May 28, 1955 - NEW KID SPOT OPENS MAY 30 IN STRATFORD: A new kiddieland that will service the Bridgeport-Stratford-Milford area will open here May 30 under the title Playland, Inc. Raymond Ganim is president, Louis Prussian is secretary and Neil Ahern is treasurer. The fun spot is located on the main road from Bridgeport to two large beaches, Short Beach and Lordship. Ganim estimated they will draw from an area that is highly populated by over 250,000 and is highly industrialized. To date the spot has scheduled eight rides. Six are from the Allan Herschell Company including Boats, Roller Coaster, Sky Fighters, Tanks, Jolly Caterpillar and a 36 foot Merry-Go-Round. The Boat is already set up with the others to be erected in the near future. Two other rides from Standard Kiddie Rides are a Ferris Wheel and a Choo-Choo. The new park is laid out on 3-1/2 acres of land adjacent to the Bridgeport Airport. It will be black topped and landscaped.
July 30, 1955: Aherns Playland has added a kiddie Jolly Caterpillar. To introduce the ride, all children were allowed to ride free Wednesday and given free lollipops by Jolly the Clown.
June 14, 1957 - Ahearn's Playground in Lordship, a Ray Ganim enterprise, does for the kiddies what Pleasure Beach should have been doing under city management. Modern and complete, the playland has everything to delight the youngsters, and last week Ray put an elephant-pony act into the playland just to make it more interesting. The playland has turned the airport area into a very popular Sunday afternoon visiting place for Bridgeporters. Between the amusements and watching the planes enter and leave the airport runways, kids have a very exciting time.
June 14, 1957 - PAL 4-Day Bazaar To Boost Funds: A four-day bazaar, with all proceeds to be used to partially defray the expenses of the various youth activities sponsored by the organization, has been planned by the Stratford PAL for June 26 through 29 at Ahern's Playland, South Main Street, near the Bridgeport Municipal airport. Dr. William G. Williams will be general chairman of the affair assisted by a large Police and citizens group. In addition to the amusement features offered by Playland, with the PAL sharing in the proceeds, there will also be the traditional fair booths and midway with toys, blankets, a game party, electrical appliances. The fair will be open from 5:30 to 11 p.m., each night and on June 29 will open at 2 p.m. A general invitation has been extended by the PAL Board of Directors to the public of the area to support the fair, first to be sponsored by the organization.
 Merry-Go-Round |
 Playland boat ride |
 Choo Chain Train |
 Rocketship |
Rocketship |
Tank ride |
Ahernsticket |
 Ahearns 1958 |
July 14, 1958 - ELEPHANTS IN SHOW IN STRATFORD AREA: Widaman's three performing elephants open a week-long stay at Ahern's Playland, Stratford Road, Lordship today. Performances will be given each evening through Sunday at 7 and 9 p.m. This newest circus act to appear at the Playland is the second of a series planned for the summer according to the management of Ahern's. Last week Prince El Kigordo and his 11 lion act were seen.
 Aherns Boat Ride |
 Choo Choo Train |
 Tank Ride |
 Merry Go Round |
 Jolly Caterpillar |
August 8, 1961 - David Williams, of Ahearn's Playland has received a permit For the installation of a trampoline. The trampoline will cost the Main street establishment $2,000 according to the building commission.
 Elephant Dance |
 PAL Bazaar |
 July 1958 Ad |
 July 1958 Ad |
 Lions |
 Chimps |
 1967 Ad |
 1968 Ad |
August 17, 1970 - STRATFORD COPS EYE THEFT AT PLAYLAND: Stratford police on Saturday investigated a break in Ahern's Playland, Stratford Road, Stratford. Police said a total of 16 pinball, bowling, and popcorn machines had been forced open and the coin boxes emptied of an undetermined amount of cash. A total of $30 in change was also taken from a change machine. Police said entry was gained by breaking a window in an overhead door.
June 16, 1971 - Retired or young men to operate kiddie rides weekends. ASK for Manager. 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Ahern's Playland, beyond Bridgeport Airport, Stratford.
 Aherns 2009 |
 Aherns 2009 |
APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO CONDUCT PUBLIC PLACE OF AMUSEMENT IN AN AMUSEMENT PARK: The undersigned has made application to the Commissioner of State police under the provisions of the General Statutes, to conduct a place of public amusement in an amusement park located at Britt's Playland Town of Stratford. Description Of Amusement: Kiddie Whip, Xiddle Slide, Train Ride, Tank Ride, Ferris Wheel, Tubs-of-Fun, Water Boat Ride, Merry-Go-Round, Roller coaster, Sky Fighter, Caterpillar Ride. Dated at Hartford this 24th day of May, 1973. Applicant: HORACE BRITT 341 Palmer Hill Rd. Riverside, Conn.
November 8, 1978: AMUSEMENT PARK LAND SOLD: A three acre commercially zoned parcel of land adjoining one of the runways at Sikorsky Airport has been sold by the Ahern family to Geza Scat, President of Jade Aircraft Sales Inc., for expansion of the companys operation. The rectangular parcel contained a total of three acres with a frontage of 310 feet. Many years ago the property was leased as an amusement park and it was also improved with a refreshment stand. With the exception of a small shed, all other improvements were demolished several years ago. The sale price of the land was $160,000.