Willow Grove is a suburban Philadelphia community
in Montgomery County, PA just south of where I live.
I grew up on the outskirts of Willow Grove
and went to the public high school that serves most of the community.
The history of Willow Grove dates back 300 years
to a land grant from William Penn
known as The Manor of Moreland.
Today, Willow Grove is celebrating
its tri-centennial year.
The town's claim to fame was an Amusement Park
called Willow Grove Park which opened in 1896
and closed in 1976.
Two men in the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
had the idea to put an amusement park
in Willow Grove to entice people to ride their trolley
from the city for amusement at the park.
The idea worked.
In 1909 total park attendance was 3 million visitors!
Beginning in 1901 John Phillip Sousa's band started playing
at the park annually.
As part of the tri-centennial celebration,
the community hosted a Sousa concert
featuring the Allentown Band and
a great, great grandson of Sousa himself!
Below, John Phillip Sousa IV.
He has blue eyes. ;)
He has blue eyes. ;)
The site now houses
The Willow Grove Park shopping mall.
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10 comments:
Willow Grove is such a lovely name. I'm sure it was a nice place to grow up.
I always thought it would be a fun place to grow up : )
Love that "wall" of blue and white balloons!
great to read about places with history. I have to fight about this, my husband is opposite.
Exciting park I visit it if I'm on my daily bike ride passes!
It was a great idea to make a Sousa concert with The Allentown Band and John Phillip Sousa IV.
Lots of fine photos you bring, all with Blues :-D
i love the balloons and the wall sign.
have a great week!
the balloon shot is joyous!
and the orchestra in the tent is so lovely, the light is wonderful
I love your shot of the balloons, such a great angle!
I remember going to the amusement park as a child. Good memories!
I did not know a lot of the other history.
Happy Memorial Day:)
http://www.doreenmcgettigan.com
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