Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA. Source:
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA. Source:
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA. Source:
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA. Source:
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA. Source:
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA
Rainbow Gardens Trolley Park Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA
Rainbow Gardens Amusement Park Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA
(aka) White Oak Amusement Park Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA
Rainbow Gardens Trolley Park Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA
Rainbow Gardens Amusement Park Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA
(aka) White Oak Amusement Park Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, PA
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk Routes 48 & 148, McKeesport, Pennyslvania had it starts before it was expanded into a Trolley Park. It began as a roller rink. Most Trolley Parks began as a park, not other way around. The proper address is 2001 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA. Don't ask me why it is White Oak. We live in a country that sometimes uses two names. For example, I resides in Galeville, NY, a hamlet which is part of Town of Salina, but mailing address is Liverpool, NY. Go figure.
The park started as a roller rink in 1924. Later, in 1926, they built a 3 Feet deep swimming pool and later, for soem area, deeper at 9 Feet. Water pumped from 5 wells, filtered, and heated. It was basically a swimming pool. Very popular at the time for everywhere. A sand beach surrounded the pool in three sides and the pool itself featured diving boards and slides. They had a two-story bathhouse, with an enclosed balcony on the second floor, to accommodate a large number of patrons. 600 of them.
For just One Dollar, the property was very cheap. Just a piece. Later, they had 30 acres and had two mortgages for $25,000 and $70,000.
But late 1920s trouble started arising for Rainbow Gardens when a disastrous flood did extensive damage to Rainbow’s pool and buildings. Perhaps due to the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane but not sure. That storm went through central Pennsylvania. Without insurance on the pool, this affected the owners which led to Bankruptcy three months after the flood, they lost most of the property to bankruptcy, and the rest to the Great Depression the following year. Then the next 10 years, it was quite quiet and not much active happening with the park.
But in 1943 in the midst of World War II, investors purchased the park and began an expansion of the grounds again. This expansion coincided with the announcement that a local park competitor, McKeesport’s Olympia Park, would not reopen for the 1943 season. This gave a boost to Rainbow Gardens.
A drive-in theater was added in 1947 to the South of the park.
Later, they continued to expand and so they added a carousel, miniature train, and children’s rides. In 1948 the decision was made to pursue making the park a full-fledged amusement park. But they did not expand until 1954. They spend $60,000 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 Pennsylvania 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. (To compare to Disney World Magic Kingdom, WDW Magic Kingdom only has 41 rides for both children and adults but larger than Disney Hollywood Studios which stands at 19 according to The Top Villas website. Please click to check out more information on different parks at Disney Orlando).
Rainbow Gardens started to face its fate at the beginning of the 1968 season. A highway project was in the works by adding a new route. It was a planned expansion of PA 48. And that plan 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 end came on 06 September 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 USD. (Note- PennDOT is Pennsylvania Department of Transportation).
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. Frontierland has long since closed for good on 07 November 1999.
By 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 30 April 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.
Ironically, the demolition of Rainbow Gardens proved to be unnecessary. Environmental concerns as well as changes in federal guidelines meant that the expressway project ended up being tabled permanently.
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 by road projects. In fact, in 1988, Rainbow Garden’s west-side contemporary, White Swan Park, was also demolished by PennDOT for road realignment.
Today, it is a shopping center which was built in 1994 after the land was abandoned for about 20 years since the roller rink burned down. It is called White Oak Mall. It is not a mall. It is a plaza. I do not know why they call it mall.
xxxx
This postcard would have had to have been taken sometime before 1954 but after 1948 as the carousel building is visible in the upper lefthand corner as well as the miniature train around the pool. The roller coasters had not yet been built.
The Interior.
Likely they had wood floor. Usually at the time, 99 percent of rinks built in early 20th Century are wood floors.
The Exterior.
I do not find any information exact where the rink was but likely it was in a building right next to the swimming pool. The postcard would easily show that. It was between where the pool was and the drive in theater.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely wood. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Control Burn. 30 April 1972.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Steel - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: (At peak and end) 400 AC.
Architect: N/A.
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: Possible. Unknown brand.
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
Amusement Rides: 19 adult rides, 11 children’s rides (At peak),
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: Yes. Likely just 18 holes.
Arcade: (Number unknown)
Skee-Ball: Possible.
Fascination: Possible.
Restaurant: They had one but unknown name.
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: None.
Swimming Pool: First version was in 1926, revised 1943.
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: None.
Drive-in Theater: Number of cars can park is unknown.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1924 to 30 April 1972 (Rink).
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk: 1924 to 30 April 1972.
Rainbow Gardens Trolley Park: 1926 to 1928(?). Then quiet years.
Rainbow Gardens Amusement Park: 1943 to October 1968.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk: Declining, passed its usefulness and due to PennDOT originally took over hurts the rink business.
Rainbow Gardens Trolley Park: Likely hurricane flooding damages and no insurance.
Rainbow Gardens Amusement Park: PennDOT Eminent Domain, forced sale/sold off rides in auction.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also, photos/articles. Also send me any updates such as reopening, sold, name changes, or whatsoever occurred with this rink or any rinks. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©. Before you email, please state this rink name AND THE CITY AND STATE (or COUNTRY) so I can know where or what rink you are talking about. Thank you. We welcome both active and defunct rinks.
Sources:
Roller Coaster Database - Talking about the 2 roller coaster and very detailed information on those two coasters. Wild Mouse and The Bomber.
Wikipedia - Route 48 even discussed the proposed but never were the expansion of the highway. They mentioned the Rainbow Gardens.
Third Stop on the Right - About the park and little about the rink.
Coaster Talk -
Cinema Treasures - About the park, drive-in theater. Lot of errors.
Date of issue: 05 October 2022.
For office use only: 5.
Worth to visit:
None. It is a shopping center.
DISCLAIMER:
International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© (formerly known as Dead-Rinks) and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. We do not endorse such illegal activities including breaking and entry of former rinks, malls, abandoned buildings, etc. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission!
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Dead Rinks is now International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© because many former names have become new names at the same rinks that are still active and due to much confusion, We have decided that International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© fits better for all rinks including defunct, closed, inactive, rebooted, and rinks that are still active today. For short on this site, it is International Roller Skating Rinks History© Bear with us as we change the entire site page by page each day. Thank you for understanding.
Second of all: The contents including words and photos above on this page and/or on any pages are purely educational entertainment purposes only. I provide what information from other websites, skaters, and operators and it may end up with different results between two (or more) sources. It is not our responsible for errors we caused. All sources are shown on each page. All opinions and statements of mine are also stated and are for purely educational entertainment only.
Rinks that are closed are considered dead. Rinks that are/were sold and with new management names new name(s), the former are considered dead. Previous operating rink that closed but came back years later, are considered dead because the reopening is considered rebooted, nothing to do with the former. Since we are rebooted to allow alive rinks, active rinks, we welcome those active rinks as well. It will be described.
As for “For Office Only” is for my reasoning and private legal reason for that.
Any music associated with any YouTube or any other videos provided on International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© are not the property of International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group and/or International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© and are watermarked but they are credited to you (or where the source is from). Thank you for understanding. To understand more about this, please go to this page: Disclaimer.
© Copyrighted by International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 16. Deut. 32:7.
The park started as a roller rink in 1924. Later, in 1926, they built a 3 Feet deep swimming pool and later, for soem area, deeper at 9 Feet. Water pumped from 5 wells, filtered, and heated. It was basically a swimming pool. Very popular at the time for everywhere. A sand beach surrounded the pool in three sides and the pool itself featured diving boards and slides. They had a two-story bathhouse, with an enclosed balcony on the second floor, to accommodate a large number of patrons. 600 of them.
For just One Dollar, the property was very cheap. Just a piece. Later, they had 30 acres and had two mortgages for $25,000 and $70,000.
But late 1920s trouble started arising for Rainbow Gardens when a disastrous flood did extensive damage to Rainbow’s pool and buildings. Perhaps due to the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane but not sure. That storm went through central Pennsylvania. Without insurance on the pool, this affected the owners which led to Bankruptcy three months after the flood, they lost most of the property to bankruptcy, and the rest to the Great Depression the following year. Then the next 10 years, it was quite quiet and not much active happening with the park.
But in 1943 in the midst of World War II, investors purchased the park and began an expansion of the grounds again. This expansion coincided with the announcement that a local park competitor, McKeesport’s Olympia Park, would not reopen for the 1943 season. This gave a boost to Rainbow Gardens.
A drive-in theater was added in 1947 to the South of the park.
Later, they continued to expand and so they added a carousel, miniature train, and children’s rides. In 1948 the decision was made to pursue making the park a full-fledged amusement park. But they did not expand until 1954. They spend $60,000 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 Pennsylvania 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. (To compare to Disney World Magic Kingdom, WDW Magic Kingdom only has 41 rides for both children and adults but larger than Disney Hollywood Studios which stands at 19 according to The Top Villas website. Please click to check out more information on different parks at Disney Orlando).
Rainbow Gardens started to face its fate at the beginning of the 1968 season. A highway project was in the works by adding a new route. It was a planned expansion of PA 48. And that plan 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 end came on 06 September 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 USD. (Note- PennDOT is Pennsylvania Department of Transportation).
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. Frontierland has long since closed for good on 07 November 1999.
By 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 30 April 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.
Ironically, the demolition of Rainbow Gardens proved to be unnecessary. Environmental concerns as well as changes in federal guidelines meant that the expressway project ended up being tabled permanently.
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 by road projects. In fact, in 1988, Rainbow Garden’s west-side contemporary, White Swan Park, was also demolished by PennDOT for road realignment.
Today, it is a shopping center which was built in 1994 after the land was abandoned for about 20 years since the roller rink burned down. It is called White Oak Mall. It is not a mall. It is a plaza. I do not know why they call it mall.
xxxx
This postcard would have had to have been taken sometime before 1954 but after 1948 as the carousel building is visible in the upper lefthand corner as well as the miniature train around the pool. The roller coasters had not yet been built.
The Interior.
Likely they had wood floor. Usually at the time, 99 percent of rinks built in early 20th Century are wood floors.
The Exterior.
I do not find any information exact where the rink was but likely it was in a building right next to the swimming pool. The postcard would easily show that. It was between where the pool was and the drive in theater.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely wood. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Control Burn. 30 April 1972.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Steel - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: (At peak and end) 400 AC.
Architect: N/A.
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: Possible. Unknown brand.
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
Amusement Rides: 19 adult rides, 11 children’s rides (At peak),
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: Yes. Likely just 18 holes.
Arcade: (Number unknown)
Skee-Ball: Possible.
Fascination: Possible.
Restaurant: They had one but unknown name.
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: None.
Swimming Pool: First version was in 1926, revised 1943.
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: None.
Drive-in Theater: Number of cars can park is unknown.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1924 to 30 April 1972 (Rink).
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk: 1924 to 30 April 1972.
Rainbow Gardens Trolley Park: 1926 to 1928(?). Then quiet years.
Rainbow Gardens Amusement Park: 1943 to October 1968.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Rainbow Gardens Skating RInk: Declining, passed its usefulness and due to PennDOT originally took over hurts the rink business.
Rainbow Gardens Trolley Park: Likely hurricane flooding damages and no insurance.
Rainbow Gardens Amusement Park: PennDOT Eminent Domain, forced sale/sold off rides in auction.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also, photos/articles. Also send me any updates such as reopening, sold, name changes, or whatsoever occurred with this rink or any rinks. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©. Before you email, please state this rink name AND THE CITY AND STATE (or COUNTRY) so I can know where or what rink you are talking about. Thank you. We welcome both active and defunct rinks.
Sources:
Roller Coaster Database - Talking about the 2 roller coaster and very detailed information on those two coasters. Wild Mouse and The Bomber.
Wikipedia - Route 48 even discussed the proposed but never were the expansion of the highway. They mentioned the Rainbow Gardens.
Third Stop on the Right - About the park and little about the rink.
Coaster Talk -
Cinema Treasures - About the park, drive-in theater. Lot of errors.
Date of issue: 05 October 2022.
For office use only: 5.
Worth to visit:
None. It is a shopping center.
DISCLAIMER:
International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© (formerly known as Dead-Rinks) and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. We do not endorse such illegal activities including breaking and entry of former rinks, malls, abandoned buildings, etc. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission!
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Dead Rinks is now International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© because many former names have become new names at the same rinks that are still active and due to much confusion, We have decided that International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© fits better for all rinks including defunct, closed, inactive, rebooted, and rinks that are still active today. For short on this site, it is International Roller Skating Rinks History© Bear with us as we change the entire site page by page each day. Thank you for understanding.
Second of all: The contents including words and photos above on this page and/or on any pages are purely educational entertainment purposes only. I provide what information from other websites, skaters, and operators and it may end up with different results between two (or more) sources. It is not our responsible for errors we caused. All sources are shown on each page. All opinions and statements of mine are also stated and are for purely educational entertainment only.
Rinks that are closed are considered dead. Rinks that are/were sold and with new management names new name(s), the former are considered dead. Previous operating rink that closed but came back years later, are considered dead because the reopening is considered rebooted, nothing to do with the former. Since we are rebooted to allow alive rinks, active rinks, we welcome those active rinks as well. It will be described.
As for “For Office Only” is for my reasoning and private legal reason for that.
Any music associated with any YouTube or any other videos provided on International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© are not the property of International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group and/or International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© and are watermarked but they are credited to you (or where the source is from). Thank you for understanding. To understand more about this, please go to this page: Disclaimer.
© Copyrighted by International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 16. Deut. 32:7.