Glen Echo in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

c. 1926

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, October 27, 2007

1. 1926 Marker

Inscription. Known in the 1920’s as The Skooter and in the 1930’s as the Dodgem, Glen Echo Park’s bumper car ride was one of the first in any amusement park in the world. The Art Deco facade was added in the 1930’s.

Today’s rehabilitated Bumper Car Pavilion hosts hundreds of dances and events each year.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 38° 57.94′ N, 77° 8.315′ W. Marker is in Glen Echo, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Macarthur Boulevard, ¼ mile Goldsboro Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glen Echo MD 20812, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 11 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Glen Echo’s Art Deco Arcade (within shouting distance of this marker); Glen Echo Civil Rights Protest (within shouting distance of this marker); 1921 (within shouting distance of this marker); c. 1931 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glen Echo Park (about 300 feet away); The Roller Coasters of Glen Echo Amusement Park

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(about 300 feet away); a different marker also named 1921 (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Glen Echo Park (about 300 feet away); Glen Echo From Past to Present (about 300 feet away); The Changing Face of Glen Echo (about 300 feet away); Glen Echo Park’s Crystal Pool (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Echo.

Regarding c. 1926. The bumper cars were stored in a shed nearby the pavilion. Both appear to be gone.

Today mobile bumper car rides make their way to carnivals throughout the country. For instance, there was one at the Hometown Holidays festivities in Rockville, Maryland.

Additional keywords. Amusement parks

Bumper Car Pavilion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, October 27, 2007

2. Bumper Car Pavilion

This photo was taken near the entrance to The Puppet Company, which is part of the Spanish Ballroom building.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, October 27, 2007

3. Bumper Car Pavilion

This photo was taken from the wooded area near the Arcade.

c. 1926 Marker(L) and Bumper Cars image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud

4. c. 1926 Marker(L) and Bumper Cars

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,341 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 30, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 4. submitted on July 19, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.