Basically a swimming, boating, picnic-type park, early Pine Island offered only a merry-go-round, swings and a few concessions. Fireworks often drew up to 15,000 spectators on pleasant summer evenings.
In 1908, the Ingersoll Amusement Company of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania built and operated a 'figure 8' roller coaster... Shortly after a circle swing and House of Mirch were added.
A sizeable restaurant, bath-house, bowling alleys and the main pavilion containing a dance hall and boathouse were soon constructed. A new skating rink on North Island was mentioned in the trade press as an 'eye catcher' with a breezy out-of-doors atmosphere.
Later additions included Dodgem Cars, airplane swing, whip and a Ferris Wheel named the 'Honeymoon Express'. Eventually a bowling alley building was converted into a shooting gallery and the House of Mirth was remodeled into another restaurant.
During the summer the Boston & Maine Railroad, Public Service and other large area companies booked the entire grounds for annual outings. Residents of Boston's Chinatown arrived by train once a year for fun and frolic at the island. Schools, church groups and civic clubs held yearly picnics among the beautiful pine trees.
A new Philadelphia Toboggan roller coaster was constructed in 1929 and newer rides and attractions were added throughout the 1920's and 1930's...
In 1936 the Board of Health declared the water polluted and unsafe for swimming, eliminating the parks biggest attraction. A flood that same year caused considerable damage.
The Hurricane of 1938 wrought irreparable destruction when 3000 of the stately lofty pine trees, from which Pine Island derived its name, were wiped out. The roller coaster, Ferris Wheel and other rides and buildings were crumpled and crushed. Although the rides were repaired and replaced, and the setting re-landscaped,the parks fate had been sealed.
In 1951 large amounts of money were spent improving the facility including the roller coaster. In 1953 Pine Island listed 20 rides and 10 concessions including a High Striker, Photo Booth, Hoop Game, shooting gallery and SkeeBall. During the 1950's, every type of promotion and special attractions were utilized to entice more attendance.
A bad fire in 1961 destroyed some of the best attractions. Gone was the 1904 Merry-GO-Round with its beautiful hand-carved animals and horses. Listed as PTC #1, it was the first machine ever built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.
Pine Island closed May 1963 bringing down the curtain on another of New Englands longtime amusement parks....