Past, Painted

Community plans mural tribute to its long-lost Gilded Age fun park.

A few years ago, during the height of the pandemic, I visited the Amazon Center at Willow Grove Mall to return a package. While there, a series of intricately detailed artworks caught my eye, each depicting scenes from Willow Grove Park—an early 1900s entertainment destination featuring activities, amusements, performances and more. These lively illustrations offered a vivid window into a bygone era of city “fun parks,” when inner-city residents journeyed to out to Montgomery County for a pastoral daytrip with friends and family.

My connection to Willow Grove Park stretches back generations. My father wasn’t even seven years old when his family whisked him away for a day of wonder and adventure in the country. The park had everything: food, rides, live music — a 10-acre man-made lake! It boasted the country’s tallest electric fountain, but an even bigger attraction was the incredible free programming offered in the park’s pavilion, featuring some of the era’s top band leaders. Military composer John Philip Sousa (“Stars and Stripes Forever”) would book two-week engagements that drew crowds of 50,000 or more. For 50 years, Willow Grove claimed the title “Music Capital of the World.”

Willow Grove Park evidently made such an impression with my grandparents that they soon moved the family from their home in West Oak Lane to the area around Willow Grove Park – a hot spot for residential housing after WWII. Before that, the land was a major crossroads and stage coach stop with a big inn that offered outdoor recreation and mineral spring baths. This junction was also a major hub for both British and American forces during the Revolution, yet despite all this history, Willow Grove Park remains a defining part of local identity.

In the early decades of the 20th century, Philly public transit underwent a big change when streetcars switched from horse-drawn to electric. Creating such infrastructure wasn’t cheap, and the industrialists who invested in this new technology were eager to see a return on their money. Parks like Willow Grove—and its West Fairmount counterpart, Woodside Park— offered family-friendly fun to a growing urban middle class. While admission was free and the attractions affordable, the vibe was refined. People dressed up, even in summer heat.

Time, however, brought inevitable change. After peaking right before WWI, attendance declined and the park was sold to a private owner who tried adding jazz, balloon rides, and trained elephants – to no avail. Desperate, the park adopted a Wild West theme and rebranded as “Six Gun Territory” In 1972, but this move only prolonged the inevitable loss. Willow Grove Park finally closed in 1976; its abandoned rides and overgrown paths slowly succumbed to the quiet of suburbia.

Yet even as the park faded, its legacy was reborn. In 1982, the site transformed into the Willow Grove Park Mall. I vividly remember that day—the awe of walking through a space where high-end stores like B. Altman, Bloomingdale’s, and Abercrombie & Fitch mingled with subtle, heartfelt tributes to the park’s past. Murals, a nostalgic carousel, and other remnants of the old attractions served as quiet storytellers, ensuring that the memories of a once-thriving amusement park lived on.

Today, the mall continues its evolution. Its modern exterior now boasts an array of eateries, while inside a multi-story arcade offers contemporary thrills. Yet, every corner still whispers of the past. Can you hear it? The sounds of song, laughter, and excitement echo through time. As does my father’s gentle voice recounting the exact spot where the old coaster once roared to life. These are not just relics of yesterday — they are the essence of a shared community memory.

Now, a new chapter is unfolding. Pocket Percussion — a local, music-centric shop — is turning one of their building’s exterior walls into a public art installation that celebrates Willow Grove Park in its Gilded Age glory. Last November, Abington Township approved a new mural at this location sight-unseen. A popular Glenside artist has since been commissioned, and so far his rough draft features the park’s famous fountain, a swan boat, and “the Alps” scenic railway. But it’s anyone’s guess what the final design will be.

Meanwhile, the focus is on fundraising. A GoFundMe has raised over $1k, and as the weather warms there will be more opportunities to engage the community, and invite neighbors to reconnect with a time of simple pleasures and collective joy.

In embracing this mural, we honor not only Willow Grove Park but also the many generations it delighted, and the indelible mark it made on our local history. As we look to the future, may this mural serve as a vibrant reminder that while eras may pass, the spirit of community and the power of memory endure.

Willow Grove Park Mall
📍 site of former Willow Grove Park 🎡🎢
2500 Moreland Road
Three stories of dining and shopping, plus a family entertainment center with bowling, minigolf, laser tag, bumper cars, pinball, and more.

PROJECT PARTNERS INCLUDE: 

Pocket Percussion Drum Shop
📍 (a few doors up from site of planned community mural) ♥️🎨
109 N. York Rd (Willow Grove)

Hand Over Fist Signs
Hand-painted sign company specializes in traditional techniques including gilding and hand lettering, making this local business owner the ideal artist for this mural project. 👨‍🎨🖌️

✨ THOSE WERE THE DAYS ✨ 

Hundreds of Philadelphians chimed in when Old Images of Philadelphia posted a brief history of Willow Grove Park (along with the incredible image above, c. 1936). Here are some of our favorite comments, along with more pics and videos:

Tonya H. I remember taking the trolley to “Life is a lark at Willow Grove Park” in the 50s with my parents all the way from Center City. So much fun!

Bernadette M.  My parents had their first date at Willow Grove Park and danced to John Philip Sousa’s band. When I was a kid our parish school, Resurrection of Our Lord, had an end of year trip to there every year. Now my husband and I live in Willow Grove!

Craig T.  We started the day there with $2 of tickets.

Judy B. St. Monica’s in Philly went every year too! I loved it and can still remember the wooden roller coasters that looked like they were going to fall down. It was great!

Anna C. Look at how they dressed to go to an amusement park? Too funny!

Kate C. Yes remember the Thunderbolt roller coaster rode it many of times! They did not have seat belts either! Rode the Seneca there almost fell out never rode a roller coaster again!

Denise M. My first roller coaster. My brothers forced me on and I fell in love. Wheeee!

Bryant M. Just imagine today if we had an amusement park in this immediate area that you could travel by trolley or car to get to. Kids would have a place to go close by.

Dorothy D. I remember willow grove park it was the site of a senior day for our class: popcorn, cotton candy, Tunnel of Love, the little Scenic roller coaster, and the Alps. Oh and the Thunderbolt boys walking in their baseball uniforms (hoping to impress girls) and sitting on the hillside and watching fireworks!!!!! Heaven!!

Constance A. I remember my first date there had fun we rode on our bike there! Couple years later, got married (not the first date guy, I dumped him). Anyway had five kids, three boys. The Scout Picnic was at the park every year. Really miss this place.

Darla B. Loved this park. Went every year with my mother’s work picnic. I couldn’t wait to be taller than Bugs Bunny’s ears so I could ride the bumper cars alone. Also I rode my first “Wild Mouse” roller coaster with my mom.

Maurita M. My friend’s parents took us there. We tried to walk through the barrel, but fell and couldn’t get out. They had to stop the barrel. 🤣 This was back in the fifties.

Susan S. Life is a Lark at Willow Grove Park! I remember that jingle.

Harriet F. Creighton school had its eighth grade senior trip there (1950). We walked down Adams Avenue from Tabor Road to Rising Sun Avenue and boarded a trolley. It had open windows and went through trees on both sides. I especially loved the Thunderbolt.

Beth W. My grandmother used to go there when she was a girl. She took the underground trolley that stopped across the street from the park. Her friends used to pack picnic baskets, and they sat in the bandstand area and listened to John Phillip Sousa. By the time I got to the park, in 1965…it was worn-out and smelly. The Thunderbolt was still awesome.

Thomas W. I saw Billy Haley and the Comets there!

Joan S. I remember walking there at the end of the school year – the whole school – from St. David’s!

Dorothy T. Loved The Scenic and my little brother loved the airplanes and Laugh in the Dark. I also loved the whip! Great memories!

Joan P. First went there in 1939. There was no general admission, just ticket booths for individual rides. It was the highlight of my year (next to Christmas).

Gaynel D. We went every Children’s Day. Had lunch across the street at Horn and Hardarts, then over to the park. Rode the Alps as my first roller coaster with my grandfather at a very young age.

Joanne C. My grandparents took me there every summer! Loved that park.

Richard V. I remember going there as a child and riding on the lake in the large boats that looked like giant swans. In high school, I worked there two summers, at admissions, selling ride tickets and finally running rides.

Susan H. In 1967 the year, I believe it was, I danced on a TV show “Club Seventeen” that taped there for Channel 17. Me and the other 2 featured dancers were in various areas. I think I was above the Tunnel of Love next to the gorilla, I remember I had to climb up somehow… Met many boy bands! Can’t remember who, but famous ones I’m sure. What memories!

Kathleen G. They had a break man that controlled the roller coaster called the Alps. My cousins and I almost died on that ride in the mid-60s. The brakeman fell off and a young man jumps back and put the brakes on. I will never forget that ride!

Terrence D.  Freihoffers sold discount tickets on their weekly deliveries. My first introduction to bumper cars and then there was the funhouse with the slanted room.

Pat C. I remember all the wonderful times at Willow Grove Park. I loved the Swan Ride.

Kay Z. I lived on the trolley route to the park. I saw many trolleys passing by happily awaiting their arrival at the park.

James S. How about Woodside Park in Phila? You got there in an open air trolley! I used to go back when I was a little boy, I’m now 81.

Got memories? Please share them in the comments below, and also please consider reaching out to Keith Szczesniak (Pocket Percussion) and Greg Lytle (Hand Over Fist Signs), who lead the project’s fundraising and community outreach.