Final week of Boyles Joyland Amusement Park

Boyles Joyland Amusement Park was a Topeka, Kansas institution from 1953 to 1988. Charley Boyles, who operated Boyles Dairy for 40 years, opened Boyles Dairy Freeze ice cream store in 1949 and bought a small airplane ride, set it up next to the store and gave children a free ride with an ice cream purchase. The combination was very popular and he soon added a boat ride. There were 4 rides and a small concession stand by 1951.

Jerry Boyles joined his parents in operating the expanding newly named Boyles Joyland in 1953 and the Boyles gave away ride coupons from ice cream wagons which operated around Topeka. They added a merry-go-round in 1957 and many more rides and curiosities over the years.

David M. Chabira and John R. Benaka made the Guineas Book of World Records after riding the Ferris wheel at Boyles Joyland for 22 days, four hours and two minutes from May 31 - June 22, 1975. Their record was passed in 1978. (Note: the Capital-Journal article has the length of time wrong)

In September of 1988 it was announced that Joyland would close on Sunday, October 2 and thousands of Topekans flocked to Joyland to enjoy the amusement park one more time. The photos on this page were taken during the final week by Dean Wilson and the clippings were preserved by his wife Opal.

The popular carousel had already been sold to the City of Topeka in 1986. The restored 1908 Hersehell-Spellman merry-go-round can still be ridden in Topeka's Gage Park today.

Photos by Dean Wilson. Text & scans copyright 1988-2024 by Keith Stokes