A Blast From the Past- Boyd Park

Being from Indiana, we are quite interested in the defunct amusement parks that were located in the Hoosier state. Many of these parks were located at the end of trolley or interurban lines and were built to promote usage of the lines on weekends.

Boyd Park was located between the small towns of Peru & Wabash and was a very popular spot for family reunions, camping & picnics. Named for F Coleman Boyd, who had organized the Wabash River Traction Company to set up the railroad line, Boyd Park's Grand Opening was on Labor Day weekend of 1901

The railway built to the park was actually a street car line. On opening weekend, the street car had to run all night to accommodate the crowd. The street cars were open sided and so loaded down people were hanging on both sides of the car.

Boyd Park opened for a full season on June 14 1902. Located on West Cooper Road in Richvalley, along the Wabash River and covering 18 acres, Boyd Park featured the first roller coaster in Indiana. Originally called the Scenic Railway, it was a huge side friction woodie that wound it's way through the park. Other entertainment included Vaudeville acts, musical & traveling shows, a dance hall and a dock for boats.

The park was special in many ways, for many it was the first place they ever saw an airplane. It's unsure if the plane was flown by the Wright Brothers, remember they weren't famous at that time, but there weren't many airplanes around in 1903.

In 1904 Cleveland syndicate took over and consolidated the line with the Fort Wayne Southern Traction Company. The a true interurban line was built on the other side of the Wabash River.

The other coaster was one of the first looping coasters, the Loop to Loop. Like most looping coasters of that time, it wasn't financially successful, more people watched than rode. The were also a variety of carnival rides, which were removed in 1908.

It seems 1908 was the beginning of the end for Boyd Park. The park was being run by an outfit from Chicago, that brought in girlie show and other brazen things that shocked the locals.

The reasoning for the wild entertainment was said to be that the Chicago group had the backing of other amusement parks and if the blue law went though they'd all have to close down. In other words this small Midwestern park was being used as a guinea pig.

The test failed and Boyd Park closed in 1909. Little is left of Boyd Park's, one can pass by it's former location along the Wabash River and not even notice the site. Fortunately, there are news articles & photos of Boyd Park for those of us to young to have been able to enjoy the park

editors note: Blue laws restrict certain activities on Sunday such as girlie shows, selling alcohol.