When the Allentown-Kutztown Traction (Trolley) Company purchased Dorney Park in 1901, trolley companies were buying or building amusement parks all across the country. Perhaps the most famous was Coney Island. Usually located between two cities serviced by the company, it was a plan to increase weekend rider-ship. Passengers could spend a day at the park, swimming, picnicking, and partaking of the rides and amusements. Through merger, the trolley would become the Allentown-Reading Traction Company, whose line began just south of Hamilton, on 7th Street. The line went west on Walnut Street, and then followed the Cedar Creek to the park. The roller coaster was built over the tracks in 1923, the year that the Allentown-Reading sold the park to the Plarr family. Trolley service would continue to 1934.
Jim Layland contributed to this post.
reprinted from 2013
I recall using the trolley to travel from fountain hill area to Allentown, It went over a huge wooden bridge over the valley from Susquehanna street. As a kid it was as scary as a roller coaster.
ReplyDeleteThat trolley was still running in the early 1950's.
ReplyDeleteI remember riding the trolley from Fullerton now Whitehall to Allentown, Bethlehem and many other places. We didn't have a car. Took the limited to Philly also many times. The good old days.☺
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