I grew up in Southwest Iowa in Underwood and Neola/Persia . But I had grandparents in Williamsburg and Waco. I had Aunts and Uncles from Spirit Lake, Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa and Maquoketa. And siblings that live in Des Moines, my Dad works for the High School Athletic Association in Boone, Mom taught school in Council Bluffs. My point is that I am completely born and raised as an Iowan. I will live and die a hawkeye, no matter where I live in America now. It is my favorite state, I think it is the most underrated, misunderstood, unfairly maligned and misrepresented state in all of America. It’s not all corn fields and flat empty prairie land. It’s got rolling hills, lakes, forests, rocky cliffs, hidden caves and even a few places that are ALMOST like mountains in the Driftless. So that’s why I wanted to be sure and say that I have thoroughly enjoyed your small vlog you have made. It’s awesome to see someone come home and remember how great of a place it really is. There’s so many gems that 99.8% of Americans have never even heard of before. Coming back home is always my favorite feeling in the world. It’s just this wonderful place to grow up and have a family, and part of the magic is that almost nobody seeks it out. So it stays with Iowans and thus doesn’t unnecessarily change and disregard the history. I hope I get to see more Iowa content in the future. Your visit to Ottumwa for the Cantina Lunch in the alleyway’s loose meat sandwiches hit me right in the feels. Some of the earliest memories I have were going there with my cousins when I was like 4-5 years old. Seeing the inside had me chopping onions over here 😢…I just got a total rush of nostalgia and childhood memories. Thank you for that.
My father took my mother to the Roofgarden when they were still dating, my grandfather did odd jobs for the state during the depression and helped build/repair lots of things at that park. And keeping with family tradition my daughter was part of the group who helped make that mural a reality. I am proud to be born and raised in NW Iowa! Looks like the mural wasn't painted yet when you filmed this hopefully you will get a chance to see it.
The Boji Falls Log Flume stood forever, mostly abandoned, at Hunts Pier in Wildwood NJ. Crazy to think it had an even more scenic view there, right on the Atlantic Ocean. The ride always had a deep maroon color, it’s missed, but it’s great seeing it well cared for at Arnold’s Park!
Growing up in Estherville, Iowa I enjoyed this park in the 60’s and 70’s. Too bad the old funhouse is no more. Back when my dad returned from the Korean War the Ferris wheel operator allowed mom and dad to ride it nonstop for about an hour. Great memories.
@@GetmeouttahereErik Back in my parent’s day there was a second rollercoaster that went out over the lake. Mom said it was torn down because people were getting hurt when they tried to change seats while over the water, I’m guessing during the 40’s or 50’s.
@@kevinwaterman389 I grew up in Spirit Lake, so I had always heard of a second wooden roller coaster back in the day from locals! I've been able to find a couple old photos of it, but they are rare. I would have loved to see the park during its golden era in the mid 20th century! There was a devastating tornado in 1968 that did damage to the amusement park so not sure if that roller coaster was torn down after that or prior.
My father’s family hails from graettinger . I feel like we are neighbors! Emmestburg, Spencer, I remember all of it when I was a kid. I spent many days at fillenworth as a kid!
The Bug House is based on a ride that was once at Coney Island called Cleopatra's Barge. The ride has been recreated in various forms at a number of Amusements Parks. These include Six Flags New England (MA), Six Flags Great Adventure (NJ), Clark's Traading Post (NH) and Dutch Wonderland (PA).
In the 50s and 60 s the Mouse was located further to the North just past the old Roof Garden if I remember correctly. Under the Roof Garden was a killer wood slide, mixer bowl, and walk-thru barrel. I believe that the bowl and barrel were moved to some restaurant in the area, but you cannot "ride" them now. The bowl was a great way to get your arm broken!
@@markgoecke2323 I wish I could go back in time and experience that, they do have the wood slide, bowl, and tunnel at the museum next door. The slide you can still go down, I’m planning to film a video on this soon.
@@markgoecke2323 the barrel, the sugar bowl, and the slide are now located at the Arnold’s Park Museum. You can still go down the slide but it looks much smaller now as an adult compared to when I was a child. 😉
Ive lived in the area my whole life and I swear the Bug House used to have a more trippy vibe. Kind of a tye dye background with flies/bugs all over the walls if I remember right. Honestly kind of sad to see they changed it. Also didnt realize they got rid of the mirror maze ☹️ I loved the section in the middle with the wonky mirrors and I will forever remember walking straight into multiple walls even after going through it multiple times 😅😅 truly a staple of the Boji area.
@@Schwifty.. I too have a lot of memories of smacking my head against the panes in the mirror maze, was sad to see it go. I’ve always thought Arnolds Park has a lot of potential to bring more unique attractions that takes advantage of its history and location along the lake shore, but with a short summer season and it’s remote location it’s hard for the park to make large profits. It would need large donors/investors to help bring big changes to the park.
Try took out the mirror maze!?!?!?!? Last time I went with my kids, it was there. I went to that park a few times as a kid and that was so much fun! That's sad! Also as an adult the tipsy house sucks! Lol. I remember the Arnold's park from the early 90s! I went on that old ferris wheel! Those were the good days!
What an awesome park. I gotta go there. One question, Why do you use fish eye lens mode on the rides? I don't like fish eye lens mode. When you're walking around lens mode is normal. The Legend roller coaster was awesome. 👍🏻🙂
@@cowperson4763 Walking around I was filming with my Sony Rx100 camera and filming rides with my gopro 10, so has more of a fish lens - I can adjust the settings just didn’t cross my mind that day. Legend coaster is a classic, one of the few remaining John Miller designs.
@@GetmeouttahereErik, Try to adjust gopro settings for the lens. I so wanna ride Legend. I plan on going there next summer. The bug house was not what I expected.
I believe the initial designs were made in 1927 then they started building it in 1928. Completion was early 1930. Currently on my 28th season working there and almost 20 years as the coaster operator.
@@GetmeouttahereErik We lucked out quite a bit. The water levels have made it so we can’t send the Queen out but she survived the storm as she always does. Our team did an amazing job getting the place cleaned up and ready to go. A couple tidbits from your video; the tunnel was rebuilt and placed behind the Midway Games building, the mirror maze had to be removed when they refurbished the lift hill for the Legend since it was built into the mirror maze itself. Plans to rebuild it are active but no given date or location as of yet. And I believe we got the current Ferris Wheel in 1999 because we ended up calling it the Century Wheel initially (because of 2000 being right around the corner) but I could be wrong. I think I was still in Games at that point. And if I recall we might be the ONLY park with an active Rock-O and Roll-O-Plane. Great timing on the “spill” for the Round-Up. It’s been one of our top “spill” rides since getting it, barely behind the Tilt-A-Hurl. I wish I knew the full history behind the Bug House but I know it was still around in the 50’s or 60’s at least. We have a couple very old photos at the AP Museum and the outer housing was definitely bigger than the current one. You’ll have to swing by the AP Museum next time you roll in. A lot of changes throughout the entire park since this video even.
My great grandmother used to tell me about a roller coaster in Arnold’s Park that was bigger and people kept getting killed on it so they tore it down.
Not sure if it was bigger than the existing Legend and no documentation people died on it, but there was another wooden roller coaster circa 1930’s - 1940’s.
The Bug House has been rebuilt since the 1960's. It used to be in a larger wooden building and was fully lit. It used to creak and groan when the room rotated. P{uke City!
Hi Eric thanks for the video. I had never heard of the park until today. I’m also a creator on UA-cam. I’m working on a video about a ride pier in Wildwood NJ on relocated rides. The log flume you went on was formally located on the pier. I was hoping you would be ok with me using the log flume portion of your video on my channel? Thank you in advance and best wishes -The Germ
I work for Atlantic Bottling Coca-Cola Company out of Atlantic,IA I live in Sheldon,IA. I work out of the Spirit Lake branch I can get tickets to the park all summer long.
Arnolds Park actually had one of those spiraling toboggan coasters back in the late '90s. My adult self says the wild mouse is more painful, that being said I had a classmate that bruised his back because the vertical lift failed while on the toboggan coaster, so that may win!
I grew up in Southwest Iowa in Underwood and Neola/Persia . But I had grandparents in Williamsburg and Waco. I had Aunts and Uncles from Spirit Lake, Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa and Maquoketa. And siblings that live in Des Moines, my Dad works for the High School Athletic Association in Boone, Mom taught school in Council Bluffs. My point is that I am completely born and raised as an Iowan. I will live and die a hawkeye, no matter where I live in America now. It is my favorite state, I think it is the most underrated, misunderstood, unfairly maligned and misrepresented state in all of America. It’s not all corn fields and flat empty prairie land. It’s got rolling hills, lakes, forests, rocky cliffs, hidden caves and even a few places that are ALMOST like mountains in the Driftless.
So that’s why I wanted to be sure and say that I have thoroughly enjoyed your small vlog you have made. It’s awesome to see someone come home and remember how great of a place it really is. There’s so many gems that 99.8% of Americans have never even heard of before. Coming back home is always my favorite feeling in the world. It’s just this wonderful place to grow up and have a family, and part of the magic is that almost nobody seeks it out. So it stays with Iowans and thus doesn’t unnecessarily change and disregard the history. I hope I get to see more Iowa content in the future. Your visit to Ottumwa for the Cantina Lunch in the alleyway’s loose meat sandwiches hit me right in the feels. Some of the earliest memories I have were going there with my cousins when I was like 4-5 years old. Seeing the inside had me chopping onions over here 😢…I just got a total rush of nostalgia and childhood memories. Thank you for that.
Hey man! Hope you are doing well!
Thanks for sharing. I do remember a ride simular to the round up that was a barrel and inclosed near the fun house
Thanks for visiting the area! Great area for families to visit.
I've lived in Spirit Lake my whole life, awesome video!
Thanks, fellow Spirit Lake native 🙌🏼
My father took my mother to the Roofgarden when they were still dating, my grandfather did odd jobs for the state during the depression and helped build/repair lots of things at that park. And keeping with family tradition my daughter was part of the group who helped make that mural a reality. I am proud to be born and raised in NW Iowa! Looks like the mural wasn't painted yet when you filmed this hopefully you will get a chance to see it.
@@kendradorman6014 Incredible! Thanks for sharing, special place!
35:40 I went to the park a few times in the 90s and I swear The Bug House had a bug theme back then.
Yes, it did! My ex-brother-in-law used to operate it
I live in okoboji so seeing this is great 👍 and
I live near Okoboji im in clay county
Grew up in Arnold’s Park and my granddad ran the Funhouse. Seen many changes over the decades but somehow it remains the same.
@@lonniesaunders7139 I wish the Funhouse was still there, before my time but old photos and stories looks legendary.
The Boji Falls Log Flume stood forever, mostly abandoned, at Hunts Pier in Wildwood NJ. Crazy to think it had an even more scenic view there, right on the Atlantic Ocean. The ride always had a deep maroon color, it’s missed, but it’s great seeing it well cared for at Arnold’s Park!
@@mgmeo Fascinating hearing about the history of this ride, I’m glad it’s still operational after all these years!
Growing up in Estherville, Iowa I enjoyed this park in the 60’s and 70’s. Too bad the old funhouse is no more. Back when my dad returned from the Korean War the Ferris wheel operator allowed mom and dad to ride it nonstop for about an hour. Great memories.
Ahh yes the Estherville midgets! I wish I could go back in time and see the old funhouse. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story.
@@GetmeouttahereErik Back in my parent’s day there was a second rollercoaster that went out over the lake. Mom said it was torn down because people were getting hurt when they tried to change seats while over the water, I’m guessing during the 40’s or 50’s.
@@kevinwaterman389 I grew up in Spirit Lake, so I had always heard of a second wooden roller coaster back in the day from locals! I've been able to find a couple old photos of it, but they are rare. I would have loved to see the park during its golden era in the mid 20th century!
There was a devastating tornado in 1968 that did damage to the amusement park so not sure if that roller coaster was torn down after that or prior.
My father’s family hails from graettinger . I feel like we are neighbors! Emmestburg, Spencer, I remember all of it when I was a kid. I spent many days at fillenworth as a kid!
The Bug House is based on a ride that was once at Coney Island called Cleopatra's Barge. The ride has been recreated in various forms at a number of Amusements Parks. These include Six Flags New England (MA), Six Flags Great Adventure (NJ), Clark's Traading Post (NH) and Dutch Wonderland (PA).
I LIVE OVER THERE YAAAAA
The bug house did in fact have a bug theme painted on the inside walls at one time
@@jsrocker1 Makes sense, such a bizarre attraction!
In the 50s and 60 s the Mouse was located further to the North just past the old Roof Garden if I remember correctly. Under the Roof Garden was a killer wood slide, mixer bowl, and walk-thru barrel. I believe that the bowl and barrel were moved to some restaurant in the area, but you cannot "ride" them now. The bowl was a great way to get your arm broken!
@@markgoecke2323 I wish I could go back in time and experience that, they do have the wood slide, bowl, and tunnel at the museum next door. The slide you can still go down, I’m planning to film a video on this soon.
@@markgoecke2323 the barrel, the sugar bowl, and the slide are now located at the Arnold’s Park Museum. You can still go down the slide but it looks much smaller now as an adult compared to when I was a child. 😉
Ive lived in the area my whole life and I swear the Bug House used to have a more trippy vibe. Kind of a tye dye background with flies/bugs all over the walls if I remember right. Honestly kind of sad to see they changed it. Also didnt realize they got rid of the mirror maze ☹️ I loved the section in the middle with the wonky mirrors and I will forever remember walking straight into multiple walls even after going through it multiple times 😅😅 truly a staple of the Boji area.
@@Schwifty.. I too have a lot of memories of smacking my head against the panes in the mirror maze, was sad to see it go.
I’ve always thought Arnolds Park has a lot of potential to bring more unique attractions that takes advantage of its history and location along the lake shore, but with a short summer season and it’s remote location it’s hard for the park to make large profits. It would need large donors/investors to help bring big changes to the park.
Try took out the mirror maze!?!?!?!? Last time I went with my kids, it was there. I went to that park a few times as a kid and that was so much fun! That's sad! Also as an adult the tipsy house sucks! Lol. I remember the Arnold's park from the early 90s! I went on that old ferris wheel! Those were the good days!
@@heather.... The mirror maze is sadly no more.
@GetmeouttahereErik such a bummer! I have memories of getting hurt in there but I loved it. 🤣
What an awesome park. I gotta go there. One question, Why do you use fish eye lens mode on the rides? I don't like fish eye lens mode. When you're walking around lens mode is normal. The Legend roller coaster was awesome. 👍🏻🙂
@@cowperson4763 Walking around I was filming with my Sony Rx100 camera and filming rides with my gopro 10, so has more of a fish lens - I can adjust the settings just didn’t cross my mind that day. Legend coaster is a classic, one of the few remaining John Miller designs.
@@GetmeouttahereErik, Try to adjust gopro settings for the lens. I so wanna ride Legend. I plan on going there next summer. The bug house was not what I expected.
@@cowperson4763 Lol the Bug House is a very confusing ride
I believe the initial designs were made in 1927 then they started building it in 1928. Completion was early 1930.
Currently on my 28th season working there and almost 20 years as the coaster operator.
Fantastic, that makes sense! Best of luck with the flooding going on there, I hope the amusement park is alright.
@@GetmeouttahereErik We lucked out quite a bit. The water levels have made it so we can’t send the Queen out but she survived the storm as she always does.
Our team did an amazing job getting the place cleaned up and ready to go.
A couple tidbits from your video; the tunnel was rebuilt and placed behind the Midway Games building, the mirror maze had to be removed when they refurbished the lift hill for the Legend since it was built into the mirror maze itself. Plans to rebuild it are active but no given date or location as of yet. And I believe we got the current Ferris Wheel in 1999 because we ended up calling it the Century Wheel initially (because of 2000 being right around the corner) but I could be wrong. I think I was still in Games at that point. And if I recall we might be the ONLY park with an active Rock-O and Roll-O-Plane.
Great timing on the “spill” for the Round-Up. It’s been one of our top “spill” rides since getting it, barely behind the Tilt-A-Hurl.
I wish I knew the full history behind the Bug House but I know it was still around in the 50’s or 60’s at least. We have a couple very old photos at the AP Museum and the outer housing was definitely bigger than the current one. You’ll have to swing by the AP Museum next time you roll in. A lot of changes throughout the entire park since this video even.
My great grandmother used to tell me about a roller coaster in Arnold’s Park that was bigger and people kept getting killed on it so they tore it down.
Not sure if it was bigger than the existing Legend and no documentation people died on it, but there was another wooden roller coaster circa 1930’s - 1940’s.
The Bug House has been rebuilt since the 1960's. It used to be in a larger wooden building and was fully lit. It used to creak and groan when the room rotated. P{uke City!
@@markgoecke2323 Fascinating I never knew that. Definitely one of the most bizarre theme park attractions I’ve ever experienced.
Holy shit, Atlantic is my hometown what a deal😂
I gotta say Okoboji in the summer is great fun, but I always enjoyed the winter games!
Hi Eric thanks for the video. I had never heard of the park until today. I’m also a creator on UA-cam. I’m working on a video about a ride pier in Wildwood NJ on relocated rides. The log flume you went on was formally located on the pier. I was hoping you would be ok with me using the log flume portion of your video on my channel? Thank you in advance and best wishes -The Germ
@@thegerm574 Absolutely, feel free to use it just reference my channel when you do. Glad you enjoyed it, loving the relocated rides video idea!
@@GetmeouttahereErik absolutely. Thank you keep up the videos.
This Park gave me nightmares(my biggest fear is roller coasters)
@@aubreyklimek9126 Haha they’re old but they still stand!
Im going to okoboji
I work for Atlantic Bottling Coca-Cola Company out of Atlantic,IA I live in Sheldon,IA. I work out of the Spirit Lake branch I can get tickets to the park all summer long.
Every real native will know its called the log ride 27:12
@@akmueting Haha straight to the point
Question...wild mouse more painful than a traveling chance toboggan coaster? Lol I get it
Arnolds Park actually had one of those spiraling toboggan coasters back in the late '90s. My adult self says the wild mouse is more painful, that being said I had a classmate that bruised his back because the vertical lift failed while on the toboggan coaster, so that may win!
@@GetmeouttahereErik and don't forget the gentle bunny hill at the end....ooooof
🤡👉👀