Former Gwynn Oak Park - Gwynn Oak MD - Defunct Amusement Parks on Waymarking.com

TEXT ON THE HISTORICAL MARKER

Gwynn Oak Park and the Civil Rights Movement
On August 28, 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D. C. On that same day a victory for equal rights occurred here, as segregation ended at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park, which used to occupy this site. Achieving this milestone took nearly ten years of protests, culminating in two demonstrations on July 4, and 7, 1963. About 400 people were arrested, including over 20 Catholic, Protestant and Jewish clergy. It was a memorable time when people of different faiths and ethnicities took part in a Civil Rights demonstration. Negotiations followed that resulted in the park finally being open to all on August 28, 1963. The first African American child to go on a ride that day took a spin on the merry-go-round. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes destroyed the amusement park, but the merry-go-round survived and was later moved to the National Mall in Washington, near where Dr. King gave his famous speech.

(Plaque at the base of the marker) Dedicated July 2013 by Baltimore County, Gwynn Oak Community Association and Security Woodlawn Business Association.

LOCATION: The marker is about 50 feet in from the parking lot of Gwynn Oak Park. Address: 5900 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Gwynn Oak MD 21207

Date Park Opened: 01/01/1893 Date Park Closed: 01/01/1973 Address: 5900 Gwynn Oak Avenue Gwynn Oak , MD United States 21207 Current Use or Function: By the Baltimore County government and utilized as open space picnic ground. Is the park still there?: Yes If not, what is in its place now?: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
You must post at least one original picture at the posted coords to post a visit log for this waymark. Extra points if you are in the spirit of the park (i.e., in costume, etc.).

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   01/02/2023 Searcher28 visited it 12/04/2022 Don.Morfe visited it

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