Of cause my mother loved to play Bingo . "It has stood the test of time." The Hurricane in Aug of 1954 finally put an end to it. My Dad was. Whalom Park had it all, Playhouse Theatre where many big names came to preform in summer stock. 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. As I remember it was not a very large park, or maybe I didnt get to see it all.But memories are still there. Dubois County Coroner Katie Schuck said Dawn R.. Now its a shopping center. I havent thought about that place in years! A new stone-carved front entrance designed by Hugh Cairns would add elegance to the Nantasket Avenue side. Paragon Park opened to the public on Saturday, June 10, 1905, transforming Nantasket Beach for the better part of the 20th century. Rowes Wharf had the boat to Nantasket Beach. It put Paragon Park on the map as a must-visit for anyone coming to New England, and was beloved by locals as well. The atmosphere was always great! My grandparents took me. I showed off my roller skating expertise to my junior high classmates back in the The Aftermath: Roller Coaster. Smaller than Riverside (Six Flags) in Agawam, but a very nice park for kids. Feeling nostalgic. Six Flags Over Georgia, Batman: The Ride Was 14-Year-Old Who Died at Orlando Amusement Park Too Heavy. I would show up at the ride with a girl and they would give me a boat all to ourselves. The site is now home to condominiums. Storybook characters, a pirate ship and Dodge City with a saloon and stagecoach holdups were among the attractions. There was a coast guard station at lands end and a rather exquisite abandoned nightclub also at lands end. The developers said theyd received at least 100 deposits from potential condo buyers; evidence, they said, that the market existed for high-rise units overlooking the ocean and the bay. Crews worked around the clock to rebuild the Giant so that it could open that season. I remember taking the ferry from Rowes Wharf in Boston to Nantasket Beach as a kid. Loved the Merry Go Round. It will be interesting to see if in time enough energy is generated that can bring this park back. And in the early 1960s, there was Pleasure Island in Wakefield, MA, with a pirate theme. Lizzie- Myrtle Beach is definitely in the air today as a pal just asked about retro roadmap worthy places to go around that area. . Growing up, Paragon Park, a small amusement park in Hull MA just across from Nantasket Beach was my idea of the ultimate place to go, and wed hopefully go there once a summer if we were lucky. 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. Kahn already knew that the towns zoning rules for the park property lacked a key ingredient: a height limit. David Goran is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News Only a few years later, another fire would wreak havoc at Paragon. Cyndinow living in South Jersey but always a New Englander. Many in Hull remained unconvinced. Superman: Tower of Power in Louisville, Kentucky The Bat, the world's first suspended roller coaster, failed because of design problems. Paragon Park was an amusement park located in Hull, Massachusetts, USA. congrats on 57 yrs. There was a miniature golf course under the roller coaster. Trailblazer (1974). If we had saved enough pennies, we would enjoy the shore dinner before we headed home. 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. By 1914 Mr. Schmeck found himself working in the amusement industry. I was just remembering visiting Bensons as a kid. Sad we have to grow up. I worked for Larry Stone nights running the red mill and the carousel; and days at funland taking photos at a faux bar Singapore Sams. The Philadelphia Toboggan carousel was rescued and now operates at Battleship Cove in Fall River. Dont forget Adventureland in Newbury, MA which operated for several years from 1957 into the early 60s. . Lincoln Park was THE BEST! Lots and lots of great memories. 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. I miss them both! The midway featured games of skill and chance and performances by Hugo Zacchini, aka the Human Projectile. Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. Larry and Phyllis Stone decided to divorce, and Klayman, caught in the middle of a dispute between the owners, found himself looking for a new job after 30 years. All three suffered an electric shock, fatal to both Haithcoat and Robertson. He was the manager and operator of the Green Streak roller coaster in Paragon Park located in Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts. I lived and graduated from Lunenburg High School in 70. the wonderful carousel at nearby Lake Quassapaug! Thanks so much for adding them to the thread here on Retro Roadmap. It is now adjacent to the old train station and clock tower. 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. So many wonderful memories. Paragon Park was great, noise, lights, smells(mostly good) the ocean, good times. Although he and Eastern Park sold off the Rockland House as part of their 1907 separation, Dodge later bought the Pemberton Hotel and Pemberton Inn, adjacent hotels at the farthest end of the Hull peninsula. It operated there from 1917 to 1984. Dad saw Mom and went over and told her he was going to marry her. Is Nantasket Beach also open? Built in 1917, the wooden roller-coaster stood 98 feet high at its peak and was the tallest roller coaster in the world for eight years until the Cyclone roller coaster was built at Revere Beach. http://themeparks.about.com/library/coasters/blwildone.htm It is the oldest coaster in any Six Flags park. It was in Holyoke, MA, I believe. When young my parents would take me tomthe Wonderland Park in Revere MA. Happy Anniversary to you both. The carousel moved down the block the following spring, by which time the developers had returned with a new plan for a seven-story, 112-unit brick building fronting Nantasket Avenue. I remember as a young girl with some friends taking the train to Revere Beach Amusement Park in the 50s many times. I loved Rocky Point. 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 doll has to be from the fiftys because my aunt died, and she was 81 when she died in 1992. By then, the Stone family found itself in an unfamiliar position: unsure of how long the park could survive. )And I grew up in Holden, so, yes Whalom Park. Coney entrepreneur George C. Tilyou, one of the most prolific showmen at the turn of the 20th century rivaling P.T. I remember barely being able to wait until the park opened at 12?1? 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. Bemsons was my other favorite with animals and rides. I have a 24 doll won by my aunt at the Nantasket beach, the doll has no markings, but has the tag still stapled on the voil dress she has on, the tag said won at Luckys Nantasket beach park . With the economy still climbing out of a recession, they faced stark reality years of deferred maintenance and the rising popularity of larger theme parks meant that significant investment would be required to modernize Paragon and make it competitive as a destination. Well put. The later years at Bensons they had Christmas displays. I was a lonely kid wandering the park every night, until I Maybe I might see them again in Heaven. He also would own the row of storefronts along Nantasket Avenue from the front entrance northward to Fascination, although to most observers, the separation was not noticeable. https://vimeo.com/382437881, Paragon PkSo MUCH fun My Family would go into Boston and take the boat I cant remember what pier but it took about 1/2hr 2 get 2 Nantasket BeachIt was a LIFE time ago the Memorys last FOREVER. I do recall later that year being able to pick up a trinket or two at Building #19, a local salvage and odd lot shop, but even now the sight of this sign makes me kick myself. If your birthday was in the summer (mine wasnt), a party there was something to anticipate all year. It was a complicated transaction, as Dodge still was leasing the property from the railroad, and subleased the operation to Stone and Golden. Everytime I drive into town via George Washington Blvd I think back on when me and my siblings would try to be the first to see the roller coaster. The ride's top speed is 50 mph, according to the park's Web site. Navy man, Ill sure the trip was more for him than the two of us kids! In 1917, another man fell and got creamed into paste after reaching out of the Derby Racer to retrieve his fallen hat. We went with another family. A scenic railway was added in 1900. saw this little blond girl my age (10) all alone. I wonder if anyone remembers the Pine Island Park in NH. Fire struck again in the fall, destroying the Chateau ballroom at the rear of the park. Makes me a bit homesick for Mass, summer, the beach and childhood. Lincoln Park, North Dartmouth, Ma. Think classic American road trip and the name Route 66 will undoubtedly come up sooner rather than later, and for good reason. 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. What a great time to be a kid. Park. Remember Revere Beach and Canobie Lake when I was a kid growing up in Somerville, Ma. I grew up in Hull and I was in fifth grade when closed the park. Id have the day in the park while my parents and aunts and uncles would sit under the pavilion on a Sunday listening to the polka bands. While the Lincoln Park Comet may have rotted away until it was finally removed, The Giant Coaster from Paragon Park lives on at another park. 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! It was small. So glad you shared yours here too . In its 96 years, 1985 was the only season of operation the roller coaster has missed. 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. Jack! Perhaps the most famous attraction at Whalom Park was its 1940 Flying Comet wooden roller coaster, built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the same outfit responsible for the wooden coasters at Coney Island. 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. Beach was great! Took my kids to Kings Castle Land, Whitman, Ma, I miss Riverside Park, Agawam, Ma-not the same since Six Flags took it over. Ill always remember my trips to Whalom Park with my family and especially the rides on the Whip and Tilt-O-Whirl with my grandfather. What a wonderful and very interesting article about the history of amusement parks in New England. Grew up going to Lincoln Park many times,roller rink, bowling alley , battle of the bands on weekends as a teenager and the rides,Kiddieland and famous for wooden rollercoaster then went to McCrays for fried clams on RT 6 . We took our children there when there were young. A perfect ending to another day in paradise at the shore! Eric- what cool memories! Became engaged watching the submarine races there in 1961. I can always remember when we were getting close to the the beach and we would pick-up the scent of the ocean and we could hear the screams coming from the riders on the coaster. It was in Killingly, many miles north and east, and my parents had a cranky little boy on their hands. I got to Paragon Park just once, the year before it closed; I was amused that the condo development the park was torn down for was one of the first to go bust when the economic bubble burst. And in the mid-1960s, local radio station WBZ would sometimes have live broadcasts from Paragon Park. For the younger crowd, there was the Normandy Room. 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. I took my children there all the time ides were reasonable for a family. Salisbury Beach was a once a year treat. Such wonderful memories of a different time!???? Collections: Detroit Publishing Company Part of: . My mom told me about going to Whalom Park as a child (she grew up in Fitchburg) but I didnt get there until I had my own family and we returned to Massachusetts after a tour of duty in Europe. Six Flags America in Maryland purchased the coaster and relocated it in 1985. The actors included many stars on their way up including Hal (and his then wife, Ruby). Cause of death was categorized as a result of either external trauma or a medical condition based on available information. growing up in Nashua, it was an exciting and exotic school field trip in the early 70s. The coaster shut down when Paragon Park closed in 1984. What are two most common biomes in Africa? 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. Rocky Point was my 8th grade class trip! Two people are dead and two are seriously injured after the last car on the Quimera roller coaster at the . Within two seasons, however, Paragon was falling short of its financial projections, Eastern Parks investors wanted to abandon the concept. and I will never forget the day July 2, 1952 when we (my brother and I and cousins) were getting ready to go on the kiddie roller coaster when we suddenly had to leave. I also remember Bensons fondly . The Palm Garden restaurant, function facility, and performance hall at the base of the hill drew guests of the surrounding hotels and larger parties of conventioneers, corporate dinners, and class reunions. Although the park suffered $5 million in damages, the park owner has no doubt of its return. The amusement park closed for good in 1984. Could hear the train whistle every Saturday from my yard. Let us know in the comments below! The rest of the site is devoted to condominiumdevelopment. Next, Statistics are an important factor to take into consideration when you begin riding an ample amount of roller coasters. Most of the time, news of an injury or death at a theme park involves a roller coaster. I went for a visit recently and got inspired for a novel Im working on, but I was looking for some photographic inspiration. 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. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, Nantasket Beach has been a popular summer vacation destination for city dwellers. Rollercoaster, FunHouse, Clambakes at the Pavillion, roller skating rink, Dancing ( with name bands, my Aunt sang there with a band for a while! I grew up in the 80s and 90s in rhode island and Rocky Point was an amazing amusement park. It is now located next to the old train station and clock tower. My cousin owned the pizza shop across the street from the parking lot and lived there. Mom would always say well have to start saving our pennies, and we did. In addition to a massive saltwater swimming pool and a Ferris wheel with an ocean view, popular rides included the Corkscrew Loop Roller Coaster, the 13-story Freefall, the Log Flume, and the Castle of Terror. In short, we Fond memories of Nantasket. Share. I remember that was my choice Pleasure Island or a birthday party, and I always picked going to that park! On Wednesday, June 12, 1985, hundreds of former employees, nostalgic patrons, and park operators from around the country braved a rainstorm to watch as bids were placed on each part of the park, from ticket booths and ride equipment to signs bearing the Paragon name. When I drive around that corner approaching Paragon park I am still a little startled when I see a bunch of condos instead of the roller coaster. Many years back the classic shore dinners in a pavilion over the water made it famous. We could ride the rides all day. Its assets were sold off in 1979, with the land being cleared for a housing development. 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/. One day in June 1911 while the roller coaster company's owner was standing up in a roller coaster car delivering a speech to other passengers about safety, he ironically fell to his death. They open for the 2022 season on May 28. https://www.canobie.com/. White City Amusement Park on Lake Quinsig in Worcester, MA. Shore dinners especially the clamcakes. Early 50s. Roller Coaster; Wood; Sit Down; Extreme; Make: Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. Pictures; Videos; Maps; Tracks. With the Stones out of town on vacation, disaster duty fell to Klayman. I loved the Giant Coaster and the Congo Cruise. 1954 finally put an end to it them again in the early 60s hear the train every! 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