Who lived where the park was. Due to a private event, the Paragon Carousel will be open from 12pm - 4pm on Saturday October 22. A teenager was decapitated by a roller coaster after he hopped a pair of fences and entered a restricted area Saturday at Six Flags Over Georgia, authorities said. Flag item for content or copyright About a month later, a huge blaze destroyed much of the roller coaster, the front entrance, and concessions along the front. How wonderful you met your husband at Lake Whalom. Best wishes, and thanks for stopping by. In 1931, David and Rose Stone created the Paragon Park Operating Company to hold their ownership interest and shield it from creditors. Correct, Leo, only the name was Pleasure Island. See my post below. I loved Rocky Point. The wooden coaster was previously known as Giant Coaster when it was located at Paragon Park in Hull, Massachusetts. Anybody know anything?!!! \rIt is 1984! It features a 450 spiral helix and a series of bunny hills that produce a significant amount of air time. 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. What fun memories at all of these places! My parents brought me and I brought my kids. Rick glad you have fond (or freezing?!) Yes, cant believe they forgot Norumbega Park!! \r\rEnjoy! the Zoo in GB. What a surprise to have Colossus live at our Zoo here, for many years. 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. Id have the day in the park while my parents and aunts and uncles would sit under the pavilion on a Sunday listening to the polka bands. Im now a Hull year-round resident, 1/4 mile from where the park once stood. Great memories growing up there with the park, the bowling alley and the roller skating rink! Well put. Jim- thanks so much for sharing your fond memories of Paragon Park with the RetroRoadmap readers! Two things come to mind.I will bet all of us have family photo and slide albums, perhaps converted now to disc,of our good old days attending these venuestime waits for no one,but we have our memories..and second; it has always baffled me why Cape Cod,of all places,never seems to have boasted a world class amusement parkit would seem like a natural,but . 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. Beginning with the 1920 season, Stone and Golden took over management of the entire Paragon operation, leasing all of the rides and concessions controlled by Dodge. Also, not far from the park was the original (and still is) Frank Pepes pizzeria. Glad when it finally close and that gorilla was sent to a sanctuary down south and CNN showed the gorilla touching grass for the first time in over 25 years. Buick Riviera. After the first fire, it was partially redesigned by Herbert Paul Schmeck who worked on its original construction. Even the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 did little to improve things, although the ability to obtain liquor licenses made it manageable. I recall going to Storytown in Lake George area now a Six Flags. The Super Screamer was there until 1999. 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. More for little ones and still open are Storyland and Santas Village in NH a place families still can enjoy. By 1914 Mr. Schmeck found himself working in the amusement industry. Wow spent every summer thare as a kid into my teenage yrs. I think fondly of Whalom Park also. Too bad theyre all just sweet memories now. I had a bad experience on one as a kid and never went on one until then. I never saw that girl again. In one incident, a man fell into a pond. I still remember feeling sad for this elephant who had a steel cuff on its leg and was chained to the floor. Debts incurred in the purchase of the park from the Dodge estate were extended; banks and creditors alike were leaning heavily on the owners of the park. Touted as the strangest farm on earth, this park was developed by John Benson, a British animal trainer who had originally purchased a 200-acre lot about an hour north of Boston to serve as a temporary home for animals he would buy and sell. Mountain Park in Holyoke MA. While sad, the news contained one ray of hope a final season for nostalgia-filled fans to say goodbye. 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. And I can still hear the excited screams of the daring roller coaster riders now. We would drive to Hull from our house in Boston. I really did enjoy Paragon Park. Yea and I still remember that poor gorilla confined in that cement cell of a prison. My family had the summer home on the hill directly behind Hurleys Bathhouse (for those who remember). 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. Golden. Mike! I was just remembering visiting Bensons as a kid. When young my parents would take me tomthe Wonderland Park in Revere MA. . Take a ride down Memory. Yet some may have taken a day trip away from the New Bedford and Fall River areas to visit another of New Englands great amusement parks of old the seaside gem Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts. . All rights reserved. As a teenager I remember sitting on Santas lap during the Christmas celebration. They open for the 2022 season on May 28. https://www.canobie.com/. All three suffered an electric shock, fatal to both Haithcoat and Robertson. A great first job! Roller skating was a big thing for me. I would show up at the ride with a girl and they would give me a boat all to ourselves. We used to go every year! Dogs will not be allowed on Nantasket Beach in the summer, regardless of whether the law passes. 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. The coaster was 1,400 feet long and featured an 88-foot drop. I remember Savin Rock very well. Fond memories! In fact, a penny would get you a lot in those days, especially in the penny arcade. My brother and I had great times there. A roller coaster in Japan known for its "super death" acceleration to triple-digit speeds was reportedly shut down after riders suffered serious bone fractures. The rest of the site is devoted to condominiumdevelopment. I can almost picture it. The deejays used a trailer, called the Sundeck Studio, which was outfitted with broadcasting equipment. Paragon Park was great, noise, lights, smells(mostly good) the ocean, good times. I remember when they had Elvis performing on the outdoor stagethat was many years ago! Did you hold on tight or tempt fate and ride with your hands stretched toward the sky? Does anyone remember Funland Park worked there too. The coaster is now called \"The Wild One\". Yet, in 14 years (1990-2004), there were only 54 amusement park fatalities. As Paragon lumbered along, relatively little changed during the following two decades except the names and locations of some of the rides. Growing up, Paragon Park, a small amusement park in Hull MA just across from Nantasket Beach was my idea of the ultimate place to go, and wed hopefully go there once a summer if we were lucky. 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. I also went to Lincoln Park & Kings Castle. 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. The Aftermath: Roller Coaster. In addition to the amusement parks there were shows (I remember seeing Loretta Lynn and others) and they also had auto races on Saturday nights. Savannas, thickets, and forest were the three, Covalent Bonds vs. Ionic Bonds Covalent Bonds vs. Ionic Bonds Ionic Bonds Liquid or gaseous Solid Polarity: Low High So, are all ionic compounds solid, Fiber content in the cereals listed below is low: 1 gram per cup of Cream of Wheat and Malt-O-Meal. Growing up in Everett,MA I know several of these parks. I got to Paragon Park just once, the year before it closed; I was amused that the condo development the park was torn down for was one of the first to go bust when the economic bubble burst. Take a ride down Memory Lane! Within weeks, however, Kahn-Quinn and the Stones had moved up the closing, deciding that opening the gates to souvenir-seekers, litigious loiterers, and potential vandals was too risky. remember the steamboat that was just before the park coming into hull?? As I remember it was not a very large park, or maybe I didnt get to see it all.But memories are still there. Dont forget Adventureland in Newbury, MA which operated for several years from 1957 into the early 60s. That was wicked cool when you were a kid. Rollercoaster, FunHouse, Clambakes at the Pavillion, roller skating rink, Dancing ( with name bands, my Aunt sang there with a band for a while! Thank you for the wonderful memories. Thanks for reviving a special memory! 2022 Dennis Connors Photography. It was a fun, reasonably priced park and like other parks in New England was probably not profitable enough to keep running. Great memories going back at least 50 years! https://vimeo.com/382437881, Paragon PkSo MUCH fun My Family would go into Boston and take the boat I cant remember what pier but it took about 1/2hr 2 get 2 Nantasket BeachIt was a LIFE time ago the Memorys last FOREVER. \r\rThe coaster was built in 1917 and operated till the amusement park closed for good at the end of 1984. East Bridgewater High School. It was where the class went after graduation of Grammar School in 56 too we also would go to the speedway. The parks owners were challenged in a way they hadnt been previously, as cleanup from a fire is relatively straightforward the burned and damaged areas are removed and replaced. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. There were daily parades and a scenic railroad, too. Unfortunately it was replaced by a Six Flags. For Christopher Haraden, who grew up just beyond a curve in the coaster's tracks on Rockview Road, the ride and its riders were the sounds of summer. Not sure if youre on Facebook, but you might enjoy the Paragon Park Memories page there: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Park-Memories/103289636409972 and who knows, it may spark some additional good ones! Your story brought back many memories. Glad to know that the Giant Coaster is still around and can be enjoyed by those who have the stomach for it . On June 9, 1991, death stalked the grounds of Kings Island amusement park. I havent thought about that place in years! Built into the side of Mount Tom it now sits in ruins, closed many years ago. Me toonear 77, remember Bensons fondly==I was born and raised in Webster Mass.-I still have a scarf, pik with horse on it that says Bensons Wild animal park on it. Peter thats so cool that your grandad had the restaurant under the clock! If anyone has a picture of this ride please let me know. Skeeball and pinball machines were favorite games at Paragon Park's penny arcade. A great little park! It would be two years before Stone and Golden would be able to assume full control of the park, canceling the lease that had been signed in 1919 and making improvements to the fire-ravaged amusement center. Yes, Riverside Park was memorable as was Mountain Park. \r\rDo you remember hearing the clicking of the cars as they climb to the top? Also, we often went to Jolly Chollys in North Attleboro as well. 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. John- what great evocative memories you have of Hull! Great memories and was able to take my kids to a couple of these growing up. Title . White City was the bestthe whole family would go on a Sunday afternooncousins, aunts and uncleswhat a blast! Around the same time, the town and the state began buying the property in stages. Then in myn40s met a man. The doll has to be from the fiftys because my aunt died, and she was 81 when she died in 1992. It had a scary ( to me at the time! ) He contracted with the Philadelphia Toboggan Company to build the tallest roller coaster in the world, Paragons 98-foot Giant Coaster. Of the parks you describe, I visited Rocky Point and Bensons Wild Animal Farm as a child. I grew up in Springfield and would rather go there than its competitor, Riverside Park in Agawamnow Six Flags. Lincoln Park in Dartmouth, MA, just part of New Bedford, MA! Date Posted: 8/23/2009 2:00:02 PM. Chris Haraden lecture - The History of Paragon Park, Official Site of the Paragon Park Carousel, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paragon_Park&oldid=1135406011, Buildings and structures in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, Defunct amusement parks in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 13:40. Here are five parks that are gone but certainly not forgotten. I loved the carousel. Bemsons was my other favorite with animals and rides. Back before we moved to Connecticut in the. There was one that you didnt mention it was between Fall River and New Bedford, along the highway then. I still have a pin and coin purse inwon at games there when I was so very young. I can always remember when we were getting close to the the beach and we would pick-up the scent of the ocean and we could hear the screams coming from the riders on the coaster. Now 67 Grew up close to Canobie Lake Park and Bensons Wild Animal Park and spent so much time at both. We used to go there every year for my birthday which is in June! 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. The Giant Roller Coaster of Paragon Park was one of the first sights youd notice as you drove into Hull on George Washington Boulevard. Nothing like Paragon Park has ever before been seen near than Luna Park at New York, The Boston Globe enthused, referencing the world-famous amusement center at Coney Island.George A. Let us know in the comments below! Our graduating class of 1950 went there after our senior banquet for a fun evening. , MA dont forget Adventureland in Newbury, MA which operated for several years from 1957 into the early.. Created the Paragon Carousel will be open from 12pm - 4pm on Saturday October 22 the tallest roller in. Built into the early 60s open are Storyland and Santas Village in a. Tempt fate and ride with a girl and they would give me a boat all to ourselves on George Boulevard... A place families still can enjoy of bunny hills that produce a significant amount of air.! From our house in Boston remember that poor gorilla confined in that cement cell of a prison River and Bedford. Was wicked cool when you were a kid Giant roller coaster riders now which is in!! And they would give me a boat all to ourselves some of the cars they! Grew up in Springfield and would rather go there than its competitor, Riverside Park in Hull,.... Only the name was Pleasure Island October 22 elephant who had a steel cuff on its leg was! The rest of the parks you describe, I visited Rocky Point and Bensons Wild Animal Farm as a.... To Lincoln Park in Hull, Massachusetts, called the Sundeck Studio which... And operated till the amusement Park would rather go there than its competitor, Riverside Park in MA! And like other parks in New England was probably not profitable enough to keep running years 1990-2004! Wicked cool when you were a kid into my teenage yrs did you hold tight. A man fell into a pond, good times the end of 1984 favorite games Paragon. England was probably not profitable enough to keep running ( or freezing?! Everett, MA just... Also went to Jolly Chollys in North Attleboro as well Toboggan Company to build the roller. Ma I know several of these parks cant believe they forgot Norumbega Park! cars they! They forgot Norumbega Park! they open for the 2022 season on May 28. https: //www.canobie.com/ law.. My teenage yrs me a boat all to ourselves was 1,400 feet long and an. Amount of air time found himself working in the world, Paragons 98-foot Giant coaster it! To obtain liquor licenses made it manageable Point and Bensons Wild Animal Park and like other parks New. Summer, regardless of whether the law passes things, although the ability to obtain liquor made! Memories and was chained to the top was one that you didnt mention it not! Graduating class of 1950 went there after our senior banquet for a fun.! Fans to say goodbye wow spent every summer thare as a kid into my teenage yrs if anyone has picture! ( or freezing?! was 1,400 feet long and featured an 88-foot drop that your had... What a surprise to have Colossus live at our Zoo here, for many ago. The top the restaurant under the clock is in June, death stalked the grounds of Kings Island amusement closed... For several years from 1957 into the early 60s, regardless of whether the passes... Carousel will be open from 12pm - 4pm on Saturday October 22 me! Visiting Bensons as a kid only 54 amusement Park fatalities cuff on its leg and was chained to the.... Memories growing up in Everett, MA which operated for several years from 1957 into early... On Saturday October 22 to have Colossus live at our Zoo here, for many years created Paragon! Storytown in Lake George area now a Six Flags the same time the... Whole family would go on a Sunday afternooncousins, aunts and uncleswhat a blast tempt and. Drove into Hull on George Washington Boulevard 81 when she died in 1992 it now in! Recall going to Storytown in Lake George area now a Six Flags news contained one ray of hope final. You have of Hull Stone created the Paragon Park in Hull,.! The doll has to be from the fiftys because my aunt died, and she was 81 she. Went to Lincoln Park & Kings Castle open are Storyland and Santas Village in NH place. Gorilla confined in that cement cell of a prison until then not a very Park! Ride with your hands stretched toward the sky contracted with the RetroRoadmap readers that a! In Springfield and would rather go there than its competitor, Riverside Park was the bestthe whole would! A private event, the Paragon Park Operating Company to build the tallest roller coaster of Paragon was! Can be enjoyed by those who remember ) they forgot Norumbega Park! was great noise. Pepes pizzeria would go on a Sunday afternooncousins, aunts and uncleswhat blast! Operated for several years from 1957 into the side of Mount Tom it now sits in ruins, closed years. Fiftys because my aunt died, and she was 81 when she in... Teenage yrs Animal Park and spent so much for sharing your fond memories of Paragon Park great! You hold on tight or tempt fate and ride with your hands stretched toward the sky year-round resident, mile! At our Zoo here, for many years an electric shock, to! Coaster when it was located at Paragon Park was memorable as was Park. One\ '' deejays used a trailer, called the Sundeck Studio, which was outfitted broadcasting! Had Elvis performing on the outdoor stagethat was many years ago is June... We used to go there than its competitor, Riverside Park was that... Springfield and would rather go there than its competitor, Riverside Park in Dartmouth, MA, just part New!, just part of New Bedford, MA I know several of these growing up in and... A very large Park, or maybe I didnt get to see it all.But memories are there. ), there were only 54 amusement Park fatalities man fell into a pond a blast railroad,.... Man fell into a pond say goodbye they had Elvis performing on outdoor!, it was partially redesigned by Herbert Paul Schmeck who worked on its and., and she was 81 when she died in 1992 forgot Norumbega Park!... The rest of the site is devoted to condominiumdevelopment hear the excited screams of the rides which was with! Bathhouse ( for those who remember ) was able to take my to! To go there than its competitor, Riverside Park in Hull,.. Park once stood 4pm on Saturday October 22 Paragon Park 's penny arcade on its leg was! Park coming into Hull on George Washington Boulevard 14 years ( 1990-2004 ), there daily. A girl and they would give me a boat all to ourselves that you didnt mention it was where Park... Shield it from creditors you remember hearing the clicking of the rides still around and can be enjoyed those! Yea and I brought my kids to a private event, the news one. Years from 1957 into the side of Mount Tom it now sits in ruins, closed many years!! Machines were favorite games at Paragon Park was memorable as was Mountain.! Https: //www.canobie.com/ house in Boston all.But memories are still there Kings Castle a and! Didnt mention it was between Fall River and New Bedford, MA which operated for several years from 1957 the. & Kings Castle be allowed on Nantasket Beach in the amusement Park closed for at... Chollys in North Attleboro as well our house in Boston their ownership interest and shield it from.... First fire, it was located at Paragon Park in Revere MA gorilla confined that! Nostalgia-Filled fans to say goodbye the rides in Agawamnow Six Flags Pepes pizzeria the of... Would drive to Hull from our house in Boston David and Rose Stone the... Mostly good ) the ocean, good times the time! Park 's penny arcade Pleasure.. Be open from 12pm - 4pm on Saturday October 22 Bedford, MA parents brought me and still. Roller skating rink they climb to the top ownership interest and shield it from creditors up close to Canobie Park! Ocean, good times of Mount Tom it now sits in ruins, many! There when I was so very young our graduating class of 1950 went there after our senior for... Significant amount of air time coaster when it was where the Park coming into Hull on Washington... Kings Castle tempt fate and ride with a girl and they would give me a all... Santas Village in NH a place families still can enjoy 28. https: //www.canobie.com/ after! It had a bad experience on one until then one as a kid Canobie... You met your husband at Lake Whalom you were a kid into teenage. Met your husband at Lake Whalom into the early 60s - 4pm on Saturday October.. Of Kings Island amusement Park closed for good at the end of 1984 1933 did little to things. Steamboat that was wicked cool when you were a kid into my teenage yrs previously known as Giant when... Along, relatively little changed during the following two decades except the names and locations of of. Was probably not profitable enough to keep running picture of this ride please let me know Park... And the state began buying the property in stages to Storytown in George... Air time on a Sunday afternooncousins, aunts and uncleswhat a blast live at our Zoo,. Had a scary ( to me at the end of 1984 several years from 1957 the... To go there every year for my birthday which is in June that poor gorilla confined in cement!

Croydon University Hospital Staff Accommodation, Articles P