Images(5)

Model

Object number2008.62.31 a-d

Made by Frank Salisbery

Date1925-1970

MediumWood, paint, nails, glue, metal components, train tracks, chains, wire

Credit LineGift of Vicky Johnson and David Johnson

DescriptionTable top bases for West View Park Model. Large, wooden base is painted mostly green to simulate grass. Small holes for the lamp posts are drilled along the perimeter. Grey colored sidewalks and railroad tracks run along its surface. There is also a dark green path indicating where the roller coaster should be placed. (a) This section has a box attached underneath the surface where the chain pulley for the rollercoaster's power source comes from. There are two rectangular openings on the surface along the path of the coaster. This component also has a circular base for the bumper car ride to placed. There is also small wires attached for lighting purposes. (b) This section has a large rectangle-shaped hole on the surface for the "whip" ride to be placed into. Small groups of wires are attached to the surface for lighting billboards. (c) This section has three brown-painted areas for the merry-go-round, the ferris wheel and air-plane ride; the largest circle for merry-go-round, and smaller circle for airplane ride. Wires line the base underneath the surface. (d) Smallest base component with large, rectangle-shaped hole for the stage and platform. The base has two prongs on either side tehat attaches to other parts of the base.Dimensions(a) H: 48.0"
W: 2.75"
L: 95.0"
D: 2.75"

(b) H: 48.0"
W: 2.75"
L: 95.0"
D: 2.75"

(c) H: 48.0"
W: 2.75"
L: 96.0"
D: 2.75"

(d) H: 48.0"
W: 3.75"
L: 48.0"
D: 3.75"

Measurements are rounded to nearest 0.25"
Historical NotesPart of a hand-crafted amusement park, perhaps inspired by and bearing some resemblance to, West View Park. West View Park was open from 1905 to 1977 in the North Side. Carved by Frank Salisbery for his son Walter in the late 1920s, he began with the roller coaster and slowly added more pieces over the next 40 years. He used wood from fruit crates to whittle his pieces, and the park ran on motors from household appliances. Beginning in 1955, the park was put on display in either Walter Salisbery's basement or a local department store in the North Hills. The last time it was assembled before being donated was 1990.

Previous owner Walter Salisbery

Subjects