Noah's Ark (fun house)
Noah's Ark is a type of amusement park walk-through attraction built between 1919 and 1936. It features a fun house in the shape of the biblical vessel found in the Genesis flood narrative. As such, most Noah's Arks featured scenes depicting animals and the biblical prophet Noah alongside traditional fun house gags.
History
[edit]The first Noah’s Ark appeared at Venice Pier (California) in 1919. The attraction was designed and built by Leroy Ramond who sold the manufacturing rights to William Dentzel the following year.[1]
Noah's Ark today
[edit]There is only one remaining Noah's Ark in operation at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although there is a Noah's Ark at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, England, it has not been operational since 2008 and now serves as a decorative element at the park entrance.
Notable installations
[edit]| Location | Opened | Closed | Builder | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Blackpool Pleasure Beach |
1922 | 2008 | William Strickler | Closed |
 Kennywood Amusement Park |
1936 | – | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | Refurbished in 1969, 1996, 2016 |
| Venice Pier (California) |
1919 | 1940 | Dentzel | First installation |
| Frontierland, Morecambe |
1920s | 2000 | Park demolished 2010 | |
| Steeplechase Park |
1923 | 1929 | ||
| Old Orchard Pier |
1929 | 1969 | Destroyed by fire [2] |
References
[edit]- ^ Styer, Joel (12 August 1999). "The Noah's Ark". laffinthedark.com. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- ^ "Paradise Lost – The Last Voyage Of Noah's Ark P. 1". laffinthedark.com.