Sock Hops at Trampoline Center along Memory Lane

The Springettsbury History Night event in April featured Jeri Jones’ outstanding presentation on the Geology and Mining History of Springettsbury. The YouTube video of his talk can be accessed through this link.

Prior to Jeri's presentation, I indicated the History Night event in July would highlight 100 years of entertainment and recreation in Springettsbury Township. The History Night event in July will be held Tuesday July 11, 2023, in the York Area United Fire and Rescue Meeting Room, located at 50 Commons Drive (rear of building), York, PA 17402, at 7:00 P.M.

Before and after the April event, I asked people to share with me overlooked entertainment and recreation venues in the township. The most unusual response was from a woman, who spoke up with, "not many remember the Trampoline Center along Memory Lane, or their Sock Hops which prompted a court action."

The woman wished she had photos of the Sock Hops, preferably some that she attended. I searched for photos of the Trampoline Center, and of their Sock Hops, however found none. The closest image that resembled that place along Memory Lane was somewhat like the introductory photo of a Jumpin’ Gymini Trampoline Center in California during 1960.

I was familiar with the Trampoline Center along Memory Lane, because when I was in 7th grade at North Hills Junior High School, several buddies in the neighborhood would occasionally ride our bicycles from Ridgewood Road to the Trampoline Center, where we hung out taking turns on a trampoline. I remembered it as very close to Sears, since we usually stopped there for hot dogs before biking home.

In researching the Trampoline Center along Memory Lane, I discovered some neat trampoline history. The cover of LIFE Magazine of May 2, 1960 featured a photo of Trampoliners in California. The west coast was where that type of outdoor trampoline centers originated in the late 1950s, i.e. where groups of pits were dug and leg-less trampolines set over the pits.

The fad quickly spread across the country. The York Dispatch of May 26, 1961 contained the announcement that the Spring King Trampoline Center, at the corner of Memory Lane and Dixie Drive would have its grand opening Saturday May 27th. The following month, their ad of June 17th contains additional details.

The Trampoline Center along Memory Lane used the next generation of trampolines, which had improved safety features. The ad notes they feature 30 Mac Levy Joyful Jump Units. The March 1961 issue of the trade publication Golfdom, was one of the first to advertise the next generation trampoline features:

The same ad in the March 1961 issue of Golfdom, shows a typical layout of 20 Mac Levy Joyful Jump Units. The Mac Levy Sports Equipment Corporation was headquartered at 189 Lexington Avenue, in New York City.

I’ve annotated a 1964 aerial photo of the Memory Lane area of Springettsbury Township to show the location of Spring King Trampoline Center. The trampolines were arranged in three rows of ten. That is the lot were a Goodyear Service Store was opened in 1965. Dixie Drive initially connected with Memory Lane. However it was dead-ended at the point indicated in the late 1960s and the part running past the Goodyear store, and looping behind Memory Lane businesses, was named Kent Road.

Ads indicate Record Hops were held every Tuesday and Friday from 8 to 11 P.M. at the Spring King Trampoline Center. I guess Sock Hops were appropriately named, because most types of shoes were not allowed to jump on the trampolines.

On April 3, 1964, a group of Dixie Drive residents filed an equity action against the owners of the Spring King Trampoline Center; Benjamin and Dorothy Foulk. Playing Rock and Roll music at their sock hops was claimed to constitute a nuisance.

New Trampoline Center in Springettsbury

Slated to open later in 2023, is Fun City Adventure Park, which features trampolines, and more, in a 32,200 square feet space in Gabe's Plaza, 1200 Greenspring Drive. That is the plaza, on the hill above the southeast corner of Mt. Rose Avenue and Haines Road.

YouTube video links to all previous Springettsbury Township History Nights:

The YouTube video of the "Geology and Mining History of Springettsbury" presentation, by Jeri Jones, at History Night on April 12, 2023, can be accessed through this link.

The YouTube video of the "Rails through Springettsbury" presentation at History Night on October 12, 2022, can be accessed through this link.

The YouTube video of the "Early Businesses in Springettsbury" presentation at History Night on July 13, 2022, can be accessed through this link.

The YouTube video of the "Early Schooling in Springettsbury" presentation at History Night on April 13, 2022, can be accessed through this link.

The YouTube video of the "Codorus Navigation Works" presentation at History Night on October 13, 2021, can be accessed through this link.

The YouTube video of the "Aviation in Springettsbury" presentation at History Night on July 14, 2021, can be accessed through this link.

Click on this LINK for a yorkblog.com Full View of the photos in this post.