultural landscape.
Also too, the book gives understanding about why some of the parks could not or were not sustainable; changes in public taste, economic downturns, poor management, risks, and more often than not, damage by fire were attributes in their demise.
So, The Amusement Park…provides an historical perspective of not only the amusement park’s establishment but of those entrepreneurs and risk takers whose determinations were responsible for developing the parks from their festival ambience, with their simple and prototype attractions, to the engineering marvels offered today; which incidentally, readers will be able to view given the book’s generous amount of illustrations and photos.
A particular case is the evolution of the roller coaster; a thrill ride prominently covered in this chronicle, and of course always a highlight of any amusement park.
We see the coasters progression from that of the original simple wooden structure, (however, even this had its basis in Russia with sleds moving on “ice slides” and eventually the sleds being fitted with wheels – attributed to Catherine the Great!) traveling only several mph downward due to momentum to its subsequent and modern versions with increasing height, length and transpositions; (and of course, unlike the coaster’s initial models, todays ride reaches its apex via a chain pulley device.)
While many wooden coasters are still constructed with wood, many others are built of steel, and others with both wood and steel, (considered hybrid.)
Silverman includes, with many of the coasters, their speed, height, number of inversions and dimensions – providing some interesting and much appreciated statistics for the coaster aficionado.
Interesting too is the author’s references of original construction costs, with adjustments due to inflation.
The Amusement Parks roots go back centuries; indeed, Silverman’s well researched project (with an imposing almost 20 page bibliography) writes of its beginnings extending back to 1583 with St. Bartholomew’s Fair; and even then, it had been already been in existence some 350 years.
This fair had the distinction of being “the world’s longest operating museum park.” The location was Denmark; and consequently other European powers – and developers, created similar places of recreation and enjoyment – eventually transforming the parks from a basic fair atmosphere, like that of St. Bartholomew’s Fair to that of a more cultural and educational offering, yet still providing various allures; a case being, for example, the Vienna International Exhibition (1873) that was “devoted to industry, art and agriculture.” One can say it was the precursor to the modern day World’s Fair.
Silverman’s coverage of the development of the amusement park from its early growth to what we know today allows the reader to understand how closely related both the parks and World’s Fairs are; and as an interesting side-note, how many of the attractions (including the Ferris Wheel) were so mechanically advanced, given that the much of the book’s time range includes parks and fairs relatively new in the age of technology.
And also noteworthy is the resources employed to assemble such structures: for instance, the cost of Coney Island’s iconic Cyclone roller coaster, built in 1927 was approximately $175,000.00 ($2.5 million adjusted for inflation) and was constructed with “223,000 feet of lumber, 240 tons of steel, and 96,000 rivets.”
As the book’s subtitle suggests, the amusement parks were initiated and developed by dreamers – those who had ideas about what recreational activities people would enjoy; which included those who made and lost their fortunes with these sometimes unstable ventures. Silverman’s attention to these movers and shakers of this segment of entertainment and recreation gives the reader perspective that behind the world of fun and amusement, there is a corporate and commercial backdrop.
Silverman’s coverage of this particular aspect of the world of amusement parks is telling of how much of a risk these ventures could pose – and conversely, how successful a park could be.
There were those who went bust for sure, but also there were those whose tenacity and determination paid off.
Silverman devotes ample coverage to one such man – Walt Disney. Indeed, much of the later section of this book is devoted to the man whose creativity and imagination played a salient role in the world of amusement.
Disney had the initiative, and Disney’s bother Roy, the business acumen, that brought to reality Disney’s vision of a park that would provide enjoyment and excitement.
Already well established and celebrated with his animated characters in motion pictures, Disney held steadfast to his dreams and ultimately created the signature park that bears his name (Disneyland.)
The California theme park was opened in 1955 and had as themes: Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Frontier, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Similar to a World’s Fair, various thematic presentations allowed the visitor to experience domains that might have existed previously, worlds that exist only in the imagination, or worlds to come.
Ironically the standard rides originally seemed to have been ancillary to the parks overall thematic approach; however, with thrill rides becoming increasingly more popular, Disney expanded its share of stimulating attractions.
Silverman provides considerable information about the roots of the Disneyland enterprise and its relationship to the overall entertainment industry; a truly illuminating read for those not just interested in all things Disney but in the behind-the-scenes look at the corporate structure and in its universal influence.
The Amusement Park…engages the reader with a history of the amusement park, yes, but with a comprehensive approach from its paradigms to the evolution of the current amusement park.
We also find how the trolley system played such a significant role in its establishment, close to the urban areas but far enough to warrant public transportation.
This narrative is also abundant in the telling of those whose dreams – and financial backings created these recreational areas that eventually stretched across the continent. Also revealing were the numerous celebrities who played a central part in the amusement park’s early years. This work, quite substantive in its presentation, gives the reader some good insight in the means and indeed, the contrivances that were employed to develop some of the parks.
Silverman’s book is also rich with anecdotes that complement its easy-to-read style; truly this book is suggested for those who have a strong interest in the subject as well as for those interested in American recreational culture of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Many will find enlightening how many parks were in existence, even if some were ephemeral; and not just in the Northeast, but indeed located throughout the country. There were and still are amusement parks along the eastern seaboard such as Coney Island in New York and Echo Park in Maryland but in other venues also; this book encompasses parks in Ohio (Cedar Point,) Denver and New Orleans as well as points west. Silverman covers significant information about Saltair in Salt Lake City as well as Knotts Berry Farm in Anaheim, Belmont Park in San Diego and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with its classic wooden coaster Giant Dipper.
The work also covers numerous personalities that got their start in the world of amusement parks – as well as celebrities and showmen whose appearances enhanced the demand of what would appeal to the public. Some of the more famous performers were Wild Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley; there are too many referenced in the book to give an exhaustive list. Silverman however, includes this particular information in the context of the subject matter as well as denoting fame in in their own right.
Many in Massachusetts might remember some of the amusement parks that have closed; however there were two parks in particular that were quite popular and were known for its coasters: Wonderland in Revere and Paragon Park (also known as Nantasket) in Hull; both located across from the Atlantic shore.
To some, this chronical will bring back fond memories; and for others it will provide some great information about the history of the amusement park with all its trials and tribulations; all its excitement, exhilaration and fun – but to all it will be apparent that indeed the amusement park has become surely, one of America’s great pastimes.
