Haunted Amusement Park Lincoln Park 1894-1987 In its early days, Lincoln Park was a picnic park at the end of the trolley line. Its location (between New Bedford and Fall River) was ideal, and thus many families would picnic and play in the pine grove. A playground was constructed as well as concession stands. Further development came, and a Looff Carousel was added, along with a giant coaster and a dance hall. The name Lincoln Park was chosen by a lottery when the park started to boom in the late 19th century. The park has a long and interested, as well as tragic, history. 1900-1939 The Early Years In 1901 a fire severely damaged the park, destroyed the theater and other buildings, a change in wind direction prevented total destruction. In 1910 the first carousel (Looff) was installed. In 1921 a PTC-54 carousel was purchased from the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. and installed. The old carousel (Looff) was removed and it whereabouts are unknown. 1940-1979 Change in owners, amusement park created, roller coaster deaths began In 1941 the park was sold to John Collins & Assoc. for $40,000. They invested $150,000 installing a 14-lane bowling alley and updated the dance hall. The bowling alley and dance hall remained open all year round. On June 17 1949 Norman Mirsky, 19, was severely injured on the Whip ride. In 1946 the existing “Giant Coaster” was removed and the “Comet” roller coaster installed at the cost of $80,000. The Comet Jr was opened in 1951. In 1964 a man died when he fell off the roller coaster after standing up as it ascended the first lift. Later in 1964 eight people were injured on the roller coaster. In 1968 another accident on the roller coaster, going up the last hill, the final cart becomes disconnected and begins to roll backward. The cart derailed and turned sideways dumping nine people to the ground ten feet below. The cause was the occupants were rocking the car and broke the connecting plates. In September of 1978, a set fire destroyed two buildings in the park. The park’s bowling alley saved from the flames. 1980-1990 Murder of employee, arson fires, more accidents, park is sold and closed On March 6, 1982, Raymond C. Santos was murdered at the park. Santos, a night watchman, refused to give an intruder the keys to the park’s safe. Santos, 48, threw a knife at the intruder, who then killed Santos with a shotgun he’d stolen earlier in the day. In May 1982, a fire was deliberately set in the “Monster Ride” at Lincoln Park. Police believed a rider stepped out of a slow-moving car inside the darkened building and set fire to wall coverings among the various monster displays. It’s believed the rider then stepped back into the car and exited the ride before the fire was noticed. In June of 1983, six people were injured on the “Himalaya Ride” when one of the large painted backdrops fell on the riders. All of those injured were teenagers In June 1986 Jay Hoffman, the former president of the park, buys the complex for $5,000,000. He planned to spend another $2.5 million renovating it. During the 1980s the bowling alley was removed and converted into a full arcade. The aging bowling equipment was becoming too expensive to maintain. On August 21 1986, 27 year-old Westport electrician Michael Lynch was killed while working on the roller coaster. Lynch fell 55 feet to his death. On Nov 3 1986 Plans are proposed to move the carousel to Battleship Cove. It is one of several things sold off to try to gather revenue to operate the park. The carousel was refurbished at a cost of $250,000 and it was enclosed in a pavilion. In May 1987 A published article (Providence Journal) says the new owner spent $75,000 restoring park, and had a 5 year plan to restore park to its former glory. The kiddy roller coaster (Comet Jr.) was dismantled during his upgrade. He assures people that all the rides are now safe and have been inspected. On Sept 29 1987 four people were injured when the braking system on the roller coaster failed. Just as the carts were entering the area, the braking system jammed and the cars jackknifed. This was the final ride for the roller coaster. The cars remained frozen in time on the tracks until vandals tore them off years later. On Dec 3 1987 Lincoln Park closed, the park owed $48,000 in back taxes and $13,000 to the town for police details. Almost all of the 48 rides in the park are dismantled and auctioned off. On Apr 9 1988 The park property was foreclosed on by Shamut Bank after it failed to sell for $3,500,000. Jay Hoffman said at that time that he was confident it would never reopen as an amusement park. Shawmut Bank proceeds to auction off anything of value on the property. The ferris-wheel ends up on the New Bedford waterfront. The train is bought by Crystal Springs School in Assonet. On May 30 1989 Approval for a 1.8 million dollar restoration project for the Lincoln Park Carousel. Today the carousel is now at the Battleship Cove in Fall River. 1991-2000 Fire !! During the 1990s numerous arson fires occurred, the first fire burning 10 buildings. In 1991 another fire at the park The Ballroom, and Pavilion buildings destroyed. At this time the location was owned by Shawmut Bank, now defunct. The fire was cause by two teenagers playing with fire in a building called the taproom. On Feb 2 1992 Leonard Hebert, an independent real estate broker, buys the property for $1,000,000 with plans to restore and reopen it. On July 13 1992 A fire consumes the skating rink and former bowling alley. Development plans are scrapped because there isnt really nothing left to rebuild. Its not clear if Hebert sold the property back to Shawmut Bank or simply defaulted and let it revert to them. In 1993 another arson fire consumed the food buildings. In 1993 Bronhard Trust buys the park from Shawmut Bank for $265,000 the least ever paid for the park. Walter Bronhard permits people to photograph the facility asking only that they ask his permission to do so. In 1997 another arson fire, the warehouse and maintenance building. In 1998 The Lincoln Park sign was removed to add a water pumping station to the front corner of the property. 2001-Present On Sep 28 2002 the park is sold to Midway Realty, LLC for $1,850,000. In 2003 fire consumes an empty house on the property, the former house of the park keeper. In 2005 The Lift Hill of the comet roller coaster collapses effectively crushed by heavy snow in a winter storm, 18 years after its last ride. In May 2012 a demolition permit was issued which allowed for the remaining portion of the roller coaster to be torn down. The Village at Lincoln Park is under construction on the 42-acre site. Paranormal Activity There are several websites that claim that music could be heard and childrens laughter. The complex was investigated several times and nothing was captured that would support those claims. Faint misty apparitions of former patrons (probably those killed in accidents) have been reported. Phantom cries and screams (some in terror and some in delight) have been heard. Phantom carnival music is also heard as well, and there are reports of disembodied voices and phantom footsteps. Time slips in which the park appears as it was when it was fully operating. Other activity: touches by invisible presences, light anomalies, interference with battery operated devices and a general feeling of unease and of being watched. From southcoastghost.weebly
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:57:26 +0000
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