[swampfox43]

OK, we have a month until the BIG, RECORD BREAKING announcement so I will attempt to divert a few of yours attention that I know appreciate historical (Carolina) stuff. I uncovered these stunning photos the other day showing a Steeplechase ride at Isle of Palms, SC. I do not know the year but the accompanying article said the ride was imported from Coney Island.. I'll be in Charleston next week and may look for more info in the Charleston Museum. Anyway, I was fascinated to see this. I had never heard of this ride being there. At first glance the photo looks like a switchback railway but upon closer examination I can definitely see the rails the horses ran on.

[Jonathan]

I love seeing stuff like this dug up. I have been trying to find some information lately on a park that was in Raleigh from 1910-1917. People could hop on the trolley right in front of where I live now and ride about 2 miles to the park. They had a wooden roller coaster of some sort, but I have never seen any pictures of it.

[swampfox43]

I love seeing stuff like this dug up. I have been trying to find some information lately on a park that was in Raleigh from 1910-1917. People could hop on the trolley right in front of where I live now and ride about 2 miles to the park. They had a wooden roller coaster of some sort, but I have never seen any pictures of it.

You are referring to Bloomsbury Park Jonathan, out Glenwood Ave. Raleigh also had another amusement park, Pullen Park but I do not know much about either of these. Supposedly the carousel from Bloomsbury Park is still in operation at Pullen Park, which is a public park today. Too bad these parks, including Lakewood Park in Charlotte, weren't documented better. I suppose in those times, things such as this were not deemed as too important, unfortunately.

Photo of the coaster at Bloomsbury Park.

[Jonathan]

Pullen Park is still around (about half a mile from me in fact), and they do have the carousel there and in pretty good shape. They also have a miniature train that runs around the park.

[chargercrazy]

Does the train still run? I know that during my time at State that I never saw it running. I didn't spend too much time at Pullen Park though.

[Jonathan]

It still runs. I go over there and play tennis every week or so, and the whole time I'm there I keep hearing the whistle as it goes around. I don't think I ever even went into Pullen Park until after I had already graduated from State.