Old Indiana Fun Park facts for kids
The most recent park logo found on a 1995 park brochure
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| Location | Thorntown, Indiana, USA |
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| Coordinates | 40°08′41″N 86°32′12″W / 40.144764°N 86.536678°W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opened | 1983 |
| Closed | 1996 |
Old Indiana Fun Park was an amusement park located near Thorntown, Indiana. It was located right off I-65. Today, the land is used as a private farm that grows hops.
Contents
How the Park Started (1983-1987)
The park first opened in August 1983. It was called "Middle Country Renaissance Festival." It was open for six weekends that year.
In 1984, they started building a ride park. This new park opened on June 9, 1985. It was named "Middle Country USA."
More rides were slowly added until 1986. But the park was mostly a picnic area and campground. It only had a few attractions.
In spring 1987, the park had financial problems. Not enough people visited to cover the costs. So, it opened that season under special court supervision.
Later Years and Park Closure (1988-1997)
On August 11, 1996, a serious accident happened. A miniature train ride went off its tracks. It overturned as it went around a curve. People were hurt in this accident.
Investigators found that the train was going too fast. It was much faster than its safe speed. Many of the train's brakes were broken or missing. Also, parts meant to keep the train on the tracks were gone.
The train's speed limiters were not working. Its speedometer was also broken. The tracks had many broken ride parts on them.
The ride had passed two state safety checks. This was in the three months before the accident. But the safety inspector later said he was not trained to check amusement rides.
The park's own records showed many problems. The train had gone off its tracks 79 times. This happened in just two months before the accident. Sometimes, it derailed up to 15 times in one day.
The park owners said they were at fault. But they claimed they did not know about the ride's bad condition. After the accident, the park went out of business. Most of its rides were sold off on February 22, 1997.
Six Flags' Plans (1997-2002)
A company called Premier Parks bought the park. They planned to reopen it in 1999. But in 1998, Premier Parks bought Six Flags. They then changed their name to Six Flags.
After buying Six Flags, their plans changed. They decided not to reopen Old Indiana Fun Park.
Before they canceled the project, Six Flags bought roller coasters. They bought four roller coasters from a closed park. This park was called Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee. These coasters were moved to Old Indiana. Six Flags planned to rebuild them there.
In 2000, two more roller coasters arrived. These came from a park in Massachusetts. They were placed in the old parking lot. So, there were six roller coasters waiting at the park. But the park remained closed.
In July 2002, Six Flags sold the property. It was about 330 acres (1.3 square kilometers). A new owner bought it. He planned to turn it into a nature preserve.
Sunshine Properties Takes Over (2002-2006)
When Six Flags sold the land, six roller coasters were still there.
Six Flags had an agreement to keep the rides on the property. This agreement lasted for four years. It ended on April 1, 2006. Some rides were still there at that time. By June 11, 2006, all of them were gone.
The property is now owned by Gray Eagle Farms.
