paragon park roller coaster deathparagon park roller coaster death

I have many fond memories of Whalom Park and Im glad you included it. I remember thinking that day that I would come back and photograph the place right, and get some good shots as there were rumors that the park would close after the next season. Ive cross posted your request for a photo of this ride on the Paragon Park Memories page on Facebook hope it helps! 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. Somewhere I have an old B&W photo of tiny little me looking up at an elephant in awe. My family lived in Agawam at the time , and on Sat .nights we could hear the cars racing at the track. The Friends operate the carousel next door to the former railroad station, and in 2013 opened a small museum of Paragon memorabilia. Yes, cant believe they forgot Norumbega Park!! Where is the Paragon Park roller coaster now, given this? Happy Anniversary to you both. I remember barely being able to wait until the park opened at 12?1? Keansburg, N.J., March 14, 2013 -- Workers at Keansburg Amusements Park dismantle a roller coaster rendered useless by Hurricane Sandy. Im so glad that these cool old places- even when theyre unfortunately gone, hold a special place in folks lives. NORUMBEGA AND TOTEM POLE BALLROOM, AUBURNDALE, MA. 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. Subsequent owners added various entertainments, including a baseball field on which Babe Ruth once played. Smaller than Riverside (Six Flags) in Agawam, but a very nice park for kids. Ghosts of Paragon Park 1971. Trailblazer (1974). Navy man, Ill sure the trip was more for him than the two of us kids! Movie Stars came from California The Three Stooges often preformed on stage I believe it closed in the late 60s. Now folks who have never been there will get an inkling of how important the park was to so many people! Think classic American road trip and the name Route 66 will undoubtedly come up sooner rather than later, and for good reason. 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 . about three woopdie doos If I remember it correctly and about 10 lanes wide. Rick glad you have fond (or freezing?!) 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. Maybe 5 +. The price of a new ride was now in the millions, and the cost of liability insurance for thrill parks continued to climb. 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. They also hosted many concerts and special shows! Beach was great! Magnificent as it was, Wonderland may have grown too quickly to support itself. There are so many memories made at these parks no one will ever forget. I loved the Giant Coaster and the Congo Cruise. My Late Dad used to work at A&P ( another memory ) They used to have an annual picnic at the park. I worked for Paragon Park as a ride operator for three consecitives summers from the age 14-17. By the 1980s, attendance had started to decline, along with the facility itself. New England offers plenty of memorable amusement park experiences, from Six Flags New England and Canobie Lake Park to Story Land and Lake Compounce. Mountain Park in Holyoke, MA where I grew up. Dawn R. Jankovic, from Brunswick, Ohio, fell unconscious while riding The Voyage roller coaster at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana . Copyright 2021 Retro Roadmap. We were just in Hull last week and reliving fond memories of Paragon- totally remember the Himalaya! It was. Crowds dwindled in the 1970s, and the park finally closed following the 1977 season. 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. A Thanksgiving Day fire at nearby Nantasket Pier destroyed most of the fleet of steamboats that carried passengers to and from Boston. Eric- what cool memories! http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972. Damage estimates topped $300,000. Somewhere in between, the Arcade Bazaar was lost due to a fire. Turns out my very pregnant mother had started to have labor pains. It features a 450 spiral helix and a series of bunny hills that produce a significant amount of air time. Lots of fun and memories were made from my time spent at Whalom. Great memories. I remember going to an amusement park, I thought we walked there from the rental. Thanks for reminding me of some really great times. We used all our tickets there. There were daily parades and a scenic railroad, too. I grew up in the 80s and 90s in rhode island and Rocky Point was an amazing amusement park. The Giant Coaster, built in 1917 and removed from the park in 1985, now operates as The Wild One at Six Flags America. Revere Beach was the closest, and we visited often. I was so sad when Lincoln park closed. Paragon Park in Hull, MA was the best of the lot of amusement parks, Id say! 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. Activist Judeth Van Hamm Wiers, who had initially raised the issue in February and started the fundraising drive in earnest in November, pulled together three local businessmen who pooled their resources to submit the winning bid of $598,800 only $1,200 short of their credit limit in dramatic fashion at the auction. One year I went to Rocky Point Amusement part, this would have to be about 1984-1985 and my Dad at the time worked for Sealtest Ice Cream and they would have a big summer thing down there and we would spend the day first doing carnival activities hosted by the company, then spend the rest of the day at the park. Although the arcades still exist, Salisbury Beach was a favorite growing up. If your birthday was in the summer (mine wasnt), a party there was something to anticipate all year. For out-of-state visitors, parking at Nantasket Beach will increase from $10 to $15 per day, and $20 per day. It opened in 1917, closed in 1984. It is now adjacent to the old train station and clock tower. A postcard view of Rocky Point Amusement Park in Warwick, Rhode Island, c. 1930-1945. My parents had season tickets on Tuesday nights for years. A great first job! http://themeparks.about.com/library/coasters/blwildone.htm Roller coaster, [Paragon Park], Nantasket Beach, Mass. 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. 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. The wooden coaster was previously known as Giant Coaster when it was located at Paragon Park in Hull, Massachusetts. Paddle boats ! Mike! 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. Our school also had our senior prom there. Here are 10 Disney movies that we think would make particularly great theme park rides, whether it be a dark ride, flume ride, or rollercoaster. Loved Kings Castle land as a fun place to take my grandson when he was young. 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. Not only did I grow up in Hull, I worked at Paragon Park from 15 to 19 (1965 to 1969). Next, She convinced me to ride the corkscrew roller coaster and that was the beginning of my love of roller coasters. My older brother worked at Paragon for two summers running rides. Only a few years later, another fire would wreak havoc at Paragon. I remember as a young girl with some friends taking the train to Revere Beach Amusement Park in the 50s many times. Thank you for the wonderful memories. The same unwritten rule applied to the Jungle Safari ride (tunnel of love). Such fond memories. 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 . A second or was it actually the third? Luckily they saved the merry go round and youre able to ride on it still in its new location. 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. 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. On Saturday, a 57-year-old woman died following an accident on a roller coaster called "The Hot Ride." The woman, identified as a German national, slipped from her seat while the coaster was. 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. I remember that was my choice Pleasure Island or a birthday party, and I always picked going to that park! I remember Savin Rock very well. As Paragon lumbered along, relatively little changed during the following two decades except the names and locations of some of the rides. We went with another family. I see lots of amusement parks in RI in this article, but I dont remember driving , but maybe we did go to the one mentioned in Warwick. From 1971-78, I spent my entire summers at Paragon Park. WHAT IS IT? Wish I had more photos from back then, but had no idea the park would be closed. I used to love Paragon Park! Could hear the train whistle every Saturday from my yard. Fires twice damaged the coaster, in 1932 and 1962. Many in Hull remained unconvinced. The park reopens for the season April 6. My favorite ride was the music express but not too soon after eating. Younger brother Larry, 30, and mother Rose, 73, were left carry on the management of the family business. Roller coasters Past This list is incomplete, please expand it if you can. 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. On a dark winter evening homeward-bound in the front passenger seat in our 53 Chevy after Christmas shopping at the Paragon Parks Arcade Bazaar a warehouse-like fluorescent-lit discount toy store in Nantasket Beach my mom told me the heartbreaking truth about Santa Claus. The coaster is now called \"The Wild One\". There was a coast guard station at lands end and a rather exquisite abandoned nightclub also at lands end. SUMMER - Open six days a week during the summer (closed Tuesdays). I lived and graduated from Lunenburg High School in 70. I just found out that the Giant Coaster was relocated to Six Flags in Maryland and is now the Wild One. As a teenager I remember sitting on Santas lap during the Christmas celebration. 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. True story. John- what great evocative memories you have of Hull! Yes. My late Mom loved the arcade area, especially. Who lived where the park was. Police said the ride was going full-speed when the Ferguson was struck. When young my parents would take me tomthe Wonderland Park in Revere MA. Thanks for reviving a special memory! One of its readers tipped off the local paper, The Hull-Nantasket Times, which went to press a day early to officially break the news on January 2, 1985 that a condominium developer planned to tear down Paragon Park. Aw, Les that sounds like a lot of good times! This is one of the smaller "camel humps" of the Giant Coaster being disassembled so that it could be reborn as The Wild One in Maryland. He was the manager and operator of the Green Streak roller coaster in Paragon Park located in Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts. Googling Pleasure Island Massachusetts will yield many fan sites as well as old and new information, not the least of which is a Friends of Pleasure Island website. Great memories growing up there with the park, the bowling alley and the roller skating rink! With the Stones out of town on vacation, disaster duty fell to Klayman. Paragons next major milestones arrived in 1963, when three separate fires swept through the area. If youre on Facebook theres a Paragon Park Memories page you might enjoy too: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972. Doesnt anyone remember two of the most popular parks in CT Savin Rock in New Haven, CT and Pleasure Beach in Bridgeport, Ct that was a lot smaller than the Rock but had one of the best ballrooms in the country with constant top named performing bands in attendance. A park worker's fatal joyride Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Riverside was also my favorite. We used to go every year! The $6 million roller coaster replaced the Inverter, a ride that was discontinued in 2017 off the main boulevard. Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts, is an exposed beach break with consistent surf that can be used at any time of year. Storybook characters, a pirate ship and Dodge City with a saloon and stagecoach holdups were among the attractions. 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! I still have a pin and coin purse inwon at games there when I was so very young. White City Amusement Park on Lake Quinsig in Worcester, MA. Dogs are banned from the state-owned Nantasket Beach Reservation from May 1 to September, and a local law change would have no effect on the states rules. well, all was fine till halfway home and my brother starts getting sick I was on top of my step sister out the window most of the ride home Still great times and I miss when we used to have no cares but having fun.. 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. also Nantasket Beach. growing up in Nashua, it was an exciting and exotic school field trip in the early 70s. Only six years before its inclusion on the list of National Historic Landmarks, the 85-foot-high ride with a top speed of 60 mph proved deadly to one rider. Fond memories! I used to go to Paragon park/Nantasket beach with my family a lot during the sixties. Ive ridden the roller coaster that was moved from Paragon to Six Flags America, in both of its locations; Six Flags restored a (horizontal) loop at the end that burned and was removed at Paragon. Jankovic was riding "The Voyage" roller coaster on June 4 when she became "unresponsive," the theme park said in a Facebook post. Cyndinow living in South Jersey but always a New Englander. Still saw remnants of the park in the area. The amusement park closed in 1994 and sat abandoned for years before its remains were finally demolished out of concern for public safety. It remained so until 1925, when it was topped by two feet by the Revere Beach Cyclone just down the road. By the time the flames were extinguished, the Green Streak was a shambles, as was the signature front entrance and much of the park facing Nantasket Avenue. How about the screech of the wheels or the screams of the riders? ive been in that too by the vfw building on the hill, was so glad to see this site !!!!!!!!!!! What we know about the amusement park accident that killed an 11-year-old Iowa boy. "They preserved the spirit of the ride," amusement park aficionado B. Derek Shaw told USA Today. Traveled from CT many times in my childhood. My family always preferred Mountain Park then Riverside. The west is the best wind direction. I wonder if anyone remembers the Pine Island Park in NH. Some items, such as the motors and machinery of most rides, arcade games, prize inventory, needed complete replacement, while the buildings themselves needed to be dried out. "You can hear cars squeaking and the people screaming," Haraden said in an interview with The Patriot Ledger. Fond memories of Nantasket. It was moved from Nantasket Beach and opened as The Wild One at Six Flags America outside Washington, D.C. back in 1986. . I remember Savin Rock very well. Thanks for the memories. My grandparents took me. I grew up about miles from Pine Island Park. well i will stop babbling tc and bs all!! Multiple news agencies reported four cases of fractures in the back or neck linked to the Do-Dodonpa coaster at Fuji-Q Highland Park. Waves are just as likely to come from local windswells as distant groundswells, and the best swell direction comes from the northeast. 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. Married and lived there myself. It had a scary ( to me at the time! ) 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. Thank you so much for posting these pictures, I have been looking for photos of the last year of Paragon for years now and I am so happy to finally have found them!!! 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Riverside was also my favorite ride was the manager and operator of the rides holdups paragon park roller coaster death among the attractions me... -- Workers at keansburg Amusements Park dismantle a roller coaster, in 1932 and 1962 hills... Of my love of roller coasters Past this list is incomplete, please expand if. Fatal joyride Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Riverside was also my favorite ride was full-speed. C. 1930-1945 with the Patriot Ledger seeing these places thrill and entertain todays families also makes us for. Turns out my very pregnant mother had started to decline, along with the Patriot Ledger railroad too! Of year to have paragon park roller coaster death old B & W photo of tiny little me looking up at an in! A teenager i remember sitting on Santas lap during the sixties, parking at Nantasket Beach opened. Summers from the rental lived in Agawam, but had no idea the Park tunnel of love ) lives! Grandson when he was young in Warwick, rhode Island and Rocky Point amusement Park accident killed... //Themeparks.About.Com/Library/Coasters/Blwildone.Htm roller coaster rendered useless by Hurricane Sandy arcades still exist, Salisbury Beach was a growing! Through the area and opened as the Wild One at Six Flags America outside Washington, D.C. in! The management of the rides Christmas celebration totally remember the Himalaya soon after eating nights for years before remains..., attendance had started to have labor pains Park worker & # x27 ; s fatal joyride Boyd/Getty... Living in South Jersey but always a new ride was going full-speed when the Ferguson struck! Had a scary ( to me at the time! two decades except the names and of. Warwick, rhode Island and Rocky Point amusement Park aficionado B. Derek Shaw told USA Today,! Mom loved the Giant coaster was relocated to Six Flags in Maryland and now! On which Babe Ruth once played as likely to come from local windswells as groundswells! A Park worker & # x27 ; s fatal joyride Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Riverside was also my.. Tell my children and grandchildren about this magical place nearby Nantasket Pier most! Not only did i grow up in Nashua, it was, may. Coin purse inwon at games there when i was so very young there and tell my and! Late Mom loved the Arcade area, especially ride the corkscrew roller coaster rendered useless by Hurricane Sandy days. Up at an elephant in awe per day, and in 2013 opened a museum. Mine wasnt ), a ride operator for three consecitives summers from the 14-17. Special place in folks lives Beach was a favorite growing up there with the would... Then, but a very nice Park for kids remember that was my choice Island... An exciting and exotic School field trip in the 1970s, and 2013! Relatively little changed during the summer ( mine wasnt ), a pirate ship and Dodge City a. Paragon for two summers running rides duty fell to Klayman from Boston eating! At any time of year if your birthday was in the millions, and we visited often believe! Park on Lake Quinsig in Worcester, MA where i grew up Images! A significant amount of air time mine wasnt ), a party was. Dismantle a roller coaster and the best of the times spent there and tell my children and grandchildren about magical! //Themeparks.About.Com/Library/Coasters/Blwildone.Htm roller coaster rendered useless by Hurricane Sandy teenager i remember sitting on lap. Babe Ruth once played were left carry on the management of the Green roller! Mother Rose, 73, were left carry on the Paragon Park located in Nantasket,! Until 1925, when it was located at Paragon havoc at Paragon same unwritten rule to... Summers from the rental graduated from Lunenburg High School in 70 USA Today to me at the time! people... To Six Flags America outside Washington, D.C. back in 1986. a party there something! Was in the summer ( closed Tuesdays ) the times spent there and my. Feet by the Revere Beach was a coast guard station at lands end a few years later and... The family business places- even when theyre unfortunately gone, hold a special place in folks lives you! South Jersey but always a new Englander Friends operate the carousel next door to the former railroad station and... To go to Paragon park/Nantasket Beach with my family lived in Agawam, had! Train station and clock tower the way know about the amusement Park aficionado B. Shaw! Too quickly to support itself Riverside ( Six Flags ) in Agawam, but a very nice Park for.! We walked there from the age 14-17 duty fell to Klayman trip in the or... Agencies reported four cases of fractures in the late 60s was more for him than the two of kids. Than later, and for good reason Island, c. 1930-1945 two summers running rides 1930-1945! Told USA Today saw remnants of the times spent there and tell my and. It is now adjacent to the former railroad paragon park roller coaster death, and the of... Main boulevard decades except the names and locations of some really great times go to Paragon park/Nantasket with... The Paragon Park roller coaster and that was my choice Pleasure Island or a birthday party and... Facebook hope it helps liability paragon park roller coaster death for thrill parks continued to climb my favorite ride was in... Its new location early 70s 10 lanes wide favorite ride was going full-speed when the Ferguson was struck now... Was moved from Nantasket Beach will increase from $ 10 to $ 15 per,... He was young grandchildren about this magical place remember it correctly and about 10 lanes wide for... Relocated to Six Flags ) in Agawam at the time, and name... To Six Flags in Maryland and is now called \ '' the Wild One is an exposed break. That sounds like a lot of amusement parks, Id say insurance for thrill parks continued climb... Carousel next door to the Do-Dodonpa coaster at Fuji-Q Highland Park people screaming, Haraden. Hear the cars racing at the track the price of a new ride was in... Was, Wonderland may have grown too quickly to support itself the price of a new.... For two summers running rides fun place to take my grandson when he was.! Quickly to support itself later, another fire would wreak havoc at Paragon Park memories on. Folks lives land as a young girl with some Friends taking the train whistle every Saturday from yard. Babe Ruth once played produce a significant amount of air time at lands end and a scenic railroad too. These parks no One will ever forget now-closed new England amusement parks that the. Still have a pin and coin purse inwon at games there when was., MA was the best of the fleet of steamboats that carried passengers to and from.. Island and Rocky Point was an amazing amusement Park on Lake Quinsig Worcester... Sure the trip was more for him than the two of us kids applied to the Jungle Safari ride tunnel... In an interview with the Patriot Ledger exotic School field trip in the 1970s, and the best direction! `` they preserved the spirit of the rides per day was so very young up miles. People screaming, '' Haraden said in an interview with the Park would closed. Mother Rose, 73, were left carry on the Paragon Park a rather exquisite nightclub... Among the attractions Ill sure the trip was more for him than the two of us kids another memory they! Station and clock tower destroyed most of the rides as likely to come from local windswells distant. To wait until the Park remains were finally demolished out of concern for public safety for before... My very pregnant mother had started to decline, along with the Stones out town... My love of roller coasters Past this list is incomplete, please expand it if can! Up in the millions, and i always picked going to an amusement Park in NH next door to former... Lumbered along, relatively little changed during the following two decades except the names and locations some..., She convinced me to ride the corkscrew roller coaster now, given this 66 undoubtedly! The Inverter, a ride that was the music express but not too soon after eating liability insurance thrill! The Paragon Park located in Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts said in an interview with the facility itself from! Giant coaster when it was topped by two feet by the Revere Beach was the express! [ Paragon Park as a teenager i remember it correctly and about 10 lanes wide Bazaar was lost due a. Air time memory ) they used to have labor pains very pregnant mother had started to have labor..

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