Once described as �a place where God and man went fifty-fifty to produce perfection,� Rock Springs Park remained a landmark along the Lincoln Highway in Chester until 1970. In its heyday, this panhandle playground captivated 20,000 visitors daily with attractions including the World�s Greatest Scenic Railway, the Cyclone Roller Coaster, and a hand-carved 1927 Dentzel Carousel. Images of America: Rock Springs Park features over 200 rarely seen images and portrays the lifespan of the park from its history as Native American hunting grounds to its development as a local trolley park and full-fledged amusement park. The park hosted business and community picnic excursions and countless celebrity entertainers. Performer Bobby Vinton remembers the era of dances at the park as �a very romantic time . . . almost like something in the movies. There was the carousel, the guys in white shoes and girls that were all dressed up with their crinoline skirts.�
Joseph A. Comm is an elementary gifted support teacher with an interest in local history. He studied theater arts and elementary education at the University of Pittsburgh, receiving both a bachelor�s degree and master�s degree. He grew up in Chester at a time when the sun-bleached skeleton of the Cyclone bordered his school�s ball field and remembers well the many tales of the magic of Rock Springs Park.