Mountain Park started in 1895 in Northampton just over the border from Holyoke. It was trolley owned from the start. It has evolved through the years to suit the needs of the owners and the community.
Mountain Park was a animal park and a theater area under William Loomis. An extension of the trolley passed along the road above. See the trolley MAP. The trolley ran from Holyoke to Mountain Park every half hour from 6 AM to midnight. The Holyoke Street Railway under Loomis operated the city trolley system. The Mount Tom Rail ran up the mountain. There was a third piece of the trolley route from the park to the base of the mountain.
William Loomis was a great benefactor to Holyoke. He gave his land to the Holyoke Home for the Aged. LINK
View of the drive around Whiting Street Reservoir in 1904.
The Casino has a wonderful history and you can read about it HERE. This is a link to the Jacqueline Lynch book “Comedy and Tragedy on the Mountain”.
In 1929 it changed to a park with many large rides such a roller coaster (under Louis Pellessier) and a Merry-Go-Round. In 1952 it changed again into an Art Deco amusement park with a midway under John Collins. Read about the Mountain Park era from this BOOK.
It closed for good in 1988. For a few years concerts were held here.
