Abandoned Luzerne County PA : Croop’s Glen
You could drive right past the ruins of Croop’s Glen Park daily without even realizing that an amusement park once thrived right on Route 11, near Nanticoke, in Hunlock Creek. The ravages of time and nature, along with the valley where the remains are situated, help to keep the location protected from prying human eyes, unless those eyes are already aware of the park’s existence.
TURN HERE AND LOOK TO THE LEFT
The park was opened in 1908 by B. Frank Croop when it was primarily used as a picnic area with the stream and waterfall as the park’s main attraction.
Between 1926 and 1927, two wooden roller coasters were added. There was a full size coaster named Twister, and one Kiddie Coaster. Other attractions added to Croop’s Glenn were a whip, carrousel, bumper cars, a dance pavilion plus a swimming pool. During the 1928 season, Croop’s Glen advertised parking for 2000 cars. The park was closed in 1941 because of the conservation efforts for World War II and rising insurance costs. The dance pavilion was converted into a skating rink which was commercially successful until it burned down in the early 1950’s.
There are just a few remnants left of Croop’s Glen Park– a rusted sign at the entrance and a few tattered buildings—and once they disappear, Croop’s Glen will become another lost chapter in the history of Luzerne County.
Since posting this article, I’ve had some people contact me with some new information about Croop’s Glen. You can read about this newly found “lost history” here and another update here!
This looks like a great place to explore… just might have to check it out once the weather improves!
complimenti Cheri
bellissimo e interessante reportage
just be careful because there are “no trespassing ” signs all over the property and the land owners have people watching the property , it is currently up for sale , last time i checked all the property is priced over $1 Million , i know this because im from the hunlock creek area and work at UGI who owns the bordering property across from the fromer croops glen which was a saw mill after they closed the amusement park
i keep thinking of that poor elephant with arthritis. these pics are all so great but the wall is my favorite. needless to say as i am 68 now that pic on hippocampus is not a reasonable facsimile. lol my grace paley room at the vermont studio center looked out a stream with a red mill beyond. did u see the diane arbus movie? you are a true artiste. thank you!!!!
Would you like some pictures from the park from 1912 to about 1930? A relative of mine just passed away at the age of 99. Her father owned the the rides at Croop’s Glen while B. Frank Croop owned the park. My relative used to sell tickets at the park as a teenager. I also have photos of her as a baby in 1912 sitting on a carousel horse. Please let me know how I can post them for you.
Cheri: I admire your guerrilla history….your photo essays provide a poignant account of the damage from deindustrialization to the people and places of Pennsylvania….kudos!
Hi, a former Plymouth resident who used to swim in the pool above Croop’s Glen.
In the early 60′s we would hitch a ride down Route 11 with our towels rolled up and spend the day laying on the rocks below the falls. Once we camped there, and had our pictures taken standing on the prominent “beak” which was a diving place when that was the park’s original attraction. We found ruins of the roller coasters, curving tracks that swooped off into space and were hidden by trees – we thought it was the most amazing thing. We explored this area often – think it must have been an Indian meeting place before our time. Long before. We made up all kinds of stories. I’m more of a history buff now, and welcome any tidbits about the Croop family ( and the Harveys ) who gave their names to this area. Where did they come from, and what was their line of business ? It is the hardest thing to find any photos of the park when it was in operation. So I’m still looking. Glad to see I’m not the only one ..
- former Shawnee Indian