Fort Towson

Knoebels Amusement Resort (/kəˈnoʊbəlz/) is a family-owned and operated amusement park, picnic grove, and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, it is United States's largest free-admission park. The park has more than 60 rides including three wooden roller coasters, three steel roller coasters, a 1913 carousel, and 2 haunted house dark rides, among more.

The amusement park is owned and operated by the Knoebel (pronounced kuh-NO-bel) family, who also operate a lumber yard next to the park. The park's name has traditionally been spelled "Knoebels" without the apostrophe, and appears that way on all official park advertising and correspondence.

The park straddles the line between Northumberland and Columbia Counties. The complex is mainly in the Columbia County townships of Cleveland and Franklin and is in Ralpho Township on the Northumberland County side of the South Branch Roaring Creek.

The park and its rides have won awards from organizations such as Amusement Today, American Coaster Enthusiasts, and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. In 2014, Travel Channel rated Knoebels one of their Top 10 Family Friendly Amusement Parks in the United States.^[1]

History

Knoebels is located in a small wooded valley in central Pennsylvania. In 1829 a local man by the name of Henry Knoebel purchased the land for $931. The valley, originally known as "Peggy's Farm" was used as farming land for years until the early 1900s when they added a, creek-fed swimming hole, and then during the Roadside Attraction buzz they created a popular picnic destination, attracting Sunday travelers and horse-drawn hayride wagons. Henry Knoebel, who farmed in the area, tended the horses and later sold soft drinks, ice cream, and snacks to the visitors. As the popularity of "Knoebels Grove" grew, Knoebel leased plots of land along the creeks for use as summer cottage sites. Some of these privately owned cottages, as well as cottages Knoebel built and rented, still exist in the park today.

In 1926, Knoebel added a restaurant, a steam-powered Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel, and a few simple games to his grove, marking the beginning of Knoebels Amusement Park. On July 4, 1926, he opened a large concrete swimming pool on the site of the old swimming hole. Featuring a filtration system that provided clean water instead of muddy creek water, the pool was named "The Crystal Pool". Since then, the park has developed around the pool, adding 50 rides, assorted games, concession stands, and other attractions. A campground with six sites opened behind the amusement park in 1962, and as of 2004, the campground covered 160 acres (65 ha) with 500 sites.^[2]

On June 22, 1972, both South Branch Roaring Creek and Mugser Run that run through Knoebels, swollen with heavy rains from Hurricane Agnes, rose 6 feet (1.8 m) over their banks. The flood destroyed six cottages and damaged many other buildings, including 24 of 25 rides and the park's roller rink. The roller rink building was re-floored and used as a skating rink until the mid-1980s, when it was converted into the "Roaring Creek Saloon", which now contains a concession stand, an arcade, the XD Theater, and performances. A new building constructed after the flood became the Haunted Mansion, where the Haunted Mansion dark ride opened in 1973. The ride has been recognized as one of America's best dark rides by organizations,such as Dark Ride, Funhouse Enthusiasts and the National Amusement Park Historical Association.^[3]

The park again suffered major flooding in 1975, 1996, 2004, 2006, and 2011. Each caused substantial damage, but the 1975 and 1996 floods occurred during the off-season. Although the January 1996 flood left substantial damage, the worst occurred after the waters receded, when everything froze, making cleanup and repair throughout the amusement park difficult. The September 2004 flood, caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan, was only a half-day affair and Knoebels staff had the amusement park partially reopened by mid-afternoon.

On June 28, 2006, a flood second only to the Agnes flood struck Knoebels. About 90 percent of the amusement park was under water just prior to the July 4th weekend. As the waters began to recede, Knoebels staff was able to reopen over 60 percent of its attractions within two days and 90 percent within four days. Because over 100 tons of mud had to be dug out of the Crystal Pool, it required 10 days to be operational. The last ride to return to operation was the Kiddie Panther Cars, whose repairs took almost three weeks.

In 2008, the park’s dark ride was the subject of a one-hour documentary, "Laff In The Dark’s Behind The Scenes At Knoebel’s Haunted House".^{[citation needed]}

On September 7, 2011, Knoebels experienced its most recent flood, caused by Tropical Storm Lee. Water levels neared those of the flood of 1972 and damages exceeded that flood. The majority of the park reopened the following weekend, having missed only two days of operation.

For the 2013 season, Knoebels added StratosFear, the park's tallest ride at 148 feet (45 m), which quickly became a top thrill for everyone. In 2015 a new roller coaster opened, named the "Impulse", that replaced two former rides, the bumper boats and boat tag, both of which had been losing popularity, while maintenance costs became increasingly high.

On July 23, 2018, Knoebels was flooded when a creek overflowed and flooded the park.^[4] About 150 employees were at the park cleaning up. The park then flooded again on July 25, 2018. The park reopened on July 27, 2018.

In 2023, The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum acquired a trolley that had been converted into a cottage at Knoebels.^[5]

Admissions

The park offers free admission, free parking, and free entertainment. Visitors are able to ride the park's attractions by purchasing either pay-one-price, all-day/unlimited-access wristbands (which are not usually available on weekends, except near the beginning and end of each season), limited-access hand stamps or books of tickets, with hand stamp costs varying depending on the height of the rider. Knoebels has several hand stamp options, such as "Sundown Plan" and "Bargain Nights", when the park offers discounts on regular ride passes. Knoebels all-day passes do not include the Haunted Mansion or the Crystal Pool, which are additional fees. The "Scenic Skyway", Black Diamond, and the Flying Turns were also an additional fee when opened, but they have since been included in most pay-one-price plans.^[6]

Rides and attractions

Roller coasters

Knoebels has six operating roller coasters. Knoebels' two main wooden roller coasters are well known, with Phoenix consistently rated in the top ten lists and Twister ranking high as well.^[7][8]

Ride	Season		Manufacturer	Description	Photo
	Opened	Closed
High Speed Thrill Coaster	1955	2008	Overland Amusements	A steel roller coaster that had operated since 1955, believed to be the last remaining Overland coaster in the world. Although it was designed to be a children's coaster, it was very popular among adults due to its air-time on the ride's bunny hills. Kozmo's Kurves (see below) was designed with this appeal in mind, and the ride opened on Aug. 1, 2009.
Jet Star	1977	1992	Schwarzkopf	A standard production model Schwarzkopf Jet Star, removed from Knoebels after the 1992 season. This ride was purchased from Schwarzkopf, originally owned by an independent operator who fell on hard times. After being removed from Knoebels, the Jet Star was relocated to Morey's Piers, where it also operated under the name Jet Star. The coaster was then sold to a traveling showman in France.[9] A regular stop for this show is Parc d'attractions Luna Park, in la Palmyre.[10]
Phoenix	1985	Operating	Designed by Herb Schmeck; Built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company	A relocated and restored Herb Schmeck (Philadelphia Toboggan Company) design. According to the Golden Ticket Awards, this coaster has consistently been rated as one of the top ten wooden roller coasters, never falling below 10th place and has not fallen below 5th place since 1999. Winner of GTA in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 (no competition was held in 2020). This ride was built in 1947, and was purchased from the Playland amusement park in San Antonio, Texas. It operated under the name Rocket before being moved to Knoebels in 1985. Uses Buzz bars.
Whirlwind	1993	2004	Vekoma	A Vekoma Whirlwind double corkscrew roller coaster, removed from Knoebels after the 2004 season. This ride was purchased from the Playland amusement park in New York, where it operated under the name of Whirlwind before being moved to Knoebels. After the 2004 operating season the ride was moved to Parque de Diversiones Dr. Roberto Ortiz Brenes in San José, Costa Rica and operates under the name Bocaraca.
Twister	1999	Operating	Designed by John Fetterman; Built In-House	A wooden coaster heavily inspired by "Mister Twister," a 1964 John Allen design.
Flying Turns	2013	Operating	Designed by John Fetterman; Built In-House	A wooden bobsled roller coaster modeled after a 1920s John Norman Bartlett and John A. Miller design. The coaster was completed in 2007, but its opening was pushed back numerous times due to problems with cars navigating the mostly-trackless course. It opened on October 5, 2013 on the site of the former Whirlwind (and Jet Star before that) roller coasters. It won the Golden Ticket Award for "Best New Ride (Amusement Park)" in 2014.[11]
Kozmo's Kurves	2009	Operating	E&F Miler	A steel roller coaster that opened on Aug. 1, 2009. This is a successor to the High Speed Thrill Coaster, which operated on the site through the end of 2008. Kozmo's Kurves was designed to have the same appeal to all ages that the High Speed Thrill Coaster did, as well as incorporate elements the former ride did not have.
Black Diamond	2011	Operating	Philadelphia Toboggan Company	A steel indoor roller coaster formerly known as the Golden Nugget at Morey's Piers. The ride's track and cars were purchased by Knoebels after it was deemed irreparable by Morey's and dismantled. The ride was built on the former site of the newly relocated Bald Eagle Habitat.[12] The name change to "Black Diamond" is in recognition of the anthracite coal industry. The Black Diamond opened for the three weekends in October 2011 for their Hallo-Fun Nights program.[13]
Impulse	2015	Operating	Zierer	A steel Impulse coaster, built new for 2015. It has a high-hat initial rise to 98 feet (30 m), and also has a cobra roll, a vertical inversion and a zero g roll. It replaced Bumper Boats and Boat Tag.

Carousels

Knoebels has two carousels: one small merry-go-round in Kiddieland (added in 1976) which was built by Stein & Goldstein in 1910; and the Grand Carousel, a 1913 carousel built by Kremer's Carousel Works in Long Island City, with a frame by Charles I. D. Looff, (1852–1918), and 63 hand-carved horses by Charles Carmel (1869–1931). It was purchased on January 26, 1942, from Riverside Park in Piscataway Township, New Jersey, for $4,000 (equal to $74,591 today) and relocated to Knoebels. Today, the Knoebels Grand Carousel is one of the largest carousels in the world, with 63 horses and 3 chariots. It is one of the few carousels remaining with a working ring dispenser, allowing riders on the outside row of horses to reach out and grab steel rings as they pass. The rider who grabs the brass ring receives the cost of the ride in tickets, making the ride free.^[14] Three band or fairground organs provide music for the riders. The largest, "the Frati," was built in Germany in 1888 by Frati & Co. Berlin, and was converted to Artizan rolls in the 1920s. The smaller, outside organ is "the Berni," a 1910 Gebruder Bruder, style 107, sold in the US by the August Berni Organ Company in New York. The Frati and Berni have operated at Knoebels since its purchase in 1942. The smallest one is a Wilhem Bruder organ, model 79, converted to a Wurlitzer 125 duplex roll system, and restored in 1996.^[15] The Grand Carousel has always been voted the best carousel in the Golden Ticket Awards competition held by Amusement Today since 2007. The carousel competition was retired in 2019, because the Grand Carousel had been undefeated.^[16] Today, the Grand Carousel is the second-oldest ride in the park. The S&G Carousel is the oldest at 113 years old in the 2023 season.

Trains

The park operates two separate miniature railways

Ride	Opened	Manufacturer	Description
Old Smokey Train	1960	Crown Metal Products	A 16 in (406 mm) gauge,[17] anthracite coal-fueled steam locomotive built in 1960 by Crown Metal Products meandering through part of the park. Old Smokey replaced the Nickel Plate, which had been installed in 1946. The train cars from the 1946 train are still in use as of today.
Pioneer Train	1960	Allan Herschell Company	A 16 in (406 mm) gauge,[18] gasoline-powered 1/2 mile railroad installed in 1960 by Allan Herschell Company. The railroad continues to operate an Allan Herschell G-16 model locomotive and train, which resembles a classic streamlined diesel locomotive train, as well as a few other locomotives that resemble classic steam locomotives, such as the Allan Herschell S-16. The track travels from near the edge of the park, under Twister, and into a heavily wooded area where there are feeders for viewing the local wildlife. The local wildlife consists mainly of squirrels, birds, and deer.

Other rides and attractions

In addition to a 110-foot (34 m) Ferris wheel (Known as the Giant Wheel), a 55-foot-high (17 m) log flume, and a 50-foot-high (15 m) Chute-the-Chutes ride named "Sklooosh!" (after the sound wet sneakers make), Haunted Mansion( a 3-minute dark ride that is consistently rated as one of the best traditional haunted houses) and one of the last remaining Fascination parlors in the United States, the park maintains more than 63 rides, including:

Ride	Opened	Manufacturer	Description
Whipper	1915	William F. Mangels	A William F. Mangels "Whip" ride from 1915 (purchased from Croop's Glen, Hunlock's Creek in 1950).
Bumper Cars	1940	Lusse	A set of Auto Scooters (bumper cars).
Flyer	1972	Bisch-Rocco	One of the fastest running Flying Scooters rides in operation.
Satellite	1970	Lee Eyerly	A Roll-O-Plane ride.
Roto-Jets	1952	Kasper Klaus	A classic ride from 1952.[19]
Looper	1948	Allan Herschell	A restored vintage Looper flat ride.[20]
Cosmotron	1998	Wisdom Rides[21]	A completely enclosed Himalaya-style ride in the dark. Original ride was replaced in 1998.[22]
Tea Cups	1980	Philadelphia Toboggan Company	A classic tea cups ride.
Scenic Skyway	2003 [citation needed]	Hopkins[citation needed]	A triple chairlift which climbs a south-facing hill to the north of the park. Formerly the Spring Fling lift at Sugarbush Resort.
Downdraft	2019	Battech Enterprises	A Downdraft that was replaced in the 2019 season with a brand new one.[23]
Fandango	2010	Moser	A sidewinder ride.
Antique Cars	1990	Morgan	An Antique Car ride partially steered by passengers built into the support structure of The Phoenix (powered by Kohler and Honda lawn mower engines) The original cars were purchased at an auction for Rocky Glen Park in Moosic, Pennsylvania after it closed in 1987.
Panther Cars	1968	Arrow Development	A ride similar to Antique cars.
Merry Mixer	1967	Garbrick Amusements, Inc.	A 4-armed Scrambler ride.
PowerSurge	2000	Zamperla	A spinning flat ride.
Galleon	2016	Zamperla	A pirate ship ride. Original replaced in 2016 by a virtually identical model.[24]
StratosFear	2013	A.R.M. Rides	A 148-foot (45 m) drop tower, the tallest ride at Knoebels.
Crazy Sub	2000	Zamperla	A submarine-styled ride that operates like 1001 Nachts.
The Sky Slide	1950	Knoebels Amusement Resort	A slide that winds around the outside of a rocket ship. This is an American version of a popular UK funfair attraction called a helter skelter.
Tumbling Timbers	2019	SBF Visa Group	A spinning ride replacing "Over The Top"
Giant Flume	1990	Hopkins	A water ride where you travel in a log through a river-like setting getting splashed around a bit before the big drop at the end.
Paratrooper	1960	Hrubetz	A paratrooper ride.
Bayern Kurve	2024	Schwarzkopf	A refurbished bayern curb ride.[25][26]
Sklooosh	1997[27]	Hopkins	A modern "Shoot the Chute" ride that is 50 feet tall and has an observation area, aside from the usual bridge on these types of rides on which you can get wet without riding.
Super Round-Up	1976	Hrubetz	A ride in which you are stuck to the wall in a big wheel from centrifugal force as the ride slowly tilts upward.
Giant Wheel	1991	Chance Rides	A 110-foot tall ferris wheel.
Italian Trapeze	1999	Zamperla	A swing ride.
Tornado	2020	Wisdom Rides	A Tornado ride.
Umbrella Ride	2000	Hampton	A umbrella ride.
Pete’s Fleet	1950	Allan Herschell	A boat ride.
Flying Tiger	1991	Zamperla	A ride similar to the whipper.
Helicopters	1960	Allan Herschell	A children’s helicopter ride.
Kiddie Bumper Cars	1990	Soli of Italy	A children’s bumper car ride.
Kiddie Whip	1990	William F. Mangels	A children’s whip ride.
Kiddie Firetrucks	1990	Hampton	A children’s fire truck ride.

Former rides

• 1001 Nacht, Huss/Weber 1001 Nights
• Axis, Zamperla Mixer
• Boat Tag
• Bumper Boats
• Eli Ferris Wheel
• Flying Cages
• Fire Ball
• Frog Hopper
• German Carousel
• Hey Dey, a combination of whip and tilt-a-whirl, removed by 1930
• High Speed Thrill Coaster, Overland kiddie coaster
• Jet Star, Schwarzkopf portable Jet Star roller coaster
• Kiddie Carousel, Allan Herschell aluminum ponies, replaced by the S&G Carousel
• Kiddie Cars, Allan Herschell aluminum casts
• Kiddie Planes
• Kiddie Wheel, possibly destroyed in 1972 flood
• Lindy Loop
• Merry-go-round, Gallagher model replaced by the Grand Carousel, sold to Toby Park and destroyed in hurricane
• Moon Rocker
• Spindle
• Space Ship, raised up and converted into Sky Slide
• Strat-O-Ship
• Over The Top, SBF/Visa. Operated for only a few weeks in the 2018 season before being removed due to countless complications.
• Wipeout, which resembles the old ride Trabant. Removed following the 2020 season.
• Whip, an 8-car model replaced by the 12-car Whipper
• Whirlwind, Vekoma portable Whirlwind roller coaster

Restaurants and food

Knoebels has restaurants throughout the park, both sit-down and counter service in nature. These eateries have contributed toward the park winning awards from organizations which judge amusement park food, including Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Award for Best Food every year since 2000, until Dollywood won in 2012 and both parks tied in 2013. Knoebels reclaimed the prize in 2015, 2016, and 2018.^[28]

The primary sit-down restaurant at the park is the Alamo. Counter service restaurants included Cesari's Pizza (until the Cesari family retired after the 2022 season),^[29] Oasis Cafeteria, Phoenix Junction Steakhouse and the International Food Court. Food ranges from "Famous Fresh Cut French Fries", pierogi (a mashed potato filled East European dumpling) and potato cakes to Bison Burgers and Gator Bites to milkshakes and homemade fudge. The park also features novelty items like the pickle on a stick, caramel apple chips, and cheese on a stick.

The park's Cesari's Pizza and the International Food Court were featured on a Food Network special. The alligator bites served at the International Food Court were selected by Delish.com as one of the top seven daring amusement park foods.^[30]

The Nickle Plate Bar & Grill is a casual dining restaurant at Three Ponds Golf Course ^[31]

Three Ponds Golf Course

Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course is located on Pennsylvania Route 487 roughly a quarter mile from the park and campground. It is a par 71 eighteen-hole golf course which provides two very different nine-hole layouts. The front nine holes are located on the side of the mountain which provides the golfer with numerous elevation changes from tee to green. The back nine holes are located in the valley. The back nine landscape is less dramatic but still offers numerous challenges such as water and various risk-reward approach shots. The prices for the course vary from $23 to $40, with reduced rates for 9-hole games. The park also offers discounted golf passes to guests at the Knoebels campsite.^[32]

Incidents

• In 1999, an attorney representing two girls who sustained injuries while riding the Speed Slide discovered 15 injuries had been reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards in recent years, including six other reports of injuries to riders' genital areas.^{[citation needed]} Both girls underwent emergency surgery. The park was charged with negligence, failure to monitor the amount of force of the water and its effect on riders, failure to fix defects, and failure to provide adequate warnings to riders. Both of the plaintiffs fully recovered.^[33]

See also

• Lawrence L. Knoebel Covered Bridge
• Incidents at independent amusement parks

Further reading

• Futrell, Jim. Amusement Parks of Pennsylvania. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books, 2002.
• Deitz, Harry J. Knoebels: An Amusement Park with a Heart. Reading, Pennsylvania: Westlawn Graphic, 2001. (Now out of print)

References

External links

• Knoebels Amusement Resort official site
  • Park history
• Knoebels Amusement Resort at the Roller Coaster DataBase