Luna Park, Johnstown
| Company type | Amusement park |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1904 |
| Founder | Frank Cresswell (owner after 1904) |
| Defunct | 1922 |
| Fate | Acquired by City of Johnstown and converted to municipal park |
| Headquarters | Johnstown , United States |
Area served | Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
| Products | Amusement attractions, racetrack, picnic areas |
Luna Park, initially called Roxbury Park, was an amusement park situated near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA. Renowned for its racetrack, picnic areas, and amusement attractions, it operated from 1904 until 1922 before being transformed into a municipal park.
History
The founder of Johnstown, Joseph Johns, allocated land for public recreational spaces as early as 1800, which included the location that became Roxbury Park. By 1904, Roxbury contained a fenced amusement section featuring a horse racing circuit. Following the Tri-County Driving Park Association's failure to meet obligations on $40,000 in bonds, stockbroker Frank Cresswell took ownership and increased the racetrack rent fourfold. Consequently, track manager John Pender relocated races to Westmont Race Track, resulting in a disappointing 1904 season for Roxbury Park.
Subsequently, Cresswell leased the property to approximately 100 businessmen and community figures, among them mayor Charles Young. These investors contributed $50,000 toward new entertainment options such as a merry-go-round, roller coaster, crystal maze, laughing gallery, an "upside-down house," an enlarged boating lake, a vaudeville theater, and a grandstand seating 2,000 spectators. Prior to its reopening on Memorial Day 1905, the park was rebranded as Luna Park.
The inaugural year of Luna Park saw considerable success, marked by the 1905 Inter-State Fair attracting around 25,000 visitors. Nevertheless, the Panic of 1907 drastically reduced attendance and forced cancellation of the 1908 fair. Ownership transitioned in 1908 to a consortium led by brewer Ernest Emmerling. Throughout this period, the park's primary attractions continued to be horse races, picnic gatherings, and boxing events.
Despite variable popularity and changes in ownership, Luna Park endured longer than many similar venues. In April 1910, a new entity named "New Luna Park Amusement Company" was established with capital of $10,000 to manage amusements including a scenic railway and a dancing pavilion.
By late 1914, the city of Johnstown began exploring options for municipal park acquisitions. After securing Highland Park in 1918, Mayor Joe Cauffiel promoted purchasing Luna Park during his inauguration speech in 1920.
Trolley operations ceased in 1921. On July 18, 1922, the city acquired Luna Park along with surrounding land for $366,618—of which $210,469 was paid to heirs of Cresswell. Following the conclusion of the 1922 season, the City Commission reinstated the Roxbury Park name and repurposed the area as a municipal park. Presently, no physical traces of either the racetrack or amusement facilities remain.