Monorail & parking lot, Hersheypark 1971

Monorail gliding above the parking lot at Hersheypark, Pennsylvania, 1971. The sleek blue train pictured here is part of the Hersheypark Monorail, which first opened in 1969 and quickly became one of the park’s most recognisable attractions. Installed during Hersheypark’s major redevelopment era—from a traditional town green amusement area into a modern theme park—the monorail symbolised progress and sophistication at a time when space-age transportation was capturing public imagination across America.

The ride originally served dual purposes: a gentle elevated tour through the park for guests and a practical connection to other areas of the Hershey complex, including Chocolate World after it opened in 1973. Riders could enjoy sweeping views over the park, downtown Hershey, and the surrounding countryside—including, as seen here, the distinctive landmark of the Milton Hershey School rising in the distance.

Below, the car park is filled with an array of early-1970s American vehicles—wagons, sedans, and compact imports—capturing a moment before Hersheypark’s later expansions transformed the area beyond recognition. More than fifty years later, the Hersheypark Monorail still operates, making it one of the longest-running amusement park monorails in the United States and a beloved reminder of the park’s space-age chapter.