A postcard view of Rocky Point Amusement Park in Warwick, Rhode Island, c. 1930-1945. No more races. You forgot Pleasure Island. A rider suffered head, wrist and ankle injuries on Monday after being ejected from a roller coaster in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Feeling nostalgic. The question would never be fully answered, however, as the 1982 election of gambling opponent Michael Dukakis as Massachusetts governor sealed the fate of any casino dreams. From late June to early September, lifeguards are on duty. A scenic railway was added in 1900. How about the screech of the wheels or the screams of the riders? When young my parents would take me tomthe Wonderland Park in Revere MA. At the center of the park was a lagoon that served as the splashdown point for the popular Shoot the Chute gondola ride. Where is the Paragon Park roller coaster now, given this? One of the most intriguing to me is Holy Land, USA in Waterbury, CT. Its one of those in-between places that some might say doesnt belong on the list because its being, well, you might say resurrected. Yes ! HOURS: Open Saturdays and Sundays through October 30, 2022, 11am-4pm. Paragon Park opened to the public on Saturday, June 10, 1905, transforming Nantasket Beach for the better part of the 20th century. Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members' research needs. One of the best. Never a fan of ferris wheels but I do recall riding the one at Nantasket on our eighth grade class trip. Paragon Park opened in 1905 and lasted for just under 80 years, closing in 1984. Happy Anniversary to you both. I got to ride on the roller coaster again after it moved to Maryland, long before Six Flags took over Water World; they restored a piece that had been taken out at Paragon after a fire. i miss those days i was took by the state for i was a foster child and never got to say goodbye to my friends schoolmates in hull high or even katie averill my girlfriend at the time, a sad moment for me but as a kid a great way to spend a childhood, delivering the newspapers and even raised the flag at the monument by cumberland farms every morn for the veterans , i was a boy scout in troop 21. oh so many fond memories . Whalom Park!! I remember Whalom Park and Bensons Animal Farm fondly. At the very last minute, it would make a sharp turn to keep everyone dry. Billed as a miniature worlds fair, the 10-acre park built by the Eastern Park Construction Company was, in fact, fashioned in the image of an actual fair the Worlds Columbian Exposition of 1893. It remained so until 1925, when it was topped by two feet by the Revere Beach Cyclone just down the road. New owners took over after Bensons death in 1943, and although the park still drew crowds, it had up-and-down years for the next few decades. But the ride was plagued with many problems that remained with it until it was . I liked Riverside Park in the 70s. The flume was a fun ride but scared the crap out of me. Lone Wolf 83 subscribers Subscribe 95K views 11 years ago I found this video in my archives! Sad that its gone now!! I think fondly of Whalom Park also. Me toonear 77, remember Bensons fondly==I was born and raised in Webster Mass.-I still have a scarf, pik with horse on it that says Bensons Wild animal park on it. Dont forget Adventureland in Newbury, MA which operated for several years from 1957 into the early 60s. But they would find that recovering from a flood was entirely different. Yet seeing these places thrill and entertain todays families also makes us nostalgic for the now-closed New England amusement parks that paved the way. A small miniature golf course is located on one of the smaller sites that once housed a water slide and, previously, a few rides. Oh just one more comment,thanks to Larry Stone who put me to work every summer running the flying scooter, flying cages, or the rocket swing,then the lindyloop, [1] More rides that Paragon hosted over the years were the Trabant, the Tilt-A-Whirl, Galaxy Coaster, the Skydiver, Paratrooper, Matterhorn, Himalaya, Round Up, Scrambler, Crazy Tea Cups, Twister Kiddie Coaster, Caterpillar, the Whip, Batman-slide, Super-slide, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Swing ride, Rotor, along with many rides that were smaller versions of these, geared towards children. saw this little blond girl my age (10) all alone. Great memories and was able to take my kids to a couple of these growing up. I believe the amusement park in Lincoln Rhode Island is no longer there. At its opening, Trailblazer was the first major coaster to be added to Hersheypark in 18 years. The financial difficulties of the Depression weighed heavily on Paragons operations. Ditto. I have always been a fraidy cat about going on roller coasters, and I remember my mother telling me that when she was a kid she made my grandfather take her on the giant coaster, and it was the first and last coaster ride shes been on! My best memories of my being a teenager is my time being at Paragon Park. She convinced me to ride the corkscrew roller coaster and that was the beginning of my love of roller coasters. Now its a shopping center. My sister and I roadtripped there in the early 90s we tried to make it from Massachusetts to Miami but found that the country is much bigger once you get out of the northeast, so we stopped in SC. Paragon park roller coaster on nantasket . Best wishes, and thanks for stopping by. Youd once drive into Hull on George Washington Boulevard and watch the horizon for the rising coaster in the distance; now, its a monstrous condo building. The coaster itself was shortened in order to be ready by the Fourth of July holiday, with its final circular turns left off the drawing board in the interest of time. He operated the coaster until it's demise in 1916 when it was destroyed by a fire. I wonder if anyone remembers the Pine Island Park in NH. I was a lonely kid wandering the park every night, until I The 25.9-acre amusement park the nations largest at the time included roller coasters and other rides, games, vaudeville and movie theaters, a funhouse, and a health center where premature infants in incubators were put on display. Most interesting, I went to Bensons as a child,. While the fire didnt physically touch the park, its effects on the economy and the prospects for the resort were profound. Just as I started a family of my own in 1983 I was heart broken when the park closed. The coaster was sold at auction for $26,000 to Wild World, an amusement park in Prince George's County, Maryland, now known as Six Flags America. Date Posted: 8/23/2009 2:00:02 PM. Thanks for addding your history to the thread of Paragon Park. http://themeparks.about.com/library/coasters/blwildone.htm All of that changed in 1984. At about this time, a movement within the town of Hull to legalize casino gambling complicated Paragons status within the town vision for the future. It remained on the site for a short time after the closing, a hulking ghost of the parks past. There was a miniature golf course under the roller coaster. I remember the blue slide my grandfather had the restaurant under the clock I worked there for many years with my whole family,Gee what a great time to live. For Christopher Haraden, who grew up just beyond a curve in the coaster's tracks on Rockview Road, the ride and its riders were the sounds of summer. Silver-colored flagpoles stretched across the entrance, now enclosed by chain-link gates that would swing inward. As the story goes, were it not for the limited number of months in the year it could be open, Disney would have been more involved. Those poor animals. Vendors along the boardwalk sold fried clams, salt water taffy made in a pulling machine visible to patrons, hot dogs and other food. Subsequent owners added various entertainments, including a baseball field on which Babe Ruth once played. Long time ago. Yes. He remembers seeing wooden picnic tables so heavy that it usually took four men to move them having been heaved over an eight-foot fence and carried by the raging tides to the other end of the park. one year it was HOT and we were gorging on clam cakes at the end of the day but decided one more ride cant hurt.. the one that starts leve and ends up having the rider flying upside down. About a month later, a huge blaze destroyed much of the roller coaster, the front entrance, and concessions along the front. Jack! Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA has to be the most beloved old amusement park in New England and one of the top 10 in the country. Paragon had its own saltwater lagoon, which surrounded a central electric tower that rose 110 feet into the sky, by far the largest structure at Nantasket Beach. Lots of fun and memories were made from my time spent at Whalom. Great memories. Oh Rich, I know EXACTLY what you mean about smelling the beach before you even got there. My parents brought me and I brought my kids. At the time, it was considered the deadliest. It was dismantled and completely rebuilt down in Maryland. The Giant Coaster sat silent, and the undulating tracks looked like the skeleton of a dinosaur carcass, being slowly dismantled and eaten away at by the vultures that couldnt wait to turn the site into a condominium complex. It is called the Wild One now. He proposed twin 18-story towers, each double the height of the world-famous roller coasters first hill. mod i remeber the blizzard of 78 that was freezing and 27ft snow drift i know i shoveled them to make money as a kid froze my butt of lmao, and delivering newspapers in the winter took its toll on me as well , i agree i foze my arse off. Although the arcades still exist, Salisbury Beach was a favorite growing up. Summing lessons in Lake Whalom, wonderful memories. My Mom and Dad went dancing there when they were dating! Also, not far from the park was the original (and still is) Frank Pepes pizzeria. Mountain Park in Holyoke MA has left wonderful memories of class trips and later bringing my children. Also brought my kids to Mt. But I do have a copy of the book Savin Rock Memories by Gil Johnson and Bennett W. Dorman. The Stones took control of the main Paragon property, as well as its rear parking lots and warehouse, while Golden retained the section of former railroad bed that would later house the Turnpike Cars ride and the Magic Mine Train. Lincoln Park, N. Dartmouth, MA We went there all the time as children. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, Nantasket Beach has been a popular summer vacation destination for city dwellers. Mom would always say well have to start saving our pennies, and we did. the carousel (PTC #85) that they saved and moved down the street, http://themeparks.about.com/library/coasters/blwildone.htm, http://www.paragonparkmemories.com/Index.html, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972?sk=wall, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972. Let us know in the comments below! I used to go to Paragon park/Nantasket beach with my family a lot during the sixties. "It was the noise. Does anyone remember the amusement park in Medway, MA that was destroyed in a fire back in the 70s? My sister was born early on the morning of July 3rd. East Bridgewater High School. All Rights Reserved. Well friends, you never know whats going to happen because the park never reopened the following season, and when I returned in the summer of 1985 I was greeted with this sad sign: Not only had Paragon Park been permanently shuttered, but I had even missed the public auction of all of the goods from the place. Miraculously, Paragon opened on time for the 1978 season, but not before family matters would complicate the family business. The park opened to rave reviews. Selling the 18-story development to the public was a harder task than the developers had imagined, however, and by fall, even with a compromise reduction to 12 stories, Kahn and Quinn faced stiff opposition. Theres a Facebook page called Paragon Park Memories- maybe if you post it there someone else may remember it as well good luck! Each week, it seemed, brought a new development proposal. So folks, remember tomorrow never knows if theres someplace or something you like go there now, enjoy it, take photos, and do what you can to make sure it sticks around, because some day it might not be there anymore! Met my husband at Lake Whalom and we have been married 57 years this year. village from 54-56. What we know about the amusement park accident that killed an 11-year-old Iowa boy. He loved the junior rollercoaster! We would make sure to hit every ride and try our luck at the various games of chance as well. Had my first date with my future husband at Riverside. The only coaster at the park was Viper, a Huss-Arrow looper from 1982. So many memories of the roller coaster and other rides, as well as swimming at the beach across the street from the park where the water was very cold indeed! My cousin owned the pizza shop across the street from the parking lot and lived there. Now, it's. The first, termed a roaring inferno by the Hull fire chief, ripped through the Arcade Bazaar and Funland, a toy store and group of attractions just up Nantasket Avenue from Paragon. Flag item for content or copyright From dawn to dusk, the restaurant is open all year. This makes the second fatal accident at an amusement park this year. As one of the most historic and popular highways in North America (and dare we say the world), Route 66 has gone through a series of changes since its inception in 1926, going from . Savin Rock Amusement Park in West Haven, CT, How about the old boardwalk at Revere Beach, Pleasure Island in Wakefield,Ma The Kiddie Ranch Rte 1 Saugus, Ma. A 14-year-old boy died after he fell Thursday night from a drop tower amusement ride that recently opened at the Orlando area's ICON Park entertainment complex, authorities said. I spent most of my working time working this ride; and I meet Judy Garland and Liza when she was a teenager as they went on this ride. It was known as Disneyland of the East. Today, the only surviving remnant of Paragon Park on the boardwalk is the historic Paragon Park Carousel, which was moved from its original site. My Late Dad used to work at A&P ( another memory ) They used to have an annual picnic at the park. We used to go every year! I was just remembering visiting Bensons as a kid. Now folks who have never been there will get an inkling of how important the park was to so many people! I Never see ANY photos of it either. I remember going on it every summer as a child.such great memories!!! 2023 www.patriotledger.com. If youre on Facebook you might enjoy this page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972?sk=wall, Or its sister website: http://www.paragonparkmemories.com/. They tore down the Pavilion the site of many a first kiss and more in the 50s and 60s in Myrtle Beach a few years ago. Long before there was Disneyland, there was Wonderland. News of the developers interest appeared in December 1984 in a place that was unlikely to attract attention a column in the pages of The New England Real Estate Journal, a trade publication generally seen only by those in the real estate industry. Bemsons was my other favorite with animals and rides. Here are five parks that are gone but certainly not forgotten. Mountain Park in Holyoke, MA where I grew up. It was a Big Deal! The later years at Bensons they had Christmas displays. AFAICT Canobie Lake is still open? My brother and I had great times there. Eric- what cool memories! On June 26, 2019, two trains at Cedar Point bumped on the Valravn roller coaster. It had a great wooden roller coaster as well as a Ferris Wheel and other attractions. Neither of their two children expressed an interest in carrying on the family business. Rick- that vaguely rings a bell with me but I dont have any photos. about three woopdie doos If I remember it correctly and about 10 lanes wide. Almost all of the rides were dismantled and auctioned off. That magic of entering the Nantasket Beach area is gone, but at least the magic of The Giant Coaster excuse me, The Wild One lives on. Glad to know that the Giant Coaster is still around and can be enjoyed by those who have the stomach for it . Quick Description: Paragon Park, which operated from 1905 to 1984 by Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA, was a local amusement park that had many rides including a well known roller coaster, which today is operated in a Six Flags amusement park in Maryland. It was one of the first landmarks you would spot when driving into Hull on George Washington Boulevard: The Giant Roller Coaster of Paragon Park. My family lived at Hulll Copyright 2021 Retro Roadmap. Coney entrepreneur George C. Tilyou, one of the most prolific showmen at the turn of the 20th century rivaling P.T. As each season ended, friends and family recall the Stones saying privately that it would be the last; they no longer had the energy to devote to such a draining enterprise. I took my children there all the time ides were reasonable for a family. But another group of preservationists began to think about how memories of the park could be saved, and fixed its gaze upon the antique carousel. The site is now home to condominiums. The park celebrated the ride's centennial in 2017, although it is thought that none or the original lumber remains. Lets not forget Savin Rock in West Haven CT! I hope that whatever parks are now available to families offer todays kids memories that they will carry with them into their 70s too. Went there when I was a small child with my father and loved the flying horses. ive been in that too by the vfw building on the hill, was so glad to see this site !!!!!!!!!!! . The park's Ferris wheel was moved to the New Bedford waterfront and the Comet roller coaster was torn down on July 11, 2012. At the time, the park was called Wild World; hence its new name. A 20-year-old man also fell when he attempted to stand up on the coaster in 1934, and a maintenance worker was killed in 1946 after he was struck while working on scaffolding on the coaster. digital file from original About this Item. Launched as a trolley park (parks at the terminus of trolley lines were all the rage at the time), the property soon evolved from a series of serene walking paths to a bustling destination filled with midway games and rides like Ferris wheels and carousels. remember the steamboat that was just before the park coming into hull?? Somehow, a roller coaster in Japan known for accelerating more quickly than any other in the world and operating at what's dubbed "super death" speed has started to cause injuries. In the ensuing real estate crash, the developers would lose control of the property and never realize the plans for a second building at the rear of the site. For the life of me I can not remember the name.But it was a really big thing to me back in the day. Buildings were rebuilt quickly in utilitarian style flat-roofed, single-story concrete block structures that were fire resistant but lacked the grandeur and artistry of past architecture. Was it destined to become a cornerstone of the casino economy, or was its presence an obstacle to further development? Roller coasters Past This list is incomplete, please expand it if you can. Among the amusement rides in operation during Paragon Park's history was a traditionalstyle Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel (PTC 85) with handcrafted horses, a bumper cars ride known as . In one incident, a man fell into a pond. I remember Savin Rock with a fond passion. My grandparents lived in Nantasket so I had the pleasure of going to Paragon Park many times during the summer months. Loved the Merry Go Round. Fire struck again in the fall, destroying the Chateau ballroom at the rear of the park. Many in Hull remained unconvinced. It was a historic park. Great memories growing up there with the park, the bowling alley and the roller skating rink! It closed in 1984. Mountain Park in Holyoke, MA! What are two most common biomes in Africa? The park closed December 3, 1987, owing $48,000 in taxes and $13,000 in unpaid police details. Back before we moved to Connecticut in the. That was a summer vacation treat for us kids in NH. Good memories! It closed in 1984. The Massachusetts real estate market blossomed in the mid-1980s, and the factors that in the past had limited Paragons ability to expand now gave it extra value it was sandwiched between two bodies of water and the views that came with them. Retro Roadmap creator, vintage road trip lover, photo taker, musician's wife and hostess with the mostess! Title . The Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservations will be charged the same new fees. Crews worked around the clock to rebuild the Giant so that it could open that season. Growing up in Everett,MA I know several of these parks. The year 1929 is significant in American history as the beginning of the Great Depression, and its impact also was felt at Nantasket Beach. In the photo at right, from June 2, 1942, mechanics who had just finished the annual inspection and repairs to the Paragon Park roller coaster gave it the first ride of the 1942 season. Schuck said the normal force of the ride caused the tear in . I also remember Mountain Park; the way to get to the site is still named Mountain Park Road, according to the sign on the bridge where it crosses I-91. The parks owners were challenged in a way they hadnt been previously, as cleanup from a fire is relatively straightforward the burned and damaged areas are removed and replaced. Ah, yes, Norumbega Park..grew up in Auburndale, so visiting the Park was a frequent occasion. Many years back the classic shore dinners in a pavilion over the water made it famous. The storefront includes the workshop of James Hardison, the artist who is painstakingly restoring each of the 66 wooden horses, where visitors can watch the continuing efforts to preserve the remnants of Paragon Park at Nantasket Beach. This was a Great deal $ ! The two men would face their first challenges early in their tenure. But if you are feeling nostalgic, all is not lost: Scenes from Whalom Park were preserved for posterity in the 1982 music video for Touch and Go by the Cars. It officially became an amusement park in 1980 and featured a number of flat rides mostly from HUSS Maschinenfabrik as it served as a U.S. showcase for new Huss rides during the 1980s. Of the parks you describe, I visited Rocky Point and Bensons Wild Animal Farm as a child. Early 50s. Paragon Park was great, noise, lights, smells(mostly good) the ocean, good times. They rehearsed in our barn further down Northampton Street. It was always fun to hang on the beach side with the arcades. Boston Public Library/Tichnor Brothers Postcard Collection, Visitors walking the grounds of Rocky Point State Park today may not realize that they are treading on entertainment history, but the reminders are there if you know where to look. Elvis came there back in the 50s. we went on the Congo Cruise, which I think briefly had a Still remember the black rubber knife I bought as a souvenir. We lived in Rockland when I was very young and could see that often. My first date with my now wife of 38 years was there! Pleasure Island in Wakefield, Massachusetts. NORUMBEGA AND TOTEM POLE BALLROOM, AUBURNDALE, MA. Married and lived there myself. I remember those rides at White City and that airplane ride over the lake scared the bejesus out of me ! Even met my husband. Contents 1 History 1.1 Sale and move There was also Acushnet Park in the very south end of New Bedfordnot as big but great Park. In 1916, park owner George A. So sad that it is gone. Wonderful memories! We took our children there when there were young. The Bat featured cars shaped like bats, suspended below the track. The developers interest prompted the Stones to agree on something they both were tired of running the business and the $5.5 million purchase price would give them enough money to comfortably retire. [2]. It was in Holyoke, MA, I believe. In Africa, what three biomes are the most common? Is Nantasket Beach also open? I have many fond memories of Whalom Park and Im glad you included it. It is now located next to the old train station and clock tower. I also remember Bensons fondly . spent hours running around the park and laughing! If your birthday was in the summer (mine wasnt), a party there was something to anticipate all year. United States--Massachusetts--Nantasket Beach. Sundays: 11am-9pm (9:30pm for Creamery) Dodge assembled a group of investors to form the Eastern Park Construction Company and leased several acres from the railroad company. At about the same time, Dodge decided to scale back from running Paragon on a day-to-day basis. A scaled down replica of a tour around the Holy Land, the premise certainly has promise. In addition to the amusement parks there were shows (I remember seeing Loretta Lynn and others) and they also had auto races on Saturday nights. Whalom Park! It remained so until 1925, when it was topped by two feet by the Revere Beach Cyclone just down the road. The Giant Coaster opened at Paragon Park in 1917; at 98 feet tall, it was the tallest roller coaster in the world at the time. Im so glad that these cool old places- even when theyre unfortunately gone, hold a special place in folks lives. I would add Norumbega Park in auburndale Mass, and pleasure Island. Believed by many to have helped inspire the future Magic Kingdom, this amusement park flashed briefly across the New England entertainment scene, opening in 1906 and closing at the end of summer in 1910. And you can still ride the Wild One wooden roller coaster at Six Flags America in Maryland. Not sure if youre on Facebook, but you might enjoy the Paragon Park Memories page there: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972 and who knows, it may spark some additional good ones! \r\rEnjoy! External links Paragon Park on the Roller Coaster DataBase. The amusement park closed for good in 1984. According to a Washington Post article from that time, it was purchased at auction for just $28,000. Used to be a boat we could take from Boston to Nantasket for a great day trip. Its layout and format modeled those of Luna and Dreamland at Coney Island, with an ornate front entrance and exhibitions from foreign lands surrounding the lagoon and electric tower. The entertainment at the Palm Garden rivaled that in the city; in fact, Paragon was on the same circuit as Boston theaters and showcased nationally known performers in addition to the in-house song-and-dance troupe. Movie Stars came from California The Three Stooges often preformed on stage I believe it closed in the late 60s. The ride's top speed is 50 mph, according to the park's Web site. Hi Joanne, I skated most every week end at the roller rink, Lil and her husband were great. Theyve got a Facebook page too a great place for everyone to gather and share their memories of the park and fun times there. We rented a big house, across the street from the beach. Great place to go! Whalom Park was my go to place, the rides, the roller skating rink and the summer stock Playhouse. White City on the shores of Lake Quinsigamond between the Worcester and Shrewsbury linesa wonderful memory. It was small, but close to home, so we got there often! Cut fresh pasta into small rectangles and pinch the, Copyright 2023 TipsFolder.com | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Fires twice damaged the coaster, in 1932 and 1962. memories of Nantasket! We enjoyed quite a few evening visits in the 80s. I had my first kiss on that ride, and a night Ron what a great time you mustve had there! The reason for the hoopla appears to be "Paragon Park: The Musical," co-written by Zoe Bradford and Michael Hammond with music and lyrics by Adam Brooks. Till I was a teenager lived in Naugatuck CT and lived to ride the wonderful carousel at nearby Lake Quassapaug! More for little ones and still open are Storyland and Santas Village in NH a place families still can enjoy. What wouldnt be kept in town, however, were the rides and equipment that now stood in the way of the Plaza at Paragon Park. I have fond memories of an amusement park called Mountain Park that Isnt mentioned. You can help Coasterpedia by expanding it. The roller coaster was the worlds tallest when it was built in 1917. I grew up about miles from Pine Island Park. I vividly remember a Killer Kowalski wrestling show at the pavilion during one of my visits. Makes the Delaware beaches we now frequent seem downright tropical! The roller coaster hit speeds of up to 53 miles per hour during a ride of less than 2 minutes. Police said the ride was going full-speed when the Ferguson was struck. My favorite ride was the wooden roller coaster and enjoyed being an usher at the playhouse. Its assets were sold off in 1979, with the land being cleared for a housing development. Please see my listings for other defunct New England Amusement Park shirts. Space Journey, Ecoventure Valley, 2010. Our school also had our senior prom there. Mountain Park in Holyoke MA. I remember Savin Rock very well. Roller Coaster Death: Five amusement park deaths that will shock roller coaster fans 1. Where is the Paragon Park roller coaster now, given this?
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