originally posted on 12/9/2022 1:28:00 AM
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There are numerous books on theme parks out there.
Enthusiasts love the documentation of their favorite places (and passion).
Typically most are well done, but every now and then one in particular will hit
a real sweet spot.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari: 75 Years of
America’s First Theme Park has a unique niche. On its cover, there is not
one author listed but five. Among them are the names Jim Futrell, Ron Gustafson
and Dave Hahner. One would be hard pressed to find a trio of historians more
experienced at conveying amusement industry history. The writing is not an
interwoven work of collaborative thought but chapters placed within the hands
of each of those authors.
Futrell has been a historian for National Amusement Parks
Historical Association for decades as well as a member of the Hall of Fame
Committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
He pens two chapters, taking Holiday World to its roots as Santa Claus Land and
a period from 1970 to 1990 that saw notable growth. The beginnings and
hardships are chronicled as well as the importance of family relationships and
hometown pride.
ACE Historian Dave Hahner appropriately takes over when
roller coasters put Holiday World on the map. The journey of creating and
building three world-class wooden coasters is accented in the origins of naming
them and placing them within forested settings with a goal of a minimal removal
of trees.
Gustafson, widely known for his work at Quassy Amusement
Park, has been a journalist/photojournalist for nearly 50 years. In addition to
accumulating insightful stories from industry professionals, he explains in his
chapter the importance of water, most particularly the addition of the
waterpark Splashin’ Safari and its resounding success.
These three men wonderfully share the significant moments of
the park’s history, but those chapters are bookended by two women who bring it
all together. Nell Hedge is a Santa Claus, Indiana, local who serves as
director of the Santa Claus Museum & Village. She guides the first chapter
to capture the flavor and spirit of the town to properly position the reader in
place. Finally, fourth-generation owner Leah Koch concludes the book with a
chapter full of humor, heart and introspection that can only come from a family
member. Her recollection of how the family recovered from the loss of her
father, Will Koch, and his vision and description of the evolution of the park’s
most expensive roller coaster are engaging and heartfelt.
But there’s more. An abundance of photographs traces 75
years of history. Lists share chronology of attractions and park accolades.
Sidebars relate interesting stories about the park and specific attractions.
Coaster and water coaster stats are also provided. There’s even a page
dedicated to “The Renaissance of Wooden Coaster Maintenance.” For any fan of
Holiday World, this book is a valuable resource — in addition to being a fun
read.
Along the way, the reader finds out important details that
were critical to the success of Holiday World — beyond the rides. Paved roads,
Disneyland, free soft drinks and letters to Santa all made their mark on the
park’s full story. Leah Koch ends the book with a look forward: “The generations
before us shape the way we see the park and the vision we have for it. When I
think about how lucky we are to have come from such visionaries and brilliant
thinkers, I feel like an enormous imposter. How do we live up to our
forefathers’ visions? We don’t. We’re paving our own direction. It’s informed
by our past, but it’s not dictated by the past … I choose to believe in what
Lauren, William and I will do … will one day make our children and
grandchildren proud.”
There are countless history books written on the amusement
industry done in various styles. There is no reason to say one approach is
better than the other. However, with multiple authors on Holiday World &
Splashin’ Safari: 75 Years of America’s First Theme Park, it still manages
to be a remarkable, cohesive whole. It checks all the boxes and is highly
recommended.
The book is hardbound and full of color photos among its 189
pages. It retails for $25. It would make an ideal gift for a Holiday World fan
or a valuable resource for anyone who loves amusement parks.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
#ACENews