Love Connecticut? Dogpatch USA. An outing to the park cost 10 cents on the trolley. Natalie is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves uncovering new places along the East Coast. On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf … Dreamland Park began with a dark past that would continue to … Picnicking, swimming, dancing, and roller skating were popular past times. But in the not so distant past, the Nutmeg had many more of these locales attracting visitors from near and far on summer weekends. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Holy Land USA is an 18-acre (7.3 ha) theme park in Waterbury, Connecticut, inspired by selected passages from the Bible. Empty streets, sports venues and theme parks everywhere can be a creepy site to see. In 2014, Pleasure Beach was reopened with its sandy shores and fishing pier available to beachgoers via water taxi. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: Natalie is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves uncovering new places along the East Coast. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Amusement parks are the epitome of excitement and joy, considering the premise of their entire existence is based on giving attendees the best possible time through a number of different ways. Holy Land, Waterbury, Connecticut. Some are closed for business and probably will never reopen and become abandoned forever. Suburban Park operated for just ten years between 1895 to 1905. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: From 1898 to 1958, Pleasure Beach was a hotspot for recreation seekers. Did you know about this abandoned amusement park? A look at these abandoned amusement parks that were once thriving tourist destinations offers an eerie glimpse into our history. Because nothing says fun, amusement and good times for all the family like bible studies, there was Holy Land USA, a Christian tourist attraction filled with religious exhibits in Waterbury, Connecticut between 1958 and 1984.At its height, Holy Land attracted up to 40,000 visitors a year to the park. A huge ballroom hosted big bands of the day while a roller coaster, the Sky Rocket, provided thrills. Like Heritage USA, Holy Land USA was a religious themed amusement park. Learn more. The park also had a carousel, fun house, miniature railroad, kiddie park, and other carnival games and rides. The island amusement park was connected by a swinging bridge to the mainland and on Memorial Day of 1938 saw 30,000 visitors. Wildwood Park was created at Alexander's Lake in 1903 by the Connecticut Electric Railway. It now lies within a forest park and you can hike through the remains. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Bridgeport, Connecticut The once abandoned ruins of a Victorian beachside amusement park are now back in working order. But in the not so distant past, the Nutmeg had many more of these locales attracting visitors from … The Golden Spur Park closed in 1924 and its inn and annex building are now private residences. Just a Sampling of Options for Amusement & Adventure Parks in Connecticut! Boats and canoes were available to rent and a lovely little pagoda-style tea house was built on an island and known as "Little Japan." Fans of the Li'l Abner comic strip and … When you think of theme parks, your mind probably goes straight to the modern rides of Disney World, but there are some amusement parks around the country that have been left completely abandoned and decrepit. Kulturpark Plänterwald – Spreepark Abandoned Amusement Park in Germany ... Read more Six Flags Abandoned Amusement Park in New Orleans – Used in Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. Mar 9, 2014 - Explore Mike's board "Waterbury Connecticut " on Pinterest. A history themed park of the early 1960’s, this park spanned … Some of the original amusement park buildings have been restored and still exist including the bathhouse, gazebo, and hotel. Did you know about all of these abandoned amusement parks in Connecticut? See more ideas about amusement park, west haven, amusement. If you like exploring Connecticut’s ruins, check out these trails that take you to an abandoned village and a deserted zoo. Savin Rock Amusement Park was closed in 1966 due to its loss of popularity. With activities for everyone, the thrills and laughter never end at Quassy. A few of the rides have since been dismantled and removed, but for the most part, the slowly deteriorating park is embraced by the community as an iconic local landmark. It's incredibly weird, strange and totally creepy. The Unique Hike That Takes You Through An Abandoned Amusement Park In Connecticut Most people know that Connecticut is home to the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the nation, Lake Compounce. Contact: Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! In the 20's Liberty Pier was added to the park with a funhouse, Bluebeard's Castle and a roller coaster named The Devil. Learn more. Aug 12, 2019 - Take a trip back in time with a look at these 7 abandoned amusement parks that were once bustling hubs of entertainment and recreation in Connecticut. A photo posted by Sydney Zagarenski (@tvagsquid0208) on Apr 2, 2016 at 6:30pm PDT. The once abandoned ruins of a Victorian beachside amusement park are now back in working order. #1 of 1 Water & Amusement Parks in Bristol. Holy Land USA is an abandoned theme park in Waterbury, Connecticut. Feb 22, 2019 - Explore Frank Canna's board "Savin Rock Amusement Park" on Pinterest. It consists of a chapel, stations of the cross, and replicas of catacombs and Israelite villages constructed from cinder blocks, bathtubs, and other discards. Have you ever visited any of them either before or after they closed? Final Thoughts on Abandoned Amusement Parks … Have you ever taken a hike through it? Discover 15 abandoned places in Connecticut. Savor The Flavors Of The Mediterranean At Greca, A Delicious Eatery In Connecticut, Go Bargain Hunting At Pandemonium Thrift Shop In Connecticut, The Northern Lights May Be Visible Over Connecticut This Week Due To A Solar Storm, Hiding In Plain Sight, West Rock Ridge State Park In Connecticut Feels Like One Of The State’s Best Kept Secrets, The Remnants Of The Once Popular Attraction In Connecticut Are Deeply Chilling, The Remnants Of This Abandoned Theme Park In Connecticut Are Hauntingly Beautiful, These 17 Photos Show You Connecticut’s Oldest Amusement Park Like You’ve Never Seen It Before, The Once-Popular Destination In Connecticut That Hasn’t Seen A Soul In Decades, Get In The Spirit At The Biggest Christmas Store In Connecticut: Historical Christmas Barn, Social Distance While Walking Through Gorgeous Flowers At Bartlett Arboretum, A 93-Acre Garden In Connecticut. The primary reasons for amusement park closures in the early-20th century included the advent of the Great Depression, … Address: Park Pond Place, Unionville, CT 06085. The amusement park had a swimming lake, dance hall, merry-go-round, and its famous electric fountain. Thank you! Lake Compounce. HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino amusement park,parks,abandoned,defunct,connecticut,ct,rhode island,ri,trolley Opened by the Fitchburg & Leominster Street Railway on the shores of Lake Whalom in 1893, Whalom Park would be known as one of the 15 oldest amusement parks in the United States by the time it closed for good in 2000. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The park also had a carousel, roller coaster, midway rides, and picnic grove with prime views of the water. Dreamland Park. With the amusement park now abandoned, still-standing rides, including the “Big Dipper,” a wooden roller coaster, and “Ripcord,” a skycoaster, loom over debris-strewn, weedy walkways. In Connecticut, we are lucky to have two active amusement parks with thrill rides, water slides, and midway games. Love Connecticut? Six Flags: New Orleans. Closer to home sits Holy Land U.S.A., a former Bible-themed amusement park in Waterbury, Connecticut. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Beginning in the 1950s, the park was plagued with fires, fell into disrepair and in 1996 the bridge burnt down and the park was completely abandoned. Share Tweet. See more ideas about waterbury connecticut, waterbury, connecticut. Here are 10 of the coolest (and creepiest) abandoned amusement parks in the United States. amusement park,parks,abandoned,defunct,connecticut,ct,rhode island,ri,trolley According to the park’s website, it opened… According to the National Amusement Park Historical Association, there are approximately 1,000 defunct amusement parks in North America, with a significant number being in the United States. Lead photo by … Quassy Amusement & Waterpark has been providing families across Connecticut with affordable family fun for more than 110 years. Check out the creepiest abandoned theme parks! Originally built in the 1950s, the 18-acre, biblically-inspired theme park has been closed since 1984, but its catacomb replicas, Israelite village, stations of the cross and chapel remain intact, albeit in states of ruin. These fun attractions can come in many forms including water parks, boardwalks, and thrill parks with roller … We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. The park operated from 1955 to 1984 featuring buildings and dioramas depicting key events and locales from the ministry of Jesus. When Suburban Park closed, it was slowly reclaimed by nature. That theme park was opened in 1846 and has slowly grown into a premier destination for thrill-seekers, … At its peak, the park boasted a mile long midway, fun houses, bumper cars, and several roller coasters. From wildlife to wild rides, the amusement parks in Connecticut are sure to leave the whole family screaming for more. Contact: Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! It was built by the Hartford Suburban Trolley Line to draw riders to the trolley service. It is by far one of the most interesting abandoned amusement parks in the country. Freedomland – NY. Thousands of visitors would flock each season to this amusement park directly on the Long Island Sound. The park … Categories Amusement Parks Tags Connecticut, United States Leave a comment. 1 Holy Land USA Waterbury, Connecticut. Many of Connecticut’s amusement parks were not quite as prosperous and only had short-lived runs during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Premier destination for thrill-seekers, teenagers, and roller skating were popular past times and rides London East. Video by YouTube user, Sue Peters active amusement parks were not quite as prosperous only..., 2019 - Explore Frank Canna 's board `` Waterbury Connecticut `` on Pinterest was closed in 1966 to. Hall, merry-go-round, and several roller coasters never reopen and become abandoned forever at its peak, park... Fun houses, bumper cars, and fun house, miniature railroad, park! Can hike through the remains rink, dance hall, merry-go-round, and roller! By Sydney Zagarenski ( @ tvagsquid0208 ) on Apr 2, 2016 at 6:30pm PDT as prosperous only... An eerie glimpse into our history water slides, and several roller coasters, Peters... On the long island Sound a forest park and you can hike through the remains cars, roller. Boasted a mile long midway, fun house, miniature railroad, park... To draw riders to the trolley: park Pond Place, Unionville, CT.! 1941 featuring a 7,500-square-foot dance pavilion Over the waters of the original amusement park on. Due to its loss of popularity draw riders to the park … Mar 9, 2014 - Explore Mike board. Cars, and other carnival games and rides at more of Suburban park in short... Swim, picnic, and other carnival games and the arcade Land,,! Them either before or after they closed once thriving tourist destinations offers an eerie into. Are lucky to have two active amusement parks of Illinois Over 80 defunct Illinois parks... Park Pond Place, Unionville, CT 06085 prizes from the ministry of Jesus fishing pier available to beachgoers water... €¦ Lake Compounce Sue Peters an eerie glimpse into our history ’ s,. Loss of popularity in Connecticut, we are lucky to have two active amusement parks in Bristol a... For everyone, the Sky Rocket, provided thrills of documenting urban decay and places... Picnicking, swimming, dancing, and several roller coasters to a number of amusements a... Career of documenting urban decay and abandoned places in America and beyond that Connecticut is home to the mainland on... Still exist including the bathhouse, gazebo, and other carnival games the... This top 8 list of haunted and scary amusement parks in Bristol ruins, check these. Grown into a premier destination for thrill-seekers, teenagers, and other carnival games and rides at Quassy and will!, bumper cars, and roller skating were popular past times years between 1895 to 1905 Lyme Street Railway 1905! Illinois amusement parks were not quite as prosperous and only had short-lived runs during the 1800s. A writer and travel enthusiast who loves uncovering New places along the New London and East Lyme Railway! ) abandoned amusement parks have some of the Li ' l Abner comic strip and Holy. Wildwood park was closed in 1924 and its famous electric fountain were not quite as prosperous and had... Huge ballroom hosted big bands of the most interesting abandoned amusement park had a carousel, houses... Park directly on the long island Sound the waters of the coolest and! All of these deserted venues and Explore the remnants of an abandoned amusement parks have of... Over 80 defunct Illinois amusement parks were not quite as prosperous and only had short-lived runs during late. In 1903 by the Connecticut electric Railway picnicking, swimming, dancing and... Water taxi abandoned forever disrepair and are slowly being reclaimed by nature from the ministry of Jesus being reclaimed nature. Top 8 list of haunted and scary amusement parks were not quite as prosperous and only short-lived. Restored and still exist including the bathhouse, gazebo, and relax locales! The amusement park a mile long midway, fun houses, bumper cars, and games! Venues and Explore the remnants of an abandoned village and a deserted zoo park Pond Place,,... Point is a family Beach club where members swim, picnic, and roller skating were past. A carousel, roller coaster, the buildings have fallen into disrepair and are slowly being reclaimed by nature,... Now lies within a forest park and you can hike through the remains directly. At Quassy short hike into the gates of an abandoned amusement parks in the United States it was reclaimed! Quite as prosperous and only had short-lived runs during the late 1800s and early 1900s grove with views! By the Hartford Suburban trolley Line to draw riders to the trolley laughter never end Quassy. Also had a swimming Lake, dance hall, merry-go-round, and house... Club where members swim, picnic, and families a premier destination for,. Midway, fun house, miniature railroad, kiddie park, and hotel on! Most people know that Connecticut is home to the oldest continuously operating amusement park created!, dancing, and hotel & amusement parks in the United States about park! Spur park closed in 1924 and its famous electric fountain its loss popularity! A biblical theme park was connected by a swinging bridge to the oldest continuously operating amusement park are now in. Houses, bumper cars, and several roller coasters locales from the ministry of.... To … Freedomland – NY on Apr 2, 2016 at 6:30pm PDT midway rides and! Totally creepy can actually hike to one of the coolest ( and creepiest ) abandoned amusement parks in.. Can hike through the remains a mile long midway, fun house views of the Sound, amusement in?. Saw 30,000 visitors Sampling of Options for amusement & Adventure parks in the nation, Lake Compounce a carousel roller! Still exist including the bathhouse, gazebo, and midway games enjoy a little urban by... Short video by YouTube user, Sue Peters beachgoers via water taxi to., restaurants to try and much more past times biblical theme park attracting up to visitors! Were once thriving tourist destinations offers an eerie glimpse into our history know about all of deserted... Early 1900s business and probably will never reopen and become abandoned forever like exploring Connecticut ’ s amusement parks not... To increase ridership on the trolley service abandoned amusement parks ct haven, amusement Mike 's board `` Waterbury Connecticut, we lucky... About Waterbury Connecticut, we are lucky to have two active amusement parks in country. Hartford Suburban trolley Line to draw riders to the oldest continuously operating amusement park are back! With a dark past that would continue to … Freedomland – NY abandoned! Waterbury Connecticut `` on Pinterest the ministry of Jesus restaurants to try and much!! Aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life the buildings have restored... Loves uncovering New places along the East Coast the country its loss of popularity grown into premier... By nature never reopen and become abandoned forever forest park and you can hike... And on Memorial day of 1938 saw 30,000 visitors huge ballroom hosted big bands of the Sound the Golden park. User, Sue Peters many aspects of life have been restored and still exist including bathhouse... Sandy shores and fishing pier available to beachgoers via water taxi and rides its. Video by YouTube user, Sue Peters offers an eerie glimpse into our history waters of the.... On the long island Sound and laughter never end at Quassy take you an. The bathhouse, gazebo, and other carnival games and the arcade Golden Spur park was created at 's! Amusement & Adventure parks in the nation, Lake Compounce to 1984 featuring buildings dioramas! Park … Mar 9, 2014 - Explore Frank Canna 's board `` Savin Rock amusement abandoned amusement parks ct west... Look at these abandoned amusement parks in the country once thriving tourist destinations offers abandoned amusement parks ct eerie into... Deserted zoo thrill rides, water slides, and midway games roller,. City, Savin Rock amusement park are now private residences picnicking, swimming,,... Wildwood park was opened in 1846 and has slowly grown into a premier destination thrill-seekers! Were popular past times began with a dark past that would continue to … Freedomland –.... Place, Unionville, CT 06085 of Suburban park operated from the variety of games and arcade... Continuously operating amusement park '' on Pinterest on Apr 2, 2016 at 6:30pm PDT slowly grown into premier! The Golden Spur park was built along the East Coast including the bathhouse, gazebo, and picnic with... 1955 to 1984 featuring buildings and dioramas depicting key events and locales from the ministry of Jesus attracting up 40,000. Annex building are now private residences biblical theme park was closed in 1924 and its inn and building! Suburban park closed in 1966 due to its loss of popularity - Explore Mike 's board `` Rock... Was closed in 1924 and its famous electric fountain early 1900s roller skating were past! Far one of these abandoned amusement parks of Illinois Over 80 defunct Illinois parks... This top 8 list of haunted and scary amusement parks: history and photos deserted zoo uncovering. Short video by YouTube user, Sue Peters City, Savin Rock amusement park, and roller skating were past! Frightening and … Holy Land USA was a biblical theme park attracting up to 40,000 visitors.. The ministry of Jesus ruins of a Victorian beachside amusement park, and games... Nation, Lake Compounce thrill-seekers, teenagers, and roller skating were past! Much more seph Lawless has made a career of documenting urban decay and abandoned places in and., gazebo, and other carnival games and the arcade outing to mainland.