Harrison/Toby Park
Harrison Park was located along both sides of PA Route 115 on the banks of Tobyhanna Creek, about three quarters of a mile south of Blakeslee corners. Opened around 1930, the name was later changed to Toby Park (spelled Tobey in some sources), likely during or immediately after World War II. The park closed after a devastating flood in 1955.
The earliest reference uncovered so far is for July 4th, 1930, when the Wes Georgian Orchestra was scheduled to play modern dance music for park goers. Advertisements in 1931 for Decoration Day at Harrison Park called it “the Pocono’s beauty spot” and featured events including a clay pigeon shoot. A double header baseball game pitted the Blakeslee Giants against the Philadelphia Marines, and then Jack Tarutis and the Merchants.
A postcard with a copyright date of 1936 featured “A Winter Scene at Harrison Park” with several deer walking through the snow along the banks of the creek. The back of the postcard listed several amenities, including a large club house, two large swimming pools, and roller skating and dancing. Other concessions and amusements included a dining hall, several food stands, and various pieces of playground equipment.
By 1947, the name had changed to Toby Park. A carousel was purchased from Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA. The carousel was built by the E. Joy Morris Company of Philadelphia, the predecessor to the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC). The E. Joy Morris Company produced approximately 24 carousels between 1896 and 1903 before being sold to PTC. The carousel was originally steam powered, and featured two rows of hand carved horses, other menagerie animals, and chariots. The carousel was brought to Knoebels by Joe Gallagher of Philadelphia in 1926, where Gallagher operated it for several years. It was purchased by Knoebels in the 1930s, and operated at the park until 1941 when it was replaced by a larger carousel, which remains at the park today. Knoebels used the smaller carousel at local fairs and carnivals until it was sold to Toby Park in 1947.
Photo of “Mel,” the only known surviving horse from the Toby Park carousel,
at Knoebels Carousel Museum. Photo taken by M. Hopkins V, used with permission.
An article in the Wilkes College Beacon in August of 1948 promoted the Intramural Softball League’s annual outing at Toby’s Park, noting it was formerly called Harrison’s Park. Events for the day included a softball game, clam bake, and dancing on an “air cooled” floor. Those attending could eat in comfort at the covered picnic tables, and spend some time in the Penny Arcade.The park met its end in 1955, when Tobyhanna Creek flooded in mid-August after Hurricanes Connie and Diane saturated the area with huge amounts of rain. The carousel was destroyed, with the exception of one or two figures. One of the horses was restored by Mel Heavener, manager of Bushkill Park in Easton, PA, in 1975, and subsequently reacquired by Knoebels. Today, visitors to the Knoebels Carousel Museum can see the horse on display along with several photographs of the carousel from its operation at the park in the 1930s.
Today, Toby Park remains undeveloped and overgrown with brush and trees. At least one building, possibly the roller rink, remains standing near the creek. Several other structures and remnants of the park may also be on site.
Until recently, research had suggested that Harrison Park was separate from Toby Park, which was listed as being in Tobyhanna, about 11 miles to the northeast. Additional research now shows that Harrison and Toby parks were one in the same. The reason for the confusion may be due to the fact that the village of Blakeslee is located in Tobyhanna Township, the official municipality. The town of Tobyhanna is actually located in neighboring Coolbaugh Township, which is completely separate from Tobyhanna Township. Being that the park was located in Tobyhanna Township on Tobyhanna Creek, one can see how the park may end up being listed in some sources as Tobyhanna.
Sources
Last updated: 12/16/2009
- A History of Sans Souci Park, by C. Charles Ciesla
- Northeastern Pennsylvania, February 27, 1982
- Wilkes College Beacon, August 27 1948
- Submissions by R. Boyer and R. Decker
- Knoebels Amusement Resort
- Quassy Amusement Park Press Release, March 31 2003
- Tobyhanna Township Website
