History

Downtown Atlanta Amusement Park History: From the Site of Ponce de Leon Amusement Company 100 Years Ago “Springs” Skyline Park Today

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Ponce de Leon Amusement Company
Skyline Park
Skyline Park (Courtesy of Slater Hospitality)

Back in the mid 1800’s and early 1900’s there was a popular tourist destination called Ponce de Leon Springs near downtown Atlanta. It was seen more like a local spa with the mineral content of the water thought to provide health benefits. In January 1903, 47 acres of the land surrounding the spring was purchased by the future Ponce de Leon Amusement Company. Construction quickly started on a theater, a carousel and a casino. The owners tried to mimic Coney Island by building a ping pong parlor, a gravity railroad (precursor to our modern roller coasters), a Ferris wheel and a penny arcade and the park soon became known as “the Coney Island of Atlanta”. It only lasted to the 1920’s, but fast forward 100 years and remarkably on the same site today you’ll find Skyline Park, a modern carnival-style rooftop amusement park!

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Fake American Flags at Disney? No, Just One From the 1900’s That’s Used for Theming and Practicality.

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Main Street U.S.A. Magic Kingdom
Main Street U.S.A. Magic Kingdom

Many areas of Disney are filled with American flags. The most prominent of these are the main flag poles at the entrance of the parks, but areas like Main Street, U.S.A. are filled with flags on top of each of the buildings. However, many of these flags are not “real” official United States flags, but are often missing some stars or have some other imperfections. Why would Disney do this? It’s not due to any lack of patriotism, but rather is more about practicality in not having to follow United States Flag Code for every single one.

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The Strange History of Carousels

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The over 100 year old carousel at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park (Lake Winnie)
The over 100 year old carousel at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park (Lake Winnie)

The carousel, also known as a merry-go-round, is found in almost every theme park and amusement park. It has a rich history that dates back several centuries, but you might be surprised to learn that prior to being used for entertainment it was used for training for battle! The fact that the most common carousel uses horses is no accident as the carousel’s origins can be traced to medieval jousting traditions in Europe and the Middle East. During this time riders practiced spearing rings while galloping in circles—a game called “carosella,” meaning “little war” in Italian. The term “grab the brass ring”, where riders could grab a ring from a dispenser for a prize (highly unsafe to think about doing today), was based on this practice.

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The Turnstile: An Underappreciated Theme Park Staple with Fascinating History

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Turnstile at a theme park roller coaster
Turnstile at a theme park (courtesy of Hayward Turnstiles)
Turnstile at a theme park Waterworld entrance
Turnstile at a theme park (courtesy of Hayward Turnstiles)

There’s a characteristic ratcheting and gear sound you hear as you go through a turnstile. It’s the sound that you hear when many theme parks open and you go through the front gate or when you move from the queue onto the loading platform. It’s a sound that’s filled with excitement and anticipation for most of us, but have you ever wondered about the history of the humble turnstile? I’m a bit of a nerd and so I think about such things. Here’s a brief history of this common theme park device with beginnings in ancient farms and modernized at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store.

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Cadbury World is a Sweet Theme Park, Museum and Interactive Advertisement Combination!

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Entrance to Cadbury World

Cadbury World is part theme park, part museum and part immersive advertisement all in one located on the campus of the the Cadbury chocolate plant in Bournville, Birmingham, England. This is not a factory tour, however you will learn about the company’s history and the chocolate making process through some great interactive experiences. On a recent business trip the the United Kingdom I got a chance to experience Cadbury World and left with a bunch of new knowledge, good memories and pockets full of free chocolate! Here’s my review of one of the sweetest places on Earth.

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