Rock Springs Park
Encyclopedia
Rock Springs Park is a defunct amusement park
once located in Chester, West Virginia
, Hancock County
. The park officially began operation in 1897, and closed in 1970 after the death of its final owner, Robert Hand. After four years of disuse, the land was bought by the state of West Virginia for the rerouting of U.S. Route 30
and the construction of the Jennings Randolph Bridge
over the Ohio River
.
, when George Washington
visited the vicinity on two separate occasions. In July 1758, his journal states that he was on Babb's Island, just across from the site on the Ohio River. Later, in October 1770, he reportedly camped near the park enterance and drank from the mineral waters of Rock Springs.
The park itself marks its earliest beginnings in 1857, when Rock Springs Grove (as it was known at the time) was donated by the Marks Farm for church picnics. Wharfmaster Patsy Kernan then leased the property and arranged for his ferryboat, the Ollie Neville, to carry picnickers from East Liverpool, Ohio
across the Ohio River to the grove. Then, the park merely consisted of hiking trails, picnic pavilions, and a small dancing platform. As time went on, a lunchroom, baseball diamond, roller rink, and merry-go-round were added. Kernan ended his management in 1893 and was followed by L. J. McGhie, who changed little with the park.
In 1890, East Liverpool attorney James "J. E." McDonald bought 170 acre (0.6879662 km²) of the A. E. Marks Estate for $170,000 with plans of expanding the hilly pottery town of East Liverpool to the flat headlands of the "Southside." Eleven of those acres were Rock Springs Grove. In 1893, McDonald announced plans to erect a new bridge over the Ohio River, open up a streetcar line, and turn Rock Springs into a full-blown amusement park. However, it took three years to obtain enough investors for the $250,000 project because of the financial panic of 1893
. By the time construction was underway in 1896, there were less than a dozen homes along the unpaved Carolina Avenue in the community that would become Chester, West Virginia
. Rock Springs Park officially opened in 1897.
), grandstands for the baseball field, boating and bathhouse facilities, a swimming pool, and a three and a half acre lake. This great expansion brought great success.
C. A. Smith also made it possible for new ways to get to Rock Springs. The Kenilworth
line was extended into Chester and train and boat excursions made it possible for people from Wheeling, West Virginia
and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
to attend the park.
However, it wasn't all prosperity. In the years of 1914, 1915, and 1917, fires destroyed the Casino, the Old Mill, and structures near the lower gate entrance, respectively. A third dance hall opened in 1918, but this didn't help the ongoing decline in business. Smith left as park owner after the 1925 season.
C. C. Macdonald, along with Richard B. Mellon
, bought Idlewild Park
in Ligonier, Pennsylvania
. Macdonald moved him and is family there, but spent the next four years traveling between Idlewild and Rock Springs. Finally, in 1934, the Macdonalds turned over ownership of Rock Springs to their daughter and son-in-law.
By 1970, the Hands' boys were grown up, on their own, and parents themselves. Having spent their entire married life operating Rock Springs, Robert and Virginia were looking forward to spending retirement in Florida
. Sadly, Robert Hand died after the 1970 season in October, and Rock Springs Park never reopened.
On June 26, 1974, the Last Dance at Virginia Gardens (the park's dance hall) was held as the final event at Rock Springs Park before the rerouting of U.S. Route 30
began (the project would take the highway straight through the old park). More than 1,000 people attended the Last Dance, bringing life to the park one last time.
By the end of July 1974, the 21 structures still remaining were auctioned off. Once the site was clear and the lake drained, earthmovers came in and cut the mountain into two, effectively wiping out almost any recognizable trait of what once Rock Springs Park. Soon, the project was complete and the new Jennings Randolph Bridge
crossed the Ohio River, replacing the old Chester Bridge that once brought in park patrons.
In June 2010, the first comprehensive work on the park, Images of America: Rock Springs Park by Joseph A. Comm, was published by Arcadia Publishing
.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
once located in Chester, West Virginia
Chester, West Virginia
Chester is a city in Hancock County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,592 at the 2000 census. Chester was established in 1896, but not incorporated until 1907. The city is...
, Hancock County
Hancock County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,667 people, 13,678 households, and 9,506 families residing in the county. The population density was 394 people per square mile . There were 14,728 housing units at an average density of 178 per square mile...
. The park officially began operation in 1897, and closed in 1970 after the death of its final owner, Robert Hand. After four years of disuse, the land was bought by the state of West Virginia for the rerouting of U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
and the construction of the Jennings Randolph Bridge
Jennings Randolph Bridge
The Jennings Randolph Bridge, built in 1977, is the largest Pratt truss bridge in North America, spanning 754 feet over the Ohio River between Chester, West Virginia and East Liverpool, Ohio. The bridge, which is located on U.S. Route 30, is named after West Virginian Democratic Senator Jennings...
over the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
.
Pre-opening: Up to 1896
The area that would become Rock Springs Park had been attracting people as early as 4,000 years ago. The Archaic Indians once thought of the spot as a sacred hunting ground. Interest in the area came about again during the years of Colonial AmericaColonial America
The colonial history of the United States covers the history from the start of European settlement and especially the history of the thirteen colonies of Britain until they declared independence in 1776. In the late 16th century, England, France, Spain and the Netherlands launched major...
, when George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
visited the vicinity on two separate occasions. In July 1758, his journal states that he was on Babb's Island, just across from the site on the Ohio River. Later, in October 1770, he reportedly camped near the park enterance and drank from the mineral waters of Rock Springs.
The park itself marks its earliest beginnings in 1857, when Rock Springs Grove (as it was known at the time) was donated by the Marks Farm for church picnics. Wharfmaster Patsy Kernan then leased the property and arranged for his ferryboat, the Ollie Neville, to carry picnickers from East Liverpool, Ohio
East Liverpool, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,089 people, 5,261 households, and 3,424 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,010.3 people per square mile . There were 5,743 housing units at an average density of 1,320.8 per square mile...
across the Ohio River to the grove. Then, the park merely consisted of hiking trails, picnic pavilions, and a small dancing platform. As time went on, a lunchroom, baseball diamond, roller rink, and merry-go-round were added. Kernan ended his management in 1893 and was followed by L. J. McGhie, who changed little with the park.
In 1890, East Liverpool attorney James "J. E." McDonald bought 170 acre (0.6879662 km²) of the A. E. Marks Estate for $170,000 with plans of expanding the hilly pottery town of East Liverpool to the flat headlands of the "Southside." Eleven of those acres were Rock Springs Grove. In 1893, McDonald announced plans to erect a new bridge over the Ohio River, open up a streetcar line, and turn Rock Springs into a full-blown amusement park. However, it took three years to obtain enough investors for the $250,000 project because of the financial panic of 1893
Panic of 1893
The Panic of 1893 was a serious economic depression in the United States that began in 1893. Similar to the Panic of 1873, this panic was marked by the collapse of railroad overbuilding and shaky railroad financing which set off a series of bank failures...
. By the time construction was underway in 1896, there were less than a dozen homes along the unpaved Carolina Avenue in the community that would become Chester, West Virginia
Chester, West Virginia
Chester is a city in Hancock County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,592 at the 2000 census. Chester was established in 1896, but not incorporated until 1907. The city is...
. Rock Springs Park officially opened in 1897.
Under J. E. McDonald: 1897-1899
Rock Springs Park officially opened on May 26, 1897, when the first trolley of the East Liverpool Street Railway Company crossed the new Chester Bridge and traveled to the park. New structures included a main pavilion, a midway, a new merry-go-round, and bathhouses.Under C. A. Smith: 1900-1925
Charles "C. A." Smith's Steubenville, East Liverpool, and Beaver Valley Traction Company purchased Rock Springs Park in 1900. Under him, the park grew to include another new merry-go-round, the Casino dance hall, an outdoor amphitheatre, the Old Mill, the World's Greatest Scenic Railway (an early roller coasterRoller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
), grandstands for the baseball field, boating and bathhouse facilities, a swimming pool, and a three and a half acre lake. This great expansion brought great success.
C. A. Smith also made it possible for new ways to get to Rock Springs. The Kenilworth
Kenilworth
Kenilworth is a town in central Warwickshire, England. In 2001 the town had a population of 22,582 . It is situated south of Coventry, north of Warwick and northwest of London....
line was extended into Chester and train and boat excursions made it possible for people from Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
to attend the park.
However, it wasn't all prosperity. In the years of 1914, 1915, and 1917, fires destroyed the Casino, the Old Mill, and structures near the lower gate entrance, respectively. A third dance hall opened in 1918, but this didn't help the ongoing decline in business. Smith left as park owner after the 1925 season.
Under C. C. and Grace Macdonald: 1926-1934
Success at Rock Springs Park returned under the ownership of Charles Clinton "C. C." and Grace Macdonald. Among their notable additions were a Dentzel carousel (1927) and the Cyclone roller coaster (1928). They also erected a log cabin in 1927 that served as their home.C. C. Macdonald, along with Richard B. Mellon
Richard B. Mellon
Richard Beatty Mellon , sometimes R.B., was a banker, industrialist, and philanthropist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania....
, bought Idlewild Park
Idlewild and Soak Zone
Idlewild and Soak Zone, commonly known as Idlewild Park or simply Idlewild, is a family amusement park situated in the Laurel Highlands near Ligonier, Pennsylvania, United States, about east of Pittsburgh, along US Route 30. Founded in 1878 as a campground along the Ligonier Valley Railroad by...
in Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Ligonier is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,695 at the 2000 census. Ligonier was settled in the 1760s. The borough is well known for nearby Idlewild Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, and nearby Seven Springs Mountain Resort...
. Macdonald moved him and is family there, but spent the next four years traveling between Idlewild and Rock Springs. Finally, in 1934, the Macdonalds turned over ownership of Rock Springs to their daughter and son-in-law.
Under Robert and Virginia Hand: 1935-1970
During the ownership of Robert and Virginia hand (son-in-law and daughter of the Macdonalds, respectively), there were no major additions to the park except for the coming and going of various flat rides. The biggest additions were the bandshell and the circle swing ride. The Hands raised their two sons in the park, living in the log cabin home built by Virginia's parents.By 1970, the Hands' boys were grown up, on their own, and parents themselves. Having spent their entire married life operating Rock Springs, Robert and Virginia were looking forward to spending retirement in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Sadly, Robert Hand died after the 1970 season in October, and Rock Springs Park never reopened.
Disuse, demolition, and U.S. Route 30: 1971-1974
After Robert Hand's death, many of the portable flat rides were sold and removed, however the Cyclone roller coaster, Aeroplane circle swing, carousel, and kiddie rides remained along with empty buildings as a reminder of what once was.On June 26, 1974, the Last Dance at Virginia Gardens (the park's dance hall) was held as the final event at Rock Springs Park before the rerouting of U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
began (the project would take the highway straight through the old park). More than 1,000 people attended the Last Dance, bringing life to the park one last time.
By the end of July 1974, the 21 structures still remaining were auctioned off. Once the site was clear and the lake drained, earthmovers came in and cut the mountain into two, effectively wiping out almost any recognizable trait of what once Rock Springs Park. Soon, the project was complete and the new Jennings Randolph Bridge
Jennings Randolph Bridge
The Jennings Randolph Bridge, built in 1977, is the largest Pratt truss bridge in North America, spanning 754 feet over the Ohio River between Chester, West Virginia and East Liverpool, Ohio. The bridge, which is located on U.S. Route 30, is named after West Virginian Democratic Senator Jennings...
crossed the Ohio River, replacing the old Chester Bridge that once brought in park patrons.
Reminders of Rock Springs: 1975-present
While most traces of Rock Springs Park are gone, a few still remain around Chester. The log cabin built by the Macdonalds and lived in by them and the Hands still stands, having been moved from its original loation but still visible from U.S. 30. Owner C. A. Smith's home still stands nearby as well. The Virginia Gardens Memorial Park can also be found not too far from the Chester exit of U.S. 30. A historical marker stands along Carolina avenue near 30, but incorrectly reads "Rock Spring Park." The old Rock Springs themselves still exist too, but the waters are carried by pipe into a drainage ditch.In June 2010, the first comprehensive work on the park, Images of America: Rock Springs Park by Joseph A. Comm, was published by Arcadia Publishing
Arcadia Publishing
Arcadia Publishing is an American publisher of local history.-History:It was founded in Dover, New Hampshire in 1993 by United Kingdom-based Tempus Publishing, but became independent in 2004....
.