Chalfont/New Britain

(1950’s)By: Tyler Ginn

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Chalfont Borough

CHALFONT Population of 1950’s Chalfont:

828

NEW BRITAIN Population of 1950’s New Britain:

581

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New Britain Covered Bridge

Chalfont Seal

MIGRATION TO THE SUBURBS

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WHAT IS A SUBURB? Philadelphia became overpopulated

Homes in Philadelphia became scarceTherefore, suburbs were created

Suburb:A small residential community surrounding

a city

Chalfont & New Britain (Chal-Brit) were a perfect destination for migrating families.

CHAL-BRIT Chal-Brit is located in Bucks County

which is southeast of Philadelphia Outstanding destination for new families

because…SafeSmall/rural (Not crowded like a city)Higher educationForest Park (Chalfont)Excellent farms (New Britain)

Over 50 operating farmsChal-Brit

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CONSUMERISMhttp://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/73000107/Images/8/6297.jpg

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FOREST PARK1885-1964

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION Amusement park in Chalfont Survived the Great Depression After WWII business started to boom again A victory parade was held there

President Truman was at closing ceremonies 8/1/50, Swiss Day

Featured Swiss Ambassador Early 1950’s, big bands & Hollywood stars Had beautiful illuminations

Only park in the world Closed because of…

School Board Tax, spending, no advertising, poor management

THE RIDES Childhood Themes:

Humpty Dumpty, Little Red Riding Hood, Uncle Sam, etc.

Most popular ride in 1950’s:Swan Ride across Pine Run Creek

All ages adored it 1953, opened railroad ride across Pine Run

CreekWild West Style

Indian Chief taught kids how to identify trees & animal footprints

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THE RIDES (CONT.)

More Rides Concessions

Auto Scooters Mangels Whip Traver Octopus

Ride Rocket Spaceship Plane Ride Ferris Wheel

Novelty Booths Trading Post Shooting Gallery Skee Ball Alley Chief Tamenend Exhibit Ten Pavillons

Refreshment Stands Swimming Pools

75 x 100 Pony Rides Athletic Events

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SCHAFFER’S MARKET The general store of Chalfont Was owned buy Bob Schaffer in the late

50’s-early 60’s You could buy…

CandyCigarettesGroceriesNewspaperMagazines

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Schaffer’s Market looked somewhat like this general store

CIVIL RIGHTS

The suburbs were segregated?

Yes, even the suburbs were segregated

RACE RIOT OF 1958 May 31, 1958 (Memorial weekend) 20,000 people in attendance + several

string bands Unauthorized train car, 372 members of

Delta Phi Tau Fight started in dining hall, lead to full-on

riot 30 minute riot, 20 injured and train badly

damaged Hundreds of people fled to woods or to cars

to evade riot Local & state police arrested rioters

THE EFFECTS Forest Park closed during 1958-59

season Park was sold to new owners A new swimming hole was designated to

blacks A grimy hole with a dirty “beach”Named “Lake Suzanne”

“Lake Suzanne” was closed, because of unhealthy conditions

Many problems led to the closing of the park

FOREST PARK(2000)

Remains of some picnic groves Remains of some picnic tables

Forest Park condos are all named honoring the once glorious amusement

park

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2 INTERESTING FACTS Chalfont Fact:

Chalfont was once a booming suburban community attracting people all around Pennsylvania. However, once Forest Park closed down in 1964 Chalfont slowly died down, and is now the quiet community it is today.

New Britain Fact:New Britain was once a rural area with over

50 operating farms in the township. However, now only 4 of the many farms in the 1950’s are operating.

SLIDE 12 WORKS CITED http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jah/91.4/image

s/hall_fig01b.jpg http://cinie.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/civil-rights-pickets

.jpg http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/civil_rights_march_cut.

jpg http://xoxo123.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/civil_rights_m

ovement.jpeg http://charliekennedy.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/photo-p

ost-21.jpg http://www.weneedtostop.com/ewithers.jpg

WORKS CITED http://www.amusementparknostalgia.co

m/fphistory.html http://www.creepypa.info/ForestPark.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalfont,_Pe

nnsylvania http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Britain,

_Pennsylvania http://www.newbritainboro.com/history.h

tml