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.
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.
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.
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 RUclips. 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
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!
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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.
That mouse ride is the reason my back is always hurting.
@@RyderErdmann so much pain
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.
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.
35:40 I went to park a few times in the 90s and I swear The Bug House had a bug theme back then.
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.
Im going to okoboji
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.
Hi Eric thanks for the video. I had never heard of the park until today. I’m also a creator on RUclips. 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.
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