CEDAR POINT - The Queen of American Watering Places

EXPERIENCE THE POINT - The Unofficial Guidebook to Cedar Point

By David Francis & Diane DeMali Francis

ISBN 0-935408-03-7 (1988 & 1995)

Updated in 1995 for Cedar Points 125th birthday this book documents the full history of one of Americas favourite parks. From its early days as a peninsula on lake Eire to its modern day 'Roller Coaster capital of the World status. A fascinating read.

By Andrew Hyde

ISBN 0-7414-0810-4 (2001)

Written by 13 year old Andrew Hyde who also runs his own website on Cedar Point. This small guidebook gives a nice overview of the rides and attractions you will find at the park along with ratings and facts about the park. A good purchase for anyone visiting Cedar Point.

CEDAR POINT

FUN AT THE OLD CEDAR POINT 

By David Francis & Diane DeMali Francis

ISBN 0-7385-3234-7 (2004)

Another 'Images of America' series book on one of my favourite parks. This book concentrates on its original 'heyday' from its early beginnings to its near closure in the 1950s. Great pictures of rides long since gone highlight just how different the modern Cedar Point is today 

By Glenn D. Everett

ISBN 0-914960-76-8 (1989)

The extended title of this book reads 'A Time Machine Takes Us Back For A Day at an Old-Time Amusement Park' and that is exactly what it does. We travel back to 1935 for a guided tour of this famous park, it its first era. The park of yesterday and today are unrecognisable and this is a fascinating read

CINCINNATI'S CONEY ISLAND

CONNEAUT LAKE PARK - The First 100 Years

By Charles J Jacques Jr

ISBN 0-9614392-8-9 (2002)

Charles Jacques latest book and the first in a trilogy of Cincinnatis great parks. As with all Jacques books this is well researched, well written and has some great photos. Includes a full history and brings this once majestic park fully up to date.

By Lee Bush & Richard Hershey

ISBN 0-935408-04-5 (1992)

Written to celebrate Conneauts 100th birthday. The book covers the parks history up to the early 90's. Conneaut is a fascinating park which was an open park with no gates within the town until very recently and the book manages to capture this feel and its struggle to continue operating.

By Charles J Jacques Jr

ISBN 0-9614392-2-X (1997)

The town that Milton Hershey built is brought to life with this book. The chocolate that Americans have grown up with for over 100 years was the vision of Mr Hershey who built the town and the Amusement Park that is now Hersheypark. This book brings to life the history of the family the town and the park.

By Jim Furtell

ISBN 0-8117-2671-1 (2002)

A recent book covering all the current operating amusement parks in Pennsylvania (and there are a lot of them) Each park is given a brief history and up to date information on the park which is helpful for anyone planning to visit Pennsylvania. The book also looks at the history of parks in the state, including those long since closed.

By Charles J Jacques Jr

ISBN 0-911572-24-4 (1982)

One of Americas greatest parks. The park has a long history and has been home to many famed wooden coasters 3 of which still stand today. Kennywood still retains many of its historic rides and this book looks at the full history of the park, its rides and its importance to the people of Pittsburgh.

By Charles J Jacques Jr

ISBN 0-9614392-4-6 (1998)

Kennywood is brought up to date with this second book on the park. Charles Jacques once again gives the reader a wonderful insight into the history of the park and its further development through the 80's and in to the 90's. A must have book for anyone interested in Kennywood or Amusement Parks. They don't make them like this anymore

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By Harry Dietz

ISBN 0-9711195-0-3 (2001)

One of my all time favourite parks finally gets a book written on it. This park hidden away in the hills of Pennsylvania still retains its old traditional feel and is probably the only major park left in America that has open grounds, not a fence to be seen. This book does not disappoint, well written and informative, with many rare photos a cracking read.

Various Contributors

1990

A rare book published by Lakemont Park Historical Museum, documents the parks history through the good and bad times. Now most famous for the worlds oldest standing coaster 'Leap the Dips'  (although closed when this book was published) it contains plenty of photos, many in colour and a detailed history.

By Jeffrey Stanton

ISBN 0-9619849-1-0 (1990)

Well researched book by Jeffrey Stanton on the last great pier on Californias coast. The Santa Monica and Venice areas were home to several amusement piers but over the years all were removed or destroyed by fire and the elements. This book looks at the history of the last remaining amusement pier in Santa Monica and the surrounding area.

By David Francis & Diane DeMail Francis

ISBN 0-935408-06-1 (1998)

Wildwood is a seaside resort on the South coast of New Jersey. The resort still thrives with its boardwalk and amusement piers and this book looks at its history from the early days when the first tourists ventured to the area to its modern thrill rides. Very well written with plenty of photos.

By Wally Ely & Bob Ott

ISBN 0-7385-1197-8 (2003)

Another book in the Images of America series. A pictorial book with details of each picture, this looks at one of Pennsylvania oldest parks from its early beginnings as a fish hatchery to its present day thrill rides

By Ron Gustafson

ISBN 1-880545-09-8 (2003)

Quassy is one of Americas oldest surviving Trolley Parks and this book puts together a nice history of the park from its founding to present day. including many rare photos

AMUSEMENT PARKS OF NEW JERSEY

By Jim Furtell

ISBN 0-8117-2973-7 (2004)

This is the 2nd book in a hoped continued series from Jim Furtell. After the success of the 'Pennsylvania' book this new release follows the same format of the previous book, but looks at the parks in the state of New Jersey. A must for anyone visiting the state or wanting historic and current details on New Jersey parks.

By Jeffrey S. Croushore

ISBN 0-7385-3564-8 (2004)

Idlewild is one of those small traditional family parks that managed to survive the bad times of the amusement industry collapse and remains virtually unchanged today. This 'images of America' book brings to life the history of this lovely park.

CONNEAUT LAKE PARK

By Michael E. Costello

ISBN 0-7385-3779-9 (2005)

Conneaut Lake has been entertaining its guests since 1877. Its turbulent history continues to this day, but it continues to operate in this quiet part of Pennsylvania to this day. This 'Images of America' series brings to life this lakeside park and its unique place in Americas amusement history.

By Chandra M Beal & Richard A Beal

ISBN 0-9629974-2-0 (2003)

Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a survivor, one of only 2 'seaside' amusement centres to survive on the California coast. This book looks at the early years of the resort and its importance to the community. Well written and researched it is the only book to reveal the history of this famous boardwalk.

KENNYWOOD

By David P Hahner Jr

ISBN 0-7385-3563-X (2004)

Another 'Images of America' book, this time showing us the history of probably Americas most famous surviving amusement park. Other books have been written in more details on this park, but this collection of photos, many first time seen is a worthy addition to any collection.

By Jim Furtell

ISBN 978-0-8117-3262-8 (2006)

The third book from Jim Furtell (the others being Pennsylvania and New Jersey) looking at the amusement parks of various states. This time we look at the current parks in New York. More than 12 parks are researched to look at the history, current rides and important information. As with the previous 2 books this is a must by for any amusement park fan.

HOLIDAY WORLD

By Pat Koch & Jane Ammeson

ISBN 0-7385-4065-X (2006)

Louis J. Koch had a dream to open a year round Christmas park that would appeal to families. His dream became reality when he opened Santa Claus Land in where other than Santa Claus, Indiana. 6 decades later Holiday World is one of the most popular family run Amusement Parks in the US. This 'Images Of America' looks at the history of the park, along with the usual informative texts.

By Tim Hollis

ISBN 1-57806-627-1 (2004)

The Amusement Park at Miracle Strip may now just be a vacant lot but this seaside town is still alive and has a interesting history that Tim Hollis has revealed in his book. Millions visit this Gulf Coast resort every year and this book looks at the people, homes, hotels and amusements that have graced this Florida town.

HERSHEYPARK

By Pamela Cassidy Whitenack

ISBN 0-7385-4609-7 (2006)

Much has been written about Hershey, the town, the park and it continues to thrill its guests every year. Now 'Images of America' take a look at the Pennsylvania icon. There is more to Hershey than chocolate and this book takes us back over the years to its humble beginnings through to the present day.

By Tim Hollis

ISBN 0-7385-4358-6 (2006)

The first book from 'Images Of America' to look at one of the Six Flags original parks. When opened in 1967 it was the first theme park in the Southeast and has continued to grow and prosper to this day. Known for its array of roller coasters this is the first book to look back at the parks history and gives us the opportunity to see a park grow through the image of photograph.

CANOBIE LAKE PARK

THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK - A Century by the Sea

By Douglas W Seed & Katherine Khalife

ISBN 0-7385-4601-1 (2006)

From the 'Scenes of America' series, this is a small book showing a series of early photographs and vintage postcards along with a small amount of text to being to life the pictures and the history of this much loved park.

By The Santa Cruz Seaside Company

ISBN Several (2007)

The boardwalk at Santa Cruz has become somewhat rare in the last few years as it remains a popular amusement area located on the California coast. While most of these traditional beach resorts have long since closed or given in to advancement of sea view condominiums the Boardwalk continues to entertain its guests. This book celebrates 100 years and is a fantastic read for those familiar with the area or those just interested in the heritage of this historic resort.

SANTA CRUZ CALIFORNIA

LAKE COMPOUNCE

By Sheila O'Hara & Irene Berry

ISBN 978-0-7385-2081-0 (2002)

Ok so this is not a book on a specific park, but Santa Cruz is home to the famous boardwalk and this 'Images of America' book takes a look at the area as a whole. Only a small section gives pictures on the Boardwalk itself but its a nice addition to your collection if your interested in the history of these few remaining seaside resorts.

By Lynda J. Russell

ISBN 13-978-0-7385-5757-1 (2008)

Yet another 'Images Of America' series book, this time looking back at the origins of Lake Compounce in Connecticut. One of my favourite parks, this book mainly concentrates on the early days of the park, its owners, development and memories. Small section on the parks Amusement area.

PLAYLAND

By Kathryn W. Burke

ISBN 13-978-0-7385-5470-9 (2008)

Images of America takes a look at one of the most famous and historic of all of the American Amusement Parks 'Playland' one of the first parks to incorporate the famous midways we see and love today. Classic rides, on a seaside location. Playland still thrives today and this book is a welcome edition.