Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters

Throughout the 20th century, African Americans challenged segregation at amusement parks, skating rinks, and swimming pools not only in pursuit of pleasure but as part of a wider struggle for racial equality. Before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, church groups picnicked at white-only parks, mothers led their children into segregated amusement parks, and teenagers congregated at forbidden swimming pools. But, too often, white mobs attacked those who dared to transgress racial norms. In Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters, Victoria W. Wolcott tells the story of this battle for access to leisure space in cities all over the United States.

Contradicting the nostalgic image of urban leisure venues as democratic spaces, Wolcott reveals that racial segregation was crucial to their appeal. Parks, playgrounds, and pools offered city dwellers room to exercise, relax, and escape urban cares. These gathering spots also gave young people the opportunity to dance, flirt, and mingle. As cities grew more diverse, these social forms of fun prompted white insistence on racially exclusive recreation. Wolcott shows how black activists and ordinary people fought such infringements on their right to access public leisure. In the face of intimidation and violence, they boycotted discriminatory roller rinks, picketed Jim Crow amusement parks, and swam at white-only beaches. When African Americans demanded inclusive public recreational facilities, white consumers abandoned those places. Many parks closed or privatized within a decade of desegregation. Wolcott's book tracks the decline of the urban amusement park and the simultaneous rise of the suburban theme park, reframing these shifts within the civil rights context.

Filled with detailed accounts and powerful insights, Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters brings to light overlooked aspects of conflicts about public accommodations. This eloquent history demonstrates the significance of leisure in American race relations. Victoria W. Wolcott is Professor of History at The State University of New York in Buffalo and you just read the Forward from the book. Click on the cover photo for more details about the author and book.

Footnote: When I was growing up, I always wondered why my church, my family, me and my friends (when we got older), etc. always had to travel so far to get to an amusement park. Once upon a time, Philadelphia had them within the city limits but they were all gone by the time I was born in 1958. After I read this book a few years ago, I found out why. One example I learned about from the previous generation was Woodside Amusement Park, which was located in Fairmount Park (Ford & Monument Roads) from 1897-1955. One piece of its history, the Dentzel carousel, was restored and is used at the Please Touch Museum today. Woodside was possibly the last amusement park in Philly to close its gates forever. Of course, it was demolished eventually (like all the others) and if no one who was alive at the time told you about it, you would never know it was there. Click on the photo and travel back in time to learn more about this inner city amusement park and its ultimate demise.