I grew up right near norunbeger park me and my friends would take a row boat across the Charles river to get into the park, we would go almost every day in the summer, we didnt have much money but could go to the park by crossing the Charles river and just walking in. Great place to go! 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! Wildcat, Bell's Amusement Park, 1997. )And I grew up in Holden, so, yes Whalom Park. Not sure what the weather is like where you are, but weve got snow-a-fallin here outside of Retro Roadmap HQ, so instead of going out on the roads, Im looking backward down memory lane via my own photo collection.I figured Id go back as far as I could in my own collection and start with Paragon Park, circa 1984. All of that changed in 1984. good memories. I took my children there every Wednesday . Of cause my mother loved to play Bingo . It was the best rink around as they took good care of the hardwood floor, Curious would you have been from Leominster and chewed peppermint gum at the time, The 60s was my era for skating at Whalom. I spend my life in that park. 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. Zoom in Zoom out Rotate right Fit screen Full expand. I wonder if anyone remembers the Pine Island Park in NH. We held Strong Family reunions there, one year my cousin Ted Strong parachuted into the Park! It is called the Wild One now. Memories, thanks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This setting should only be used on your home or work computer. The rest of the site is devoted to condominiumdevelopment. The park featured wild-animal shows, shooting galleries, performances by natives of far-away lands, a foolish house, the dragons den, the haunted swing, the laughing show, an arcade and man smaller buildings, according to the opening-day press. Savin Rock was an outstanding amusement park, with roller coasters over the water, the Virginia Reel, a fabulous carousel with brass rings to catch, fun houses and top name hamburger/hotdog drive ins to feed the appetite you worked up walking the miles of rides, races and arcades. It was a Big Deal! Oh, Paragon Park at Nantasket Beach in Massachuetts! Over the winter, Stone and Golden began working on how they would secure the continuation of Paragon. Hands down, Mountain Park in Holyoke (Western Massachusetts). I did not know that, thanks Larry! From 1971-78, I spent my entire summers at Paragon Park. Keep us posted on your book and have a great weekend! A teenager was decapitated by a roller coaster after he hopped a pair of fences and entered a restricted area Saturday at Six Flags Over Georgia, authorities said. My favorite memories were watching all the people and traffic on Nantasket Boulevard on Friday and Saturday nights, it was better than watching the movie American Graffiti. During really hot days, the guys running the giant roller coaster let me ride for free during my breaks just to cool off. 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. We would start pressuring Mom and Dad to take us to Rocky Point as soon as the last of the snow melted. In the aftermath of the April fire, Paragon reopened without its signature front entrance. Now folks who have never been there will get an inkling of how important the park was to so many people! Paddle boats ! My older brother worked at Paragon for two summers running rides. Rick glad you have fond (or freezing?!) You say Wonderland may have helped inspire Disneyland, but Disney employees were actually involved with Pleasure Island in Wakefield, Massachusetts. I believe Lake Compounce still there. At about the same time, Dodge decided to scale back from running Paragon on a day-to-day basis. Im so glad that these cool old places- even when theyre unfortunately gone, hold a special place in folks lives. Hi Joanne, I skated most every week end at the roller rink, Lil and her husband were great. It is now adjacent to the old train station and clock tower. Where is the Paragon Park roller coaster now, given this? I remember a vacation my family took in Misquamucut RI , in maybe 1957 . Who makes these lists? AFAICT Canobie Lake is still open? Till I was twelve, lived in Naugatuck CT and lived to ride That is the first one for me about 1952. As a teenager I remember sitting on Santas lap during the Christmas celebration. Many in Hull remained unconvinced. The Likelihood of Dying on a Roller Coaster. Carousel Under the Clock, as it was known, operated as a private business until 1996, when the three businessmen who purchased the ride at the auction decided that they needed to recoup their investment. Great times and wonderful memories of a time long gone by. It put Paragon Park on the map as a must-visit for anyone coming to New England, and was beloved by locals as well. Nearly a quarter of a century later, the Wonderland Greyhound Park opened on the same property. My sister was born early on the morning of July 3rd. Its not very long, but theres a scene where kids are running around a portion of the park. It was the place to go. This magazine should also research Savin Rock which was in West Haven, CT good history. Roller coasters. As recounted in his 1922 obituary, a friend of Dodges invested in what became known as the Nantasket Steeplechase, a collection of amusements licensed from Coney Islands Steeplechase Park that was built on land leased from the Old Colony Railroad. The site is now home to condominiums. Thank you for the wonderful memories. Subsequent owners added various entertainments, including a baseball field on which Babe Ruth once played. rollercoaster type ride , called the wild Mouse Does anyone know of this? Dodge threw himself into making the park a success, changing exhibits each year and adding to the mix of rides and attractions. Other favorites: the roller coaster that sat right on the edge of the water. Then we started aging and before we knew it Savin Rock as we knew it was gone, but not forgotten. We had so much fun. My family lived in Agawam at the time , and on Sat .nights we could hear the cars racing at the track. Vendors along the boardwalk sold fried clams, salt water taffy made in a pulling machine visible to patrons, hot dogs and other food. I loved the Giant Coaster and the Congo Cruise. But it didnt take him long to see opportunity in the endless parade of locals coming by to catch a peek at his lions, elephants, monkeys, and other exotic animals. Following the show, wed watch the fireworks from the parking lot. You can definitely make out a number of landmark features like the Witch Castle, Toboggan roller coaster, Coaster Dodgem, and Midway Flying Horses. 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. I am looking for a picture of the flying scooters on the roof accross from the admin bldg. My parents had season tickets on Tuesday nights for years. Its most famous piece is functioning a huge light up cross at the top of a summit overlooking I-84, clearly seen from the highway at all hours. 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. Maybe 5 years old. Sundays: 11am-9pm (9:30pm for Creamery) External links Paragon Park on the Roller Coaster DataBase. Neither one mentioned. John- what great evocative memories you have of Hull! growing up in Nashua, it was an exciting and exotic school field trip in the early 70s. 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. Rebecca thanks for visiting Retro Roadmap, and best of luck with your novel. I have fond memories of the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, and asked her to check it out when shes in the area. The later years at Bensons they had Christmas displays. After all, when did Paragon Park first open? A roller coaster in Japan known for its "super death" acceleration to triple-digit speeds was reportedly shut down after riders suffered serious bone fractures. Not only was the band funny, but exceptional musicians . Great memories growing up there with the park, the bowling alley and the roller skating rink! The actors included many stars on their way up including Hal (and his then wife, Ruby). My brother and I had great times there. A great park for a day trip with the family. Roller coasters Past This list is incomplete, please expand it if you can. Most of the time, news of an injury or death at a theme park involves a roller coaster. I showed off my roller skating expertise to my junior high classmates back in the I grew up in Springfield and would rather go there than its competitor, Riverside Park in Agawamnow Six Flags. Thank you for the flashbacks! The west is the best wind direction. I used to go to Paragon park/Nantasket beach with my family a lot during the sixties. Hilarity Hall, a funhouse akin to the Steeplechase, was built next door, and a dance hall that later became a roller rink, toy store, and video arcade. Mom would always say well have to start saving our pennies, and we did. Sad that its gone now!! I remember being very unhappy when Paragon was closed because the beachfront was more valuable for condos and snickering at the condo developer going broke when the 1980s bubble burst. A roller coaster ride took a fatal turn at an amusement park in Mexico City this weekend. When I heard they were getting rid of the park it broke my heart. Does anyone remember the amusement park in Medway, MA that was destroyed in a fire back in the 70s? What a wonderful and very interesting article about the history of amusement parks in New England. At the time, it was considered the deadliest. The flume was a fun ride but scared the crap out of me. My best friend took me there when I moved to the area in 1983. In 1987, Bensons Wild Animal Farm was renamed New Englands Playworld Amusement Park and Zoo, but the rebranding didnt help: It closed for good that same year. It was closed in the 80s and there are condos located on the site. I never liked to see animals who were unable to have some freedom from confinement. In 1917, another man fell and got creamed into paste after reaching out of the Derby Racer to retrieve his fallen hat. I took my children there all the time ides were reasonable for a family. Could hear the train whistle every Saturday from my yard. I felt so sorry for that creature. About This Item; Obtaining Copies; Access to Original; . STILL one of my fave attractions there and it wasnt even part of the park REALLY. Mountain Park in Holyoke was my favorite, my cousins and I would go there when they visited from Acton. Great memories ???? the Zoo in GB. He grew up on Lake Quinsigamond, so Im familiar with White City as well , as the wild animal farm, Nantasket, ( I eventually settled in nearby Cohasset, the carousel is still there. I do remember Whalom Park and Bensons Wild Animal farm as well, we took our own children there a few times as well! Does anyone remember Funland Park worked there too. The worst came in 1930, when a car on Omaha, Nebraska's Big Dipper roller coaster fell 35 feet to the ground, killing four and injuring 17. In late 1985, they canceled the development all together, and announced that they would sell the beloved carousel at auction 28 days later. No more races. This brings back memories. I remember when they had Elvis performing on the outdoor stagethat was many years ago! Dodge believed in his vision and bought out his partners in 1907. I remember going to Bensons Wild Animal Farm several times as a youngster. Dodge commissioned the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) to create a new coaster. Also visited Crescent Park, Rocky Point ,Bensons ,Pleasure Island,Kings Castle land Whitman,Ma Whalom and Canobie Lake. There was also Acushnet Park in the very south end of New Bedfordnot as big but great Park. Cause of death was categorized as a result of either external trauma or a medical condition based on available information. Long before there was Disneyland, there was Wonderland. Their 1928 purchase of a Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel would become the centerpiece of the park, replacing concessionaire John J. Hurleys previous carousel in the same location. http://themeparks.about.com/library/coasters/blwildone.htm Yet, in 14 years (1990-2004), there were only 54 amusement park fatalities. Pleasure Island Norumbega were our amusement parks of choice. memories of Nantasket! 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! I would show up at the ride with a girl and they would give me a boat all to ourselves. savin rock amusement park in west haven ct. should definitely be added to this list. We enjoyed quite a few evening visits in the 80s. Paragon Park in Hull, MA was the best of the lot of amusement parks, Id say! Thanks for the article which sent me many, many years back in time. Nothing like Paragon Park has ever before been seen near than Luna Park at New York, The Boston Globe enthused, referencing the world-famous amusement center at Coney Island.George A. Think classic American road trip and the name Route 66 will undoubtedly come up sooner rather than later, and for good reason. Whalom Park! A Save the Carousel effort began in earnest in February, with local residents lobbying Larry and Phyllis Stone to keep the merry-go-round intact, and keep it in Hull. Superman: Tower of Power in Louisville, Kentucky Willard's Whizzer, Marriott's Great America Amusement Park, 1980. Now its a shopping center. 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. NORUMBEGA AND TOTEM POLE BALLROOM, AUBURNDALE, MA. 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! Thank you William C. Could you be my brother Billy? It remained so until 1925, when it was topped by two feet by the Revere Beach Cyclone just down the road. Im now a Hull year-round resident, 1/4 mile from where the park once stood. I also recall a booth with a figure inside dressed like a gypsy woman. Our school also had our senior prom there. It closed in 1984. Ron what a great time you mustve had there! Loved Kings Castle land as a fun place to take my grandson when he was young. My best memories of my being a teenager is my time being at Paragon Park. I was a lonely kid wandering the park every night, until I Here's a list of 13 of the deadliest roller coaster accidents in the last two decades. So sad that it is gone. This was perfect! I loved White City! Rollercoaster, FunHouse, Clambakes at the Pavillion, roller skating rink, Dancing ( with name bands, my Aunt sang there with a band for a while! At the very last minute, it would make a sharp turn to keep everyone dry. Within weeks, however, Kahn-Quinn and the Stones had moved up the closing, deciding that opening the gates to souvenir-seekers, litigious loiterers, and potential vandals was too risky. Facing massive cost overruns, the parks owners started selling off assets following the 1910 season, which would be Wonderlands last. We would make sure to hit every ride and try our luck at the various games of chance as well. Damage estimates topped $300,000. Glad when it finally close and that gorilla was sent to a sanctuary down south and CNN showed the gorilla touching grass for the first time in over 25 years. I know the Congo Cruise was called the Red Mill at one point but I think that was in my mothers generation, I always remember it as the Congo Cruise. I would add Norumbega Park in auburndale Mass, and pleasure Island. It was 1971. I remember those rides at White City and that airplane ride over the lake scared the bejesus out of me ! I loved Rocky Point. Ive been on the one at Canobie and maybe one other but that was enough for me! For the younger crowd, there was the Normandy Room. 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. Kicking off the Park's expansion of Pioneer Frontier, it was the first attraction at Hersheypark to be completely themed.Trailblazer is the second-oldest running coaster in the Park and a family favorite.It features a helix that circles a total of 4 times and reaches speeds of up . Lincoln Park was THE BEST! Good memories! American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) recognizes Wild One at Six Flags America as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historic significance.. Wild One's long history began at Paragon Park in Hull, Massachusetts. It opened in 1917, closed in 1984. So sad to hear about the pavillion! A woman has died after passing out on a roller coaster. Still learning how to compose a photograph, I think back and realize that my penchant for photos without people in them was in force then, and I went as far as to scribble out the lady who was in the foreground of this photo of the Snack-a-rama. The coaster was 1,400 feet long and featured an 88-foot drop. 20 Best Things to Do in New England in March, 10 Best Things to Do in The Spring in New England, 40 Cozy Fireside Experiences in New England, Yankee Magazines Ultimate Guide to Autumn in New England, Yankee Magazines Ultimate New England Winter Guide, Yankee Magazines Ultimate New England Summer Guide, 63 Reasons Why We Love the Cape & Islands, For $14 Million, You Could Own Provincetowns Iconic Lobster Pot Restaurant. If youre on Facebook theres a Paragon Park Memories page you might enjoy too: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972. We had a cottage nearby, until the great blizzard of 1978. At 98 feet high with an 88-foot drop, the park's giant wooden roller coaster used to be the world's tallest before the park closed in 1984. Im so glad I caught the Art Deco lines and colors, as well as a bit of the ski lift ride as well! We lived in Rockland when I was very young and could see that often. Benson opened his property to the public in 1924, and from there he added attractions such as rides, games, and concessions. 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. Medical condition based on available information the outdoor stagethat was many years!... The bejesus out of me Facebook theres a Paragon Park on the same time, news of an injury death... An exciting and exotic school field trip in the early 70s back from running Paragon on a roller now... And on sat.nights we could hear the train whistle every Saturday my! 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Farm several times as a must-visit for anyone coming to New England theres a where!
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