My favorite ride was the merry go round and, when I got older the race track where you could drive cars around a track. Over the winter, Stone and Golden began working on how they would secure the continuation of Paragon. It is now adjacent to the old train station and clock tower. I still think of it and its thrills in y late 70s. )Danny Sordello. about three woopdie doos If I remember it correctly and about 10 lanes wide. The two men would face their first challenges early in their tenure. I think fondly of Whalom Park also. My parents had season tickets on Tuesday nights for years. 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. 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. \rIt is 1984! In fact, a penny would get you a lot in those days, especially in the penny arcade. Real estate interests were inspired both by the removal of what some considered the honky tonk amusements and by the zoning loophole Kahns plans had exposed. A perfect ending to another day in paradise at the shore! It is a warm summer day and Paragon Park is busy with visitors. Share. It was often referred to as Disneyland of the Northeast. There are at least two books published reminiscing about Pleasure Island. Im so glad that these cool old places- even when theyre unfortunately gone, hold a special place in folks lives. Download Go. 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. Dodge, a Boston businessman who had made a fortune selling whalebone, a substance that was used for so many products that it has been called the plastic of its day, was the prime mover behind the construction of Paragon. Great memories and was able to take my kids to a couple of these growing up. Cut fresh pasta into small rectangles and pinch the, Copyright 2023 TipsFolder.com | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Ive cross posted your request for a photo of this ride on the Paragon Park Memories page on Facebook hope it helps! Among the amusement rides in operation during Paragon Park's history was a traditional-style Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel (PTC #85) built in 1928 with hand-crafted horses, a bumper cars ride known as "Auto Scooters", a Ferris wheel, a horror-themed dark ride called "Kooky Kastle", and a wooden roller coaster known as The Giant Coaster.[1]. 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. Trailblazer (1974). 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 . I do remember Whalom Park and Bensons Wild Animal farm as well, we took our own children there a few times as well! . On June 9, 1991, death stalked the grounds of Kings Island amusement park. And in the mid-1960s, local radio station WBZ would sometimes have live broadcasts from Paragon Park. A 14-year-old girl has died after a roller coaster car came off the track at an amusement park in Denmark. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The park, which had been in the family of Larry and Phyllis Stone for 65 years, closed after the 1984 season and was sold for a condominium development. Even the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 did little to improve things, although the ability to obtain liquor licenses made it manageable. Roller skating, rides, swimming even a boat that gave rides around the lake. I know it was small compared to others mentioned, Salem Willows was always a blast! They open for the 2022 season on May 28. https://www.canobie.com/. 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. The person, who has not been identified, was flung about 10 feet out . White City Amusement Park on Lake Quinsig in Worcester, MA. We held Strong Family reunions there, one year my cousin Ted Strong parachuted into the Park! Lost in that fire was much of the holiday inventory of Toy-A-Rama, a seasonal store in Paragons former roller skating rink that competed against the Arcade Bazaar. Ive been on the one at Canobie and maybe one other but that was enough for me! From late June to early September, lifeguards are on duty. 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. Hi Joanne, I skated most every week end at the roller rink, Lil and her husband were great. All of that changed in 1984. 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. I remember going to an amusement park, I thought we walked there from the rental. We went with another family. If your birthday was in the summer (mine wasnt), a party there was something to anticipate all year. Founded in 1886 in the Riverside neighborhood of East Providence, Crescent Park thrived for nearly a century. A great park for a day trip with the family. It was the place to go. Lizzie- Myrtle Beach is definitely in the air today as a pal just asked about retro roadmap worthy places to go around that area. They flew around the 2,456-foot circuit and the coaster utilized two lift hills, each almost 100-feet high. Shortly after railroad executives signed the paperwork the following March, fire broke out in a paint shop at the park. I grew up there I really do miss it. 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. The first major fire at Paragon struck in 1911, leveling all of the buildings from the entrance south along Nantasket Avenue to what would become Park Avenue. On that trip my Dad and I and the oldest boy from the other family went to Mystic Seaport. Paragon Park opened to the public on Saturday, June 10, 1905, transforming Nantasket Beach for the better part of the 20th century. One bidder paid $25 for the entire lot of rainbow-colored trash cans. You forgot Pleasure Island. Is Nantasket Beach also open? It was dismantled and completely rebuilt down in Maryland. Whalom Park had it all, Playhouse Theatre where many big names came to preform in summer stock. Revere Beach was the closest, and we visited often. 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. The atmosphere was always great! Growing up in Everett,MA I know several of these parks. 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. But my most vivid, and fond memory was Misquamucut, and this mystery park! 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 couldn't wait to turn the site into a condominium complex. My first date with my now wife of 38 years was there! The most visible prize at the June auction didnt attract the highest bid, but garnered the most attention. We used to go there every year for my birthday which is in June! Dartmouths Child World Store Was Way Better Than Toys R Us, Dartmouth Bootleggers Role in Ending Prohibition, Dartmouth Responds to Homelessness [TOWNSQUARE SUNDAY], Cheers to National Margarita Day at These SouthCoast Spots, Dartmouth Man Pledges $25,000 to Shawmut Diner Rehab, Dartmouth To Be Home Of First SouthCoast Crumbl Cookies, New Bedford Shawmut Diner Donor to Bristol County Sheriff: Use It or Give It Back, Dartmouth School Bus Rear-Ended in Morning Crash, Have Heart-Shaped Pizza Delivered This Valentines Day. Also, we often went to Jolly Chollys in North Attleboro as well. I took my children there every Wednesday . My Park in Holyoke, MA. Today, all that remains of the park is the carousel that was built in 1928, which now is housed in a pavilion a bit down the road from where it once stood, yet still allows for children to ride its hand-carved horses almost a century after they were first created. Im now a Hull year-round resident, 1/4 mile from where the park once stood. There was a tunnel of love dubbed the Rivers of Venice, an on-site radio station, and of course all manner of roller coasters and other thrill rides. Still remember the black rubber knife I bought as a souvenir. [2]. Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff/File/Globe. At about the same time, Dodge decided to scale back from running Paragon on a day-to-day basis. We could ride the rides all day. The Philadelphia Toboggan carousel was rescued and now operates at Battleship Cove in Fall River. Navy man, Ill sure the trip was more for him than the two of us kids! The Giant Coaster, which was built in 1917 and was removed from the park in 1985, is now known as The Wild One at Six Flags America. 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. Shore dinners especially the clamcakes. In 1931, David and Rose Stone created the Paragon Park Operating Company to hold their ownership interest and shield it from creditors. The place I remember having the coldest water and almost cramping my toes is Old Orchard Beach in Maine. 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. 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. Developed by nickpc. Storybook characters, a pirate ship and Dodge City with a saloon and stagecoach holdups were among the attractions. Does ANYONE remember the giant blue slide that was down next to the clock where they moved the Carousel too? Paragon Park in Hull, MA was the best of the lot of amusement parks, Id say! I also remember the Revere Beach Amusements alomng Revere Beach in the 50s and 60s. What a surprise to have Colossus live at our Zoo here, for many years. We had some good times there. A great first job! I would add Norumbega Park in auburndale Mass, and pleasure Island. Too bad theyre all just sweet memories now. A trip to Rocky Point was the highlight of our summers in the 1950s. In one incident, a man fell into a pond. What we know about the amusement park accident that killed an 11-year-old Iowa boy. Today, the only surviving remnant of Paragon Park on the boardwalk is the historic Paragon Park Carousel, which was moved from its original site. Where is the Paragon Park roller coaster now, given this? Owner / Operator I loved Norumbega Park and all the rides. The 25.9-acre amusement park the nation's 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. 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. Keep us posted on your book and have a great weekend! Except for the flying swings incident. 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. Roller coasters. Yes, Mountain Park in Holyoke, MA! It operated there from 1917 to 1984. Is there a wave on Nantasket Beach? We rented a big house, across the street from the beach. 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. Not only did I grow up in Hull, I worked at Paragon Park from 15 to 19 (1965 to 1969). Used to be a boat we could take from Boston to Nantasket for a great day trip. 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. Whalom Park was my go to place, the rides, the roller skating rink and the summer stock Playhouse. Of course, we miss Rocky Point and Crescent Park, they were in our state of RI; however, Jolly Chollies was an equally amazing amusement park. My Dad was. In 2019, there were 1,299 injuries in US amusement parks. It was a Big Deal! Sorry when it closed. All Rights Reserved. I still remember feeling sad for this elephant who had a steel cuff on its leg and was chained to the floor. Contents. Its amazing how fast people forget. Then there was the Normandy Room (dancing for the younger crowd) but the definite highlight was the Totem Pole Ballroom if your date invited you to go there, you were on top of the world!! While sad, the news contained one ray of hope a final season for nostalgia-filled fans to say goodbye. Now folks who have never been there will get an inkling of how important the park was to so many people! Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. It was. Contents 1 History 1.1 Sale and move No Paragon Park??? I can remember Whalom as it were yesterday, spent lots of hrs at the park, stayed with my aunt a lot, lived on Chase ave, down by the play house cabins for the stars. Nantasket Beach. Ah, yes, Norumbega Park..grew up in Auburndale, so visiting the Park was a frequent occasion. Fond memories! 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. The propertys history as a public attraction dates back to the 1840s, when a steamboat captain named William Winslow purchased the property and started offering scenic dinners there. I hope that whatever parks are now available to families offer todays kids memories that they will carry with them into their 70s too. Whalom Park! At its opening, Trailblazer was the first major coaster to be added to Hersheypark in 18 years. The Likelihood of Dying on a Roller Coaster. 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. My best friend took me there when I moved to the area in 1983. congrats on 57 yrs. A new stone-carved front entrance designed by Hugh Cairns would add elegance to the Nantasket Avenue side. Park. Copyright 2021 Retro Roadmap. "It has stood the test of time." My question exactly! 2022 Dennis Connors Photography. 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. 1 g per cup Kelloggs Corn, Why do blackberries have such a bitter flavor? It had a scary ( to me at the time! ) I felt so sorry for that creature. I remember Savin Rock very well. The coaster was 1,400 feet long and featured an 88-foot drop. 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. My Aunt bought a house near back entrance. No one riding on the roller coaster was injured, Sheth said. [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. Think classic American road trip and the name Route 66 will undoubtedly come up sooner rather than later, and for good reason. Benson opened his property to the public in 1924, and from there he added attractions such as rides, games, and concessions. Eric- what cool memories! 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. Skeeball and pinball machines were favorite games at Paragon Park's penny arcade. I liked Riverside Park in the 70s. Today, the only surviving remnant of Paragon Park on the boardwalk is the historic Paragon Park Carousel, which was moved from its original site. I took my children there all the time ides were reasonable for a family. different name. I wonder if anyone remembers the Pine Island Park in NH. 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. My sons favorite memory is throwing up on the flying swings. And you can still ride the Wild One wooden roller coaster at Six Flags America in Maryland. Traveled from CT many times in my childhood. Coney entrepreneur George C. Tilyou, one of the most prolific showmen at the turn of the 20th century rivaling P.T. My brother and I had great times there. Whalom Park was a wonderful place for so many in the 60s. Roller Coaster; Wood; Sit Down; Extreme; Make: Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. Pictures; Videos; Maps; Tracks. These old beach attractions are truly an endangered species. Peter thats so cool that your grandad had the restaurant under the clock! 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. Kids ride tickets were only 15 cents . Hands down, Mountain Park in Holyoke (Western Massachusetts). Built in 1917, the wooden. 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