PW Mar 09 P30-32.qxd 2/25/09 9:20 am Page 30
Park Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
West Virginia’s only
amusement park
ABOVE: A general view, with the The sign of the happy clown greets visitors as the Big Dipper, a wooden coaster that turned 50 in
Big Dipper in the foreground
they pull into the parking lot of the 106-year- 2008.
old Camden Park, and the happiness grows Camden Park in fact has two wooden
once inside the gate. Paul Ruben visits West rollercoasters. The Big Dipper, 45ft tall, was erected
Virginia’s only amusement park, currently in a in 1958 by National Amusement Device Company
period of renewal (NAD). The companion Lil' Dipper, also from NAD,
appeared in 1961. The 1907 carousel, by Hershell-
L
ocated in Huntington, along the Ohio River at Spillman, contains 36 wooden horses and two
RIGHT: The new West Virginia
the point where Kentucky, Ohio and West chariots, and is the only original ride left at the park.
Adventure Golf Course Virginia meet, Camden Park traces its roots A ride through the Haunted House, an old Pretzel
by Castle Golf back to 1903. Back then almost every town in dark ride, is taken at breakneck speed with an
American had streetcars and many
BELOW: The Haunted House
had parks at the end of the lines to
boost weekend traffic. Camden
Park was developed as a picnic
area by the Camden Interstate
Railway, and has been a source of
fun to countless generations ever
since, surviving into the 21st
Century as a thriving traditional
amusement park.
Today Camden Park boasts more
than 26 rides on its 20-plus acres,
plus a lake with paddleboats,
restaurant, food and games
concessions, an exhibition centre
and an 18-hole miniature golf
course. The signature attraction is
30 MARCH 2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44