pee wee valley

Pee Wee Valley Amusement Park debuted July 1, 1948 at Lunken Airport Playfield by Ferd A. Cleman.  The area was originally developed in October 1935 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) who installed water, foundations, horseshoe pits, baseball field. The area was destroyed by the 1937 flood.

Attractions included a miniature train ride called the Pennsylvania Pee Wee, a carousel, a Rocket ride and a kiddie jeep ride.  Ferd’s wife, Rosemary, served as general manager.

In March 1950, Cleman announced that Pee Wee Valley would move to 9606 Reading Road (State Route 42) between St. Peter’s Church and Cooper Road near Reading due to constant problems with flooding from the Ohio River.  In June, a pony ride, a new carousel, a new miniature train ride and hand cars were added to the park.

In 1955, a Teeter Copter was developed and constructed by Clemen for $14,000 and installed at Pee Wee Valley. His plan was to distribute the ride to other parks. The ride consisted of three horsepower engine moving colored fiberglass copters at 700 feet per minute for 2 ½ minutes. The copters were equipped with rotor blades, exhaust pipes and lights.

In 1958, a boat ride, plane ride and miniature golf were added to the park’s attractions. By 1963, the park featured go-karts and flying cages

In 1966, Pee Wee Valley closed. Today, the site is the home of K & K Motors. The car dealer’s office building is the former concession stand and the only original building left from the amusement park era.