Kennywood Amusement Park is Still Going Strong

In 1898, Kennywood, located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania; began its legacy in the history of “Favorite Parks”. Founded by F.W. Henninger and A.S. McSwigan, Kennywood began as a trolley park then expanding to swimming pools and dance halls. Kennywood was famous and known for catering to the local industrial workers and their families as a working-class picnic destination. During the 1980’s the park began adding thrill rides and expanding its original theme. Through the years, Kennywood has made use of the hilly Pittsburgh terrain to create coasters that wouldn't be feasible anywhere else. 

Kennywood Amusement Park has been an important part of the spirit and culture of Western Pennsylvania since it opened more than a century ago and the grandson of Henninger and the great-grandson of McSwigan are determined to keep it that way. In August of 1997, they were offered a very large sum of money by Premiere Parks, an Oklahoma-based chain, to purchase the park. However, family tradition of over 90 years tends to out-weigh any offer. "We agreed we didn't found it, we don't deserve to profit by selling it. Let's pass it on," said Mr. Henninger, 60, grandson of F.W. Henninger. “Family pride became bigger than the dollar sign," said Andrew Quinn, 52, great-grandson of A.S. McSwigan and director of community and government relations for Kennywood; quoted for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.