KI History Book

[frisbeefan]

There is an Image of America Series book about Six Flags Great Adventure that I stumbled upon from Barnes and Noble. This is a brief synopsis of what this book covers:

Six Flags Great Adventure revisits some of the park's past attractions, like the Garden of Marvels, Big Balloon, and Super Teepee, and illustrates the park's evolution into a state-of-the-art theme park enjoyed by a new generation of guests.

KI's book could cover so much and I think it would be a great addition for the park, either being sold online and/or at the park.

What does everyone think?

[Oldiesmann]

They should definitely do one for KI, but they need to do one for Coney Island first as you can't really tell the history of KI without mentioning Coney.

[frisbeefan]

I agree Oldiesmann. I can't think if it's the same series or not, but I think there is a book(s) out about Coney Island. I could be wrong, but I may have seen this somewhere.

[Vortex]

I do have a book about Coney Island on the last page it reads coming soon Kings Island. The book is alittle older so no idea if the Coney book made money or not. Might be why the Kings Island was never made.

[Coney Islander]

They should definitely do one for KI, but they need to do one for Coney Island first as you can't really tell the history of KI without mentioning Coney.

I agree Oldiesmann. I can't think if it's the same series or not, but I think there is a book(s) out about Coney Island. I could be wrong, but I may have seen this somewhere.

I do have a book about Coney Island on the last page it reads coming soon Kings Island. The book is alittle older so no idea if the Coney book made money or not. Might be why the Kings Island was never made.

Yes, the Coney Island book came out over almost 10 years ago, and the mentioned Kings Island and Lesourdesville Lake books never came out.

And the Coney Island book is wonderful... Over 230 pages of great descriptions and more than 500 pictures.

[Oldiesmann]

What's the title of that Coney Island book? I checked Arcadia Publishing's website and it doesn't look like they've published a book about Coney Island.

[Coney Islander]

Heres the one I was talking about...

Cincinnati's Coney Island

Here's another Coney Island book. This one published in 1972 with a lot of pictures from closing day and later. (You can check this one out from a library.)

Goodbye, Coney Island, Goodbye

[CoastersRZ]

And for the record, that book is not OVER ten years old. It was first published in August of 2002. And yes, Coney Island (at least used to) sell that book in their gift shop. I have not heard anything about Charles Jacques Jr.`s book on Kings Island. I know several years back, the late Jim Knippenberg would post snippets in the Cincinnati Enquirer about the book, and asking for people with stories and/or pictures about KI`s early years to submit them to Jacques. I have not heard recently on the status of the book.

I think it would be great, especially if it contains some more history on the transformation of Coney to Kings Island.

[sam2cpa]

There are 2 other books worth mentioning:

One is The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island by Charles Infosino. It is available from www.orangefrazer.com. It has a section titled "History of Paramount's Kings Island," and another called "The Birth of Kings Island." These sections cover 6 pages in the book.

Another is called Between the Miamis, which is a brief history of the area around Kings Island by H.E. Himes. Chapter IX is titled "From Kings Mills to Kings Island" and dedicates 8 pages to Kings Island.

[jzarley]

There are 2 other books worth mentioning:

One is The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island by Charles Infosino. It is available from www.orangefrazer.com. It has a section titled "History of Paramount's Kings Island," and another called "The Birth of Kings Island." These sections cover 6 pages in the book.

Another is called Between the Miamis, which is a brief history of the area around Kings Island by H.E. Himes. Chapter IX is titled "From Kings Mills to Kings Island" and dedicates 8 pages to Kings Island.

...and, Charles Infosino (aka Italianchef) used to be a frequent poster here, but I haven't seen him around here for quite some time...

[Oldiesmann]

Heres the one I was talking about...

Cincinnati's Coney Island

Here's another Coney Island book. This one published in 1972 with a lot of pictures from closing day and later. (You can check this one out from a library.)

Goodbye, Coney Island, Goodbye

Thanks for the info. My dad has a copy of that 1972 book, so I'm quite familiar with it. Great book, though likely not worth what some people are asking for it on various websites...

[CoastersRZ]

I`ve actually never seen or read the 1972 book about Coney Island. I have red Charles Jacques book numerous times though.

There is also another book out there, entitled "Ohio`s Amusement Parks" or "Southwest Ohio`s Amusement Parks." I forget the author right now (I have a copy of the book at hom in my desk. The book details not only Kings Island and Coney Island, but also touches on other parks, including Stricker`s Grove, Americana/LeSourdsville Lake, Fantasy Farm, Ludlow Lagoon, Chester Park, Cincinnati Zoo and others. The book is worded a bit odd in areas, which makes it diffcult to read, as the areas don`t flow really well. But it offers some good information on the parks along with some historical photos.

[chaddie]

I'd buy the book for my coffee table!

[coaster_junky]

There is an Image of America Series book about Six Flags Great Adventure that I stumbled upon from Barnes and Noble. This is a brief synopsis of what this book covers:

Six Flags Great Adventure revisits some of the park's past attractions, like the Garden of Marvels, Big Balloon, and Super Teepee, and illustrates the park's evolution into a state-of-the-art theme park enjoyed by a new generation of guests.

KI's book could cover so much and I think it would be a great addition for the park, either being sold online and/or at the park.

What does everyone think?

i've thought about writing a letter to joy w. kraft, author of "images of america: the cincinnati zoo and botanical garden" to ask if she would write one of the series installments on Kings Island, i know the one on the cincinnati zoo is amazing, and i know there are enough things that have happened in the park's history that would make one on Kings Island spectacular.

[Oldiesmann]

Write directly to the publisher. The person who wrote the book about the zoo might not necessarily know a lot about the history of Coney Island or Kings Island.

[coaster_junky]

well, i'm still in school right now, so i most likely won't be able to write anything until it lets out.

for any who are wondering the publisher is "arcadia publishing"

[faeriewench]

I think it be neat for KI... we have Cedar Point's 125 Anniversary book thing

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5654379&l=b605eb12ed&id=505303695

We have a second older copy of it as well recovered from grandmas house

[CoastersRZ]

Well, speaking of 125th anniversaries, next year is Coney`s 125th anniversary! Although the Charles Jacques Jr. book is a fairly comprehensive and complete book up through the date it was published. While some rides have been added since it was published, nothing ground breaking has been added to Coney.

[Oldiesmann]

well, i'm still in school right now, so i most likely won't be able to write anything until it lets out.

for any who are wondering the publisher is "arcadia publishing"

You don't need to write them a physical letter. Just send an email to suggestions@arcadiapublishing.com.

[coaster_junky]

^yes, but i would like to sound a little more professional than, "hey, could you please think about writing and images of america book on Kings Island in mason, ohio?"

[XGatorHead 8904]

Well, speaking of 125th anniversaries, next year is Coney`s 125th anniversary! Although the Charles Jacques Jr. book is a fairly comprehensive and complete book up through the date it was published. While some rides have been added since it was published, nothing ground breaking has been added to Coney.

Huh... I always thought at least a little ground had to be broken to install most rides.

[markr]

One of the great things about the Charles Jacques book about Coney Island is that it doesn't shy away from the dark history of the park. Many of you including myself are too young to remember but until the early 60's Coney did not allow African Americans into the park. Charles Jacques talked extensively about this segregation and the protests that led to the integration of Coney.

[CoastersRZ]

Well, Coney didn`t actually have to break any ground on the Eurobungy Dome or Turtle Parade when those rides were installed in 2008. Eurobungy was installed on the old location of the helicopter ride (which was moved to its current location in 2002). The Turtle Parade was added to the location of Kiddy Circle Freeway, which was retired after the 2007 season. Both of these rides used the existing ride pads from the previous rides.

One thing to note, one of the cars from Kiddy Circle Freeway (the firetruck to be exact) has returned to the park this season as a photo opportunity. It is located on the side of the administration building, near the restrooms. This had been a plan since the ride was removed after 2007, but only was implemented this season!

[Coney Islander]

^

Is Coney Island planning on keeping the Kiddie Circle Freeway in storage, along with the Spin-A-Ree?

And having the fire truck as a photo opportunity, thats a great idea!

[Oldiesmann]

I think what Coney really needs is a good wild mouse coaster - perhaps something like Carowinds' Ricochet. It would bring back memories of the classic days at Coney and fit in well with the existing classic rides...