Glen Echo in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Glen Echo Park Yurts
How They Got Here and What Goes On Inside Them
Today yurts all share their distinctive but are built in different variations and used in different ways all over the world. Most Glen Echo yurts have a circular skylights at their roof peaks. Some are insulated with sod roofs. They were brought here in 1972 to be assembled for Humanisphere, an 18 month habitat exhibit on the National Mall that was cancelled before it began. At that time, Glen Echo Park was beginning a new life as a park for the arts. These buildings seemed to fit
Romantic Yurt Village. The yurt village of today is in space once occupied by many of the major amusement park rides, including the World Cruise, the Whip, and three versions of the amusement park's most thrilling ride, the roller coaster. The World Cruise (tunnel of love) was located near the point where the path to the parking lot meets the carousel. It was a slow boat ride through the dark that passed by scenic views of far-away places . . . and was a favorite stop for many dating couples in the 1920's–1940's.
The Whip was a popular ride in many amusement parks of the 1920's–60's. A bit tamer than the thrill rides, it let you smash against your partner every time the cars whipped around their track.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 38° 58.003′ N, 77° 8.345′ W. Marker is in Glen Echo, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Goldsboro Road (Maryland Route 614). Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Glen Echo From Past to Present (within shouting distance of this marker); Glen Echo Park (within shouting distance of this marker); 1921 (within shouting distance of this marker); Glen Echo Park’s Crystal Pool (within shouting distance of this marker); The Changing Face of Glen Echo (within shouting distance of this marker); The Roller Coasters of Glen Echo Amusement Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Glen Echo Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1921 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Echo.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,978 times since then and 96 times this year. Last updated on November 5, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.