The carousel in question remains in operation at Spring River Zoo in Roswell, New Mexico. According to the second source, the carousel was built in 1927 by Spillman Engineering and features three rows of all wooden horses, menagerie animals, and chariots. The menagerie includes three roosters, two deer, two dogs, and one each of a pig, rhinoceros, zebra, ostrich, swan, tiger, lion, and cow. The chariots are attributed to Muller & Dentzel, with the rest of the figures a collection of various carvers. It was reportedly donated to the city of Roswell by Marianne Stevens in 1971.
It seems unlikely that a Rainbow Gardens park actually existed in the Wilkes-Barre area for nearly 50 years with no contemporary sources available. It’s more likely that the origin of the carousel is actually from Rainbow Gardens in White Oak, near Pittsburgh in the western part of the state. That park existed from the 1920s until it closed in 1968.
The park's first piece of property was purchased for just $1.00. Eventually, more than 30 acres was procured as well as two mortgages for $25,000 and $70,000.
----- the Rainbow Gardens pool and bathhouse. The bathhouse advertises $0.50 for adults and $0.25 for children.
In the late 1920s trouble started arising for Rainbow Gardens when a disastrous flood did extensive damage to Rainbow's pool and buildings. Unfortunately, there was no insurance on the pool. Three months after the flood, the owners lost most of Rainbow's property to bankruptcy, and the rest to the Great Depression. Not much is known about the park's history in the following 10 years.
In 1947 a drive-in theater was added to the Rainbow Gardens complex - one of the first drive-ins in Allegheny County. It cost $1.00 to get in and patrons would try to pack as many bodies into a car as possible!
The park continued to expand and a carousel, miniature train, and children’s rides were added. In 1948 the decision was made to pursue making the park a full-fledged amusement park.
Now here is my favorite part.
In 1954, $60,000 was spent not only to install a concrete block midway, but also to purchase a junior roller coaster by National Amusement Device Corporation.
This junior coaster, trimmed in stainless steel and chrome, featured a 31-foot lift hill, eight dips, and a 180 degree turn over Long Run Creek. It was named "the Bomber" as a nod to the role Western PA played in World War II.
The Bomber was joined by a second roller coaster, a Schiff Wild Mouse. Wild Mouse roller coasters were characterized by tiny cars, a narrow track, and sharp curves with fast drops. Other attractions that were added included "The Clipper" which was similar to the classic Shoot-the-Chutes ride, a Caterpillar, Round-Up, and a dark ride.
Eventually the park grew to feature 19 adult rides, 11 children's rides, and miniature golf. This was in addition to the swimming pool and roller rink.
Trouble for Rainbow Gardens started looming on the horizon starting at the beginning of the 1968 season. A highway project was in the works and plans called for the highway to run directly through the park. Due to the park's uncertain future, park expenditures were scaled back, including minimal repairs on rides. The Clipper, which was in need of repairs, never reopened.
The final blow came on September 6, 1968 when PennDOT condemned the park and gave the owners until October to vacate. PennDOT ultimately purchased over 400 acres of private property through eminent domain - for just over $5 million.
The state appraised the amusement equipment and sold it at auction. Frontierland in North Carolina purchased a large number of rides, including the Clipper and Bomber equipment as well as the Wild Mouse coaster.
In 1972, the last landmark of what was once Rainbow Gardens was destroyed. Skating had continued at the roller rink, which was owned by Rainbow Volunteer Fire Company, until April 30, 1972. At this time the fire company had felt that the rink had outlived its usefulness and the rink was burned in a controlled blaze.
In 1981, PennDOT sent letters to the former owners offering their land back. Rainbow Gardens owners declined and the land was once again auctioned off in 1994. Ultimately, a shopping center was built on the property that was once Rainbow Gardens.
Sadly, Rainbow Gardens wasn't the only Pittsburgh-area amusement park doomed but road projects. In 1988, Rainbow Garden’s west-side contemporary, White Swan Park, was also demolished by PennDOT for road realignment.
While all but two of the Pittsburgh-area amusement parks that once were still remain (Kennywood and Idlewild), it is interesting to take a look back and remember the parks that once existed.
Right of way was cleared including the amusement park that my mother used to go to as a child, Rainbow Gardens in White Oak. Now it is a shopping center called Oak Park Mall and nearly every time we drive past she says, "That used to be my amusement park. They tore down my park to build a road!"
Returning onto PA 48 in White Oak (The 4-laned Section) Now if you glance to the right and behind some of the businesses, you can tell where the road would have ran. Follow 48 to the junction of Lincoln Way where the 4 lanes end. Turn right on Lincoln Way. On the corner is Oak Park Mall which is to your left. This once was an amusement park, Rainbow Gardens. The state got rid of it. It sat as a huge vacant area for a long time. Park demolished for the new Rt.48 that was never built.