Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Coal Township is a small but mighty Catholic School with students. It is nestled in the woods, a peaceful oasis from the chaotic world for students who attend. Prior to its inception onto the planet in 1959, the site was not one for education, but instead a getaway lessons. It was a park. It was filled with the smells of fried foods and sugar, and the noise of roller coasters in the distance.
Sadly the Lourdes site does not mention Edgewood in its history page.
But we will fill you in.
This is the state of Edgewood Amusement Park and its eventual demise.
Edgewood Park was originally known as Indian Park until 1906..
The park was developed by Monroe “Farmer” Kulp and opened in the early 1900s.
For a time, Edgewood was the largest amusement park in Eastern Pennsylvania.
It had a lake for boating, scenic locations for families to spend entire days.. all of the other junk, good and bad, that comes with parks was there, too.
These are the documented rides and other attractions that existed at Edgwood:
The School of Mines, which was a side-friction roller coaster with “educational features pertaining to mining.”
The Scenic Railway Roller Coaster
Temple of Mirth
Fun House
Touring the Alps
Coal Steam Engine Train Ride
Bazaar, Café,
Cresco Club
Skating Rink
Penny Arcade
Theatre, Restaurant,
Ferris Wheel
Rebecca Springs
Promenade
… and a Trolley.
In July of 1926, a two million gallon swimming pool opened.
It became a prime getaway spot on an annual basis. More on that pool later.
Just first look at that roller coaster..
That roller coaster would soon be gone.. Faced with different needs in the 1950s, the Shamokin area school district developed this property for new elementary and high schools
THE CRIMES OF EDGEWOOD
Every public locations also has stresses and tensions when customers get involved. Edgewood was no different. From petty crimes to worse..
Such as the hungry food burglar in 1950 who stole $12 of food including orange soda, chewing gum, and peanuts.
In 1923, a railway ride was destroyed by a windstom..
CLOSING TIME
“One by one, the buildings disappeared and finally when the carousel, dance pavilion and School of Mines were razed, Edgewood Park drew its last breath. Bulldozers were quickly pressed into service to clear the land… within a short time, a number of houses began springing up.”
By the mid 1950s, only the pool and lake remained. In 1964, Edgewood Park officially closed. The 97 acre property was divided and sold.
A housing development, named Edgewood Gardens, soon filled most of the area that was once the park.
Today.. a mural exists showcasing the famed park that once was.
