History of Luna Park - Part 1

In the past I have posted many one of a kind shots of the old Luna Park in Roxbury. Like the picture postcard above. Afterwards, I always get a lot of questions from readers as to the history of former Johnstown landmark - amazed that such a thing once existed there - especially the bit about the lake. So that you don't get too confused - because I will be covering a lot history. It was first called Roxbury until 1905 when the name was changed to Luna before going back to Roxbury in the 1920's.

Roxbury Park, now known mainly as a place to play ball or a game of tennis was once ranked as one of the best recreation and entertainment centers in the Eastern United States for the twenty years it was Luna Park.

Little remains of the features that made this park a magnet for entertainment seeking Johnstowners. Known as Luna Park starting in 1905, this wonderland of fun and adventure reigned supreme for decades.

In the years since - other parks sprang up before and after Luna Park, but none has shone itself to be it's equal. Attempts to redevelop the big Roxbury tract were made but never got much past the drawing board.

Ownership of the land located near the famous Whiskey Springs can be traced back to the 1840's. The first owner of the land was Daniel Barnes - who later sold it to Isaac Barnhart.

The year 1893 saw the beginnings of what would become Roxbury Park - later Luna. Between November 22 and November 27 the Tri-County Agricultural & Driving Park Association bought the old Barnhart property along with six other tracts belong to: Frank and Mary Smith, Robert and Mary Barclay, Joseph and Ann Sharp, Harvey and Elizabeth Barclay, Otto and Sarah Melander along with the James Kaul family.

It was almost 10 years later, on September 5, 1903 that the Tri-County Association bondholders voted to authorize the park property at public auction. Judge O'Connor once had holdings in Roxbury Park but had disposed of them prior to his authorized to sell the site. Frank Cresswell represented $23,000 or 96 percent of the bonds at this time.

Cresswell bought the 30 acres of ground which later became Luna Park from Judge O'Conner on February 6, 1905 for $40,000. (According to the Inflation Calculator - what cost $40,000 in 1905 would cost $985,760.60 in 2011.)

Later on - the City of Johnstown bought Luna Park from Mary Cresswell, widow of Frank and Johnstown Trust Company on September 12, 1922 for $210,469.36. What cost $210,469.36 in 1922 would cost $2,791,946.97 in 2011. Lets not forget the .36 and 97 cents....

One of the most important dates in connection with Roxbury Park was May 30, 1896, when the first Johnstown Passenger Railway car ran to the Roxbury extension. The park is credited with prompting the installation of the double track trolley line that served the area until 1960.

For the first several years under the Tri-County Association, the park was operated as a resort with horse racing as the principal attraction.

Known then as Roxbury Park - it became the center of attraction throughout the state on September 7, 1896, when the Pennsylvania State Fair was held there. It proved so successful that it returned in 1897.

Another of the park's big attractions in the early 1900's was the Interstate Fair. Much like our current county fairs. Bands were often paraded through city streets en route to the park. Folks would fall in line behind the bands and walk to the park where the could enjoy horse racing and carnival attractions. 

Schools would close and businesses would shutdown so that everyone could enjoy a day at the park. The 1903 Fair had crowds of up to 25,000 and was typical of all the others.

This shows the actual park gate located near the old Roxbury Loop.

The formation of the Roxbury Park Amusement Association in 1905 started the transformation of the park into the recreational and amusement center that it was later known as. It was then that Roxbury Park became known as Luna Park, the latter name taken from an amusement park in Pittsburgh.

Included in the new resort grounds were 35 acres - a half-mile track for racing of all kinds, a baseball diamond, a lake of three acres for rowboats and launches, stables for 75 to 100 horses and a grove of 10 acres of shade trees which had several springs of water bubbling up for the refreshment of visitors.

The buildings consisted of a grandstand capable of seating 2,000 people, a theater holding 700 at which daily afternoon and evening performances were given, a boat house with 15 steel rowboats, the latest thing out and several electric launches. 

A $2,000 structure was built to house an $8,000 carousel and then there was the first whirligig ever seen in Johnstown, each seat having three animals abreast along with a fully staffed dining hall.