The Theme Park

 


The Theme Park

Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, claims to be the nation's first theme park.  According to the park website, "Evansville, Ind., industrialist Louis J. Koch created the world’s first theme park as a retirement project. He was troubled that the tiny hamlet of Santa Claus, Ind., was visited by children who were disappointed when they discovered Santa was not there. With nine children of his own, Koch loved children, holidays and celebrations.  Santa Claus Land opened August 3, 1946; the theme park included a toy shop, toy displays, a restaurant, themed children’s rides, and, of course, Santa."  In time, the name of the park was changed to Holiday World and additional themed lands were introduced, including Fourth of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.  Visits to Holiday World (when I lived a bit closer to Santa Claus) are part of what inspired this blog and The Florida Project.   

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