Old West Virginia Amusment Park

It's kind of cool that this thread keeps getting revived. :)

I have never been to Lake Shawnee (that I can recall) but thanks for sending those links to that Pbase site. She has some AMAZING photos, and not just of the old amusement park. I will have to get in contact with her sometime. She has some absolutely beautiful photos of Southern West Virginia.

The Pavilion looks to be in excellent shape. I will have to check that out sometime. I love visiting haunted places. ;)

Yes, Moundsville is about 250 miles from Lake Shawnee but it's worth a visit if you are ever in the area! I am dying to do one of the "overnight" ghost chasing tours. ;)

-Tina

*** Edited 7/9/2006 6:56:43 PM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

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coasterqueenTRN said:
Dude, break up your paragraphs more! Thanks.

I feel like I am reading part of the Blair Witch Project. ;-)

I had no idea Lake Shawnee was "haunted" let alone had an "amusement park".

You should of just drove another 2 hours to the closed Moundsville State Pen (and do an overnight thing) or Point Pleasant if you are into the haunted stuff. It would of been more worth your road trip.

-Tina

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Did the state pen tour during the day,creepy,no thanks to a overnight stay.I think any children who have been in trouble with the law should do a tour of the place,may change their attitude.. *** Edited 7/9/2006 8:29:58 PM UTC by Ex_Westview and KW_worker***

IMO West Virginia has three regions that have a sufficient population to theoretically support a small amusement park but you also have to look at whether the locals have a place that they are satisfied going to. The Huntington-Charleston area still has Camden. If they want more than Camden offers, they generally go to PKI or another Ohio park. The Morgantown-Fairmont-Clarksburg area is more than happy to go to Kennywood. The Western panhandle used to have Rock Springs but now seems satisfied going to KW or the Ohio parks.

As for tourists, part of the appeal of WV is that it isn't as commercialized as some other places. They don't come to WV looking for amusement parks as they might in OH, PA, or VA. They come for more natural attractions that are away from all of the bustle found elsewhere.

The one thing that WV needs is some waterparks. Waterparks often appeal to the locals who often make frequent visits and they can add to the enjoyment experienced by tourists. They don't cost so much to build as ride parks so they don't need as much of a population base (local or tourists) to support them.

according to "Lake Shawnee local" who left a comment on the link that Mark777 posted,

"The large lake has been drained to save money on insuring the place,(I hear) and the beauty of the place has gone down hill. Catfish touneys in a lake the size of a small swimming pool. Let's get real, the only 'haunts' there are the locals who drank too much beer while trying to catch a non existant cat fish on Saturday nights."

Great photos Mark777! Wouldn't mind seeing this "haunted place".

I always felt that WV needs a good sized amusement park aside of Camden. I remember when there was talk of a Disney park coming to WV.

Ok, I'll bite, what the flaming heck is "mud bogging????"

Tom

Essentially, you take a vehicle that resembles a dune buggy, put very over size floatation tires on it and race in an artificial swamp.

Ok, guess I need to get out more, thanks! :)

Tom