White City (Philadelphia)

At its opening, the park was described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a "veritable fairyland scene". It claimed to have 50,000 fragrant plants, as well as a toboggan, a carousel, a lake with row boats, electric launches, and a live brass band conducted by Professor Kalitz.^[3][4] More amusement rides and other attractions were later built, such as a roller coaster, a pony track, and a roller skating rink.^[7] Events and entertainment were often hosted, such as athletic meets,^[8] vaudeville performances,^[9] acrobats and gymnasts,^[10] and the presentation of a trained baby elephant named Little Hip.^[11]

The park received major reconstruction and redecoration in 1906 when it was renamed White City Park.^[12] The park saw its most successful year in 1911.

Many upper class residents of the area resented the lower class visitors who frequented the park, claiming it depreciated the desirability and value of the suburb. In February 1912, several wealthy locals including George C. Thomas Jr., Charles N. Welsh, Wilson Potter, and Jay Cooke III combined their money, bought the park for about $500,000, and immediately shut it down before its opening in the coming spring.^[2][13] After demolishing it, the land remained vacant until 1927, when Springfield Township High School was built on part of it. The school now operates as the Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy. A small pond is all that remains of the park and its lake today.