Are there more parks worthy of National Historic Landmark status?

There are currently two amusement parks that have been designated as National Historic Landmarks. These are Kennywood and Rye Playland. In addition there are some individual rides with this status including the Coney Island Cyclone and Lakemont Park's Leap the Dips.

Are there other parks that should be designated as National Historic Landmarks? Two possibilities that come to mine for me are Denver's Lakeside Park and Disneyland.

Lakeside has such historic features as the Tower of Jewels, the Art Deco Buildings, the numerous neon sighn and displays, the vintage Cyclone wooden coaster, the Wild Chipmunk, the 100 year old train ride around the lake, an antique carousel, and a number of vintage flat rides.

Disneyland, although far from being a traditional park, is clearly historic in nature because it was the first of the modern theme parks that revolutioned the amusement industry. There are a number of historic attractions here including Main Street USA, the Sleeping Beauty Castle, the older Fantasyland rides, the River of America and its rides, and the Adventureland Jungle Cruise.

I suspect Disneyland would never want landmark status, would not seek it, and would fight it tooth and nail if anyone tried (pretty sure it requires voluntary participation of the recipient anyway).

Maybe Conneaut Lake might qualify -- if they could get up and running again.

Well Marvel Cave at SDC is a National Landmark. Should the park become one as well?

Not a park, but the Riverview Carousel from Chicago which is now at SFOG, has National Historic Landmark status.

Here is a brief story on this ride.

Click here. *** Edited 8/4/2008 7:50:29 AM UTC by Chitown***

How about one of my favorite rides? The Yankee Canonball at Canobie?

The Boat Chute at Lake Winnie is on the national registry of historic places.

I'd agree with Conneaut, (if it starts up again.)
It's been around since 1892. Blue Streak, 1937 Vettel. Hotel's been around since 1903, Tumble Bug since 1925.

Another would be Lakemont park, Altoona Pa , 1894. Leap-the-Dips, 1902. *** Edited 8/4/2008 1:14:36 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER***

Memphis Kiddie Park, OH

This park has been around for years, and it's kiddie coaster is recognized by ACE.

SAVE MEMPHIS KIDDIE PARK:
Memphis Kiddie Park is currently undergoing paperwork to become a historical landmark. Why you ask?

American Greetings Headquarters is located on the other side of the street from them. American Greetings wants the land Memphis sits on so Greetings can expand their warehouse.

I just took my 1 & 3 year old daughters up their last week. It was their first coaster. As was mine, as was my fathers. For 3 generations now it was all our first coaster we rode. It was a great moment that they loved and squealed with HUGE grins on their face, and I would hate for them not to be able to take her kids up there.

"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
RollerCoasterGod@aol.com

*** Edited 8/4/2008 2:13:28 PM UTC by RollerCoasterGod***

What's wrong with being a National Historic Landmark?

Landmark designation doesn't protect anything. Where did that myth come from? If the people who own Memphis Kiddie Park want to sell it to American Greetings, there's no reason they can't, landmark or not.

I don't see why they'd sell now, or even why AG would want that property, on the other side of the tracks.

I would say Knoebel's fits the bill of a deserving park. Just look at the history in this park, the restoration of Phoenix, the rebuilding of Twister using the plans of Mr. Twister from Elitch Gardens, reviving a classic bobs coaster in Flying Turns...and that the parks feel in general just reeks classic old amusement park. *** Edited 8/4/2008 3:31:22 PM UTC by Floorless Fan***

No one says it protects the park. BUT it does give it a TON of extra "Ooomph" or public support if you will.

I've been a part of 3 things that were suppose to be torn down, but they became a part of Ohio's Historical landmarks...all of which saved them from beeing torn down. Two churches,and one old one room school house.

In reality now even the city can pretty much come in almost anywhere it wants and take down anything and say it's for the better of the city. (again, I'm leaving out all the legality and what not, but it's summarized.)

The problem with Memphis is that Memphis doesn't want to sell it to Greetings. Greetings wants it, and is starting to get hostile.

Now from Memphis point of view (and the publics)...it's bad enough Greetings who creates nice and warm fluffy feelings cards wants to take away a tradition for Cleveland families for a warehouse...then if they become a historical landmark, it just gives them that much more...Greetings is the "bad guy" leverage. Which from talking to the locals in area seems to be working.

Heck, just even taking my daughters to the zoo, I heard two moms talking about just that reason listed above.

I'm no expert, but just from what I've seen and heard, and experienced.

"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
RollerCoasterGod@aol.com

^I wonder what AG will offer the Masons for their hunk of that land? They've got a Temple right across the parking lot from MKP.

I agree...Knoebels deserves historic landmarking. They've got some of the greatest old fashioned rides and such a good feel of nostalgia. You almost don't feel like it's an actual "amusement park" but something completely...I don't know how to describe it. It's just so different.

The term I believe you're searching for is 'land of charm'.

Knoebels, to me at least, deserves the designation not based on any of the rides, but on the infrastructure of the park - Stony Gables, covered bridges, Crystal Pool, Mining museum, Water wheel (and associated pavilions powered by said water-wheel), the Lighthouse.
Once you add up all the historical pieces built by the Knoebel family, you've got an historical designation IMO. Then when you figure in the dedication to maintaining and preserving the historical rides (esp. the carousels and trains), it's almost inarguable.

Other parks I'd add to MY list: SCBB, Disneyland, Lakeside, Lake Compounce...and any other parks that have survived for over a century (that should make the CP fans smile).

Gator, CP is already a lhistoric landmark in the state of Ohio (or did you miss the sign just inside the main gate?)

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Ensign Smith said:
The term I believe you're searching for is 'land of charm'.

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AKA "Some rides in the woods." ;)

po-TAY-to, po-TAH-to . . .

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RollerCoasterGod said:
No one says it protects the park. BUT it does give it a TON of extra "Ooomph" or public support if you will.

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Which means nothing. It's private property and two businesses can carry out whatever transaction they want.