Repository

Heinz History Center

Title

West View Park Company Records

Creator

West View Park (West View, Pa.)

Collection Number

MSS 709

Extent

1.5 linear feet (Two boxes)

Date

1968-1977

Abstract

T. M. Harton and Fredrick Henninger opened West View Park in 1906. After the Depression, the park prospered until it could no longer compete with Kennywood and other parks. The park closed after its 1977 season. The collection includes a 1968 appraisal and tickets.

Language

The material in this collection is in English.

Author

The guide to this collection was written by Kelly J. Smith.

Sponsor

This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.

Publisher

Heinz History Center

Address

1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

T. M. Harton and Fredrick Henninger opened West View Park in 1906. After the first season Henninger sold his part of the company to Harton and became a partner at Kennywood Park, West View Park's main competitor in the Pittsburgh area. Harton continued adding attractions and rides, such as The Dips, a Ferris wheel and the Speed-O-Plane until his death in 1919. After a dispute over Harton's will, his sister, Olive Harton Jones, took control over the park and continued adding rides throughout the 1920's.

During the 1930's ridership decreased, and the ballroom became the main attraction at the park, becoming the park's main source of income. Dancing was still a big attraction during World War II, but ridership increased as servicemen home on leave took advantage of the park's free admission for them. With the exception of adding a few rides, the park remained at a standstill until the end of the war and change of ownership.

George Harton III, T. M. Harton's nephew, took over the park in 1945 and immediately began making changes. The ballroom was remodeled and renamed Danceland. The newly air-conditioned ballroom continued to be an attraction, as well known musicians, such as Tommy Dorsey, were booked to perform.

George Harton III continued to improve the park with new rides and attractions until his death in 1966. Although his mother took control of the park after Harton's death, no one in the family was involved in the park's day-to-day business, and few improvements were made. No longer able to compete with Kennywood and other parks in the region, West View Park closed after its 1977 season.

Scope and Content Notes

The materials are housed in two archival boxes and are organized by topic. The collection includes an appraisal done in 1968 by the Industrial Appraisal Company and tickets from the park's 1977 season. The signs, each building on the property and each ride were appraised. The appraisal book has been disbound and housed in its original order with tabs identifying sections of the book. The tickets are in envelopes and separated by ticket type, Skee Ball, universal ride, complimentary, complimentary picnic and refreshment. A printed inventory of the collection is included in the box.

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Harry A. Winter in 2008.

Archives accession # 2008.0265

Preferred Citation

West View Park Company Records, 1968-1977, MSS 709, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Kelly J. Smith on 01/27/2012. Inventory created by volunteer staff in 2008

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Subjects

Corporate Names

• T. M. Harton Company
• West View Park (West View, Pa.)

Personal Names

• Harton, Theodroe M. b. 1863 – d. 1919
• Henninger, Fredrick W.

Container List