The Great Depression halted the success of amusement parks from the Roaring Twenties and before because of recognizable reasons. Although the phenomenon of amusement parks and roller coasters was at its peak, it came to a sudden halt in the year of 1929. The stock market crash during this time put America in a standstill. Americans were left speechless and hopeless as they saw the economy disintegrate before their very eyes. The dissolution of the economy lead to the Great Depression which had a hard impact on the whole country including amusement parks. Because of the lack of money throughout the country in almost every area, the “money for entertainment purposes was scarce” (Adams 17). In addition to the scarcity of money, “many people were
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Sadly, amusement parks as well as the desire for thrill, were in an unquestionable downward spiral which left most roller coasters to slowly become “silent, rotting wooden dinosaurs” (Alter 17). Ironically, there was one amusement park that stood strong during these withering times that decimated almost every other park in the country, that amusement park was Cedar Point. Cedar Point did not necessarily flourish during this time, it definitely had some of its draw backs and it was hurt economically just like the rest of the country, but for some reason it was stayed alive. Interestingly enough, even though America was in turmoil, Cedar Point opened their first major wooden roller coaster, the Cyclone, in 1929. Although the Cyclone was demolished in 1951, the fact that it was built during an economic hardship, portrayed the strength Cedar Point had at the time, and was a massive step towards expansion. The Great Depression and World War II, like natural disasters, left damage in their wake, and amusement parks were no …show more content…
This 1950’s, post- World War II era, was focused on leaving the past events in the past, and bringing a new outlook for the future. Many Americans were motivated to bring back laughter and happiness as opposed to the dreariness they were left in because of the stock market crash and the war. The baby boom generation was specifically responsible for this, bringing “a resurgence of interest in amusement park during the 1950s” (Wilmeth 31). These parents, that grew up during the depression and the War, wanted to find an escape for their families now that they were financially able to again. They wanted their children to have a venue of thrill and leisure unlike they did during the decline of amusement parks. During this baby boom generation there was an overall need, the same that was wanted in the the Roaring Twenties, of thrill and family fun to overcast the previous hard times. Because these Americans wanted an escape, family reunions made a star appearance into family culture and leisure. Reunions became a solution for families to bond and forget the drastic events prior. These reunions “help[ed] to produce and reinforce social webs, family and cultural identity and shared beliefs and values” (Coleman and Ganong 510). Americans were desperate to fill the vastness that was created prior thus finding excitement and a fill
Sadly, amusement parks as well as the desire for thrill, were in an unquestionable downward spiral which left most roller coasters to slowly become “silent, rotting wooden dinosaurs” (Alter 17). Ironically, there was one amusement park that stood strong during these withering times that decimated almost every other park in the country, that amusement park was Cedar Point. Cedar Point did not necessarily flourish during this time, it definitely had some of its draw backs and it was hurt economically just like the rest of the country, but for some reason it was stayed alive. Interestingly enough, even though America was in turmoil, Cedar Point opened their first major wooden roller coaster, the Cyclone, in 1929. Although the Cyclone was demolished in 1951, the fact that it was built during an economic hardship, portrayed the strength Cedar Point had at the time, and was a massive step towards expansion. The Great Depression and World War II, like natural disasters, left damage in their wake, and amusement parks were no …show more content…
This 1950’s, post- World War II era, was focused on leaving the past events in the past, and bringing a new outlook for the future. Many Americans were motivated to bring back laughter and happiness as opposed to the dreariness they were left in because of the stock market crash and the war. The baby boom generation was specifically responsible for this, bringing “a resurgence of interest in amusement park during the 1950s” (Wilmeth 31). These parents, that grew up during the depression and the War, wanted to find an escape for their families now that they were financially able to again. They wanted their children to have a venue of thrill and leisure unlike they did during the decline of amusement parks. During this baby boom generation there was an overall need, the same that was wanted in the the Roaring Twenties, of thrill and family fun to overcast the previous hard times. Because these Americans wanted an escape, family reunions made a star appearance into family culture and leisure. Reunions became a solution for families to bond and forget the drastic events prior. These reunions “help[ed] to produce and reinforce social webs, family and cultural identity and shared beliefs and values” (Coleman and Ganong 510). Americans were desperate to fill the vastness that was created prior thus finding excitement and a fill