Indiana Defunct Amusement Parks

BOYD PARK - Richvalley, Indiana In 1901 Frederick Coleman Boyd approached the cities of Wabash, Indiana  and Peru, Indiana with a plan to build a street car system conncecting the cities that wouldn’t cost either city a cent. His plan was to bring the cities together by building tracks on the old tow path for the abandoned Wabash & Erie canal. The Interurban railway was built successfully, but Boyd had further plans for the railway that he wanted to pursue.

The hotel at Boyd Park

There was an amusement park in Fort Wayne called Robison Park that was a financial asset for the local railroad which gave Boyd inspiration on building a park of his own. Soon shops along the railroad sprung up, many of them directly between Wabash and Peru in the small communitiy of Richvalley, Indiana. This is where Boyd began to build his park and in 1902 the beautiful Boyd Park's first full season was underway.

Boyd Park's Scenic Railway Coaster

On the weekends the park was bustling with activity. There were families out for a picnic, friends enjoying the thrills of the rides, and couples on dates. Everyone could enjoy the wonderful surroundings that Boyd Park had to offer. The round trip to Boyd Park was 25 cents. For those that wanted to spend the day without the hassle of packing lunch, the railroad offered day outings that included a trip to the park and a picnic lunch.

Boyd Park's Main Pavilion

Boyd Park was not only a park, it was an entertainment complex that included a theater, its Sceenic Railway roller coaster, whirling swings, a loop-the-loop, a paddle steam launch and a dammed up Wabash River.The park also had a picnic area, a dance hall, a hotel, and a beautiful landscaped river walk. Unfortunately, Like many railway parks of the early 20th century, Boyd Park would soon disappear. It lasted as an amusement park only about 7 years, but the land was used for camping and picnicking for several years after the rides were gone. Boyd Park closed completely during the 1930s.

A busy day at Boyd Park located in Richvalley, Indiana west of the bridge at Cooper Road on the Wabash River.

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