1907: Hersheypark Opens

In 1906, Milton S. Hershey, the founder of the Hershey Chocolate company, purchased land near Union Deposit, Pennsylvania to develop a park to be used exclusively for his employees. On this day in 1907, the public was welcome to visit Hershey’s Park which included a baseball game (Hershey’s team defeated the Crescent Club of Harrisburg by 13-1 by the way), live music performed by the Hershey band and other activities. The first amusement ride constructed on the park grounds was the Allen Herschel carousel built in 1908. A miniature railroad was built next in 1910 (which continued to run through 1971) and bumper cars were added in 1926. The oldest attraction still in operation at the park is the 1945 carousel. Today, what is now known as HersheyPark stretches 121 acres and features 70 attractions (including 14 roller coasters), Boardwalk water park and ZooAmerica. (Image: HersheyPark/Wikimedia)