Tag Archives: history

The Amusement Parks of My Childhood

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Ken Dowell

Where these amusement parks once stood, we now have luxury condos, luxury townhouses and luxury hi-rises. Continue reading →

Posted in Growing Up in the 50s, History, History of Amusement Parks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Theme Parks: The Unusual, the Outrageous and the Outright Awful

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Ken Dowell

Weird theme parks, past, present and future. Continue reading →

Posted in History, History of Amusement Parks, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

How Amusement Parks Became Theme Parks

Posted on July 17, 2016 by Ken Dowell

It took another wave of prosperity, the one following WWII, to start a new flurry of amusement park openings. Continue reading →

Posted in History, History of Amusement Parks | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

American Pioneers of Amusement, Part 2: The Fearless Frogman, a Collector of Human Oddities and a Roller Coaster Engineer

Posted on July 10, 2016 by Ken Dowell

One built amusement parks, one added the side show and one created the coasters. Continue reading →

Posted in History of Amusement Parks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

American Pioneers of Amusement, Part 1

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Ken Dowell

The creator of Steeplechase Park and the man who gave the Ferris wheel its name. Continue reading →

Posted in History of Amusement Parks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

The Early Rides: Lots of Thrills and Surely Some Spills

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Ken Dowell

Race around Coney Island on the Steeplechase and experience the Blowhole Theater. Continue reading →

Posted in History, History of Amusement Parks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Amusement Parks: The First, the Oldest and the Long Gone

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Ken Dowell

The creation of amusement parks began in earnest in the last 19th century. Changes in society in the U.S. were creating a new customer base. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Before There Were Amusement Parks

Posted on June 5, 2016 by Ken Dowell

The predecessors of amusement parks range from beer gardens to world expositions. Continue reading →

Posted in History, History of Amusement Parks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Rome’s Religious Footprint

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Ken Dowell

Religious structures and symbols that are part of the history of Rome. Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Rome: Magnificence in Ruin

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Ken Dowell

The arches, forums and temples of Ancient Rome Continue reading →

Posted in History, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments