WILLOW GROVE PARK THUNDERBOLT roller coaster 1930's

[iamjustjudy]

Willow Grove is a pit now. I don't care how much "improvement" they do it is turning into philthydelphia... property values dropping, crime rates rising...sad

[mjp1305]

a blast from the past, i have fond memories of the park, and that roller coaster!

[cannibalonXthedead]

This looks to be the inspiration for Grona Land's Twister

[hop208]

They're trying to have a Willow Grove Park celebration celebrating the history of Willow Grove, PA. I live about 3 miles away from the mall that stands there now and I think it's a crock. There is no park, no recognizable sights of historical importance (at least not important enough for me to know about) and NO willow trees. Willow Grove was named Willow Grove because of a grove of willow trees. Now, its just a mall surrounded by run down looking businesses, houses and the Olive Garden.

[rwoodlan100]

I used to go there every summer. I do know of one instance where two guys stood up at the top of the lift hill of the Thunderbolt and tumbled out on that curve -- they didn't die but landed on the tracks below. The park was fun.

[cannibalonXthedead]

@rwoodlan100 Oh My God! a park like six flags would immediately be immediatly demolished if something like that happened! parks used to be so fun and care-free back then. Lawyers have really ruined the fun for everyone

[sheev11]

I worked there in the final years. Ride maintenance. My brother was a brakemen on the Alps. Two brakemen had to ride the coaster to control the brakes or it would jump the tracks. There were hidden rooms in the fun house and the Alps where some of the workers lived.

[calichigal]

@sheev11 Did you know David Winn? He worked there fairly close to the end, also, early 1970s?

[sheev11]

@calichigal Sorry I don't.

[zamboni1732]

my dad used to sneak in under the fence into willow grove park in the 60's.

[Tubes12AX7k]

Willow Grove Park was a Trolley Park, built at the end of the trolley line from Philadelphia. Trolley parks were common in the past, and were great, family oriented parks in the vicinity of cities. I kind of wish that we had more of these these days.

[OldsVistaCruiser]

@Tubes12AX7k - There is at least one such type of park left in eastern PA. Although not a true trolley park, Knoebel's is the biggest free-admission (free parking, too!) amusement park in the U.S., which is in Elysburg, PA right at the Northumberland/Columbia county line, not far from Exit 236 of I-80 near Bloomsburg. It's a family-oriented park where you only pay for rides/games and food.

[scrapplecheesesteak]

Only visited WG Park once when I was a just a toddler, Six Gun Territory...but too young to recall it. I only remember the vacant fenced in park, the Alps stood along Easton road. Trees lined Welsh Road, and you can see the rollercoaster tracks on my way to the pool with my mom. Man I wish I was around during the days of the Park..the 40s or 50s. So sad to see the congested ugly mess (I think) Willow Grove has become.

[paupy001]

I don't remember the park but I do remember the mall being built. Let's give a sarcastic "Huzzah" for "progress". I'd give an ear to go back and walk these grounds as they once were. I suppose it gives a different type of diversion now: a greedy, capitalistic, consummerist modern rendering of the Thunderbolt. And your credit card is the ticket to ride!

Wishin' I had seen more of the old days.

[cowboyzsuk81]

wish it was still up. i go to that mall all the time

[plateshutoverlock]

My dad used say that the Thunderbolt was "very wicked"(sic) and some people actually died on it. Sounds like an urban legend as I could not find any info on the net about it.

[NP4Mayans]

@plateshutoverlock I was in elementary school at the time (mid-to late-1960s), and there was always some story about a kid standing up at the top of the highest point and being hurled off the coaster to his death. "Splat"

[GetYourBlastOn]

took my son to the mall for a ride on the carocell that replaced the park

[LIVESTRONG9008]

can anyone tell me what this song is im doing a project for class and i was going to use something of this nature please reply with the title and artist thank you

[seesaw0708]

WOW what an amazing video. It sure brings back memories. I used to go there when it was Six Gun Territory.

[JudeWest4868]

I loved Willow Grove Park. There were three great roller coaster rides there: The Scenic... The Alps... and the BIG DADDY of the park... The Thunderbolt!!! What a great park it was.

[the3jake2]

That looks like a fun ride.

[TalonRider]

I wish the park was still open. It would be way better than the boring mall that is there now

[dannye60]

wow fun

[ptcfan]

Awsome footage! Man do I wish i could take a step back in time!

[chunkydunking]

Do you remember the lake with the huge swan that you could ride in ?? We only lived a couple blocks from the park ... Great place back in the day ... Wish I could take my Grandkids there to experience it ...