The above photo shows what is likely the first Cuddle Up at Carsonia, a smaller ride than the one that replaced it. Above is an overview shot.

A side view with some landscaping on the first Cuddle-Up

A view of the later Cuddle-Up, one of the big 5 wheel models with 12 cups, which were the most fun.   Additional notes on the above picture. This picture may not be from Carsonia Park. I will be researching this some more in the near future. So far, I have only found that Carsonia purchased an 8 cup, 4 disk ride from PTC and the original Berks Engineering ride was also an 8 cup, four disk ride. The ride in storage is a four disk ride so this picture may be labeled incorrectly. Stay tuned.

Rides and Attractions

Following is a list of rides and attractions that were present at one time or another in the park.

• Carousel - 1896 Armitage-Hershell of New York - lasted two years
• Carousel - 1904 by Dentzel of Philadelphia
• Carousel - PTC #29 which went to Port Arthur, Texas in 1944, currently being refurbished in Texas. Persistent rumors HAD put this ride in storage in the "coal regions" of PA. That rumor might apply to one of the other Carousels from the Reading area.
• Shoot the Chutes - Removed to construct pool
• Old Mill (Venetian Boat Ride)
• Old Mill (Venice / Trip to the Orient) - 1905
• Toboggan Pleasure Railway - by JA Griffiths (who originally worked for LA Thomson, inventor of the modern roller coaster and built many toboggans)
• Roller Coaster - 1903 Ingersoll Construction Co., Pittsburgh PA. (Ingersoll was a well known coaster designer and started a chain of Luna Parks throughout the USA)
• Thunderbolt - 1932 by John Miller (Miller was the master of coaster design, inventing many safety devices. The Thunderbolt had a distinctive Miller look to it).
• Scenic Railway (A Trip to the North Pole) [Another coaster of older design, probably built by Griffiths or Thompson]
• Whiz Bang - Was supposedly at Twin Grove Park, whereabouts unknown
• Circle Swing (Airplane Ride) - 1904 Traver Engineering, had moved to Twin Grove Park (Schuylkill County). It is still there in storage. None of these rides are in use in any park at this time. If the Twin Grove/Carsonia ride is restored, it will be the only one operating.
• Cuddle-Up - 1929 by Berks Engineering, Reading PA [This ride seems to have been the prototype ride. PTC later purchased the rights to sell this ride in the USA]
• Cuddle-Up - Philadelphia Toboggan Co. (PTC), moved to Rocky Springs after Carsonia closed, currently in storage. Likely the only one left in North America.
• Ferris Wheel (2)
• Dodgem cars
• Speedway - battery powered "Hupmobile"
• Stratoship
• Caterpillar
• Roundabout (Thrill) - patented by Oscar Olsen
• Pretzel [classic dark ride by the Pretzel Company of NJ]. This might be the ride that is in storage at Twin Grove Park??
• Noah's Ark (Cave of the Winds / Castle of Mirth) [another classic ride that was quite common with only one remaining in the US - at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh, PA] Ark's were built by a number of manufacturers and it is unknown at this point who built this one.
• Palace of Fun [funhouse]
• Sum Fun Laundry [funhouse]
• Bubble Bounce
• Penny Arcade
• Carsonia Park Calliope Truck
• Skee Ball Alleys
• Carsonia Theater
• Edison Parlor
• Bowling Alley
• Skating Rink
• Laughing Gallery
• Bavarian Beer Garden [modified but still at same location and is now a restaurant]
• Swimming pool [not the same one as the two that are on the site today]
• Crystal Ballroom [Sadly it burned in August of 1968 due to arson]
• International Miniature Village [Became "Roadside America" and is still on display in Shartlesville, PA]
• Penny Arcade
• Baseball field
• Crystal Lake - 10 acres in size - still there in a somewhat modified form.

Known Remains

Little remains of the park site. If not for the lake, it would be difficult to even tell a park existed. Finding the park site is easy if you are familiar with the area. Check Reading maps for the Pennside/Stony Creek area and check the streets listed above.

• Still inside what was the park boundary is the Beer Garden, which is now a Restaurant (Anthony's) at the corner of Byram and Navella Streets.
• Most of the lake is still there as well as some of the woods behind the lake. A large portion of the woods have been removed in recent years, including the remains of trolley tracks that were there in the 1970s
• Two buildings were moved behind the park, one is still there and the other burned a few years back.
• Another building was moved and converted into a house nearby.
• Some light stands are still in use around Reading, including at the restaurant listed above.
• The miniature train is owned and operated by the Reading Society of Model Engineers (RSME) as the Laurel Run RR.
• The PTC Cuddle Up is privately owned and in storage.
• The Circle Swing is at Twin Grove Park, Pine Grove, PA.
• The Whiz Bang was also supposedly at Twin Grove Park, Pine Grove, PA.
• The International Miniature Village, has become "Roadside America" in Shartlesville, PA
• The Carousel is still in Texas and is being restored.
• A ticket booth is located in a private yard around Reading.
• Some wood from the Thunderbolt was used as attic rafters in a nearby house.

¹Information provided by Joel Styer

The Passing Scene, volumes 1 - 10, 12 by George M. Meiser IX and Gloria Jean Meiser. An outstanding resource for anything about Carsonia Park (or the Reading area).

The Incredible Scream Machine, A History of the Roller Coaster by Robert Cartmell

The Carousels of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company by Charles J. Jacques, Jr.

The Outdoor Amusement Industry by William F. Mangels 1952

Special Thanks to Len Readinger for assistance & photograph.

Thanks to all the other, undocumented people who helped as well. I began researching this park before I kept proper notes - sorry.

Defunct Amusement Parks wishes to that Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters for the use of their photos.

 Warning: all photos are copyrighted - DO NOT COPY