Clementon Amusement Park

About Clementon Amusement Park

Clementon Park and Splash World is a mid-sized combination theme park and water park in Clementon, Camden County, New Jersey, United States. Also known as Clementon Lake Park, it is one of the world's oldest operating amusement parks. It is owned and operated by Premier Parks, LLC. HistoryFounding to 1920Clementon Lake ParkThe park was founded in 1907 by New Jersey Assemblyman Theodore B. Gibbs (October 17, 1838 - October 27, 1909) and his sons, Edgar B. and Willard. Theodore Gibbs was a Civil War veteran who was a Corporal in Company D, Twenty-ninth New Jersey Volunteers. He held many local offices including Postmaster and Sheriff; he was also a member of the Atlantic City Railroad's Board of Directors. The amusement park was a popular destination in the early decades of the twentieth century with a trolley running from Camden, New Jersey to the park entrance. In the early twentieth century, amusement parks were built at the end of trolley lines to encourage weekend ridership.1920 to 1940In the 1920s, the park included a nickelodeon movie theater, a " dancing casino ", a steam-driven carousel, the Jack Rabbit roller coaster and a " razzle-dazzle " ride. The Jack Rabbit roller coaster was considered state-of-the-art when added to the Park in 1919 for the cost of $80, 000. On June 22, 1931 a fire almost destroyed the amusement park. According to The New York Times, " a vivid pyrotechnic display and the successive reports of exploding cartridges added to the spectacular aspect of a fire which swept through part of Clementon Park, a South Jersey pleasure resort. " The fire had reached the cartridge supply of the shooting gallery, setting off explosions. Firemen from six adjoining towns fought the fire which was contained to the shooting gallery and a " pretzel ride. " The damages were estimated to be $2000.