During the golden age of American amusement parks, few attractions matched the charm and swirling excitement of the Cuddle-Up ride. Originating in Pennsylvania, it made its debut in 1929 at Carsonia Park in Reading, later gaining new life and lasting popularity at both [...]
The Grande Carousel was one of Dorney Park's most treasured icons—a hand-carved masterpiece of American amusement history that captivated riders for generations with its bold colors, spirited horses, and nostalgic melodies. Built in 1915 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, [...]
The Flying Dutchman was a unique steel roller coaster that operated at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, from 1977 to 1988. As part of a major park expansion in 1977, Dorney Park developed a new midway carved out of a neighboring cornfield and [...]
Throughout much of the 20th century, Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was home to some of the most creative and beloved dark rides—indoor attractions where guests traveled through themed environments, typically aboard guided vehicles. Featuring animation, sound, music, and special effects, these rides [...]
One of the most iconic and beloved rides in Dorney Park’s history was Journey to the Center of the Earth, a dark water ride that combined classic thrills with imaginative storytelling. But before it became the famous underground adventure, the ride had humbler [...]
During the Great Depression, when times were tough all over America, Dorney Park was fighting to survive. Families had little extra money, and like many small parks, Dorney struggled to stay open. But in the middle of that hardship came an idea that [...]
For a century, Thunderhawk has carved its legend into the Pennsylvania skyline, a wooden titan that has thrilled generations at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown and beyond. Born in 1924 as "The Coaster", this historic ride stands as the oldest operating [...]
On March 31, 2025, the City of Reading will see the full activation of newly installed gates and surveillance cameras along Skyline Drive, a historic roadway atop Mount Penn that has long been a jewel in the city's crown. These gates, positioned at [...]
Demolition is set to begin today on the city-owned building at 431 Penn Street, marking another chapter in Reading’s ongoing struggle with historic preservation and municipal mismanagement. Once a symbol of architectural grandeur, the structure—particularly its Beaux-Arts façade—has been left to decay under [...]
Jackson Rope Company was one of Reading, Pennsylvania’s longest-standing manufacturers. Founded in 1829 by English ropemaker Thomas Jackson, the company grew from a small operation along the Schuylkill Canal into a nationally respected rope manufacturer. For 150 years, Jackson Rope adapted to industrial [...]
