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West View Park

West View Park was an amusement park, located in West View, Pennsylvania. It was owned by T.M. Harton Company of Pittsburgh through its subsidiary company West View Park Company, which was founded in December 1905. The park opened on May 23, 1906. The dance hall that was constructed in the park, Danceland, became a landmark for various bands and artists that performed there. The park operated for 71 seasons, closing in 1977 due to declining revenues, higher operating costs, and a lack of investment. The park was in an abandoned state for several years and subjected to arson fires before being torn down in 1980 and replaced by a shopping center and residential facility in 1981.

West View Park
West View Park, circa 1912
LocationWest View, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates40°31′03″N 80°01′52″W / 40.51750°N 80.03111°W / 40.51750; -80.03111
StatusDefunct
OpenedMay 23, 1906; 118 years ago (1906-05-23)
ClosedSeptember 5, 1977; 47 years ago (1977-09-05)
OwnerT.M. Harton Company
via West View Park Company
Slogan"Just for fun!" (1920s-1930s)
"The fun park!" (1970s)

History

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The T.M. Harton Company led by founder, Theodore M. Harton II, opened West View Park in 1906.

1906–1918: T.M. Harton era

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West View Park opened on May 23, 1906. The park was constructed at a cost of approximately $250,000 (equivalent to $8,477,778 in 2023).[1] The park initially had a log flume ride called Mystic Chute, a roller coaster called Figure Eight, a carousel, and a Pony Track in which people could ride ponies. The Pony Track also featured miniature automobiles which people could ride.[2]

Between 1906 and 1918, West View Park would add several roller coasters. In 1909, the park replaced the original Figure Eight with a new Figure Eight.[3] In 1910, Dips, which was built along the lake in the park, opened.[4][5] Dips also operated under the name Leap-the-Dips, and the roller coaster remained in the park through its closure in 1977. The park replaced Mystic Chute and the second Figure Eight in 1917 with a new figure 8 roller coaster called Speed-O-Plane.[6] Speed-O-Plane remained in the park through 1927, when it was completely rebuilt and renamed Greyhound.[2]

In 1914, the park replaced the original 1906 carousel with a new carousel.[7] The park also featured several other funhouses and dark rides, including Katzenjammer Castle, Frazzle House,[7] House of Enchantment,[7] and Hilarity Hall.[8]

1919–1930: Post-Harton boom era

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On March 1, 1919, company founder T.M. Harton died at age 56 of pneumonia.

The first ride not manufactured by the T.M. Harton Company installed at West View Park opened in 1919 - a W.F. Mangels Company ride, The Whip.[9] A number of other amusement rides were added, including a Scooter,[10] a Caterpillar,[11] a second carousel,[12][13] and a Joy Plane.[12][14]

In 1927, a new roller coaster was added. It was a racing mobius roller coaster called Racing Whippet.[15] 1929 saw the addition of a Tumble Bug,[16] followed by a Cuddle Up in 1930.[17]

1931–1945: Great Depression and World War II era

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The Great Depression was a significant setback for T.M. Harton Company. Many of its investments in other places were faltering, resulting in them losing businesses. Furthermore, destabilization throughout the 1930s in Europe led the Harton Company to pull out of Europe. This, combined with the effects of the Great Depression on the Pittsburgh region, resulted in few changes being made to West View Park for the first half of the 1930s. The park did not see a new ride until 1935.

The Pony Track was replaced with the Talkie Temple amphitheater in 1932, where "talkie" movies were shown. After talkies became ubiquitous, the Talkie Temple became a place where shows were put on for children. Beginning with the addition of the Water Skooter ride on the park's lake in 1935, the park would see a new ride added to the park almost every year throughout the end of the Great Depression and World War II. West View Park's first Eyerly Aircraft Company ride was installed in 1936, the Loop-O-Plane.[18] A similar ride manufactured by R.E. Chambers Company, Stratoship, was installed in 1939.[19] Throughout World War II, West View Park added several kiddie rides[20] including a Chair-O-Plane ride.[2]

1946–1965: George M. Harton III era

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In 1945, George M. Harton III returned from World War II. Harton became general manager of West View Park, a position he would maintain until his death in 1966. This era was the height of West View Park, as many new and modern rides were installed in the park during his tenure.

The park's dance hall, Danceland, was a popular concert venue at this time. The Rolling Stones played at Danceland on June 17, 1964, in front of 400 people.[21]

1966–1977: Post-Harton decline

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The park opened a Chance Rides Sky Wheel in 1969, and added a miniature railroad in 1970, as well as a new Paratrooper and Tempest ride in the early 1970s. Dark ride Davey Jones Locker was renovated into a new dark ride called Land of the Giants in 1977. West View Park began to struggle as competitors such as Hersheypark and Kennywood Park added larger rides.[22][23] Without increased investment or the space for larger rides, West View Park could not compete. Additionally, as local school districts were consolidating, the number of school picnic groups going to West View Park was diminishing.[2]

In the early morning of September 29, 1973, Danceland burned to the ground as a result of faulty electrical wiring. Danceland had been valued at $1 million ($7,217,552 in 2024), and it was not rebuilt.[24] West View Park closed after the 1977 season on September 5.

Post-amusement park era

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Several weeks after the end of the 1977 season, T.M. Harton Company announced that West View Park would not reopen. After standing abandoned for several years, the park was eventually razed, and a shopping center and residential facility opened in 1981 on the grounds. The shopping center was named after West View Park, using a carousel horse as a logo in tribute. The shopping center continues to stand today, hosting a Giant Eagle supermarket.

Stick Man, a coming-of-age novel written by West View native Richard Rossi, featured the park. A George A. Romero film The Amusement Park was shot at West View Park in 1973, using volunteers to represent the allegory of aging. The film was thought to be lost until two prints resurfaced shortly before Romero's death.[25][26]

Former attractions

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West View Park had many rides and attractions over the years. Below is a list of the nine roller coasters which operated in the park.

List of roller coasters

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Ride Season Manufacturer Type Ref(s)
Opened Closed
Figure Eight (1906)
1906
1908
T.M. Harton & Company
Wooden coaster
[27]
Figure Eight (1909)
1909
1916
T.M. Harton & Company
Wooden coaster
[3]
Dips
1910
1977
T.M. Harton & Company
Wooden coaster
[4]
Speed-O-Plane/Greyhound
1917
1945
T.M. Harton & Company
Wooden coaster
[6]
Racing Whippet
1927
1977
T.M. Harton & Company
Wooden coaster
[15]
Kiddie Dips
1949
1977
T.M. Harton & Company
Kiddie wooden coaster
[28]
Brownie Coaster circa 1957 circa 1960
W.F. Mangels Company
Kiddie wooden coaster
[29]
Wild Mouse
1961
1962
 Unknown
Wooden coaster
[30][31]

References

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  1. ^ "Greater Pittsburgh's Newest Outdoor Resort—West View Park". The Pittsburgh Gazette. April 22, 1906. p. S2-7.
  2. ^ a b c d Jacques, Jr., Charles J. (1985). Goodbye West View Park Goodbye. Amusement Park Journal. ISBN 0961439203.
  3. ^ a b "West View Park Season Will Open On Saturday Night". The Pittsburgh Press. May 11, 1909. p. 7. ...the usual park features will attract the crowds. These include...the new figure 8-roller coaster. The latter has been rebuilt during the winter and is the biggest in America, being a half mile long.
  4. ^ a b "West View Park Open. Has Many New Amusements and Good Music Is Promised". Pittsburgh Post. May 15, 1910. p. 2. During the winter the beautiful, natural pleasure ground has been improved with the latest and best in park novelties and attractions, among them the most sensational coaster ride in the State, this alone costing $25,000. This ride was built by T.M. Harton & Co., of Pittsburgh which firm has built riding devices throughout this country and Europe, among them one now running at the Brussels Exposition.
  5. ^ "West View Park Today Will Open for Season". Pittsburgh Gazette Times. April 29, 1923. p. S6-5. The thrilling dip-the-dips have been made deeper and longer...
  6. ^ a b "West View Park To Open Saturday". Pittsburgh Post. May 10, 1917. p. 10. A great speedoplane, which, it is believed will be the sensation of local park history, has been erected at a cost of $50,000.
  7. ^ a b c "West View Park To Open. North Hills Resort Season Will Begin Saturday". The Gazette Times. Pittsburgh. May 14, 1914. p. 7. ...there have been added a Frazzle House, a House of Enchantment and a new Galloping Horse Carousel, this latter taking the place of the old [carousel].
  8. ^ "West View Park Read For Season's Opening". The Pittsburgh Press. May 14, 1915. p. 22. One of [West View Park's] new attractions will be Hilarity Hall.
  9. ^ "West View Park Will Open Season May 10". The Pittsburgh Press. May 4, 1919. p. ScS-10. At a cost of $50,000 he installed a great amusement attraction called "The Whip"...
  10. ^ "West View Park To Open New Season Today". The Pittsburgh Press. April 18, 1926. p. ScS-8. A New "skooter" will be on view for the first time.
  11. ^ "West View Park Opens Today; Cervone's Band Will Play". The Pittsburgh Press. May 4, 1924. p. STP-2. The new amusement devices include the Joy Plane one of the most thrilling contrivances yet provided for park patrons, the Caterpillar, declared to be a ride which is an innovation in summer resort devices; a new grandstand erected at the athletic field, a new shelter house and other attractions. A new boathouse has been built at the lake and splendid new boats secured...
  12. ^ a b "West View Park Season Opens". The Pittsburgh Press. April 29, 1923. p. STP-2. A new [carousel] has been installed, making West View Park the only park with two [carousels].
  13. ^ "West View Park Today Will Open for Season". Pittsburgh Gazette Times. April 29, 1923. p. S6-5. A new [carousel] has been installed, and a new ride [Joy Plane], which the company is keeping a secret, is being erected. This new ride will open with the first picnic, May 21. [sic: It ended up not opening until July 1.]
  14. ^ "West View Park Builds New Plane - Device Will be Placed in Operation Today--Many Picnics Scheduled". The Gazette Times. Pittsburgh. July 1, 1923. p. S2-7. A new thriller, the joy plane, will be in operation at West View Park today... There is only one other joy plane in operation in the United States, and that is located at Cedar Point, [Ohio].
  15. ^ a b "West View Park Open". Pittsburgh Post. April 24, 1927. p. S6-3. Over $75,000 was expended on the erection of the Racing Whippet.
  16. ^ "West View Is Open". Pittsburgh Press. April 28, 1929. p. 14. ...another new ride, "The Tumble Bug," will be placed in operation today.
  17. ^ "New Park Features". The Pittsburgh Press. May 18, 1930. p. ES-3. ...a new amusement ride, the "Cuddle-Up" is expected to open for the first time today.
  18. ^ "West View Park Features Riggs". The Pittsburgh Press. June 7, 1936. p. SpS-7. The Loop-o-plane...will be in operation.
  19. ^ "West View Opens Its Season Today". The Pittsburgh Press. May 4, 1939. p. SpcS-7. Among the new amusements...are "Stratoship," for aviation whirls, and "Swan," an acquatic [sic] novelty.
  20. ^ "West View Season Opens on May 3". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 18, 1942. p. DM-3. Riding horses will be an added 1942 West View attraction and Kiddieland, too, will offer new amusements for the youngsters "atop the hill."
  21. ^ Butko, Brian A.; Roberts, Paul (Summer 1990). "The Rolling Stones at West View Park, 1964". Western Pennsylvania History (PDF). Vol. 73, no. 2. pp. 64–65. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  22. ^ "List of Rides [Hersheypark] - 1971-1990". The Amusement Parkives. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  23. ^ "Kennywood Springs Back To Life". The Pittsburgh Press. April 17, 1975. p. SubrubanEast-18. Crews have finished Kennywood's newest amusement - a $1 million water-borne ride called "The Flume" [Log Jammer]...
  24. ^ Rieland, Randy (September 29, 1937). "Fire Levels West View Danceland - 50-Year Landmark destruction Tied To Faulty Wiring". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 1. A raging fire - apparently caused by faulty electrical wiring - destroyed West View Park Danceland early this morning.
  25. ^ Vancheri, Barbara (August 8, 2013). "Film Notes: Strand to screen movie about Roberto Clemente". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  26. ^ Jones, Diana Nelson (January 11, 2015). "Saint Roberto Clemente?". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  27. ^ The Figure-8 Coasters of West View
  28. ^ "One-Woman Band At West View". The Pittsburgh Press. May 8, 1949. p. S5-2. All the 75 rides at the park will be in operating, including the new "Kiddie Dips."
  29. ^ "West View Park – 1960, Pittsburgh, PA". tc421mc. 1960. April 12, 2012. YouTube. 00:01:15-00:01:21.
  30. ^ "West View Offers Many New Rides". The Pittsburgh Press. May 4, 1961. p. S6-2. Included among the [new] attractions will be the "Wild Mouse," and the children's "Paddle Boat" and bicycle ride.
  31. ^ "West View Park Starts '61 Season". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 7, 1961. p. pS4-8. The main amusement attraction will be the imported German "Wild Mouse."
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