Customer Reviews

Early Amusement Parks of Orange County (Images of America: California)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Early Amusement Parks of Orange County by Richard Harris is part of the Images of America series from Arcadia Publishing. For you who love memorabilia and old photos, this is the book to enjoy. From the brief history of amusement parks I was amazed to learn that the oldest one in the world still in operation dates from 1583 in Denmark. There is a difference between theme parks and amusement parks and themed amusement parks, which Disney started. The concept of amusement parks, which first consisted of picnic tables near a trolley stop, has changed through the years as new inventions made people want more for entertainment. The book is filled with old sepia photographs and explanations which you will find quite interesting, especially if you live in or visit Southern California

This book took me back to my childhood growing up next door in Long Beach, CA. I can remember many of these attractions that are long gone now. I also learned of earlier attractions in Orange County that existed before I was born. Very informative. Great archival pictures. This book is a must for anyone that grew up in Southern California. I especially enjoyed the section on Lion Country Safari...now absent from Irvine.

My brother is kind of a buff, of sorts, on this kind of stuff. He LOVED this book.