Cascade Park, New Castle, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Cascade Park is a nature park and former amusement park in New Castle, Pennsylvania
. The park was originally known as Big Run Falls when the area on which the park sits was purchased by Col. Levi Brinton in 1892. Power companies at the turn of the twentieth century found they could make profits developing amusement parks, so in 1897, the New Castle Traction Company (later known as the Pennsylvania Power Company, or Penn Power) bought the property from Col. Brinton. When the company held a contest for the park's name, ten-year-old Edwina Norris won ten dollars for submitting the name Cascade Park. The park opened on May 29, 1897.
, a carousel which previously was located at Idora Park, Youngstown
. A new roller coaster, The Gorge, was also added at around this same time, and by 1925, the park's area had been expanded to 138 acre (0.55846668 km²) and its midway had 17 rides. Among the rides were:
One of the owner/operators of this early period was Billy Glenn. After he stopped as primary operator of the main attractions, he continued to personally operate his last concession in the park, a popcorn stand.
The coaster cars were built by Philadelphia Tobaggan Company. The coaster's highest point was 65 feet (19.8 m) and boasted a 2400 feet (731.5 m) track length. One of the coaster's most unique features was that it was built on the edge of a valley. Most roller coasters of the day were towed up to the highest point by a chain and as the energy and momentum of the coaster was expended, the hills got smaller towards the end. The Gorge/Comet was different in that it left the station at ground level and "fell" into the valley, so the first drop was actually the 2nd biggest drop. The coaster went down the valley, turned around and went up a chain hoist to the opposite side of the valley. It then turned around and dropped into the valley for the coaster's biggest dip and came back up the hill to return into the back of the station.
The park managed to stay afloat during the 1970s and early 1980s despite a continuing drop in attendance. The coaster was damaged in 1982 when a tree fell on it. By this time the area had fallen on hard economic times, and the Comet was torn down several years later.
Today, the park is the site of community events such as the Back to the 1950s Weekend.
New Castle, Pennsylvania
New Castle is a city in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States, northwest of Pittsburgh and near the Pennsylvania-Ohio border just east of Youngstown, Ohio; in 1910, the total population was 36,280; in 1920, 44,938; and in 1940, 47,638. The population has fallen to 26,309 according to the...
. The park was originally known as Big Run Falls when the area on which the park sits was purchased by Col. Levi Brinton in 1892. Power companies at the turn of the twentieth century found they could make profits developing amusement parks, so in 1897, the New Castle Traction Company (later known as the Pennsylvania Power Company, or Penn Power) bought the property from Col. Brinton. When the company held a contest for the park's name, ten-year-old Edwina Norris won ten dollars for submitting the name Cascade Park. The park opened on May 29, 1897.
Expansion and rides
A year after the park opened, its owners added a carousel, baseball park, theater, and dance pavilion, of which the pavilion is still standing. At the time, the dance pavilion was the largest in the state of Pennsylvania. The park's first roller coaster, the Toboggan, was also installed at this time. The year 1899 saw the addition of a zoo, picnic grove, and lake, the latter being created by damming the Big Run Creek which ran through the park. In 1922, the park's original carousel was replaced with one built by the Philadelphia Toboggan CompanyPhiladelphia Toboggan Company
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.Mack Rides of Germany dates back to 1781, but it did not start building coasters until 1921 Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B...
, a carousel which previously was located at Idora Park, Youngstown
Idora Park, Youngstown
Idora Park was a northeastern Ohio amusement park popularly known as "Youngstown's Million Dollar Playground."Built by the Youngstown Park and Falls Street Railway Company, the park's expansion coincided with the growth of the South Side of Youngstown, Ohio, in the Fosterville neighborhood...
. A new roller coaster, The Gorge, was also added at around this same time, and by 1925, the park's area had been expanded to 138 acre (0.55846668 km²) and its midway had 17 rides. Among the rides were:
- Carousel
- Original Gorge (built by IAD)
- Tumble Bug (built by Traver Engineering Company), located in Beaver Falls, PennsylvaniaBeaver Falls, PennsylvaniaBeaver Falls is a city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,987 at the 2010 census. It is located 31 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, and on the Beaver River, six miles from its confluence with the Ohio River...
- Bumper Cars (Auto Skooters by Lusse
- Circle Swings (another Traver Engineering Ride)
- Whip
- Fire Truck Ride
- Penny Arcade
- Kiddyland
- Tubs of Fun
- Rocket Ride
- Tractor Ride (mini gas-powered tractors that the customers would drive around a track)
- Riverboat (owned by son John "Cookie" Vesco)
One of the owner/operators of this early period was Billy Glenn. After he stopped as primary operator of the main attractions, he continued to personally operate his last concession in the park, a popcorn stand.
Change of ownership and decline
The year 1934 saw major changes for the park. Penn Power donated Cascade Park to the city of New Castle, stipulating that the area be forever used for public recreation. During the second quarter of the century, park attendance began to decline. The lake, popular for fishing, swimming, and boating, dried up when the Big Run dam broke. In the 1950s, Paul Vesco entered into a contract with the city to operate the park. He removed the original Gorge and replaced it with a new roller coaster of his own design, originally using the same name (Gorge), but several years later changing the name to the The Comet.The coaster cars were built by Philadelphia Tobaggan Company. The coaster's highest point was 65 feet (19.8 m) and boasted a 2400 feet (731.5 m) track length. One of the coaster's most unique features was that it was built on the edge of a valley. Most roller coasters of the day were towed up to the highest point by a chain and as the energy and momentum of the coaster was expended, the hills got smaller towards the end. The Gorge/Comet was different in that it left the station at ground level and "fell" into the valley, so the first drop was actually the 2nd biggest drop. The coaster went down the valley, turned around and went up a chain hoist to the opposite side of the valley. It then turned around and dropped into the valley for the coaster's biggest dip and came back up the hill to return into the back of the station.
The park managed to stay afloat during the 1970s and early 1980s despite a continuing drop in attendance. The coaster was damaged in 1982 when a tree fell on it. By this time the area had fallen on hard economic times, and the Comet was torn down several years later.
Renewed interest and revival
A New Castle square dancing group called the Paws and Taws began raising funds in the late 1970s to repair and restore the park's historic dance pavilion. Community interest in reviving the park soon followed, and the Cascade Park Development Committee, a group of volunteers, organized in 1980. The group came up with a plan to restore the park, and it was agreed at that point that any future development at the park would reflect its Victorian roots. During the 1980s, the park's old rides were removed, flowers and shrubs were planted, buildings were improved, public restrooms were built, and a playground was added. Local clubs like the Rotary Club, Lawrence County Garden Club, and the Lawrence County Bocce Ball League have also contributed in the park's restoration. Walking and hiking trails have also been added.Today, the park is the site of community events such as the Back to the 1950s Weekend.