Carsonia Park was created in 1895 as a trolley park by the United Traction Company of Reading, Pennsylvania. In the beginning, Carsonia Park was little more than a picnic grove, providing much-needed space for relaxation for city people tired from six days of work. Over the years, Carsonia grew from a sylvan retreat into an amusement park, following the trend of similar parks around the country, adding more rides, as people who demanded thrills vied for attention with people looking for relaxation and light entertainment. Theatres eventually gave way to roller coasters and other thrill rides. Still, newness mixed with familiarity, and old favorites like the Miniature Railway, the Carousel (Merry Go Round in Reading), and the lake held enduring interest. There are about 200 illustrations in the book "Carsonia Park- Midway of Memories", and you'll find a few on the Pictures page on this site. But part of the reason for this website is to supplement what's in the book with pictures, sounds and videos that could not be put in the book, either because of printing deadline, or because it's hard to put video and sound in a book! All of my books are as complete as I can make them at press time. But history is a never-ending learning process, and this website will keep you up with what I've learned since the book was printed.