Lake Shawnee Amusement Park facts for kids
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Amusement park in 2013
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| Location | Princeton, West Virginia, U.S. |
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| Coordinates | 37°24′22″N 81°08′33″W / 37.406050°N 81.142372°W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Closed | 1966 |
The Lake Shawnee Amusement Park was a fun park located in Princeton, West Virginia, United States. It was built right next to Lake Shawnee. The park first opened in 1926 and welcomed visitors for 40 years. It closed its doors in 1966. Over the years, some sad events happened at the park, leading to stories that it might be haunted. These stories became popular urban legends.
Contents
Park History and Closure
The land where Lake Shawnee Amusement Park was built has a long history. In the mid-1700s, there was a conflict over the land. This event has been confirmed by historical records.
In 1926, a person named C.T. Snidow bought this land. He wanted to create a fun place for families in Mercer County, West Virginia. The park quickly became popular with local families, especially those whose parents worked as coal miners.
What the Park Offered
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park had many exciting attractions. Visitors could enjoy a big ferris wheel and a thrilling swing ride. It also featured a swimming pool where people could cool off. There was a race track for fun events and concession stands to buy snacks. A dance hall was available for parties, and cabins allowed families to stay overnight.
Why the Park Closed
The park officially closed in 1966. Years later, in 1985, a former employee named Gaylord White bought the land. He hoped to bring the park back to life. He briefly reopened it in the summer of 1987. However, the park closed again after an important discovery. In 1988, an archaeological dig found many old Native American items. They also found human remains that were buried long before European settlers arrived. Because of these discoveries, the park closed again after only three years. Since then, the park has not reopened for rides. Instead, it has hosted guided tours for people interested in paranormal stories.
Lake Shawnee in the Media
Because of the local legends and stories, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park has been featured on several television shows. These shows often explore mysterious or haunted places.
Television Features
- In 2002, the park was shown on the TV series Scariest Places on Earth. This episode aired on ABC Family.
- The abandoned park was also featured in 2010. It appeared on an episode of Most Terrifying Places in America on the Travel Channel.
- In 2019, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park was again highlighted. It was part of a paranormal TV series called Most Terrifying Places, also shown on Travel Channel.
