Croop’s Glen: “Lost” Amusement Park
You could drive right past the ruins of Croop’s Glen Park daily without even realizing that an amusement park once thrived right on Route 11, near Nanticoke, in Hunlock Creek. The ravages of time and nature, along with the valley where the remains are situated, help to keep the location protected from prying human eyes, unless those eyes are already aware of the park’s existence.
- TURN HERE AND LOOK TO THE LEFT
The park was opened in 1908 by B. Frank Croop when it was primarily used as a picnic area with the stream and waterfall as the park’s main attraction.
Between 1926 and 1927, two wooden roller coasters were added. There was a full size coaster named Twister, and one Kiddie Coaster. Other attractions added to Croop’s Glenn were a whip, carrousel, bumper cars, a dance pavilion plus a swimming pool. During the 1928 season, Croop’s Glen advertised parking for 2000 cars. The park was closed in 1943 because of the conservation efforts for World War II and rising insurance costs. The dance pavilion was converted into a skating rink which was commercially successful until it burned down in the early 1950’s.
There are just a few remnants left of Croop’s Glen Park– a rusted sign at the entrance and a few tattered buildings—and once they disappear, Croop’s Glen will become another lost chapter in the history of Luzerne County.
Since posting this article, I’ve had some people contact me with some new information about Croop’s Glen.
Baby Contest Pavilion Collapse at Croop’s Glen
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Lost History Found: Pictures of the Park when Open
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Cheri Sundra © 2010
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Cheri Sundra--Guerrilla Historian 
This looks like a great place to explore… just might have to check it out once the weather improves!
complimenti Cheri
bellissimo e interessante reportage
just be careful because there are “no trespassing ” signs all over the property and the land owners have people watching the property , it is currently up for sale , last time i checked all the property is priced over $1 Million , i know this because im from the hunlock creek area and work at UGI who owns the bordering property across from the fromer croops glen which was a saw mill after they closed the amusement park
i keep thinking of that poor elephant with arthritis. these pics are all so great but the wall is my favorite. needless to say as i am 68 now that pic on hippocampus is not a reasonable facsimile. lol my grace paley room at the vermont studio center looked out a stream with a red mill beyond. did u see the diane arbus movie? you are a true artiste. thank you!!!!
Would you like some pictures from the park from 1912 to about 1930? A relative of mine just passed away at the age of 99. Her father owned the the rides at Croop’s Glen while B. Frank Croop owned the park. My relative used to sell tickets at the park as a teenager. I also have photos of her as a baby in 1912 sitting on a carousel horse. Please let me know how I can post them for you.
Cheri: I admire your guerrilla history….your photo essays provide a poignant account of the damage from deindustrialization to the people and places of Pennsylvania….kudos!
Hi, a former Plymouth resident who used to swim in the pool above Croop’s Glen.
In the early 60’s we would hitch a ride down Route 11 with our towels rolled up and spend the day laying on the rocks below the falls. Once we camped there, and had our pictures taken standing on the prominent “beak” which was a diving place when that was the park’s original attraction. We found ruins of the roller coasters, curving tracks that swooped off into space and were hidden by trees – we thought it was the most amazing thing. We explored this area often – think it must have been an Indian meeting place before our time. Long before. We made up all kinds of stories. I’m more of a history buff now, and welcome any tidbits about the Croop family ( and the Harveys ) who gave their names to this area. Where did they come from, and what was their line of business ? It is the hardest thing to find any photos of the park when it was in operation. So I’m still looking. Glad to see I’m not the only one ..
– former Shawnee Indian
I drive right by this almost every day and didn’t know this was there. I’m stopping to take a look next time! Did you go to the old train station across the street? I’ve been there but it’s in some bad shape.
Love this post!
hi Im from the shickshinny area and often sat around listening to old stories my fathers friend use to tell about croops glen in its hay day mr. Penn and my father have long since passed God rest there souls but i always wondered how i could get legal rights to explore,photograph and document my findings and write a book. Can anyone help me with this please comment back and does anyone know who holds the ownership of this property and how i might contact them before its to late
Boy did this bring back some memories .i’m 79 and was born in shickshinny,pa about six miles south.my brother always tell a sad story about his graduating class celebrating a day at croops glen,while five of his classmates decided to stay in shickshinny and go swimming in the river with three drowning.while I probably visited the park,I just have little memory of it.what I do remember was visiting sans Susie three miles north of Nanticoke (four miles north of croops glen) this would also be an interesting history. A great amusement park I visited many times from Nanticoke where il lived from 43-49.we’d get on the 5 cent trolley and ten- fifteen minutes we were there.wednesday was nickel day.ten cents for a slice of pizza.one time I spent all my money.had to hitchhike home.mom never know.a park so close to sans Susie might be another reason for the closing of the glen.
Really surprised to hear about this as I grew up in the Shickshinny area and am now 58yrs old. We used to go to Rummages for skating, bowling and swimming. And sometimes to Hanson’s Amusement Park at Harvey’s Lake, but I never heard of Croops Glen. My mother grew up on Parker Hill in Shickshinny and I never heard her mention it. I’m still trying to picture where it was located. Is there an aerial map that shows the exact location?
Is there any phone number to call to obtain permission to fish the stream through the park and do some metal detecting
My mom worked there. We moved to hunlock creek in 1947 although mom lived there before. She was a beautician and did the hair for Alice Cooper and sister until they passed..
Just rode the little carousel at Knoebels and saw it was originally from this park. I googled The park and came across your page. How neat the ride still operates at Knoebels!
Hi my name is Andrew my grandmother was Beverly Croop a grand daughter of the owner I was wondering if you knew someone I could contact about getting into the amusement park to take a look around and get pictures for a family documents as she’s has passed please email me if u have any info
Hi, Andrew. I was there before the property was sold to the current owner. I don’t know who they are. I’d suggest checking with the Luzerne County Court House to see who bought it. Or maybe you can try one of the local historical groups. Sorry I can’t be of more help. The person that obtained permission for me to go there has passed away. Best–Cheri
What a great story of times gone by! I know, I was born in the wrong generation. I live in Ohio in a beautiful rural setting that looks a whole lot like Hunlock, Pennsylvania. I’m going to have my husband bring us to Hunlock. I’m not good with words or punctuation. I just wanted to tell you that your stories of the “Simple ” life of days gone by are greatly appreciated. Thank you good sir🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 I love America🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Hunlock Creek oops🎃
Hi, I’m try to find out who owns the land that croops glen sits on…please get back to you..I appreciate it
I believe the gentlemen that owns Joe’s beverage is the owner.