Figure 1-- Here we see American kids at an amusement park in the 1930s. It is identified as 'Enchanted Island'. We know of an Enchnted Island amusemenbt park in Phoenxic, Arizona, but we are not sure this was the one. The Phonexic park seems more recent. The bear is a little unusual for an American park. I think it is a stuffed bear. Live bears seem more common for public entertiment in Europe.

Amusement parks have their roots in Europe. There were medieval follies, fairs, and pleasure gardens. Here people came to find entertainment in the form of a range live performances and competitions. It was niot until modern times that the idea of a fixed location amusement park developed. This began with the worl fairs in Europe. In American it began with Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893). Here the midway was born. This was an enclosed area offering games and rides. It included the world’s first Ferris wheel. The midway became a staple and were adopted by crcuses as wellas traveling carnivals. Amusement parks steadily increased in size and number. It all began to come togeter in a permanent location. Here Coney Island is arguably the first modern amusement park. Coney Island beganm as a seaside resort and skiwly we begin to see games and rides being adding permanent locations. Knott's Berry Farm opened (1920s) and slowly began adding amusements. Amusement parks opened all over America. Thrill rides and water features were themajor vattractions. Roller Costers became the crown jewell of these parks. It is Disney that finally put together the first modern amusement park with rides based on Disney entertaiment and characters. The amusement park became an American dominated experience. And major tourist attractiions, including foreign tourists. They even became part of the Cold War. Soviet Primier Nikita Khrushchev was furious when during his trip to America that he was not allowed to visit Disneyland (1959). (There were security concrns.) Oyher major ammusement parks appeared such as Bush Gardens, Hershey Park, Kings, Island, Six Flags, Universal Island, and many others. These theme parks offer immersive experiences and major franchises creating irresistible attractions for children as well as many results.

Sources

"Eight-year-old twins find costly raw diamond in US state park," AFP, March 12, 2007.