History
Founded in 1898 as a small trolley park near Pittsburgh, Kennywood was begun by the Monongahela Street Railway Company, which was controlled by Andrew Mellon. Today's Kennywood still contains two major buildings dating from 1898 - a carousel pavilion and a restaurant (originally the casino).
Many changes occurred between 1900 and 1930. The Great Depression from 1930 to 1935 was especially hard on the park. Dancing helped keep the park in business during this period as great dance bands played in the park from 1930 to 1950. Kennywood prospered in the second half of 1930's as new rides including Noah's Ark (1936) were added.
During the Second World War period, the park couldn't add new rides, but it did buy a used ferris wheel and a, still operating, miniature train.
In the 1950's school picnics grew by leaps and bounds. With the 1960's and 1970's came competition from "Disneyland" and other theme parks. Led by Carl Henninger, Kennywood decided to spend the money necessary to remain competitive. In 1968 the Thunderbolt was built, which was redesigned from the Pippin by resident coaster whiz, Andy Vittel. With the Thunderbolt came the designation "The Roller coaster capital of the World."
The 1980's put Kennywood into national prominence with its designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. To keep on track with coasters, the Laser Loop was added in 1980.
As Kennywood nears the close of the 20th Century, a balance of change and preservation of tradition continue to be important to its survival. Keeping the pace as the "coaster capital," the Laser Loop was replaced by the new Steel Phantom coaster with the fastest speed of 80 MPH and the longest drop of 225 feet. Lost Kennywood, the parks largest expansion ever, not only added 25% more midway but increased ride capacity considerably. Kennywood remains, "America's finist traditional amusement park."