The Amusement Parkives

The Wild Cat | 1923-1945 The Wild Cat operated in Hersheypark from 1923 to 1945. It was manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Company and The Wild Cat was the first roller coaster designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.

The Wild Cat operated in Hersheypark from 1923 to 1945. It was manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Company and The Wild Cat was the first roller coaster designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.

An orange Hershey Kiss turned into a turkey.

Hersheypark’s first kiddie coaster | Mini Comet Mini Comet, a kiddie coaster at Hersheypark from 1974 to 1978, was relocated several times and ultimately scrapped due to high maintenance costs and low resale value.

Operating in the mid-1970s, Mini Comet was Hersheypark's first kiddie coaster.

Tudor Castle: A Landmark at Hersheypark | 1973 – 2019 Hersheypark's Tudor Castle entrance, opened in 1973, served over 45 years before its removal in 2019 to accommodate growing visitor numbers and security needs. Its design reflected local cultural themes, impacting the park's evolution and paving the way for new developments.

Hersheypark's Tudor Castle entrance, opened in 1973, served over 45 years before its removal in 2019 to accommodate growing visitor numbers and security needs. Its design reflected local cultural themes, impacting the park's evolution and paving the way for new developments.

Update: The CloudFlare outage appears to be resolved.

The Hershey Community Archives website is impacted by this outage. Be advised if you see this on other websites.

Chickie’s and Pete’s In 2014, Hersheypark introduced Chickie's & Pete's, offering signature items like crabfries. A second location opened in 2016, expanding food options for park visitors.

In 2014, Chickie's & Pete's opened a concession in Hersheypark's Midway America. Two years later, a second concession was opened in Pioneer Frontier Food Court.

Whip | 1997 – 2022 In 1997, Hersheypark added The Whip, a ride honoring its first Whip, featuring historic photos. Operating from 1997 to 2022, it was removed in February 2023, as confirmed by the park's social media.

Entertaining guests for 25 years, The Whip was a popular, classic flat ride in Hersheypark's Midway America. This attraction, which featured individual cars "whipped" around an oval track, operated from the 1997 season through the 2022 season.

The first Hersheypark advertisement in newsprint The first Hersheypark advertisement ran in central Pennsylvania newspapers between August 29, 1907 and August 31, 1907.

The first Hersheypark advertisement ran in central Pennsylvania newspapers between August 29, 1907 and August 31, 1907.

Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark may not be the biggest RMC, but it definitely packs a punch!

#wildcatsrevenge #hersheypark #rmc #pennsylvania #hershey #themepark #rollercoaster #coasterenthusiast

📍 Hersheypark Arena – Hershey, PA 🍫
🏒 Opened 1936 | Former home of Hershey Bears (AHL)
🏆 Hosted multiple Calder Cup champs
🏀 Site of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game (Philadelphia Warriors vs Knicks – 3/2/62)

#HersheyPA #Hershey #Hersheypark #HersheyBears #AHL #WiltChamberlain #NBAHistory

Twinkling Thru Time

#Hersheypark brought a Christmas show back to Music Box Theater for the first time in 5 seasons. This year's show, called Twinkling Thru Time, follows 2019's The Littlest Tree.

The First Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Hersheypark’s first Christmas Candylane was held 35 years ago in 1983.

With Hersheypark's 42nd Christmas Candylane opening tonight, here's a look back to how it all began in 1983.

Hersheypark's Kissmas Tree

The Kissmas Tree was relocated to Hershey's Chocolatetown this season. #Hersheypark2025

Hersheypark entrance; November 14, 2025.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is back for it's 42nd season!

Pennsylvania’s Amusement Ride Inspection Act On June 14, 1984, an act - providing for the inspection of amusement rides and attractions; granting powers and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture; creating the Amusement Ride Safety Advisory Board; and imposing civil and criminal penalties - was entered into Pennsylvania law as P.L. 384, No. 81, the Pennsylvania Amusement Ride Inspection Act. It was signed by Governor Dick Thornburgh on June 18, 1984.

Pennsylvania’s Amusement Ride Inspection Act

On June 14, 1984, an act - providing for the inspection of amusement rides and attractions; granting powers and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture; creating the Amusement Ride Safety Advisory Board; and imposing civil and criminal…

Minty Bees at Hersheypark Minty Bees is a Hampton Amusement Company kiddie Super Jet ride which was installed in Hersheypark in 1961.

The Minty Bees debuted in Hersheypark 60 years ago, as Jets. This is one of the oldest rides in the park.

Big Dipper at Aloha Park | 1922 – 1925 This article is part of a short series on Aloha Park, which was located in the Waikiki section of Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. This article is about the Church & Prior roller coaster at the park, Big Dipper. Aloha Park had one roller coaster, Big Dipper, which was designed by Church & Prior and construction was supervised by Mark Hanna. The cars for the train were delivered to Aloha Park on the vessel…

Big Dipper at Aloha Park | 1922 – 1925

This article is part of a short series on Aloha Park, which was located in the Waikiki section of Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. This article is about the Church & Prior roller coaster at the park, Big Dipper. Aloha Park had one roller coaster, Big Dipper,…

Whip | 1997 – 2022 In 1997, Hersheypark expanded Midway America. One of the rides added was The Whip. Manufactured by Sarasota, Florida based Rideworks, Inc., this ride was an homage to the park's first Whip. The back wall of Whip featured historic photos of Hersheypark. The picture to the left was of the Twin Ferris Wheels while the picture to the right was a picture of the first Whip from 1937.

Whip was in Hersheypark from 1997 to 2022. Learn more about Whip in this article!

Castelli’s Hotel | Inside Hersheypark Now inside Hersheypark, Castelli's Hotel was a restaurant that operated from 1940 to 1964 on West Derry Road in Hershey.

Castelli's Hotel was a restaurant and bar that existed from 1940 to 1964. The building was in an area now inside Hersheypark.

Established in 1961, Chance Rides is an amusement ride manufacturer. Explore the journey of Chance Rides, from its beginnings as Ottaway Amusement Company to its acquisitions of Allan Herschell Company, Bradley & Kaye, D.H. Morgan, and its current operations today.

Dancing Waters | 1973-1974 After the 1972 season, Hersheypark had to figure out what to do with the empty space created by the loss of The Lost River, the park's Philadelphia Toboggan Company Mill Chute flume ride, which was destroyed in the flood of 1972, which happened in late June of that year. Park management favored installing an electric fountain, as an homage to the Electric Fountain which was in the…

Dancing Waters was a an electric water show that existed in Hersheypark from 1973-1974. It was created by Otto Przystawik in the early 1950s, and brought to many places in the United States.

Dancing Waters | 1973-1974 After the 1972 season, Hersheypark had to figure out what to do with the empty space created by the loss of The Lost River, the park's Philadelphia Toboggan Company Mill Chute flume ride, which was destroyed in the flood of 1972, which happened in late June of that year. Park management favored installing an electric fountain, as an homage to the Electric Fountain which was in the…

Dancing Waters was a an electric water show that existed in Hersheypark from 1973-1974. It was created by Otto Przystawik in the early 1950s, and brought to many places in the United States.

Kissing Tower: A Hersheypark Icon Since 1975 Kissing Tower, an observation tower ride at Hersheypark, debuted in 1975 after years of planning and construction. It features panoramic views and is one of several Gyro Towers produced by Waagner Biro AG. The ride has hosted weddings and special events, maintaining a prominent place in the park's identity over the years.

Hersheypark's Kissing Tower debuted on Sunday, May 18, 1975, nearly two years after the park purchased the ride. Learn more about the ride and its 50 years of service in this deep dive into the history of Kissing Tower.

The Transition of Hersheypark: From Open to Gated | 1971 – 1972 This is a look at the entrances of Hersheypark in 1971 and 1972, in the transition of Hersheypark being renovated into a theme park.

In 1971, a brand new Hersheypark opened to the public. With the new park came new gated entries and a fence that encircled the amusement center of the park.

Learn about the unique entrances of Hersheypark that existed during the transition years of 1971 and 1972.

Round Up | 1968 – 1977 Round Up was a circular ride at Hersheypark from 1968 to 1977, constructed next to Starship America, and replaced by Rodeo after renovations in 1978.

Round Up, manufactured by Frank Hrubetz & Company, operated in Hersheypark from 1968 to 1977.

Twin Ferris Wheels | 1950-1974 Hersheypark has had a number of Ferris wheels in the park since 1926...

Twin Ferris Wheels | 1950-1974

Hersheypark has had a number of Ferris wheels in the park since 1926...

The Bug at Hersheypark | 1933 – 1981 The Bug was one of Hershepark's most classic rides, located in the Hollow, adjacent to Comet.

The Bug was installed in Hersheypark in August 1933. It operated until October 1981. This was replaced by Wave Swinger and was a classic ride. Learn more about The Bug in this article!

Paratrooper | 1967 – 1977 Paratrooper, a Frank Hrubetz ride, was installed in 1967 at Hersheypark. Relocated in 1973, it operated until its removal in 1977 for park renovations.

Paratrooper was a Frank Hrubetz & Company ride which operated in Hersheypark from 1967 to 1977.

Aloha Park This is a short series of articles about Aloha Park, which was in the Waikiki section of Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. This first article is about the history of Aloha Park. From September 14, 1922, until October 1925, there was an amusement park in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, initially called Aloha Park. The park featured a carousel, a Dodg'em, an airplane swing called Seaplanes, a Noah's Arc, and a roller coaster called Big Dipper.

Aloha Park

This is a short series of articles about Aloha Park, which was in the Waikiki section of Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. This first article is about the history of Aloha Park. From September 14, 1922, until October 1925, there was an amusement park in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii,…