A Look Back At This Kansas Amusement Park Will Make You Nostalgic

Let me ask you something: Does this picture take you back to your childhood?

Flickr/Brian

How about this?

Flickr/Brian

Wikimedia Commons

If you answered yes to either or both of these, you obviously grew up in Kansas and had the best childhood EVER. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I give you Joyland Amusement Park:

Wikimedia Commons

Opened in Wichita in 1949, Joyland Amusement Park was originally founded as a home for an antique 12-inch gauge steam locomotive, but quickly grew into a full-blown amusement park complete with a ferris wheel, roller coaster, and other carnival favorites. As time went on, the Park continued to grow in popularity; however, due to both safety concerns and economic woes, the Park closed its gates for good in 2006.

If you were to visit Joyland today, this is what you would find:

Flickr/Randy

However, back in its heyday, you would have found this magic around every corner:

Flickr/Randy

YouTube/DaltonEFX

Wikimedia Commons

YouTube/DaltonEFX

What are some of your favorite memories from the old Joyland Amusement Park?

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