Remember the ferris wheel at West Point Park? How about the Wild Mouse?

Or maybe you preferred heading up to Menlo Park in Perkasie, where you could ride the amusements, bowl or roller skate.

On Tuesday, you’ll be transported back to the days when area recreation spots provided relief from the heat for more than a century.

That’s when the Lansdale Historical Society fights the winter blahs with a touch of summer at its Community Program titled “Amusement Parks.”


The program features the history and photos of four area amusement parks that attracted huge crowds during their heyday.

All four of them — West Point Park, Edgewood (Whites) Park, Forest Park and Menlo Park —were popular spots that trace their beginnings to the 19th century.

Their rides, midways, lakes and picnic groves were visited by thousands each summer.

In the photos you see here today, West Point Park is featured, with the ferris wheel and the train in the spotlight.

The popularity of these parks diminished after the 1950s. West Point Park and Forest Park were replaced by housing subdivisions. Whites Road Park and Menlo remain as municipal parks geared to swimming pools, picnicking and other recreational activities.

The program will also include Allentown’s Dorney Park, which serves as example of an amusement park that survived by expanding and by adapting to changing lifestyles over the years.

A special show featuring Willow Grove Park will be scheduled in the future.

The Tuesday program will be held at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building, Seventh Street and Lansdale Avenue, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

There is no admission charge but donations are appreciated.

For information, call (215) 855-1872.