Up in Phoenixville, Pa., where they are proud to have been named (by Travel & Leisure) as the best small town in America last year, they are hoping to celebrate 2026 by bringing a big deal back to town.
It's the Phoenix Wheel, the oldest amusement wheel in existence, which thrilled 'em by the hundreds from 1895 to 1988 in Asbury Park, N. J. It's coming back to where it was crafted way back when, but don't get too excited about going for a spin up in the air, because it's coming back as a still statue, brightly illuminated for the boys from the local high schools, who will be sure to climb up there.
78' high and 68' feet wide, the wheel is being reassembled now, rising from the junkpile right in the center of Phoenixville. They hope to have it back together next spring at a newly-cleared plot of land adjacent to the Township Building and the French Creek Trail.
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| Plenty of parking for the High School High Climbers |
“The Phoenix Wheel's revival is more than just restoring an artifact,” said Barbara Cohen, President of the Schuylkill River Heritage Commission, a non-profit museum that "celebrates the industrial legacy of Phoenixville and the Schuylkill River."
“It’s about community, heritage, resilience, and the power of preserving Phoenixville’s unique history for future generations," Ms Cohen concluded.
It's a two-million dollar project, and I can't wait to see the first "Class of '27" graffiti adorn it.
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