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Subject: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: JohnnyB2005 on 08/27/05 at 9:20 pm
:D We had some great times at that park on the lakefront in New Orleans. The classic wooden rollercoaster was called the Zephyr. (Now there's a minor league baseball team called the New Orleans Zephyrs.) The park even had a fake sandy beach on the lake...the Ragin' Cajun...the tea cup...the bumper cars....mostly simple rides...ferris wheel....the whip....the middle and high school nights out. It felt safe, it wasn't a really long drive, it was near the University of New Orleans and it wasn't huge. I haven't even been to the former Jazzland Amusement Park now Six Flags over New Orleans....they had planned to build condominiums in place of Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park closed in the early 80's but now I think they have the UNO technology park built there.
Subject: Re: Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park
Written By: Wacky Packages on 08/30/05 at 4:36 pm
I think this may now be a mute point. I'm worried we may not even have a New Orleans, at all. :\'(
It might be the Memorial of what Hurricane Katrina treated as a joke.
Subject: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: bookmistress4ever on 09/14/05 at 3:44 am
Ocean View Park was an old amusement park in the Ocean View neighborhood in Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1977, about a week before they closed the park forever (and demolished it to build beach front condos), we went there. They were filming this film there, it's a fairly crappy made-for-tv movie about a psychic who predicts and tries to prevent imminent disaster at the park when a hurricane passes through and weakens the wooden roller coaster supports. The sad end of the poor rollercoaster is massive explosions.
Another side note, the movie apparently was one of the only television movies that Playboy produced.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079036/
http://www.rkpuma.com/ov/nickel6joeplayboy.htm
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 09/14/05 at 7:47 pm
That's really interesting. I am an aficionado of defunct amusement parks, and I have quite a collection of memorabilia from local ones. You are from Ohio, right? Are you familiar with Chippewa Lake Park? I had a friend a while ago who used to live in Chippewa, and she used to sneak in there and take bunches of pictures of all of the abandoned rides, etc.
Erin :)
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: bookmistress4ever on 09/15/05 at 6:52 am
That's really interesting. I am an aficionado of defunct amusement parks, and I have quite a collection of memorabilia from local ones. You are from Ohio, right? Are you familiar with Chippewa Lake Park?ÂÂ
Erin :)
Hi Erin,
Hmmm...no, I had never heard of Chippewa Lake Park. I did a search on it though (cause I wondered where in Ohio it was, (you are right, I am from Ohio)) and found this page with pictures, if you are interested.
http://www.defunctparks.com/parks/OH/ChippewaLake/chippewa-lake.htm
--------
There *is* a defunct amusement park I *do* remember named Paradise Park, it was in the Eastern part of the state, in Quaker City, Ohio. It was very sprawled out, in a very rural area, so it didn't last long, about 4 or 5 years. They closed in the early 80's. I wish I had gotten some pictures of it now.
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 09/15/05 at 6:55 am
Hi Erin,
Hmmm...no, I had never heard of Chippewa Lake Park. I did a search on it though (cause I wondered where in Ohio it was, (you are right, I am from Ohio)) and found this page with pictures, if you are interested.
http://www.defunctparks.com/parks/OH/ChippewaLake/chippewa-lake.htm
--------
There *is* a defunct amusement park I *do* remember named Paradise Park, it was in the Eastern part of the state, in Quaker City, Ohio. It was very sprawled out, in a very rural area, so it didn't last long, about 4 or 5 years. They closed in the early 80's. I wish I had gotten some pictures of it now.
I know what you mean....there was an old railroad park about 20 minutes from where I live....it was called, "Oakford Park". It closed down years ago, then they made a community swimming pool out of the land in the 60's....until the early 80's...then it closed down...and it's been vacant ever since. They JUST recently tore out the remains of the pool and evened out the land....they are using it for some utility ground now. I have loads of old postcards, pictures, and other neat things concerning the park though.
Erin :)
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: Aerowind on 09/21/05 at 5:27 pm
Whoa. It's pretty fascinating to look at those pictures. I didn't know places like that were just left standing once they closed. It's a pretty
spooky looking place all overgrown that way. :o ,,,,AW
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: bookmistress4ever on 09/21/05 at 8:29 pm
Yeah, it is kinda spooky. Back near where I grew up, in Moundsville, West Virginia, there used to be a state penniteniary. Well, in 1994 they closed it down due to the bad lliving conditions for the inmates. They moved most of them to other parts of the state, and they building stayed vacant for a good 5 years. Then it was turned into a "Prison museum", where you could pay money and tour the facility, see a part of life that most of us (if we're lucky) don't get to see. Prison life.
Also this prison was featured on a MTV show called "Fear", claiming it was haunted, and a group of teens stayed overnight there and let their immaginations run wild after all the "horrible inmate death stories" that they told the group to get them psyched out. ;D
I have a picture of my father-in-law in one of the cells where they "locked him up" for his crimes when we all took the tour. It was funny.
Anyways, I guess I would classify this as a "things that aren't there anymore" because technically it isn't a prison anymore, it's a museum. Every year they hold a mock "prison riot" for training purposes for other prison guards to get practice in case the real thing happens in their own facilities.
Also, they have an interesting Halloween Haunted House in the basement of the museum.
http://www.wvpentours.com/
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 09/21/05 at 10:30 pm
Yeah, it is kinda spooky. Back near where I grew up, in Moundsville, West Virginia, there used to be a state penniteniary. Well, in 1994 they closed it down due to the bad lliving conditions for the inmates. They moved most of them to other parts of the state, and they building stayed vacant for a good 5 years. Then it was turned into a "Prison museum", where you could pay money and tour the facility, see a part of life that most of us (if we're lucky) don't get to see. Prison life.
Also this prison was featured on a MTV show called "Fear", claiming it was haunted, and a group of teens stayed overnight there and let their immaginations run wild after all the "horrible inmate death stories" that they told the group to get them psyched out.  ;D
I have a picture of my father-in-law in one of the cells where they "locked him up" for his crimes when we all took the tour. It was funny.
Anyways, I guess I would classify this as a "things that aren't there anymore" because technically it isn't a prison anymore, it's a museum. Every year they hold a mock "prison riot" for training purposes for other prison guards to get practice in case the real thing happens in their own facilities.
Also, they have an interesting Halloween Haunted House in the basement of the museum.
http://www.wvpentours.com/
is that the one that gives ghost tours around Halloween....and you can stay overnight in it?
Erin :)
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: bookmistress4ever on 09/22/05 at 2:05 am
is that the one that gives ghost tours around Halloween....and you can stay overnight in it?
Erin :)
Apparently, according to the website:
At 8 pm on your scheduled night, enter the gates of what was once one of the bloodiest prisons in America for an hour-long guided tour of the facility. At 9 pm begin your paranormal experience and share your stories at midnight during pizza and a movie. Continue exploring for mystical spirits until 6am under the direction of a qualified paranormal investigator or on your own.
We invite you to share your Ghost Hunting experiences with us by sending your experiences, stories to hauntings@wvpentours.com. Check our website to see if your stories and pictures have been posted! The cost of attending a ghost hunt is $50.00 per person.
To take part in a ghost hunt you will need to fill out the Ghost Hunt License and Agreement form available below and return to: Ghost Hunt, c/o the MEDC, 818 Jefferson Avenue, Moundsville, WV 26041
------
I, personally, didn't know about it, this was something recently added on since I've moved away from the area.
I just know I wouldn't want to stay there overnight. Not that I think it's haunted, but because I'm really a creature of comfort. Give me a nice queen sized bed and a hot bath to soak in, I don't even *really* like camping. lol I can only imagine what fun stuff they have in store for you on this "ghost hunt".
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: Tia on 11/05/05 at 4:09 pm
hmm, sounds like a cross between "carnival of souls" and a scooby doo -- weren't a bunch of those set in old, derelict amusement parks?
i went to brighton on the south coast of england a couple years ago and they have these piers loaded up with amusement park rides and boardwalk games etc., one of them had apparently caught fire not too long ago and it was this long, charred arm reaching out into the ocean. very surreal.
Subject: Re: The Death of Ocean View Park
Written By: bookmistress4ever on 11/15/05 at 1:19 am
The Only place to find the movie The Death of Ocean View Park
Subject: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 06/08/06 at 11:58 am
I have always had a vast interest in reading about and hopefully soon, exploring defunct amusement parks. I have quite a collection of post cards, memorbilia from an old park that was in our area, called, "Oakford Park". There is also a defunct park called, "Chippewa Lake Park", in Chippewa, Ohio. There are still remains of old rides/buildings, etc. I will find some neat pictures and post them for you soon.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 06/08/06 at 7:28 pm
Here is a good link to informations and pictures of Chippewa Lake Park:
http://sbno.illicitohio.com/chippewa/
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: Foo Bar on 06/08/06 at 8:08 pm
Not really amusement-park-specific, but urban archaeology is something I've always found fascinating, and thanks to the Web, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your keyboard:
http://www.infiltration.org
Warning: most of the site's content was written in pre-9/11 North America. Urban archaeology wasn't a safe hobby in pre-9/11 North America, and it's an even less-safe hobby today.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 06/08/06 at 8:11 pm
Not really amusement-park-specific, but urban archaeology is something I've always found fascinating, and thanks to the Web, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your keyboard:
http://www.infiltration.org
Warning: most of the site's content was written in pre-9/11 North America. Urban archaeology wasn't a safe hobby in pre-9/11 North America, and it's an even less-safe hobby today.
that looks like an awesome site..I will definitely check it out when I have some extra time! ;)
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: Philip Eno on 06/09/06 at 1:05 pm
There was a fairground/amusement park I used to go to when I young in Margate, Kent called Dreamland. As a child this place fascinated me, I have not back for it has shutdown. I will try and find link and pictures.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: gemini on 06/10/06 at 10:03 am
Here's a couple of pictures of Fantasy Farm, and amusement park we used to go to as kids and I also took my kids there. It was in operation from 1962 -- 1991. It catered more to little kids.
http://www.fantasyfarm.org/images/GARY__SANTAFF71.jpg
http://fantasyfarm.org/images/defunct%20park%20map%20smaller%201968.jpg
Here's Lesourdsville Lake right next door to Fantasy Farm, it was a bigger park. Changed it's name to Americana Amusement Park. It started as more of a place for swimming and dancing in the early 1920s. In the 1940s they started having bands play there and added a penny arcade, the Whip and a giant ferris wheel. They added more rides throughout the years. As of 2004 the park sits unopened with its future unsure. Here's a link and some pics through the years.
http://www.americanaamusementpark.com/aa.htm
http://www.americanaamusementpark.com/bathhouse.jpg
http://www.americanaamusementpark.com/gmcday.jpg
http://www.americanaamusementpark.com/sign64.jpg
http://www.americanaamusementpark.com/kiddieland%20circa%201968%20on%20midway.jpg
http://www.americanaamusementpark.com/kiddlandentr80.jpg
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: JohnDenver on 06/10/06 at 1:47 pm
Yes... But are these places haunted?
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: whistledog on 06/10/06 at 2:01 pm
A place here in my hometown called "Lake Ontario Park" recently closed down. In it's heyday, it was a great place to go. They had rides, games, a campground, mini putt golf, and a beautiful beach right on Lake Ontario. At one time, there was a train that went around the park, but that was a wee bit before my time. lol
That big tall building in the distance of the B&W photo was a huge Grain Elevator. I used to get so excited every time I would see it, cause I knew that I was close to the park where I was going to have a day filled with fun :)
They tore that elevator down in the late 80s in favour of town houses and apartment buildings :(
http://www.cityofkingston.ca/img/recreation/lop/galleries/Main1.jpg http://www.cityofkingston.ca/img/recreation/lop/galleries/TrainMain1.jpg
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: MidKnightDarkness on 06/10/06 at 2:33 pm
Here's a couple of pictures of Fantasy Farm, and amusement park we used to go to as kids and I also took my kids there. It was in operation from 1962 -- 1991. It catered more to little kids.
http://www.fantasyfarm.org/images/GARY__SANTAFF71.jpg
http://www.americanaamusementpark.com/sign64.jpg
Oh Wow, These pictures are incredible. Love them.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: Tia on 06/10/06 at 4:50 pm
i dunno about haunted, but one of the piers on the south coast of brighton got burned down by an arsonist a few years ago. i saw the wreckage, which was left there for a long time for some reason... it was quite a sight.
http://www.mrandmrshedgehog.co.uk/photos/brighton/pier1.jpg
http://www.mrandmrshedgehog.co.uk/photos/brightonpier.asp
the fabulous, fabulous movie carnival of souls was shot at an abandoned amusement park called the saltair pavilion in utah.
http://ghostdepot.com/rg/images/utah/salt%20lake%20city%20saltair%20pavilion%20c1920%20pc.jpg
http://ghostdepot.com/rg/mainline/utah/utah.htm
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: Tia on 06/10/06 at 4:54 pm
Not really amusement-park-specific, but urban archaeology is something I've always found fascinating, and thanks to the Web, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your keyboard:
http://www.infiltration.org
Warning: most of the site's content was written in pre-9/11 North America. Urban archaeology wasn't a safe hobby in pre-9/11 North America, and it's an even less-safe hobby today.
brilliant.
apparently most of disneyworld is actually a subterranean labyrinth under disneyworld where only employees can go and they put together the technical aspects of the whole she-bang. that would be the holy grail of urban archaeological outings, sorta like dressing up like a stormtrooper and prancing around in the death star.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: lorac61469 on 06/12/06 at 12:14 am
There is a place in Banner Elk, North Carolina called "Land of Oz".
http://www.theimaginaryworld.com/looz.html
It has been closed for many years but every year it opens one weekend. I have never been but my mother-in-law goes every year. It doesn't look anything like it did.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: Trimac20 on 06/12/06 at 12:23 pm
Cool...I love old amusement parks, old malls, old abandoned buildings - anything old, and potentially haunted. Old fun-fairs and carnivals hold a particular fascination for me.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: KKay on 06/12/06 at 12:39 pm
This is the famous Palace Amusements in Asbury Park, NJ, built in 1888.
http://home.att.net/~hoo9/Abandoned/palace.jpg
You might know it from "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: CatwomanofV on 06/12/06 at 3:07 pm
Has anyone checked out this site?
http://www.defunctparks.com/index.htm
Cat
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 06/18/06 at 9:07 am
Has anyone checked out this site?
http://www.defunctparks.com/index.htm
Cat
yes, that's a great site, Cat! ;)
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 06/18/06 at 9:08 am
Yes... But are these places haunted?
the defunct amusement parks/roadside attractions are just another category to this section...they don't have to necessarily be about haunted places....just another neat, retro thing to discuss. ;)
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: Dominic L. on 06/18/06 at 11:17 am
Has anyone checked out this site?
http://www.defunctparks.com/index.htm
Cat
Wow, there are a lot within an hour or two from me...
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: gemini on 07/05/06 at 4:50 pm
I found some pics I've been looking for to go in this thread. They are of the defunct Fantasy Farm Amusement Park that I talked about earlier.
Me and my dad at Fantasy Farm in 1968. I was 7 years old.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/rfk1961/fantasyfarm1968.jpg
My daughter and her aunt at Fantasy Farm in 1987ish. She was about 5
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/rfk1961/fantasyfarm1987ish.jpg
I was so happy to find these two pictures, it would have been really cool if she had been in a red car too! :)
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 07/05/06 at 6:16 pm
I found some pics I've been looking for to go in this thread. They are of the defunct Fantasy Farm Amusement Park that I talked about earlier.
Me and my dad at Fantasy Farm in 1968. I was 7 years old.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/rfk1961/fantasyfarm1968.jpg
My daughter and her aunt at Fantasy Farm in 1987ish. She was about 5
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/rfk1961/fantasyfarm1987ish.jpg
I was so happy to find these two pictures, it would have been really cool if she had been in a red car too! :)
great pictures Rhonda...thanks for sharing! :)
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: Trimac20 on 07/06/06 at 10:08 am
I found some pics I've been looking for to go in this thread. They are of the defunct Fantasy Farm Amusement Park that I talked about earlier.
Me and my dad at Fantasy Farm in 1968. I was 7 years old.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/rfk1961/fantasyfarm1968.jpg
My daughter and her aunt at Fantasy Farm in 1987ish. She was about 5
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/rfk1961/fantasyfarm1987ish.jpg
I was so happy to find these two pictures, it would have been really cool if she had been in a red car too! :)
It's heartening to know that some things never change... :) Let's hope Fantasy Farm provides the same enjoyment for many generations to come.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: gemini on 07/06/06 at 2:40 pm
It's heartening to know that some things never change... :) Let's hope Fantasy Farm provides the same enjoyment for many generations to come.
Unfortunately, it's long since gone :\'(
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: Dukefan on 07/15/06 at 8:14 pm
I remember the Opryland USA theme park that was in Nashville, Tennessee. Opened in 1972, it was unfortunately closed down and demolished in 1997 when its parent company decided to build a mall in its place. :(
The park was unique in that it was themed around music. I found this website about it: http://www.thrillhunter.com/Opryland.html
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: P.E.D. on 08/07/06 at 4:09 pm
I have always had an interest in urban exploration, anything defunct but still standing, that sorta thing. Amusement parks included. I am originally from Boston, MA (GREAT place for seing abandoned stuff, train stations, tunnels, etc) but live in Columbus, OH..and Ohio has a lot of abandoned or defunct parks. Some are more famous, but in Columbus there are about 5 such parks..the most recent being relegated to only memories 40 years ago I am told. But I LOVE just exploring the sites where stuff like this once stood..and what's cool is that when it looks on the outside that there is no existence left, I can find the "trace evidence" like a crime scene investigator. One of my fav hobbies actually.
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: P.E.D. on 08/14/06 at 9:48 am
The actual first abandoned/defunct park I investigated was Paragon Park in Hull, MA. Was one of the first amusement parks I ever went to. Seems to have provided a lot of great memories to people who were in their teens in the 70s and earlier. I went several times, but the park closed when I was only 8 and I have only vague memories of the actual park rides (I do remember the Kooky Castle, bumper cars, kiddie coaster, cup-o-saucers, and a wet and dark ride..the Bermuda Triangle it may have been called?). My parents have much better memories of the park, but even their memory fails them on much of the park. I remember a lot of people being sad the day it was announced that it would close and be torn down and condos built in the site. I very much remember going to Nantasket Beach, where Paragon Park was located, the following summer (which we did often growing up on the South Shore) after most of the rides had been dismantled with the exception of the carousel. I was in awe that first of all, what used to be full of fun and excitement was mainly concrete, and secondly, seing the visible remnants like footers and a few tracks that were still there. Something about that fascinated me and I have been into defunct parks ever since! I have not been there since the early 90s (I never seem to have the chance to whenever I am in Boston, but I may go next month!) and now that the condos have been there pushing 20 years, I doubt any visible trace of the park exists. If anyone has any more firsthand info on this park and even pictures, especially people who would have been teens/young adults in the late 70s or earlier, I would love to see and hear!
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: AmericanGirl on 03/24/07 at 10:33 pm
Anybody here from the Chicagoland area? There was a great, very old Chicago amusement park I frequented as a tiny little tyke, called Riverview park. It actually has a lot of history. Here's a web site:
http://www.riverviewparkchicago.com/
There are a lot of Chicago area amusement parks that came and went, but that was the most famous. It opened as far back as 1904 and closed in 1967.
I remember being sad when it's doors closed :\'(
Subject: Re: Defunct Amusement Parks
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 03/24/07 at 11:00 pm
Anybody here from the Chicagoland area? There was a great, very old Chicago amusement park I frequented as a tiny little tyke, called Riverview park. It actually has a lot of history. Here's a web site:
http://www.riverviewparkchicago.com/
There are a lot of Chicago area amusement parks that came and went, but that was the most famous. It opened as far back as 1904 and closed in 1967.
I remember being sad when it's doors closed :\'(
wow! what a cool and majestic looking park! It's always sad when great places like that close their doors. Thanks for sharing this with us! :)