This park is very special to my family. My grandparents took all of their grandchildren here in the 70s & 80s and my dad and aunt here in the 40s & 50s. My grandparents were friendly with owners. I can still remeber the frozen chocolate-covered bananas they sold and the natural spring where you could fill a cup with waterto drink. The original merry-go-round was beautiful, with a ring grab for free rides. It was sold long ago, but it came from Island Park. My great-grandmother used to take my grandfather and great aunt often to Island Park in their childhood. Island Park was shut down in 1920 after taking damage from ice flows. That was the origin of Bushkill Park. It’s great to see the restoration of the Hilarity House. Whoever is doing it has made a lot of effort to restore the interior to the original layout. You are correct about the bumpercars and the Whip. It would great if they could get a Mad Mouse back in there. The free entry/ride tickets are consistent with the original business model.
I remember this place from an episode of American Pickers several years ago. Thought the park's history was interesting even then but it didn't seem like it would ever recover from the floods. GREAT to see that it has existed and folks are supporting it and making an effort to restore it to some of its former glory. More history on Wikipedia at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushkill_Park . Thanks Jacob!
I remember watching that episode too and thinking that there was no way that it would ever open again. I'm glad to see that it is open and they working on restoring it! It looks like they have their work cut out for them but definitely made some major steps in the right direction!! Hopefully they keep up the work until it is fully functioning! I didn't even know that it was open back up again, hopefully this video will help bring awareness to this and give it some much needed attendance.
We used to go here a very long time ago, I was a little kid. The barrel is my fondest memory, glad it's still there. I remember the staircase too. Going to go back to the park this season (2023).
I have lots of memories coming here when I was little before the flood, including going down the slide in the the Barl of Fun/Hilarity Hall soooo many times haha. I also went to the roller rink for several birthday parties after the flood. I’m pretty sure the area shown at the 8:50 mark was where the old Haunted Pretzel ride used to be before it was destroyed. Thanks for sharing your experience! Great video.
They ARE Whip Cars! I rode that ride 40 years ago. The Dark Ride was a Pretzel Ride, and the park just called it the Pretzel. BP originally had an old Carousel with the Ring Grab installed. They sold it many years ago.
I used to work here from 2019 till 2020 I worked a couple game stands and I even worked inside the roller rink giving out skates being the DJ and I even helped out in the food stand.
I'm so glad you went here! I've been following the park's trials over the years and I really admire their determination to keep the park running. Now that things are coming together again, I plan to visit on my next pass through that section of Pennsylvania.
The Scrambler-type ride was called the "Merry Mixer" and it was painted white with Victorian-era script and decorations. BP is a veritable time machine
I live in Easton, went to many of my Dads company picnics there, and skating parties. However, to change the name of the Barrel of Fun is sacrilegious and I had no idea they did that. The white castle looking bldg was the haunted house ride. The Whip and bumper cars were the best. There was a wild mouse at one time. The salt n pepper shaker was always sketchy.
As a local there, (20 or less miles where we live) We remember visiting there once years ago. (When I was teeny tiny.) The swan swing ride terrified me, I don't know why. (Even though it went like 5 MPH.) and had fond memories of the fun house. It's sad to see it in this state, But nice to see the park still in business. :)
That ride cart that has a “keep off” sign on it has always sat there and you could get in and spin around in a circle. I remember doing that when i was a kid. That funhouse always was scary to me😨 I enjoyed your video, thanks for posting
Wow this is one of the cleanest parks I have seen. It's nice to see them take so much pride in upkeep as well. 💙 I wish them the best of luck in the future 🍀 very impressive. 👏
The dark ride was what was called a Pretzel ride. Each car held 2-3 people and were individually powered via an electrified third rail. Was pirate themed and called Buckets O Blood. Destroyed in 2004 flood. Ride attached to Funhouse was a Whip. Funhouse called Barl (spelled like that) of Fun.
Awesome video! That park looks abandoned, but I’m sure they’re trying to make it look better. I love Scramblers though. I used to ride them all the time when I was little. But I haven’t been to a place where I can do that in a while so it’s good to see it here. I’m glad you went here, as I have never seen it before. Looks cool! Well, thanks for sharing! Have a great day!
11:16 This really brought me back. Me and my sister went to and had a couple birthday parties at this skating rink and the park back in the early 2000s before it all flooded. I was really young at the time but I still remember it all so vividly (place smelled old too, lmao) Flooding in this area is pretty common. Easton itself gets floods from time to time, but I remember going by the park a couple times (about 15ish years ago) and seeing it all underwater and flooded. I'm a local and I actually thought the park was still abandoned, but apparently not, haha
I’ll bet that large room next to the skating rink was a dance hall and the stage was where the band sat. The old fun house is very cool. I love the wooden slide. This place would be a blast to rent for parties.
I think the boat with the gun sprayed water. Whatever kid had that was the only one to spray everyone. That slide reminds me of the slide at Smith Playground in Philadelphia. Nice roller ring 🛼. Nice to see the old paintings in the Hillarity House. I can imagine kids on that horse in the fun house trying to stay on as other children try to get on.
Once again another amazing video of a old school theme park is still kicking even to this day, but it would be interesting if they keep the original art work on the outside of the fun house.
Worked there from 2001 until it closed after the 2nd flood. Would have loved to give you a tour of what I know. The one building was indeed a bumper cars and the other was the whip. The empty space with the mechanism coming up was the grand carousel.
This looks like defunct Santa's village in Illinois. But I think Santa's village is still open. Santa's village has rides and animals and Santa. But there is a Santa (a person) and he has his house and you can take a picture with him there in Santa's village. And they added a water park next to Santa's Village.
I was there about 25 years ago and had a great time with the kids. I was sad hearing about the flooding. I'm glad they are starting to get it running again. So many of these old traction company parks of the past have been lost. I'm happy to see this one is coming back. Thanks for showing us the park. Glad they are able to get some attention and hopefully more visitors.
I took my kids here years ago. They used to have a great carousel which was sold off. The fun house was a classic in its day. I recall it as the barrel of fun. That wooden slide seemed a lot longer in the old days!They used to have a deteriorated haunted ride, which was creepy because it was so awful.
From what my cousin told me the other day, the carousel is now in Canada. I believe he said Toronto. We had a lot of family fun at Bushkill Park in the 70s and 80s.
So many of these little mom and pop places are gone. It's good to see one still standing, albeit on shaky legs. I hope it comes back better than before.
You were a half hour from where I live here! Loved the video. Home with a newborn currently but attempting a trip to Knoebels Tuesday! Have a safe trip and thank you for the entertainment!
At 7:30, it looks a LOT like it's an old "Whip" ride. Look up Amusement Park Flat Ride, "The Whip". Wikipedia has an article. There's also articles and videos showing old "Whips" still in operation. I recognize the cars, and the gears from it. I would say, that you are spot on right. It's a "Whip". The cars are right. The big gears are right. And the shape of the track in the building is spot on.
The Scrambler is a Garrick Merry Mixer. The large ride pole and center was for the carousel. Of note, and also lost in the big flood was the parks Pretzel built Dark Ride, a classic from the 1930’s! And the park had a wooden coaster and Wild Mouse years ago.
I adore your videos, they’re so wholesome! I first came across your abandoned vids in high school, and I’ve been a subscriber since. It’s also cool that your daughter Anna and I happen to share a birthday!
Yes it was called the whip great ride. Used to be bumper cars Used to be a ride called the wild mouse single car roller coaster another ride. Was called the bullet. Used to ride on train that went around the park
This was so sad but awesome they are trying to bring it back thanks for sharing this was amazing 🤩🤩🤩 love you Mary have a wonderful blessed night and day tomorrow 💐💐💐
The Lehigh Valley is where everything goes to die. But little kids are oblivious and have a blast at the park. I'm 57 and when I'm back home, I go to BP because it's like stepping into a time machine.
What a grate baral, look at those old style paintings! So good that they are restoring the parc! Sot he younger generation remembers!!! Those stairs!! !why we were never drunk at the carnaval lol Still love the fun mirors! Carefull on your Crocks!!! Potato sack slides, memories!!! Thank you so much for this video. Those were grate times!!!
This park is very special to my family. My grandparents took all of their grandchildren here in the 70s & 80s and my dad and aunt here in the 40s & 50s. My grandparents were friendly with owners. I can still remeber the frozen chocolate-covered bananas they sold and the natural spring where you could fill a cup with waterto drink.
The original merry-go-round was beautiful, with a ring grab for free rides. It was sold long ago, but it came from Island Park. My great-grandmother used to take my grandfather and great aunt often to Island Park in their childhood. Island Park was shut down in 1920 after taking damage from ice flows. That was the origin of Bushkill Park.
It’s great to see the restoration of the Hilarity House. Whoever is doing it has made a lot of effort to restore the interior to the original layout. You are correct about the bumpercars and the Whip. It would great if they could get a Mad Mouse back in there. The free entry/ride tickets are consistent with the original business model.
I spent my childhood in the first half of the 90's at this park. Great to see it's open again
I thought I was the last person left alive who remembered those chocolate-covered bananas...
That is a classic park, I hope they are successful in restoring those vintage rides.
I remember this place from an episode of American Pickers several years ago. Thought the park's history was interesting even then but it didn't seem like it would ever recover from the floods. GREAT to see that it has existed and folks are supporting it and making an effort to restore it to some of its former glory. More history on Wikipedia at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushkill_Park . Thanks Jacob!
I remember watching that episode too and thinking that there was no way that it would ever open again. I'm glad to see that it is open and they working on restoring it! It looks like they have their work cut out for them but definitely made some major steps in the right direction!! Hopefully they keep up the work until it is fully functioning! I didn't even know that it was open back up again, hopefully this video will help bring awareness to this and give it some much needed attendance.
I love how you have fun with everything. I hope this place ends up with the proper restoration it deserves. ♥
It's such a shame that this old park has been destroyed so many times. I'm glad they are trying to restore as much of it as possible. Thanks Jacob!
It's gonna flood again.
We used to go here a very long time ago, I was a little kid. The barrel is my fondest memory, glad it's still there. I remember the staircase too. Going to go back to the park this season (2023).
I have lots of memories coming here when I was little before the flood, including going down the slide in the the Barl of Fun/Hilarity Hall soooo many times haha. I also went to the roller rink for several birthday parties after the flood. I’m pretty sure the area shown at the 8:50 mark was where the old Haunted Pretzel ride used to be before it was destroyed. Thanks for sharing your experience! Great video.
They ARE Whip Cars! I rode that ride 40 years ago. The Dark Ride was a Pretzel Ride, and the park just called it the Pretzel. BP originally had an old Carousel with the Ring Grab installed. They sold it many years ago.
I have good memories of my dad hanging off the carousel and grabbing those rings. I always thought he was going to fall off😨
Those paintings are what we used to call good old fashioned nightmare fuel. 😁
You just made me realise, with no small amount of horror, that people born in early 2000s are now around 20 years old. Holy shit that hurts.
I like how theres a Home Depot ad next to this video like, "You know you wanna fix that park and we got the tools to do that." Well played...
The Tilt A Whirl was great when I was young, my cousins smashing against me, and all we could do is laugh.
I used to work here from 2019 till 2020 I worked a couple game stands and I even worked inside the roller rink giving out skates being the DJ and I even helped out in the food stand.
I'm so glad you went here! I've been following the park's trials over the years and I really admire their determination to keep the park running. Now that things are coming together again, I plan to visit on my next pass through that section of Pennsylvania.
How very sad. All the fun over the years there. Hope they can rebuild and carry on.
The Scrambler-type ride was called the "Merry Mixer" and it was painted white with Victorian-era script and decorations. BP is a veritable time machine
I live in Easton, went to many of my Dads company picnics there, and skating parties. However, to change the name of the Barrel of Fun is sacrilegious and I had no idea they did that. The white castle looking bldg was the haunted house ride. The Whip and bumper cars were the best. There was a wild mouse at one time. The salt n pepper shaker was always sketchy.
I still think of that salt and pepper ride. It was terrifying just to watch other people ride it….PTSD
Hopefully your venture here will encourage more people to give this fun looking park some business. Fun video
Very classical fun house
I love the classic parks.
It was a much better time for us all.
Where we could relax and just have some good old fashioned fun.😊😊😊😊
Jacob, this is my stomping grounds. I wish I knew you were gonna be there. Darn it.
It looks fun, I think social media advertising will help to boost the awareness of this Oldest Fun House.
The only dark ride I can think of was "Haunted Pretzel"
I love this old school design.of a fun house back then very 😎
As a local there, (20 or less miles where we live) We remember visiting there once years ago. (When I was teeny tiny.) The swan swing ride terrified me, I don't know why. (Even though it went like 5 MPH.) and had fond memories of the fun house. It's sad to see it in this state, But nice to see the park still in business. :)
Good video, never change
That ride cart that has a “keep off” sign on it has always sat there and you could get in and spin around in a circle. I remember doing that when i was a kid. That funhouse always was scary to me😨 I enjoyed your video, thanks for posting
The silence in the fun house is probably the best environmental experience😂...probably unintended
Awesome Work Bro, Thanks 👍👍😀 Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮🇺🇸🇫🇮🇺🇸🇫🇮🇺🇸
Thanks for showing us Bushkill Park. It's so important to document these old parks
Wow this is one of the cleanest parks I have seen. It's nice to see them take so much pride in upkeep as well. 💙 I wish them the best of luck in the future 🍀 very impressive. 👏
Wow they’ve done a ton of restoration work! Well done!
The dark ride was what was called a Pretzel ride. Each car held 2-3 people and were individually powered via an electrified third rail. Was pirate themed and called Buckets O Blood. Destroyed in 2004 flood. Ride attached to Funhouse was a Whip. Funhouse called Barl (spelled like that) of Fun.
Awesome video! That park looks abandoned, but I’m sure they’re trying to make it look better. I love Scramblers though. I used to ride them all the time when I was little. But I haven’t been to a place where I can do that in a while so it’s good to see it here. I’m glad you went here, as I have never seen it before. Looks cool! Well, thanks for sharing! Have a great day!
11:16 This really brought me back. Me and my sister went to and had a couple birthday parties at this skating rink and the park back in the early 2000s before it all flooded. I was really young at the time but I still remember it all so vividly (place smelled old too, lmao)
Flooding in this area is pretty common. Easton itself gets floods from time to time, but I remember going by the park a couple times (about 15ish years ago) and seeing it all underwater and flooded. I'm a local and I actually thought the park was still abandoned, but apparently not, haha
I’ll bet that large room next to the skating rink was a dance hall and the stage was where the band sat. The old fun house is very cool. I love the wooden slide. This place would be a blast to rent for parties.
I think the boat with the gun sprayed water. Whatever kid had that was the only one to spray everyone. That slide reminds me of the slide at Smith Playground in Philadelphia. Nice roller ring 🛼. Nice to see the old paintings in the Hillarity House. I can imagine kids on that horse in the fun house trying to stay on as other children try to get on.
The purple one looks like the ride called the whip. I used to ride that at kings island when I was a kid.😊😊😊
I worked there as a kid in the late 70s, operating rides. Lots of the ride you show just really makes me sad.
Once again another amazing video of a old school theme park is still kicking even to this day, but it would be interesting if they keep the original art work on the outside of the fun house.
They should have made a water park. I am glad you they are fixing it up. We need more fun things to do.
I grew up 10 miles from there. When that flood hit in 2004 I lived about 1 mile away on ther other side of the Palmer Mall.
Worked there from 2001 until it closed after the 2nd flood. Would have loved to give you a tour of what I know. The one building was indeed a bumper cars and the other was the whip. The empty space with the mechanism coming up was the grand carousel.
It's great to see it no longer abandoned atleast
Of all the places that you have gone to this was one of the best, it brings me back to my childhood, and I'm 63
I'm happy to see the progress!
There is a 2011 movie , The Fields , that used the abandoned park for some scary scenes 😀
a nice place to have a family reunion. love your vidios !
I live around the park it’s kind of falling apart but my family still goes there for Halloween when they have their decorations up.
Jacob , thank you for checking out BushKill Park..... John from Phillipsburg, NJ
I wish the Haunted Pretzel was still operating. That was a great attraction.
This looks like defunct Santa's village in Illinois. But I think Santa's village is still open. Santa's village has rides and animals and Santa. But there is a Santa (a person) and he has his house and you can take a picture with him there in Santa's village. And they added a water park next to Santa's Village.
Very old school and moving. Thanks for sharing.
I was there about 25 years ago and had a great time with the kids. I was sad hearing about the flooding. I'm glad they are starting to get it running again. So many of these old traction company parks of the past have been lost. I'm happy to see this one is coming back.
Thanks for showing us the park. Glad they are able to get some attention and hopefully more visitors.
I took my kids here years ago. They used to have a great carousel which was sold off. The fun house was a classic in its day. I recall it as the barrel of fun. That wooden slide seemed a lot longer in the old days!They used to have a deteriorated haunted ride, which was creepy because it was so awful.
From what my cousin told me the other day, the carousel is now in Canada. I believe he said Toronto. We had a lot of family fun at Bushkill Park in the 70s and 80s.
So many of these little mom and pop places are gone. It's good to see one still standing, albeit on shaky legs. I hope it comes back better than before.
That place kinds reminds me of Santa's Village in Illinois
I love ALL your videos. Big Fan TY
You're so fun! If you're even in Northern CA, I'd love to visit a park with you.
Enjoyed replay thanks 😊 😘 ☺️
You were a half hour from where I live here! Loved the video. Home with a newborn currently but attempting a trip to Knoebels Tuesday! Have a safe trip and thank you for the entertainment!
That's good that park is getting back in business after the damage that has happened to it.
I loved the fun house. It's a nice amusement park. Thanks 😊
At 7:30, it looks a LOT like it's an old "Whip" ride. Look up Amusement Park Flat Ride, "The Whip". Wikipedia has an article. There's also articles and videos showing old "Whips" still in operation. I recognize the cars, and the gears from it. I would say, that you are spot on right. It's a "Whip". The cars are right. The big gears are right. And the shape of the track in the building is spot on.
You’re right! It was a whip ride
I adore the funhouse 💕
Jmmy 😅😅😅😅you good
If you're still in the area you should check out SteelStacks over in Bethlehem.
The Scrambler is a Garrick Merry Mixer. The large ride pole and center was for the carousel. Of note, and also lost in the big flood was the parks Pretzel built Dark Ride, a classic from the 1930’s! And the park had a wooden coaster and Wild Mouse years ago.
A very, very sweet video. True nostalgia and history. Well done.
I adore your videos, they’re so wholesome! I first came across your abandoned vids in high school, and I’ve been a subscriber since. It’s also cool that your daughter Anna and I happen to share a birthday!
I love watching the little kid in you Jacob as you’re playing in the funhouse!
The slide reminded me of the giant slide in Flint, Michigan back in the early 70s. It was a lot of fun.
Nice to see an old time park being rebuilt
i absolutely adore the animated intro, it's cutee
Great video! I liked how you showed the different parts of the fun house with different views.
Yes it was called the whip great ride. Used to be bumper cars Used to be a ride called the wild mouse single car roller coaster another ride. Was called the bullet. Used to ride on train that went around the park
Lots of white swans. Im wondering if they purchased some of the old rides from White Swan park, which used to be near pittsburgh airport.
Beau Travail comme d'habitude🔬Toujours un véritable moment de détente🎬Merci pour la Ballade et le dépaysement🌐🍀Alex From France🍾🙏🌹🌌
I really hope they can change the park's luck. Thanks Jacob 👍🏻
Went there in 2000. So glad they are trying to bring it back!!!
Ooooh! So close to Jim Thorpe, only 47.5 miles, and you still haven’t visited it.
Ashame, I hope it survives🎡🎢🎠🚂
You know when “kill” is in a name it means creek so that’s probably the flooding problem. Just sayin
RIP Haunted Pretzel 🥺
Hilarity Hall is just a lawsuit waiting to happen! WOW... of course, it is entertaining!
That was some pretty cool art in Hilarity Hall.
Here's hoping they survive all their misfortunes as of late.
That flooding happened 16 years ago 😬 I’m really not sure how they’ve survived in this state for so long
This was so sad but awesome they are trying to bring it back thanks for sharing this was amazing 🤩🤩🤩 love you Mary have a wonderful blessed night and day tomorrow 💐💐💐
There is a whippet at Dorney Park.
This place would be perfect for a haunted house!
They used to do that at Halloween! I remember going in the 90s
You gotta buy tickets. For a park that's not even all the way open. Is he there by his self where is everyone
I think I saw him fall off😅
Ugh. what a depressing place. Looks like where fun goes to die.
The Lehigh Valley is where everything goes to die. But little kids are oblivious and have a blast at the park. I'm 57 and when I'm back home, I go to BP because it's like stepping into a time machine.
That may be the weirdest Christmas inflatable I've ever seen.
Day 3 lord bagger. How does thou wipe thy hiney? By sittingst? Or standing like a fine gentle man.
I love how dangerous this old funhouse would have been long ago. Crazy times!
The barrel, mirrors and some other features remind me of the Fun House in Asbury Park I went to as a kid.
What a grate baral, look at those old style paintings!
So good that they are restoring the parc!
Sot he younger generation remembers!!!
Those stairs!! !why we were never drunk at the carnaval lol
Still love the fun mirors!
Carefull on your Crocks!!!
Potato sack slides, memories!!!
Thank you so much for this video.
Those were grate times!!!
Ah for a second I thought it was Chernobyl
Nice one, I hope to see you go to Lake Side in Denver one day. I think you are cool also, much respect.