When you look at the Historical Record of Trolley Parks which there where over 30 in Tri-State it seems that many meet their demise due to Fires and Accidents and in some cases Floods .
Luna Park - Fire and Accident
Oxford Park - Flood
Rock Springs - Fire
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| Fatal Rock Springs Fire Chester WV |
While others like Kennywood and Lakemont Survived Fires because they where better spread out and financed .
But Why.
One of the problems back in the day was Smoking
Yes poorly discarded cigarettes started a lot of fires not just in Trolley Parks but many buildings .
But in the case of trolley parks many where mostly all wood based add in the highly flammable scenery in attractions and no sprinkler protection and you have a disaster in the making.
One simply discarded cigarette could take down an entire parks fairway .
Introduction of Electricity
Yes many early rides also had newly designed electrical systems which where still in their infancy and problems developed when wiring got abraded and damaged and caused a spark to fall into wooden ares some times covered with grease used to keep ride lubricated and operated.
Poor Maintenance and,Financing
Many Parks sprung up and disaperared with less than 5 years use
like Southern Park in Carrick and Wonderland in Wilkinsburg
Cheaply built not properly maintained rides breaking down and then following the Depression of 1930s' many could not survive with the introduction of automobiles trolleys disappeared and so did much of their funding as they where started by trolley company's and the automobile all but sealed their fate.
In some cases it is highly believed that Arson was involved as parks started failing hoping to collect a fat insurance check.
Yes there where many complicating issues why some survived some died but I am glad many did across the state and its fun researching and reminiscing about those that no longer do.
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