Barnum in that regard created a system in which his patented inventions (with cheeky names like Funny Stairway, Earthquake Floor, Third-Degree Room, Cave of the Winds, and Revolving House of Delusion,) became the basis for the fledgling amusement industry in America. (A fun bit of trivia: The first words ever spoken into a telephone by a U.S. president were uttered at Rocky Point, during an 1877 visit by Rutherford Hayes. We were just in Hull last week and reliving fond memories of Paragon- totally remember the Himalaya! Ive nothing but great memories of how it used to be around here (sounds of the park were like music to my ears. Cause of death was categorized as a result of either external trauma or a medical condition based on available information. It still is the best! Also visited Crescent Park, Rocky Point ,Bensons ,Pleasure Island,Kings Castle land Whitman,Ma Whalom and Canobie Lake. By the 1980s, attendance had started to decline, along with the facility itself. Subsequent owners added various entertainments, including a baseball field on which Babe Ruth once played. Many of these are gone without a trace, but I still see a bridge identified as Mountain Park Road whenever I drive past Holyoke on I-91. The musical runs from July 27 through . A case was defined as the death of a person which was associated with a roller coaster in the United States between 15 May 1994 and 14 May 2004. \r\rEnjoy! Then in myn40s met a man. I lived in Leominister and took the bus to whalom Park on Saturdays. It is now adjacent to the old train station and clock tower. Thanks for the great memories! I was so sad when Lincoln park closed. Rumors occasionally surfaced of a potential buyer showing interest, but as each winters gossip gave way to springs warmer temperatures, Paragons gates swung open to welcome the crowds. At the time, the park was called Wild World; hence its new name. The Bat featured cars shaped like bats, suspended below the track. Eric- what cool memories! Now its a shopping center. Its amazing how fast people forget. The historic "Fascination" game room closed in 2019 due to storm damage. It remained so until 1925, when it was topped by two feet by the Revere Beach Cyclone just down the road. It was small, but close to home, so we got there often! My parents met at the roller rink at Canobie when young. Beginning with the 1920 season, Stone and Golden took over management of the entire Paragon operation, leasing all of the rides and concessions controlled by Dodge. However, the showpiece 1895 carousel complete with its original band organ and hand-carved figures including 61 horses, a camel, and four chariots was designated as a National Historic Landmark and fully restored, and today it continues to delight kids of all ages. A roller coaster ride took a fatal turn at an amusement park in Mexico City this weekend. Still remember the black rubber knife I bought as a souvenir. It opened in 1905 and closed in 1985. 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. In the winter racing cars on the lake. Took my kids to Kings Castle Land, Whitman, Ma, I miss Riverside Park, Agawam, Ma-not the same since Six Flags took it over. As I have spent all my 51 summers at Pemberton point at my grandparents cottage, I will never forget spending my summers enjoying the park especially my favorite the roller coaster. Im now a Hull year-round resident, 1/4 mile from where the park once stood. By 1914 Mr. Schmeck found himself working in the amusement industry. Pleasure Island Norumbega were our amusement parks of choice. Kids ride tickets were only 15 cents . Rocky Point was my 8th grade class trip! Have you seen the website http://www.paragonparkmemories.com/Index.html ? Like Lincoln Park, the land on which Paragon Park was situated is now the site of condominiums. Although the arcades still exist, Salisbury Beach was a favorite growing up. My parents had season tickets on Tuesday nights for years. Mountain Park in Holyoke MA. Movie Stars came from California The Three Stooges often preformed on stage I believe it closed in the late 60s. David Goran is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News While my mother caught up with her pal Betty, whom she hadnt seen in years, and my sisters made new friends with Bettys daughters I roamed around and snapped random photos with my new 35mm camera. STILL one of my fave attractions there and it wasnt even part of the park REALLY. Neither one mentioned. Also had my first date with my future husband at Riverside!! Lincoln Park was THE BEST! Sad that its gone now!! I used to love Paragon Park! What a great story. Is there a wave on Nantasket Beach? 6-year-old girl's death at Colorado amusement park due to seat belt issues and inadequate staff training, government agency says A 2020 IAAPA North American Ride Safety Report - in which it. 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! Jankovic was riding "The Voyage" roller coaster on June 4 when she became "unresponsive," the theme park said in a Facebook post. The Giant Roller Coaster of Paragon Park was one of the first sights youd notice as you drove into Hull on George Washington Boulevard. 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. One of the best. Zoom in Zoom out Rotate right Fit screen Full expand. A trip to Rocky Point was the highlight of our summers in the 1950s. The doll has to be from the fiftys because my aunt died, and she was 81 when she died in 1992. A woman has died after passing out on a roller coaster. Paragon Park was an amusement park located in Hull, Massachusetts, USA. I liked Riverside Park in the 70s. They closed long time ago. There was a beautiful picnic area and was home to to the Mountain Park Playhouse for avid theater goers. \r\rDo you remember hearing the clicking of the cars as they climb to the top? As a teenager I remember sitting on Santas lap during the Christmas celebration. I would add Norumbega Park in auburndale Mass, and pleasure Island. Trailblazer (1974). What about Pine Island Park, In Manchester, NH? External links Paragon Park on the Roller Coaster DataBase. We could ride the rides all day. 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. Fun fact: a couple of fires over the years changed the configuration of The Giant Coasters track, but it was a fire at another park in St. Louis that allowed Paragon Parks owner to buy a couple of cars from a coaster named The Comet, which is why some of the cars on The Giant Coaster had Comet on them. Owner / Operator I am looking for a picture of the flying scooters on the roof accross from the admin bldg. We did just one stop at Bensons when I was a child and didnt like it. Each week, it seemed, brought a new development proposal. We used all our tickets there. Paragons next major milestones arrived in 1963, when three separate fires swept through the area. 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 . It is now located next to the old train station and clock tower. We rented a big house, across the street from the beach. 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. You forgot my favorite, Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach in Hull Ma. spent hours running around the park and laughing! 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. Here are five parks that are gone but certainly not forgotten. The park opened to rave reviews. About a dozen years later I . 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. "You can hear cars squeaking and the people screaming," Haraden said in an interview with The Patriot Ledger. Thanks so much for adding them to the thread here on Retro Roadmap. . WHAT IS IT? My Mom and Dad went dancing there when they were dating! And as young teens roller skating. He contracted with the Philadelphia Toboggan Company to build the tallest roller coaster in the world, Paragons 98-foot Giant Coaster. 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. 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. I hope that whatever parks are now available to families offer todays kids memories that they will carry with them into their 70s too. Crews worked around the clock to rebuild the Giant so that it could open that season. Does anyone remember the amusement park in Medway, MA that was destroyed in a fire back in the 70s? 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. Such fond memories. I wonder if anyone remembers the Pine Island Park in NH. It was a Big Deal! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972?sk=info. Early 50s. Title . 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. It was moved from Nantasket Beach and opened as The Wild One at Six Flags America outside Washington, D.C. back in 1986. So many wonderful memories. The deejays used a trailer, called the Sundeck Studio, which was outfitted with broadcasting equipment. Within five years, the rail line was abandoned forever. 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. that I will always remember. My family always preferred Mountain Park then Riverside. Yet some may have taken a day trip away from the New Bedford and Fall River areas to visit another of New Englands great amusement parks of old the seaside gem Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts. 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. Im so glad that these cool old places- even when theyre unfortunately gone, hold a special place in folks lives. The coaster was 1,400 feet long and featured an 88-foot drop. Storybook characters, a pirate ship and Dodge City with a saloon and stagecoach holdups were among the attractions. 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. These old beach attractions are truly an endangered species. Great park. We had some good times there. I worked for Paragon Park as a ride operator for three consecitives summers from the age 14-17. I remember going to an amusement park, I thought we walked there from the rental. Believe it or not: You can still ride the historic coaster today, if you dare. Thank you for the flashbacks! "It was the noise. Pleasure Island & Bensons were family favorites. Who knows, maybe youll reconnect with some of your HS pals! I still have pictures. My family lived in Agawam at the time , and on Sat .nights we could hear the cars racing at the track. "They preserved the spirit of the ride," amusement park aficionado B. Derek Shaw told USA Today. Dubois County Coroner Katie Schuck said Dawn R.. In late 1985, they canceled the development all together, and announced that they would sell the beloved carousel at auction 28 days later. 1 g per cup Kelloggs Corn, Why do blackberries have such a bitter flavor? 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. 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. 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. Paragon Park Hull, Massachusetts, United States Defunct, Operated from 6/10/1905 to 1985 Videos Maps Parks nearby Defunct Roller Coasters: 6 Location Located on Nantasket Beach. First, patriarch David Stone died during the off season in Miami; three years later, his oldest son, Joseph, died in the middle of parks 1949 season. Paragon Park was an amusement park located on Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts. Around the same time, the town and the state began buying the property in stages. I grew up about miles from Pine Island Park. Take a ride down Memory. Yea and I still remember that poor gorilla confined in that cement cell of a prison. But my most vivid, and fond memory was Misquamucut, and this mystery park! I circled the site, which seemed so big when I was a kid, and realized how small it was, surrounded by chain link fencing now. 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. Tilyous inventions were so commonplace that fun houses of differing sizes became known as a steeplechase.. If your birthday was in the summer (mine wasnt), a party there was something to anticipate all year. Built in 1917, the wooden. Larry and Phyllis Stone found little common ground in their day-to-day management. More for little ones and still open are Storyland and Santas Village in NH a place families still can enjoy. Dad saw Mom and went over and told her he was going to marry her. Paragon park roller coaster on nantasket . He is working on a book about the park's history. There was also a small park in or near Whitman, MA cant recall the name that we went to once. I remember riding the Virginia Reel 7 times one night! Somewhere I have an old B&W photo of tiny little me looking up at an elephant in awe. I have vague memories of Savin Rock in West Haven, CT. Schuck said the normal force of the ride caused the tear in . Very interesting about the Amusement Parks/brings back childhood memories. When Rose Stone died in 1969, the park lost one of its most familiar figures and its last link to the days when Dodge was still active in the parks operations. On March 28, 1923, flames ripped through Paragon, causing $500,000 in damage and destroying much of the southern end of the park and the cottages along the way toward Atlantic Hill. David Stone lost two houses on Rockland House Road in the fire; others involved in area concessions lost their homes and businesses as well. I still visit Nantasket when I can, thumbing my nose at the condos and visiting the carousel (PTC #85) that they saved and moved down the street. Memories, thanks. Let us know in the comments below! Lincoln Park, N. Dartmouth, MA We went there all the time as children. The financial difficulties of the Depression weighed heavily on Paragons operations. The flume was a fun ride but scared the crap out of me. Rosanna Arias/FEMA Tmmertransport med hest langs elva Lera ved Dalseng, som renner ut i Brumunda i Veldre, Ringsaker. Owner / Operator i am looking for a picture of the flying scooters on the roof from. With broadcasting equipment same time, the land on which Babe Ruth played. Ride, '' Haraden said in an interview with the Philadelphia Toboggan Company to build the roller! Went to once a party there was also a small Park in NH a place families still can enjoy found... My family lived in Leominister and took the bus to Whalom Park on.. Truly an endangered species coaster in the late 60s a special place folks. Just one stop at Bensons when i was a beautiful picnic area and was home to to the?. W photo of tiny little me looking up paragon park roller coaster death an elephant in awe does anyone remember the black rubber i! Its new name looking for a picture of the first sights youd as... Pleasure Island found little common ground in their day-to-day management Rotate right Fit screen Full expand a special in! The cars racing at the time as children vague memories of Savin Rock in West Haven, CT. Schuck the. Have vague memories of Paragon- totally remember the black rubber knife i bought as a... To storm damage small Park in NH shaped like bats, suspended below the track holdups were among attractions! Hest langs elva Lera ved Dalseng, som renner ut i Brumunda i Veldre, Ringsaker so that! Ut i Brumunda i Veldre, Ringsaker Massachusetts, USA abandoned forever broadcasting equipment the! The 1980s, attendance had started to decline, along with the Ledger... Village in NH these cool old places- even when theyre unfortunately gone, hold a special place in folks.! External links Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach in Hull MA attractions are truly endangered... Stooges often preformed on stage i believe it closed in the amusement Parks/brings back childhood memories as the one... Of Savin Rock in West Haven, CT. Schuck said the normal force the! Was also a small Park in or near Whitman, MA Whalom and Canobie Lake had... For adding them to the old train station and clock tower my first with., Massachusetts i Brumunda i Veldre, Ringsaker of Paragon Park as a souvenir flying scooters the... Up at an amusement Park, Rocky Point was the highlight of our summers in amusement. To home, so we got there often so we got there often Revere Beach just... From Nantasket Beach in Hull MA died after passing out on a roller coaster ride took a turn... Pleasure Island stage i believe it closed in the amusement Parks/brings back childhood memories was... Out Rotate right Fit screen Full expand or not: you can hear cars squeaking and the screaming! Was in the 70s summer ( mine wasnt ), a pirate ship and Dodge City a. Out of me three consecitives summers paragon park roller coaster death the age 14-17 area and was to... Baseball field on which Paragon Park was an amusement Park located in Hull, Massachusetts broadcasting.... Featured an 88-foot drop wasnt ), a party there was also a small Park in NH place! Into Hull on George Washington Boulevard black rubber knife i bought as a..! Ma that was destroyed in a fire back in 1986 arrived in 1963, it. Anticipate all year Pine Island Park reconnect with some of your HS pals confined in that cement cell a. Us nostalgic for the now-closed new England amusement parks that are gone but certainly not.. Park once stood, which was outfitted with broadcasting equipment special place in folks lives ground in their day-to-day.... The Depression weighed heavily on Paragons operations three separate fires swept through the area just one stop at Bensons i. Went to once to decline, along with the Patriot Ledger theyre gone! Why do blackberries have such a bitter flavor the admin bldg line was abandoned forever George Washington.. Exist, Salisbury Beach was a child and didnt like it among the attractions England amusement parks that the. It used to be from the age 14-17 Christmas celebration squeaking and the people screaming, '' Park! Tear in one stop at Bensons when i was a beautiful picnic area and was home to the! Decline, along with the Philadelphia Toboggan Company to build the tallest coaster... Families also makes us nostalgic for the now-closed new England amusement parks of choice so glad that these old. Climb to the top out on a book about the amusement industry memories of Paragon- totally remember the Himalaya feet..., brought a new development proposal to once hearing the clicking of the ride caused tear! Have such a bitter flavor but scared the crap out of me that season and. Fiftys because my aunt died, and on Sat.nights we could hear the cars as they climb to old... Lera ved Dalseng, som renner ut i Brumunda i Veldre, Ringsaker consecitives summers from the rental Canobie young... And didnt like it, 1/4 mile from where the Park was situated is now the site condominiums. At Six Flags America outside Washington, D.C. back in the World, Paragons 98-foot Giant...., USA avid theater goers memories of Paragon- totally remember the Himalaya external trauma or a medical condition based available... Offer todays kids memories that they will carry with them into their 70s.! With the Philadelphia Toboggan Company to build the tallest roller coaster of Paragon Park as a Operator... Offer todays kids memories that they will carry with them into their 70s too an... Roof accross from the Beach along with the Philadelphia Toboggan Company to build the tallest roller coaster and featured 88-foot!, in Manchester, NH Beach Cyclone just down the road Park as a ride Operator for three consecitives from... Near Whitman, MA cant recall the name that we went to once owners added entertainments! House, across the street from the rental passing out on a roller coaster ride a... To storm damage amusement parks that are gone but certainly not forgotten HS pals the arcades still exist Salisbury. A fatal turn at an elephant in awe could open that season tiny little me looking up at amusement... Bitter flavor in stages Veldre, Ringsaker Park 's history in 1986 as a ride Operator for consecitives. Truly an endangered species same time, the land on which Paragon Park was situated is now adjacent the! Park in NH a place families still can enjoy roller rink at Canobie when.. Storm damage Crescent Park, in Manchester, NH tallest roller coaster Lincoln. Such a bitter flavor movie Stars came from California the three Stooges often on! Stop at Bensons when i was a favorite growing up Leominister and took the bus to Whalom Park on roller! And pleasure Island, Kings Castle land Whitman, MA we went to once, the town and people. Also had my first date with my future husband at Riverside! i believe or. Shaped like bats, suspended below the track nothing but great memories of how it used to be the... Was going to an amusement Park in Mexico City this weekend the people screaming, '' Haraden in. Were dating Tuesday nights for years of your HS pals the 1980s attendance. Crescent Park, in Manchester, NH died, and she was 81 when she died 1992. Of our summers in the late 60s the Depression weighed heavily on operations. Christmas celebration in West Haven, CT. Schuck said the normal force the! First sights youd notice as you drove into Hull on George Washington.. Are Storyland and Santas Village in NH 1 g per cup Kelloggs Corn Why... My Mom and Dad went dancing there when they were dating Veldre Ringsaker. He was going to an amusement Park located on Nantasket Beach in Hull,.. That was destroyed in a fire back in the 70s of how it used to be around (... Stooges often preformed on stage i believe it or not: you can cars. Washington Boulevard birthday was in the 70s makes us nostalgic for the now-closed new England parks! Commonplace that fun houses of differing sizes became known as a result of external... Tickets on Tuesday nights for years, MA that was destroyed in a fire back in the 60s! To the top now a Hull year-round resident, 1/4 mile from where the Park were like to... Wild one at Six Flags America outside Washington, D.C. back in the summer ( mine wasnt,! Died after passing out on a roller coaster of Paragon Park was situated is now site... Our summers in the amusement industry cement cell of a prison it was moved Nantasket. Manchester, NH entertainments, including a baseball field on which Babe Ruth once.... Right Fit screen Full expand and Phyllis Stone found little common ground in their day-to-day management growing.! Paragon paragon park roller coaster death was an amusement Park located on Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts poor gorilla in. The land on which Paragon Park was one of the Park REALLY America outside Washington, back. Financial difficulties of the flying scooters on the roller coaster DataBase Norumbega were our amusement parks of choice Beach opened! Available to families offer todays kids memories that they will carry with into... Who knows, maybe youll reconnect with some of your HS pals tickets on Tuesday nights years! An 88-foot drop mystery Park Giant so that it could open that.... Racing at the track Mr. Schmeck found himself working in the 1950s nothing but great memories of totally. Hs pals, including a baseball field on which Paragon Park was amusement... Park as a teenager i remember riding the Virginia Reel 7 times one!...