Columbia Montour Quarterly Vol. 5: July-September 2022

Finding “History Under Your Nose”

CREEK IS AN EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION, PERSISTENCE IN TACKLING ABANDONED MINE DRAINAGE ISSUES

DISCOVERING THE FORGOTTEN CROOP’S GLEN PARK

by Nate Wiggin

Perhaps a decade or more ago, I was at the absolutely magical Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA when a bit of information caught my eye that captivated me. I saw a sign with some information about the amusement parks that once dotted the landscape here in Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, but have since closed down and all but disappeared. I then read additional information that mentioned a Croop’s Glen amusement park, with some close connections to today’s Knoebels Amusement Park. I was very intrigued, but it took until only recently to finally get the chance to really dive in to the world of Croop’s Glen. It took a lot of work, and the majority of my information is taken from about a dozen or so internet resources.

I contacted the Luzerne County Historical Society to see if they could help me or if they had any pictures. Other than a couple of newspaper clippings, they have nothing. As I researched this subject, I became more and more intrigued for a number of reasons: Why is there very little information available to the public about a park that closed down less than 100 years ago? Croop’s Glen was a big deal in its time, so why has it pretty much been forgotten? During my research, I uncovered a treasure trove of incredibly interesting information that I just can’t wait to pass along. I have driven right by the spot where Croop’s Glen once stood many times over the years without ever realizing it was even there. As I recently stood in front of what was

once the entrance to Croop’s Glen, it was difficult to imagine how special this location once was. Let’s get started! Croop’s Glen was built along Hunlock Creek in Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania. The park actually had a waterfall as a major attraction within its boundaries. Although dates seem to vary, one trustworthy newspaper article states that the park was started in 1917. The park rides operated until around 1941, although the park dance pavilion still hosted events and was used as a skating rink into the 1950’s until it burned down. It was owned by B. Frank Croop, but the property was leased to a Charles Shelly. Shelly was the park manager. The park was located where Route 11 and the Hunlock Creek Turnpike intersect

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