Trimper's Rides: An Ocean City legend for 124 years
Every day, Brooks Trimper looks out over a kingdom.
It isn't full of manicured lawns, pristine arches and cobblestone pathways like the ones found in Europe. This kingdom, instead, overflows with glittering lights and the ever-present mechanical tick-tick-tick sound of a coaster.
Trimper's subjects are young and old, all different shapes, sizes and colors. They zip around the grounds with fistfuls of tickets, buckets of popcorn and enormous plush souvenirs.
"Every time I look down," he said, pausing at his office window. "I am amazed."
His family's iconic amusement park, Trimper's Rides, spans three blocks in downtown Ocean City. The place may not be Buckingham Palace old, but it's more historic than people think.
It was officially recognized as the nation's oldest family-owned amusement park Tuesday, Aug. 31, by Gov. Larry Hogan.
"For over 10 decades, Trimper's Rides has provided boardwalk fun for the entire family," Hogan said. "The park, and the Trimper family, are a vital piece of Ocean City's history. They are one of the town's greatest icons, and we are forever grateful for them."
Making history
For 124 years, business has stayed within the family.
It all started when Daniel and Margaret Trimper opened Trimper's Rides in 1892. Back then, the property had two hotels, a theater and a handful of rides.
The park now features games, an arcade and more than 40 rides and one-of-a-kind attractions, like Ocean City's first triple inversion roller coaster and the massive, hand-carved Herschell-Spillman carousel from 1912 — the only one like it in existence.
According to Jim Futrell at the National Amusement Park Historical Association, Trimper's Rides is not only the oldest family-owned amusement park in the country, but the second oldest in the world.
"After Jim went public with these statements, we looked into them," Brooks Trimper said. "We had never thought much about it until then."
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Technically speaking though, there are older parks, Futrell said in a recent interview, but none that match the family ownership and operation as that of Trimper's.
For example, the Lake Compounce Park in Connecticut opened in 1846, but current ownership has only been in charge since 2008. Coney Island opened in 1886, but its current owners have been running the place since 1996. In Kentucky, Beech Bend Park opened in 1888, but its current owner didn't take over until 1987.
Futrell noted there is another group of parks that also out-date Trimper's, but these, in contrast, have always been owned and operated by the cities in which they are located.
The Trimper legacy
Brooks Trimper gazed out his office window.
School was already back in session, but you couldn't tell from the scene below.
It was a Wednesday evening and the park was nearly full. An array of sounds — children laughing, bumper cars crashing together, the roar of the coaster — all floated up to the second floor window. The park's neon lights clicked on, creating a dazzling contrast against the setting sun.
"This place really comes to life after dark," he said, sitting down in his chair. "You know, it's hard to imagine, but there was a time when I thought I didn't want all of this."
Growing up with an amusement park for a backyard had its perks — 100 percent discounts, late night privileges and it worked wonders on the ladies — but a looming inheritance also came with its share of pressures.
After graduating college about 20 years ago, Trimper seriously considered a career abroad. It was his grandfather, Granville Trimper, who convinced him to stay.
"The decision was mine to make," he said. "But my grandfather wanted me here. He wanted me to be a part of our legacy."
Granville Trimper is credited for pushing the park's expansion during the late 1900s, and even bringing Trimper's Rides into the 21st century. His first significant job was operating a small Ferris wheel at the park, the same Ferris wheel in operation today. A dedicated, hard-working man until his death, Trimper instilled pride and ingenuity into each of his family members.
"He was the best thing to happen us," he said. "I respected that man, the whole town did. And I'll never forget that he wanted me here."
Brooks Trimper is now the operations manager at Trimper's Rides. He runs the kingdom with 17 other family members. The family collective handles everything from executive decisions to operating rides and making needed maintenance repairs.
"It's far from a one man show here," he said. "We couldn't do it without one another."
As with any business, especially a family-owned and operated one, tensions can run high. But Trimper said they have learned how to successfully balance work, family and sanity.
"Open communication, and lots of vacations, alone," he said, smiling.
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Trimper's Rides
Where: 700-730 S Atlantic Ave, Ocean City
When: 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily
Call: 410-289-8617
Visit: trimpersrides.com