Mountain Park, nestled in the picturesque city of Holyoke, Massachusetts, emerged in the 1890s as a strategic entertainment destination constructed by the Holyoke Street Railway Company. This iconic amusement park joined the ranks of numerous New England amusement parks that surfaced to entice riders at the terminus of trolley lines.
In 1929, Mountain Park expanded its borders to house an exhilarating roller coaster known as the "Mountain Flyer," skillfully crafted by the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. Alongside the roller coaster, P.T.C. Merry-go-round number 80 spun joyfully, while cutting-edge rides of the era, like the "Whip" and "Dodgem," added fervor to the park's growing lineup.
Acquired by Jay Collins, the park undertook another transformation, blossoming into an Art Deco masterpiece painted in cheerful pastels, with sprightly Fiberglass figures that added to its allure. A designated Kiddieland ensured that even the youngest of visitors had a delightful corner to themselves. Coupled with popular bands and group picnics, the park cemented itself as a hub of enchantment.
Nonetheless, the landscape of amusement began to shift. The nearby Riverside amusement park transformed into a formidable super-regional park, boasting a world-class coaster known as the "Cyclone" and eclipsing smaller family-owned amusements. As Mountain Park confronted this evolved industry, the precedents for entertainment changed—more grandeur and thrill became the order of the day.
While financial ruin had not yet struck, the proverbial writing was etched into the wall. Despite being meticulously maintained and possessing a collection of commendable rides, Mountain Park could not match the new societal cravings for grandiosity. The catastrophic train ride accident of 1987 served as a grim prelude to the eventual silence that would befall the park. No buyers stepped forth to rejuvenate the park leading to the gradual dismantling of attractions.
As the park's chapter concluded, those who cherished the memories clung to the spirit of the "Queen of the Mountain," whose innocent charms were overshadowed by changing times. The lights were dimmed forever, marking the loss of a treasured traditional park.
To those who remember the magic of Mountain Park, who recollect the gleam of the "Flyer's" polished trains, who exchanged words with "Marvelous Minnie" in the picnic pavilion, who witnessed "Walter's" perpetual smile and savored the simple pleasures of youthful laughter on warm summer nights—this reminiscence is for you. In hindsight, the pursuit of bigger, faster, newer, and better rides was not a necessity to capture the hearts of those who experienced the wonder of Mountain Park.
