Beginnings

Rocky Springs began as a small resort area which was later purchased by the Conestoga Transportation Company which turned it into a full fledged amusement park. At the time, Rocky Springs was well outside of Lancaster and of course most needed the trolley to get there. The park had substantial growth for a few decades after the turn of the century but it dropped off after W.W.II. Eventually, the city surrounded Rocky Springs and it soon found itself fighting to survive. Violence became a problem and the park was forced to close in the 1960s.

In the late 1970s, a group of people purchased Rocky Springs with the intent to bring it back to life. After considerable work, the park still could not survive and closed forever in 1981. Half of site is now a retirement community. The other half, which still has many park buildings, is privately owned. The bowling alley still stands and marks the front entrance to the park.

The Wildcat roller coaster, built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and designed by the renowned Herb Schmeck, was considered by many one of their best. People who have ridden it usually say how great a ride it was and always mention the huge tunnel it had. The Wildcat came so close to being saved but lost it's second chance at life. It was removed in the early 1990s.

Ride List

Following is list of rides and attractions that existed at one time or another in the park. This list is not complete.

• Figure Eight coaster
• Jack Rabbit - John Miller
• Wildcat - 1928 Philadelphia Toboggan Co. (PTC)
• Wild Mouse
• Carousel - Dentzel (still intact and moving back to Lancaster, PA)
• Cuddle-Up - PTC, moved from Carsonia Park after it closed
• Circle Swing (Airplane ride) - Traver Engineering
• Whip
• Bumper Cars - Lusse
• Miniature Railroad
• Ferris Wheel
• Dark Ride
• Bowling Alley
• Skating Rink
• Swimming Pool

Remains

Little remains at the park site. Just a few years ago, there was plenty to see including the Wildcat. One whole side of the park (near the bowling alley) has since been developed into a retirement community. The park was located on Millstream Road near Lampeter. The Bowling Alley on Millstream Road marks the entrance to the park. The park continued along the road around the bend toward Duke Street.

• The Bowling Alley is still at the park entrance.
• The PTC Cuddle Up is locally owned and in storage (possibly to be operating soon).
• The Carousel operated at Dollywood in Tennessee until 1998. It is in storage and should return to operate again in Lancaster, PA, although not at Rocky Springs.
• The dark ride is privately owned and in storage (no inquiries please)
• The Carousel building is still standing.
• Numerous other buildings still stand at the park.
• Trolley station and turn around remains.

¹Information provided by Joel Styer

Roller Coaster Fever by John Waldrop, Richard Munch and Jon-Michael Reed
The Incredible Scream Machine, A History of the Roller Coaster by Robert Cartmell
The Coasters of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company by Charles J. Jacques, Jr.
Thanks to Sam Stoltzfus for additional information
Coasters to Condos by Torrence Jenkins, Rollercoaster! Magazine
Special Thanks to Len Readinger for assistance.
Thanks to Thomas Wolf for a correction regarding the car at PTC.

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