Mount Holly Park
| Company type | Seasonal resort and amusement park |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement park |
| Founded | 1901 |
| Founder | Patricio Russ |
| Defunct | Between 1928 and 1930 |
| Headquarters | Mount Holly Springs , United States |
Area served | Cumberland County, Pennsylvania |
Mount Holly Park functioned as a seasonal resort and amusement park situated along Mountain Creek in Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania. Established in 1901, the park experienced a downturn after 1918 and ceased operations sometime between 1928 and 1930.
History
The inception of Mount Holly Park dates back to 1901 when Harrisburg businessman Patricio Russ created it as a destination linked to his "Trolley to Holly" transit line. The park spanned roughly one mile adjacent to Mountain Creek.
By 1904, Russ had expanded the leased property to include an artificial lake and extended the trolley route to enable direct access to the park. Passengers typically disembarked near where the Deer Lodge restaurant now stands, with the park stretching alongside the nearby roadway.
Trolley usage peaked in 1906, reaching a high of 212,605 riders. The park also served as a venue for major gatherings, such as Cumberland County’s Harvest Home Picnic.
Attractions
- Bandstand located on the shore of Mountain Creek
- Baseball diamond
- Facilities for boating
- Bowling alley
- Dance pavilion measuring approximately 80 by 40 feet
- Dining hall
- Ferris wheel — notably the first one installed in Cumberland County
- Ornamental flower gardens
- Trails for hiking
- Mineral springs reputed for their therapeutic qualities
- Observatory positioned on South Mountain equipped with a telescope
- Restaurant
- Roller coaster
- Tennis courts
Roller Coaster fatality
In 1912, Thomas Blair from Newville, Pennsylvania was fatally injured after standing during the roller coaster ride and falling out. His car collided with another, causing severe trauma to his chest and jaw; he subsequently died at a nearby hospital. This tragedy led to the ride's closure and was a significant factor in the park's eventual demise.
Closure
The decline of Mount Holly Park resulted from several factors: diminishing trolley patronage due to growing automobile ownership, economic hardships brought on by the Great Depression, the fatal roller coaster accident, and flood damage affecting the dam of the artificial lake. The park closed between 1928 and 1930, with trolley services terminating on December 1, 1930.
Remaining traces of the park include the foundation of the restaurant, a spring, and sections of both upper and lower dams. Although the upper dam was dismantled in 1989, its concrete spillway base and earthen embankment are still visible.
Mount Holly Springs Marsh Preserve
Currently, the area is designated as Mount Holly Marsh Preserve. It was purchased by The Nature Conservancy in 1992 with assistance from the Holly Gap Committee. Cumberland County now owns and co-manages this land alongside the Conservancy. The preserve features over seven miles of hiking paths and opportunities for birdwatching.
External links
- Carlisle and Mount Holly Trolley presented by Randy Watts - A video presentation covering the trolley line with images and details about Mount Holly Park