The Abandoned Carousel

Internet legend holds that this place is one of the scariest abandoned theme parks out there. The truth seems more prosaic, as always. A little bit history, a little bit horror.

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/23.

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Takakonuma Greenland (高子沼グリーンランド) was a small local theme park in Japan. Now demolished, it is best known for its urban legends and ghost stories. In this Halloween-adjacent episode, I tell you the legends and then get to the truth of this popular park.

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/22.

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The story of a century-old carousel that's survived multiple theme parks, multiple fires, and even a hurricane. You'll also hear about Burlington Island, Rancocas Lake Park, and Casino Pier. Yes, I also talk about the rollercoaster in the ocean.

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/21.

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Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Born out of a miniature train hobby, Little Amerricka formed organically, like a theme park mushroom. Lee Merrick and Darryl Klompmaker collected rides from defunct amusement parks. They've carefully restored them in a cornfield in Wisconsin, between Madison and Milwaukee. Here you can find the last Chance Toboggan in operation (yes, the one from Dogpatch) as well as connection to dozens of other parks and rides. This is the story of one park, but also the story of multiple parks. It's Little Amerricka.

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/20.

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Dogpatch USA started out as a trout farm. Through an enterprising vision and a connection with the hugely popular Al Capp "Li'l Abner" comic strip, the park became successful for a time. Changing cultural interests, money troubles, and legal entanglements brought down Dogpatch, and continued on decades after the park was closed and abandoned. It's a long and wild ride - come have a heckuva day and listen.

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/19.

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Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Collis Potter Huntington was a railroad tycoon involved in the making of the Transcontinental Railroad. One of the engines on his line was named after him: C. P. Huntington. She operated in active train service from 1863 through about 1900, and then began a life on display that still continues in 2019. She's a relic from the Iron Horse steam locomotive era that's inspired one of the most iconic and popular theme park trains around: the miniature C. P. Huntington. Over 400 trains have been built by Chance Rides since 1960, making guests happy at theme parks, aquariums, and zoos around the world.

Listen, watch, or read at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/18 - it's The Abandoned Carousel.

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/18.

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Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

We're back to Canada for another waterpark this week. Enjoy the last days of summer - school is almost back in session (or maybe already in session where you are). Today, a short history of Skinner's Wet 'n Wild, a local waterpark up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The park operated from 1984 through 2004, and sat abandoned, SBNO (standing but not operating), until 2017. There are some interesting parallels between Skinner's Wet 'n Wild and Lake Dolores Waterpark (from last week).

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/17.

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Lake Dolores is really three (or four) waterparks in one.

Bob and Dolores Byers built America's first waterpark back in the 60s, putting their land to a new use after trying some alfalfa farming. Lake Dolores became known for thrills and danger, drinking, hookups, and anything goes - almost an Action Park of the West. Slides were incredibly eye-catching along the I-15 for this family-run operation.

In the late 80s, Byers wanted to retire. He sold the park. It became Rock-a-Hoola Waterpark - America's first waterpark, now in the twentieth century. A modern set of slides were added, as well as a modern 90s retro-50s design. The park suffered from financial mishaps by its investors, as well as costly lawsuits from accidents; in addition, changing attitudes and water rights pressures made the park less feasible. After a short stint as "Discovery Waterpark", the park closed in 2004 for good.

In the current, abandoned state, the park is popular among urban explorers and skateboarders. Efforts have been made to restore the park, but they seem unlikely to succeed.

Listen, watch, or read at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/16 - it's The Abandoned Carousel.

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/16.

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Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

This is a story about an abandoned place, but it's also about so much more than that. This is a story of preservation, what we choose to remember, and what we choose to keep alive in common memory through storytelling.

In the early 20th century, Trinity Loop was constructed as a unique solution to a geography problem, connecting the town of Trinity to the rest of the Newfoundland Railway. The loop closed when the rest of the railway was shuttered, but a one-man campaign saved the historical structure from demolition.

The Loop gained new life as a small amusement park, including a Ferris wheel, several repurposed train cars, and a miniature train ride around the historic Loop. Trinity Loop Amusement Park was the home of many happy memories until it closed in 2004.

Since then, the site has been abandoned, and there are no immediate plans for the Loop despite campaigns from interested locals. Hurricane Igor did significant damage to Newfoundland in 2010, including Trinity Loop. Much still remains on site, and the Loop has gained a new popularity as a place for unique social media photoshoots.

Listen, watch, or read at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/15 - it's The Abandoned Carousel.

Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/15.

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Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

This week, I encourage you to go back in your feed and listen to my Rosie the Shark episode. (Or, you can view the shownotes and the video version on my website https://theabandonedcarousel.com/8.)

I'll be back next week with an episode I've been really looking forward to sharing with you. Until then, go listen to the story of Rosie the Shark. There are giant earthworms, art collectors with lots of money, urban explorers, and a crystal museum. Oh, and a giant shark. https://theabandonedcarousel.com/8.

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