-Isms: Views on life in rural America

It’s funny how reading something can lead me down a rabbit hole, filled with history and memories.

As I perused a daily “ideas” email from a writing group, the following question was posed: If you could design a theme park around any concept, what would it be?

That simple question provoked thoughts of amusement parks in Nebraska. Kids today, more than likely, think about the mega-waterparks made popular by lazy, floating rivers and crazy slides or a Fun Plex, where video games can keep you occupied for hours.

More than 50 years ago, Chautauqua Park, in Hastings, had a small amusement park, of sorts, consisting of a handful of rides, including a scaled-down ferris wheel with covered boxes for seating. Each was painted a primary color. It spun slowly, unlike the giant ferris wheels we’d frequent at county fairs. When you’re five years old, speed didn’t matter. It seemed like the best entertainment in the world.

Occasionally, while running errands, we’d pack a picnic lunch to eat at the park. Once finished, we would hop on the rides, grinning ear to ear at our parents.

One of my favorite amusement places in Nebraska was Peony Park, located at 78th and Cass streets in Omaha. Its history is fascinating.

In 1909, a Swedish immigrant, John Larson - who later changed his last name to Rosenfield - planted a 25-acre peony garden, located along the Lincoln Highway. It blossomed into a famous tourist attraction.

At the same time, a Czech immigrant, Joseph Malec, constructed a filing station and ice cream parlor, attracting customers visiting the Rosenfield’s neighboring gardens.

When Malec devised Peony Park, it featured a pavilion and pond. By 1926, the pond was replaced with a swimming pool. In 1934, the Royal Grove, a popular dance spot, was constructed. Amusement rides and miniature golf course were added in 1958. The park closed in 1991, when its owners filed for bankruptcy. Now, a group of strip malls and fast-food spots sit where bands like Metallica and Red Hot chili Peppers played.

I remember going once with our parents. We rode a few rides and then headed to the swimming and beach area. I find it ironic since Dad couldn’t swim and Mom required layers of tanning lotion or her skin would burn, like the color of a Hot Tamale.

Circa 1989, we took our kids there, a treat (in their opinion) and a distraction (in my opinion) when we traveled to Omaha for a medical procedure and extended stay, until doctors gave my husband the “all clear” to return home. We were riding the Tilt-A-Whirl when, without warning, I felt nauseous. Sensing my impending dread (or maybe I was turning green), the operator slowed the ride to a halt and I exited in time to find a trash can. A month later, we’d discover I was pregnant.

Thirty-five years later, I still haven’t stepped foot on a Tilt-A-Whirl.

Truth be told, I’m not sure what kind of amusement park I would construct here. I wouldn’t want an Adventureland or Elitch Gardens. Maybe an oversized corn maze would be popular here in the Cornhusker State.

It’s definitely thematic.