Slideshow of Defunct/Abandoned Paradise Lake Amusement Park, Wills Township, Ohio
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Experience the rides and attractions that were offered at this short-lived amusement park called Paradise Lake. Paradise Lake was located in Wills Township, Ohio, near New Concord, Middlebourne and Salesville, Ohio from 1981 to 1983.
The historian of the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA), Jim Futrell, shares an informal slideshow during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Organized in 1978, the National Amusement Park Historical Association is an international educational and enthusiasts’ organization dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the heritage of the amusement park - past, present and future. Membership is open to anyone interested in amusement parks and includes individuals from all walks of life in the United States, Europe and Asia. In addition to enthusiasts, many amusement parks, manufacturers and other attractions industry-related businesses are NAPHA members. Follow NAPHA
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I had heard the owner was trying to get financial backing, but couldn't get it, and had scrap the entire project. I had the opportunity to visit the park in 1982,and it really was a nice little park, and set up. Went back in 1984, and found it was changed to a camp ground, which was disappointment. The western town was very realistic, and the area of fantasy land was a nice touch. One roller-coaster, Cyclone, similar to Jumbo Jet at Cedar Point was a fun ride.
Thanks for posting this! I lived in Cleveland in 1981, but made a side trip to Paradise Lake while on a trip to Kings Island. I couldn’t remember the name of the place or the exact location, but I remember it was right off I-70. I live in Columbus now and will have to pay more attention when I drive by Rt 513.
glad to see this video here,brings back a lot of memories,i was employed at paradise lake,thanks for uploading.
My wife and I own The Idora Park Experience in Canfield Ohio. Our rocket ship is not from Paradise Lake. The three rocket ships from Paradise Lake are still in the general area of Rt 70, Exit 193. They are owned by three members of the same family. One of those rockets sits in a field parallel to Rt 70 Eastbound. My wife and I verified this on Aug 20, 2020 when we took a trip to the area.
Jim,you're right about that,all three remain in the paradise lake area.the Idora park experience is really cool by the way.
Enjoyed meeting you in Aug.
Yeah that rocket car is still there. I remember that developer guy Phil Fry, he had quite a reputation of being a swindler and a shady entrepreneur. He stopped by our business once and gave everyone a 'free pass' which were never used cause the place went belly-up so quickly...
Phil Fry was was a swindler for sure, i worked at Paradise Lake and it had great potential.
Love your Idora book, Jim.
Very cool! I’m going to have to check out what I do park is. It be so neat to see more pictures of Paradise Lake Park when it was open! Thank you for all your research. Is there anything there now on that location
Thank you for posting this video.
This was awesome. I remember driving by this place in the mid 80s and always wondering about what was here. Thanks!
I grew up in Quaker City. Many generations of my family before me too. My mom’s generation was the generation when this park was going in. When I was growing up we would go up in there with our 4wheelers and dirt bikes. We sadly watched it sit and rot away. Until oil field come thru and wiped that area.
Just noticed a monorail car sitting alongside interstate the other day. Hadn't noticed it until then. Though clearly remember seeing the rails from I-70 for years. If still there today I will try to snap a pic.
are you sure it was a monorail car? i know there is a rocketship car along i-70.i would see a pic. thanks Jamie.
@@jamieshaver6557 it is in fact a rocket car! How long has it been there? It looks to have been for a while. Like I said I just noticed it the other day and I am by there quite often. Daily at the moment.
it has been there since the mid 1980's ,i think.
@@jamieshaver6557 please tell me you're kidding, or that it was hidden more!
There has been an old telephone booth sitting next to this now. It was just added a few weeks ago. Curious if it pertained to the amusement park and, if so, why has it only been added now?
This is located off of Interstate 70, The Quaker City exit in Guernsey County. You can see the smut hut (Lions Den) he references.
Smut hut 😂😂😂😂 I see more creepy tickets in there then I do smuts 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Plus in the mid 80”s another group came in and bought that property “Silver Dollar City” and was going to construct seven western themed towns on the property.
In the amusement park days, they had an in ground pool at the end of the “Western Town that was really nice that “Silver Dollar City” did refurbished and used.
They used my family’s mules in the advertisement videos.
It last two years or so but never came close to fruition.
It basically was a scam and a lot of people including my family who invested in, lost thousands of dollars.
The real “Silver Dollar City” out west actually I think sued that one based on copy right infringements and then had to change the name to “Miners Gab U.S.A”.
Little extra side note.
very interesting,thanks for the info "Silver Dollar City".
also do you who currently owns the former Paradise Lake property now?
The State of Ohio gave money to the park, I believe it was some sort of jobs creation thing. My wife and I thought it was a scam, as it was built literally in the middle of nowhere.
After this park closed a lot of the flats appeared at a “new amusement park” on the east side of Columbus. The space was across the street from Eastland Mall, behind a strip mall. I don’t think the place ever opened but I went by one afternoon and the rides were definitely the same.
I remember Paradise Lake’s bad publicity started on the opening weekend. It had rained and the grounds were a mud pit- there was no pavement or gravel on the walkways. Also one of the roller coaster cars (I think it was a Jet Star) got stuck on a block brake and riders were stranded with no way down. That photo hit the front page of the Columbus Dispatch the following Monday.
thanks Robert ididn't know about the mall park. also i worked at Paradise Lake.