Menlo Park Casino now Pierce Library
491 Arthur Avenue
Images from the Perkasie Historical Society Collection and Rick Doll
During 1907 Menlo Park constructed a 225-foot long building with 20,000 feet of floor space. This building was called the casino and housed a roller skating rink, bowling alleys, shuffleboards, moving pictures, pool tables and a restaurant. It was heated in the winter and during the summer was cooled by electric fans. The roller rink provided a large space for many events over the years including dances and boxing matches.
Improvements to the casino were made after the Mr. Henry Wilson became sole owner of the park in 1926. The interior of the building was repainted the surface of the skating rink and bowling alley was refinished, and new skates were purchased.
The Borough of Perkasie purchased Menlo Park in 1955. James Hackett was employed by the borough as the park manager and is most remembered for starting the Bux-Mont Sock Hops at the Menlo skating rink. During this era of early rock and roll, Menlo was able to attract Philadelphia disc jockeys and live entertainers. Performers at Menlo include: Frankie Avalon, Connie Francis, Andy Williams.
Today, the site is the location of the Bucks County Pierce Library. The Pierce Library Association lead a community wide fund raising to raise $225,000 to build a new library. The library opened in 1988 and is constructed on the site of the casino building. The library operates today as the Samuel Pierce Branch of Bucks County Libraries.
Reference Perkasie Historical Society archives
Improvements to the casino were made after the Mr. Henry Wilson became sole owner of the park in 1926. The interior of the building was repainted the surface of the skating rink and bowling alley was refinished, and new skates were purchased.
The Borough of Perkasie purchased Menlo Park in 1955. James Hackett was employed by the borough as the park manager and is most remembered for starting the Bux-Mont Sock Hops at the Menlo skating rink. During this era of early rock and roll, Menlo was able to attract Philadelphia disc jockeys and live entertainers. Performers at Menlo include: Frankie Avalon, Connie Francis, Andy Williams.
Today, the site is the location of the Bucks County Pierce Library. The Pierce Library Association lead a community wide fund raising to raise $225,000 to build a new library. The library opened in 1988 and is constructed on the site of the casino building. The library operates today as the Samuel Pierce Branch of Bucks County Libraries.
Reference Perkasie Historical Society archives