It’s been nearly 40 years since I first learned of that mysterious wonderland across the Connoquenessing Creek gorge from my workplace. The land has been inaccessible all that time, until recently, when it was opened to the public. When I first heard that the Pennsylvania Wild Waterways Conservancy had purchased the land that once held the Rock Point Amusement Park, my heart raced with anticipation.

As I began exploring the historic site in the Fall of 2007, my excitement for the area grew. I needed to know more. Where were all the rides and buildings situated? What happened here? Why was there nothing left except a few scattered ruins? I needed to know. I needed answers.

Driven – I began my research. And I quickly realized that, if you looked hard enough, there was a great deal of detailed information available about the park. But the problem was, it was widely scattered… residing mainly in the local museums, libraries, and especially in the homes, hearts, and minds of a large number of local experts who share the passion for this remarkable place. My quest became one of consolidating all of this wonderful information into one place. I chose the Internet as the depository of this amazing collection of photos and documents that tell the story of the Park that once was…

On behalf of my friends who have helped me immensely with this project, the contributors who have donated information for this website, and myself… I thank you for visiting, and hope to learn that you too, have become a friend of Rock Point Park.

1. You are welcome to visit the property, but please realize that there is very limited parking, and you should not park in a manner that could cause damage to the vegetation, or natural (or historic) features.
2. The removal of anything (natural or man made) from the property is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, historic remains or artifacts, and natural rock material (including fossils & minerals).
3. The harming or removing of any plant or animal life is strictly prohibited. This includes hunting, or trapping, or the cutting of plants or trees. Fishing is permitted (with valid Penna. Fish & Boat Commission License). 
4. Camping and/or building of fires is not permitted. The property is available for day use only.
5. The use metal detectors, or any kind of digging tools or equipment, is not permitted.
6. Leave nothing behind. Do not litter or leave any trace of your visit. Please keep the property clean and pristine so that others may enjoy it as much as you have.
7. Off road vehicle use is not permitted. All vehicles are required to stay on the permanent roadway. The use of bicycles, motorized dirt-bikes, and ATV’s is strictly prohibited in areas other than the permanent roadway.
8. The use of the property is "at you own risk". Please remember that this is a very rugged natural area with many hazards and pitfalls. Hiking in the areas off the main road can be very dangerous, and should be attempted by capable hikers only.

Remember, the main access gate is only open at certain times of the year. It is open daily during daylight hours during late Spring, Summer, and early Fall, but is only open weekend daylight hours in late Fall and early Spring. It is closed during the Winter months. On days the gate is closed, it is permissible to park outside the gate and walk in. Please remember to park in a manner that will allow other vehicles to pass (in case of an emergency).

The property has no drinking water, toilets, communications, or emergency assistance facilities. It is recommended that you come well prepared to handle your needs during your visit.

Enjoy your time on the property, but please leave it as fresh and alive as it was before your visit.

Who are we? We are responsible and respectful citizens, just like you. We are not affiliated with any government agencies, public or private organizations, or commercial businesses. We are not professional historians, archaeologists, or published authors. We are private individuals who are passionate about local history, willing to put forth the effort to explore and research this remarkable story, and make our findings available to the public. We work closely with the Wild Waterways Conservancy and the Ellwood City Historical Society, as well as many prominent local historians to present, as clearly as possible, the amazing story of Rock Point Park. We have no interest in profiting from this effort. This website is the result of our love of history, and the information presented is intended for the education and enjoyment of our readers.

There is still a great deal of research to be completed, and we will continue adding items of interest to the website as they become available. It is likely that this project will never really be finished. We earnestly reach out to you, seeking your help. If you have any information or items about Rock Point Park, we would love to talk to you about including them in the website. Please send us an email, and we will respond as quickly as possible.

A note on the images used on this website:  It is our belief that the old photos and postcards used on this website are, based on their origin, age, and historical importance, in the public domain. It is not our desire to infringe upon anyone’s copyright, if still in existence. If anyone can legally claim a copyright on any of the images posted here, please inform us and the image will be promptly removed. All recent photos are either the product of the editor, or have been donated specifically to this website with expressed permission to display them. All recent photos are copyright rockpointpark.com 2008, except for those donated. If you have an interest in a particular photograph, please contact us to learn about its availability. Some photos will require permission from 3rd party sources. Thank you!

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