Toledo Magazine: R.W. Bishop

For Toledoan R.W. Bishop, a lifetime in the amusement park industry started with selling popcorn at local fairs and baseball games. He then built carnival rides and even his own amusement park, Enchanted Forest Playland (see related gallery). CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO, START SLIDE SHOW.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo R.W. Bishop, seen here in this 2008 file photo with some of the carnival rides he built, retired in ... THE BLADE

Enlarge This 1961 International Harvester Scout carried a portable soda unit and popcorn for sale.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Mikey Martinez, 5, left, and brother Alex Martinez, 2, enjoy a twirl in a tub ride, built by R.W.... THE BLADE

Enlarge The Tilt-A-Whirl located at Vollmer's Park.

Enlarge Bottle pop service from a 1948 Chevrolet pickup, in this 1955 Bishop family photo.

Enlarge Birdie the Early Bird, a Ronald McDonald character, joins children on a swing ride at a Toledo festival.

Enlarge R.W. Bishop's ride creations often made appearances at local festivals.

Enlarge Bishop rides on the midway at Raceway Park in this 1969 photo.

Enlarge A ferris wheel built by R.W. Bishop.

Enlarge The Wild Cat thrill ride designed and built by R.W. Bishop received a U.S. patent in 1970.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Vincent Dupuis, 3, of Toledo, holds on and laughs as he spins around on the swing ride at the Birmingham ... THE BLADE

Enlarge Dodge 'em Cars built by R.W. Bishop.

Enlarge R.W. Bishop works on his first truck that he bought with the profits of selling popcorn outside Swayne Field....

Enlarge A snow cone truck build by R.W. Bishop, in this 1964 photo.