I have a special interest in amusement parks, particularly ones that no longer exist or those that feature vintage rides. From the late 19th century until the 1950s, there were almost two dozen amusement parks of varying sizes located throughout the Pittsburgh area. One of these was the Burke Glen Park in Monroeville.
Located alongside Old William Penn Highway near Elliott Road (near present-day Levin Furniture) was a 141 acre parcel of land. This land had been in the Thompson family for over 100 years before it was sold to the Burke brothers in 1925. The four brothers, who were plumbers by trade, opened a small amusement park called Burke Glen along one side of the highway in 1926.
Unlike other local parks such as Oakford Park, Kennywood, and West View Park, Burke Glen was not a trolley park. Instead, this amusement park catered to those families who had automobiles. Monroeville was considered an area where families living in the city could get away from all of the smog. Plus, Burke Glen boasted plenty of free parking as well as bus service from Wilkinsburg and Delmont.
Burke Glen’s Golden Years
It had a roller coaster.
Vintage roller coasters are my favorite and I’m not sure it could be considered an amusement park without one. Burke Glen’s roller coaster was called the Speed Hound and it dominated one side of the park. Due to the fact that Burke Glen was built a little later in the amusement park boom, the Speed House was most not likely a figure-eight side friction roller coaster, but instead was the kind with the wheels underneath the track as well.
In addition to the Speed Hound, Burke Glen also featured a large swimming pool, picnic groves, an arcade, dance hall, and miniature golf course in addition to rides such as a circle swing, carousel, and smaller rides for young children.
Trouble for Burke Glen
Like many of its competitors, the mid-1940s were tough for Burke Glen. Although it survived the Depression the park’s success with the automobile became strained during World War II gas rationing. The final blow was the construction of the new Route 22 in the 1940s which took land from the park.
It never recovered.
The Swimming Pool at Burke Glen
Like many other amusement parks of that time period, Burke Glen featured a very large public swimming pool which attracted both local teenagers as well as families with children. Even though by the 1970s all of Burke Glen’s rides were gone, the picnic stand, pool, and miniature golf were still a popular draw for locals.
The park suffered through several unprofitable seasons and with little money for maintenance, the park closed for good in 1974.
As with many of the area’s other defunct amusement parks, today nothing remains that would give a hint to the past. The area has been redeveloped, leaving Burke Glen just a memory.
I loved Burke Glen, learned to swim therr
I’m from a family of 9. My oldest brother was a life guard at Burke’s and my older sisters either worked concession stand or “basket” counter. We spent many happy days there (1960s- early 70s) and were excited to finally be old enough to swim upstairs in the big pool! I was so glad to find this piece on line! The photos are great!
Myself and my two brothers and sister in law all worked there for many summers. I graduated in 1970 and I started there part time for a few hours when I was 12 yrs. in the basket room. Graduated up to the concession stand where I was lead person in 1969. Then, the pool and miniature golf was the only thing left. Years before there was a driving range in the summer and a made pond that was frozen for ice skating, where I learned to skate. Many good times, and was sad when they tore it all down.
My Dad Leo West started as a manager at the Cool Springs at Burke Glen driving range before moving on to manage the go-kart track the following year. Subsequently, he took over the refreshment stand, eventually becoming the overall manager of Cool Springs/Burke Glen. My father became a part-owner in sustaining the facility after Cool Springs Corp departed. During that era, the gas shortage significantly affected the ability to purchase pool chemicals like chlorine.
One particularly memorable moment was preparing to open for Memorial Day one year, only to witness snowfall after two months of hard work! From the tender age of 4, I have cherished memories of playing in the kiddie pool and later, at 6, helping my dad with errands from Eastmont pool. Those days at Burke Glen are indeed some of the fondest memories for me and my family.