The Abandoned Carousel

Racism, Riots, and Euclid Beach Park Urban theme parks were often shuttered in part due to racist discrimination. This episode of The Abandoned Carousel gives a broad overview of 20th century recreation riots and urban theme park closures, focusing on Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland OH as an example. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/33. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXE Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

The First Ferris Wheel George Ferris is credited with the invention of the first Ferris wheel, star of the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Ferris Wheel Park, and the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. This is the history of that incredible invention. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/32. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXE Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Carousel 15 Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel #15 has been around for 113 years and counting. It's survived at least four parks, two fires, and two malls, and it's been on the National Register of Historic Places twice. Listen to the history of this plucky carousel that could. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/31. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXE Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, and Canadian World A fierce woman who made her own way in a time very different from today. Several fierce women, in fact. This is the incredibly interesting story of Lucy Maud Montgomery, her creation Anne of Green Gables, and the Anne-themed "Canadian World" in Hokkaido, Japan. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/30. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Patreon: patreon.com/theabandonedcarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXEincompetech.com Timestamps (0:00:53) - Lucy Maud Montgomery (0:48:02) - Anne of Green Gables (1:29:55) - Canadian World Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Royal Land (Meridian, MS) Today's story covers an amusement park mostly lost to time, except for its iconic castle-styled entrance gate. Royal Land operated for two years, but to talk about it, we've also got to cover the drive-in movie theater, Buckwalter Stadium and the Cotton States League, and of course, a train or two. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/29. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXE Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Dinosaur World, or John Agar's Land of Kong (Arkansas) Today a crumbling pile of concrete in rural Arkansas, this park was once a glimmering roadside haven for the family vacations of decades past. In today's episode, I get into the history of this beacon of a simpler time. On the way, I talk about a history of the US road systems, and the sculpting history of a man called Emmet Sullivan. Find complete show notes (including a rough transcript, images, and references) for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/28. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXE Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Wobbies World (Australia) At Wobbies World, there's lots to do... This week, the story of an oddball transportation-themed park in Australia. Super 80s, with plenty of vintage planes, helicopters, and trams. The park looked far more exciting than it ever was, and I'll get into it. You might even call it Pissweak World. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/27. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXE Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

A Town Called Santa Claus Season's Greetings! Why, we've got a topically related episode for you today! This is a good one, folks. This episode covers the towns called Santa Claus: Santa Claus, IN; Santa Claus, GA; and Santa Claus, AZ. There are a few important Santas, like Charles Howard and Jim Yellig; and a few other important people too. Oh, and theme parks: Christmas Park, and America's First Theme Park: Santa Claus Land. There's always a theme park. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/26. (If you're using Overcast or another similar app, you can now find dynamic timestamps for the episode in your player!) Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com (best way to contact me!) Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Pinterest: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXEincompetech.comfilmmusic.iofreesound.org Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Gaslight Village Gaslight Village was a shining gem in Lake George, NY, providing summer vacationers with "yesterday's fun today". Though the park was shuttered decades ago, it still holds the hearts and minds of those that knew it. Come find out what made Gaslight Village special in a wide landscape of theme parks. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/25. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Pinterest: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXEincompetech.com"The Ballad of Gaslight Village and Frontier Town" by Brian Dorn, Addison Rice, and Jahnavi Newsom (aka The Love Sprockets) Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Disney's Discovery Island (Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida) This is the story of a place, abandoned in plain sight at Walt Disney World for over two decades. This is the story of Discovery Island. It had a long history before it became Disney property, hosting fruit farmers and hunting enthusiasts and tax delinquents. As part of WDW, the island had goals to be a pirate-themed adventure. Instead, the focus became one of nature preservation and bird conservation. The dusky seaside sparrow went extinct here on Discovery Island. When Animal Kingdom was announced, the writing was on the wall for Discovery Island, and it closed 25 years after its opening. The island remained abandoned, with much rumors and very few insights beyond the trees. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/24. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Pinterest: @TheAbandonedCarousel Credits freepik.com"Aerobatics in Slow Motion" by TeknoAXEincompetech.comfilmmusic.iofreesound.orgwww.jshaw.co.uk Timestamps (Beta) I'm testing out methods for including clickable timestamps in the notes attached to the podcast. This section may or may not function - I'm working on it! :) (00:00) Intro (02:15) A Brief History of Walt Disney World (09:00) Discovery Island Before Disney (17:40) Disney's Treasure Island (21:51) Disney's Discovery Island (23:32) Dusky Seaside Sparrow (32:59) Downfall of Discovery Island (39:02) Abandoned Discovery Island (42:59) Rumors About the Future of Discovery Island (49:58) Outro Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-5ccade for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Abandoned Carousel.

Okpo Land Internet legend holds that this place is one of the scariest abandoned theme parks out there. The truth seems more prosaic, as always. A little bit history, a little bit horror. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/23. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon Facebook: @TheAbandonedCarousel Instagram: @TheAbandonedCarousel Pinterest:...

Takakonuma Greenland (高子沼グリーンランド) Takakonuma Greenland (高子沼グリーンランド) was a small local theme park in Japan. Now demolished, it is best known for its urban legends and ghost stories. In this Halloween-adjacent episode, I tell you the legends and then get to the truth of this popular park. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/22. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon...

The Floyd J. Moreland Dentzel/Looff Carousel The story of a century-old carousel that's survived multiple theme parks, multiple fires, and even a hurricane. You'll also hear about Burlington Island, Rancocas Lake Park, and Casino Pier. Yes, I also talk about the rollercoaster in the ocean. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at https://theabandonedcarousel.com/21. Social Media http://www.theabandonedcarousel.com hello@theabandonedcarousel.com Twitter: @CarouselAbandon...

Little Amerricka Born out of a miniature train hobby, Little Amerricka formed organically, like a theme park mushroom. Lee Merrick and Darryl Klompmaker collected rides from defunct amusement parks. They've carefully restored them in a cornfield in Wisconsin, between Madison and Milwaukee. Here you can find the last Chance Toboggan in operation (yes, the one from Dogpatch) as well as connection to dozens of other parks and rides. This is the story of one park, but also the story of multiple...

Dogpatch USA Dogpatch USA started out as a trout farm. Through an enterprising vision and a connection with the hugely popular Al Capp "Li'l Abner" comic strip, the park became successful for a time. Changing cultural interests, money troubles, and legal entanglements brought down Dogpatch, and continued on decades after the park was closed and abandoned. It's a long and wild ride - come have a heckuva day and listen. Find complete show notes and references for this episode at...

C. P. Huntington Collis Potter Huntington was a railroad tycoon involved in the making of the Transcontinental Railroad. One of the engines on his line was named after him: C. P. Huntington. She operated in active train service from 1863 through about 1900, and then began a life on display that still continues in 2019. She's a relic from the Iron Horse steam locomotive era that's inspired one of the most iconic and popular theme park trains around: the miniature C. P. Huntington. Over 400...

Skinner's Wet 'n Wild (Manitoba) We're back to Canada for another waterpark this week. Enjoy the last days of summer - school is almost back in session (or maybe already in session where you are). Today, a short history of Skinner's Wet 'n Wild, a local waterpark up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The park operated from 1984 through 2004, and sat abandoned, SBNO (standing but not operating), until 2017. There are some interesting parallels between Skinner's Wet 'n Wild and Lake Dolores Waterpark...

Lake Dolores (Rock-A-Hoola) Waterpark Lake Dolores is really three (or four) waterparks in one. Bob and Dolores Byers built America's first waterpark back in the 60s, putting their land to a new use after trying some alfalfa farming. Lake Dolores became known for thrills and danger, drinking, hookups, and anything goes - almost an Action Park of the West. Slides were incredibly eye-catching along the I-15 for this family-run operation. In the late 80s, Byers wanted to retire. He sold the...

Trinity Loop (Newfoundland) This is a story about an abandoned place, but it's also about so much more than that. This is a story of preservation, what we choose to remember, and what we choose to keep alive in common memory through storytelling. In the early 20th century, Trinity Loop was constructed as a unique solution to a geography problem, connecting the town of Trinity to the rest of the Newfoundland Railway. The loop closed when the rest of the railway was shuttered, but a one-man...

It's Shark Week! This week, I encourage you to go back in your feed and listen to my Rosie the Shark episode. (Or, you can view the shownotes and the video version on my website https://theabandonedcarousel.com/8.) I'll be back next week with an episode I've been really looking forward to sharing with you. Until then, go listen to the story of Rosie the Shark. There are giant earthworms, art collectors with lots of money, urban explorers, and a crystal museum. Oh, and a giant shark....