The Haunted Amusement Park Photo Gallery by Karen Stuebing at pbase.com

The Haunted Amusement Park

The site of the Mitchell Clay Indian massacre in the late 1700's.

Mitchell Clay was the first white settler in what is now Mercer County, WV. One day while the men were away hunting, Indians rode down from the ridge and killed and began to scalp one of the boys who was working in the fields. When his sister came to his aid, she too was killed. Another boy was kidnapped. A posse followed but the Indians split into two groups. The men followed them into Boone County and killed several Indians before realizing the Clay boy was not there. After they backtracked and pursued the second band who had fled to Ohio, they arrived only moments after the third child had been burned at the stake.

In the 1970's the land was used as a small amusement park and for music festivals and other outdoor activities. Now it sits deterioriating on the original gravesites, a silent almost mocking momument to this tradegy of long ago. It is rumored that on quiet summer nights you can hear the voices of children. Or maybe it's just the wind.

I have nothing to do with this property except for taking photos of it and relaying the stories I have heard about it and things that I have observed while there. I am not related to anyone who lives or has ever lived here. I have no opinion about the present owner or his use of his property.

Please note. This is privately owned land. You must contact the landowner first to visit.

Click on thumbnail to open galleries and for full size photo.

Since many people leave comments asking how to get in touch with the owner here is a link.

The Haunted Amusement Park - June 2012	July 2009 Visit	Haunted Amusement Park 2008	Haunted Amusement Park Visit - October 4, 2006
The Haunted Amusement Park Revisited	Historic Marker	The Entrance	Brick from Maker
The Rides	Ferris Wheel	Ferris Wheel 2	Ferris Wheel 3
Swings	Bird Nest on the Swings	Looking Across the Lake Pavilion Side	Looking Across the Lake Amusement Park Side
The Pavilion	Inside the Pavilion	Ticket Booth	A Hot Dog Trailer
Swings 2009	Ferris Wheel 2009

comment

Mary		24-Aug-2016 00:26
Was doing some research on Lake Shawnee and this is what I discovered to be documented: (Newspapers.com) The little boy who drowned in the pond near July 4, 1966 was named John Talley, age 11, of Princeton. Lay sources plus the evidence of his drowning and his parents looking for him, only to find his lifeless body, match. (The Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston, WV, July 4, 1966) Second, the little boy on the bicycle who was killed by a drunk driver match Doris' story below - and my sincerest condolences in the horrible loss of your brother. (Beckley Post-Herald and Register, Beckley, WV, June 2, 1957) Third - the little girl killed on a swing - no information found on her yet, and there is nothing in the Beckley Post-Herald from the 1950's online documenting this. Of course it is possible documentation exists but is not available on the Internet yet. Fourth - and going by the number of motor vehicle accidents/deaths on SR 19 by Lake Shawnee I have read - not surprising this spot might be "hot" for paranormal activity. Unfortunately I do not live in WV but am guessing maybe that road is not lit at night. Regarding the closure of Lake Shawnee: In 1967 the health department ordered the land closed due to sewage problems, and pool water cleanup. (Beckley Post-Herald, WV, July 10, 1967) Would love to visit Lake Shawnee as I have a strong interest in the abandoned and paranormal.

Guest		09-Nov-2015 05:12
www.facebook.com/lakeshawneeevents

cjm2001		23-Dec-2014 20:43
A most interesting gallery Karen. I enjoyed the pictures and the comments were just as interesting. Thanks for sharing.

WV is home		02-Aug-2014 20:38
Went to this place yesterday, just to look at it. Back in the mid-80s, I drove this road a lot and used to get a glimpse of the ferris wheel and swings sometimes, but never stopped to see what it was all about. What is left now looks more rusted....and the ferris wheel seems to be getting covered in what looks like kudzu. While we tried to snap some pictures, a man came from the around the structure that used to be the Pavillion with a lawn mower and began cutting grass... Wish we could have gotten closer, but maybe they still do tours in October and if so, we will go again.

Virginia Holt		29-Jul-2013 04:07
An old family tale tells of the massacre at Matoake from a different POV. My father's great-aunt's mother was found by a man named Wise who was riding along with his daughter when they heard a baby crying. My ancestor was a twin papoose who had been hidden under a bush near the site where an Indian village had been decimated. I don't know what happened to her brother, the other child, but she married into a Scots-Irish family after being reared by the Wises.

dorism		08-Feb-2013 20:04
the voice u may be hearing could be that of my 8 yr old brother brent ladas tabor died 1957 on the rd in front of or passing by the lake, brent ladas tabor, killed by a drunk driver, claude wright, i visited his grave at lashmeet, mt olivet this past nov.i was born in princeton, now live in md. my roots r there, been to that park a few times as a child, does anyone rem this? dorimaye@hotmail.com...

doris tabor		08-Feb-2013 19:54
been here many times as a child, 50;s and 60's, born in princeton ,lived in kegley, the child voice u might be hearing could be that of my 8 yr old brother who was killed on the rd goin past shawnee, 1957, he was on his bicycle and was killed by a drunk driver,claude wright, in memory of Brent Ladas Tabor,i visited his grave this past nov. in lashmeet, mt olivet, does any one know of this story ? dorimaye@hotmail.com, i now live in md.

doris tabor		08-Feb-2013 19:45
well, ive been here several times as a child in the 50;s and 60;s. born in princeton and lived all over, matoaka, lashmeet, rock ect, i had some fun times there and always looked forward to a family day there, i never experienced anything there but def. believe it could be, esp. by the natives.. but my story is that of my 8 yr old brother who was killed on the road passing by the lake in 1957, we lived in kegley, he was riding his bike and was killed by a drunk driver named claude wright, anyone w/any info on that pls contact me, i get the creppiest feeling when i pass there, i was in princeton and surrounding areas looking for my family this pass nov., i now live in md, but my roots r there. lots of chilhood memories there.. in memory of Brent Ladas Tabor, could b the child voice u all r hearing ... jus sayin..

Guest		26-Oct-2012 11:39
i watch Ghost Lab S02E05 on youtube and saw this i want to go there and see for it self anyway the pictures are great creepy and scary

Aussie-Kaspa		01-Sep-2012 10:42
I just saw a Ghost Hunters type show here in Australia where they investigated this site...hoping to get a response from the girl that was killed on the swings or the boy that drowned in the lake. Heard from the original park founder/owner that the site was a Shawnee Indian burial site. Once they started digging into the land, they came across skulls and so many old bones etc. that they actually refused to work any further and had to get new ppl in. I just loved the look of the Ferris Wheel with all the overgrowth on it and the old swings etc. As creepy as it might be, i'd love to go there just to get some interesting photographs. I'm heading to the USA (Virginia) late this yr, head back to Australia just before Christmas and was wondering where exactly the old park is located and if it's difficult to get into at all. I know a place near me that was an old Sea World type place, and all the rides legally had to be removed including dolphin and seal pools..the actual cement flooring from all pools and water rides..the only thing left in the place are a few limestone carved statues. The rest is just overgrowth now but you can vaguely make out where things used to be. So i'm amazed that these rides were left there..they didn't have to be pulled down...especially in the USA where everyone seems to sue everyone for the tiniest things..I would've thought legally they'd have to remove it, if we in Australia do. Anyway, would be amazing to check out if anyone could help me out with location info! Thanks in advance!

Doug		13-Jul-2012 06:47
I would like to share my experience at Lake Shawnee, and had a amazing day there. I had just photographed a church service one sunday 8/2007, told a gentleman that I was out shooting the area for a architect, and he said follow me to a great place of history. When I arrived there was a catfish tournament going on, and a lot to shoot. So I was hanging out shooting and met the owner Gaylord White. Before I met him I just had a feeling about the place, so I asked him about the land and he told me about the burial grounds, the clay's, drownings, ferris wheel death, and the little girl that hit the truck while on the swing. Also that at dusk a swing will swing, so after hearing all of this I said a prayer for the spirits that where still there, and went off to shoot the fishers, flowers, park rides, scenics. The day flew by and the sun was going down, I just happened to be standing beside a swing and remembered what Gaylord said. As I looked down at the broken swing seat it was swinging as if someone was swinging, I was like no way, checked to see if the leaves where moving from a breeze, and they where still. At this time I reached down to stop the swing, and then it started up again, I did not feel afraid, just started shooting hoping to get something, but nothing did. It was starting to get dark and the reflections on the lake where great so I kept shooting, put my flash on to do some ambient, flash shots, headed over to the ferris wheel, great silhouette, and finished up with the fishers, then headed back to the motel in Princeton. I checked out my shots after downloading and I could not believe what I got after it got dark, it looked like snow around the ferris wheel, and fishers, I have captured orbs in the past but nothing like this, amazing. As I showered I had a feeling that I would not get to keep the images, and thought nothing of it, I was like, yes I will. So drying I did something that I never do until I have put all images on a external HD, and burn DVD back ups, I picked up my cameras and deleted all images. Then went to check out images on computer, and all that appeared was a warning that files where corrupt, they where gone. I was not very happy about this, and questioned why I deleted cards, when I never had done that before, and just heard you where not supposed to keep them. So after just loosing over 500 shots I went through what I had left and came across one orb in front of a fishing pole, and just felt that I was given a gift. It was a great day a Lake Shawnee, and had a great connection with the place, which maybe since I am part Cherokee, and have great respect for those that are still there. So if you ever go visit, it is sacred land, go with a open heart, say a prayer, and have a great day/night, even if they do not show themselves, but they just might!

jim		04-Jun-2012 02:27
I still remember 4th of july there with rex and eleanor parker singing in the upstairs over the pool entry,also remember connie their daughter singing with them. it was a great place in the 50 s

Becky		11-Apr-2012 14:39
I would love to visit this place. I have pictures of my visit to this place when I was a child. My mom and dad took me and my 2 sisters one summer.

Dawn		08-Feb-2012 05:51
I find it a little sad that the people who died there seem to be nameless, like the little girl who died on the swing, the boy who drowned and the guy died on the ferris wheel. isn't there any old documents of who they were? newspapers or anything?

Brittany		16-Jan-2012 02:46
I WANT TO GO INVESTIGATE THAT PLACE. I WILL SOMEDAY

steven cribb		13-Jan-2012 17:36
i am a great grandson of the original settlers Mitchell Clay and Phoebe Belcher. i am also shawnee indian through the same side of my family. this is the most likely source of my indian heritage. dont know if this is real or not. i live in nw arkansas where i was raised. however, if you do some historic research on the tribe and the ferocity of their fighting it may compell you to believe this possible. they were very much a warrior race.

Brian Bingham		05-Oct-2011 03:40
I am now watching the Ghost Lab episode about this place.If this place really is haunted then that is very interesting.

becarefulwhatyoulookfor		03-Oct-2011 01:27
why bother the deceased if you truly do believe in the place being haunted let the dead be it is a shame to earn money from their misery havent seen a post or entry that evens try to help them move onto in the lords light all you seem to want is eva , pictures , or other proof that you can again turn around and make money from the indians drove you out and you still have no respect and still are bothering the dead maybe while their you should say a little pray from their souls and wish them peace

Guest		02-Oct-2011 22:18
What is wrong with the literary content, spelling and use of grammar in most of the posts here? Surely, you've had better education than that. Lake Shawnee is NOT haunted. The stuff you see on television in these paranormal series are staged and faked. There are no such things as ghosts or spirits.

Amanda Mays		13-Sep-2011 17:14
My siblings go to Concord University in Athens, WV, and we are VERY interested in visiting this park. Can you tell me exactly where it is? I was told that it's off of Rt. 20 between Athens and Princeton, but I'm not certain. I live up in the top of the northern panhandle of WV near Pittsburgh, Pa. This is so cool though, and thank you for posting your pictures!

Guest		11-Sep-2011 05:25
We went to a fishing tournament tonight, and all I have to say is Gaylord is a cheap scate looking for a quick buck. Taking our money, and starting the tournament, he never mentioned that all the fish died, and were hauled out by the truck-load 3 days before. We only found our on our own 5 hrs into the tourney. No one was reimbursed, even though no fish were caught. He is pathetic, and I hope none of you get taken advantage of like we have by him.

Bill		17-Jun-2011 16:05
Lake shawnee fun park ??

Evrydayday Paranormal		19-Apr-2011 20:00
I aired is a little girl been killed on the swings!It that true?I don't now.

Victoria		20-Dec-2010 03:46
Lake Shawnee is really haunted. My cameras battery was drained, pictures started coming out blurry when we began communicating with them, heard Indian chanting and children's cries, and heard footsteps in the snow beside me. When I made communication attempts, I received responses. I came here to get scared and the combination of strange townies and spirits definitely accomplished my mission. I recommend this experience. :)

Reba		19-Dec-2010 08:04
I grew up in Mercer County and spent many nice days at Lake Shawnee. I never heard any talk about the place being haunted. My parents talked about Saturday nights there in the 30's and 40's. It was the place to go to dance and hang out with friends. My father took us there for boats rides when I was a kid. When I was a teenager in the 60's, we would go to the pool there. The scariest thing there was not dirty the pool was. I was there the boy drowned. Nobody knew anything was wrong until the pool closed and he didn't come out. That's how dirty the pool was. He couldn't be seen in the water and the pool was full of swimmers all day. My husband's family had a family reunion there in the 80's. The pool was gone. It was a beautiful place on that bright sunny summer day. I never heard anything about ghosts at Lake Shawnee until the last year or so. But I was always fascinated with the place because of the massacre of the Clay children in the 1780's. If you want to investigate something, investigate what happened to the Clays. And investigate the Shawnee Indians during that time period. It is much more interesting that ghost hunting. And if you come across any real ghosts, let me know.

Mike H.		28-Oct-2010 15:36
One of the other posted comments about the Clays, is a distortion of the traditional family story. The "EXTENDED" Clay family lived in what is now Pearisburg, VA. Indians attacked, killing a couple of family members. From there, the story is unclear as to dates & place. But, at some point, Mitchell's wife, daughter and 10 year old son were captured and taken down river to Pt. Pleasant. The Clay men followed and battled to get the Mrs. and daughter back. The son, was never seen again. After returning to Pearisburg, they pulled up roots and moved to "Clover Bottom", now "Shawnee Lake". After the attack there, the moved to Pemberton, then to Bolt (both in Raleigh County), where Mitchell Clay Jr.'s grave was located on "Breckenridge", near Bolt. The OLD "Clay Family" Cemetary was found on the "Celenese Plant" property in Pearisburg, VA though the company was less than friendly in allowing visitation of the site. After much arguement, access was granted provided only two could go, in a windowless security van and could not take photos of the plant, or in it's direction. They were given 15 minutes to visit, then leave. (I wonder just what they really make there?). This is the version handed down through the family. There are other versions of this story online, such as Ancestry.com.

Mike H.		28-Oct-2010 14:52
After writing the earlier comment, I recalled a story told by a friend, several years ago. One summer some dozen years ago, he and another were out crusing around and came upon the old amusement park. Noting some of the old equipment "intact", they realized one of the old Ferris Wheel cars could be worth some serious money on the antique market and decided to aquire one. They parked out of sight and with a few tools, heading in. Once under ther Ferris Wheel, it was nearly dark and as they claim their prize, one of the seats above rocked back & forth violently. Shining a flashlight upward, they could see legs and feet in the above car. Needless to say, they ran like Hell back to their truck and never returned.

Mike H.		28-Oct-2010 07:51
For those who doubt this haunting, my sons are the Great, Gr, Gr, Gr, Gr, Grandchildren of THE Mitchell Clay, who lived on this land. They came here to escape Indian attacks at their home in Pearisburg. The Grandson of Mitchell Clay Sr., bought and built in Raleigh County on an Indian site, which was also haunted. I lived in the house the Clays started in the early 1870's for two years, until the "spirits" threw me out. In 1987, I burned the old house to the ground. Yet 20 years later, one of my sons is sensitive enough to know that "someone" is still there, but means him no harm. As a Ghost Hunter myself, I can tell you that no matter what kind of weird-o owns the property or is employed there, the land was "Sacred" to the Natives (who are also mine & my son's ancestors) and they defended the land. When they could no longer defend it, they "Cursed" it. Several years ago, an investment firm looked into building Condo's on the land. When they learned it's history, they quickly withdrew their offer to purchase the land and built elsewhere. Ghosts are all around us. All you need to do to see or hear them, is to WANT to. It's easier to get someone experienced, to show you how. You don't need the high tech gadgets you see on TV. Just a tape (or digital) recorder, a digital camera and belief.

alisha		25-Oct-2010 05:02
we went to the haunted adventure on 10/25/10 and was rather excited to find out that the onlt thing that we found out was dont bge dumb enougth to give into giving your money to a man sayin something is haunted when the only thing that is scary there is the looks of this man and his ways he does things! we were very dissapointed and it was a waste of money! so my adevise to u is if u want to see a spirit then u better be finding another place to go cause this was a total joke!!! thanks

Guest		13-Oct-2010 04:35
I went there and I heard carnival music I tried to find it but I couldn't find the source

Will Frazier Jr.		27-Sep-2010 19:59
My name is Will Frazier Jr.. My dad used to take me to the lake probably around the early to mid 80s.I can remember rideing the swings,and at one point they filled in the old concrete swimming pool and put bumper boats in it that i can remember rideing. My dad has been a Gunnoes vender for 33 years and they had a vender cookout at the stage where a young girl sang for all of us. For a while they had a good size mud bog over from the lake we used to go to every weekend. After a while they were doing some dozeing along the river on the matoka side of the property where they uncovered a shawnee indian settlement. My dad who knew the owmner at the time,got permission for me and my cousin to come and see the graves. They hadnt been excavated yet and were covered with tarps because of rain. The owner walked us through the site and pulled back the tarps and let us see the sketetons,that was very cool!!! The owner said they were planing a meusuam for the artifacts, but we lost touch after that and i have always wondered what happen with the musuem and the artifacts. If anyone could tell me I would love to know! As far as for it being haunted i never seen anything out of the ordinary but it with the graves that were uncovered there who knows.

Angie		17-Aug-2010 23:15
I just went to the park today 8-17-10 and saw a elderly man up at the old trailer my friend and I walked up there to find out who we needed to talk to about staying all night to camped out, only to find out that the owner had just past away this past weekend! The last comment posted before mine said that the old trailer hasn't had electric for 30yrs...well if there hasn't been electirc there for 30yrs it sure is now,because while standing right beside the trailer and talking to the gentalmen I noticed the porch light was on! Now not to say that the place is not haunted,but there is electric there. Before we lefted we asked the elderly man if he thought the place was haunted he was a little slow about answering but finally said yes ..I do think there are spirits here and went on with telling us a little more about the place and why he thought it to be haunted! He sure left me wanting to stay and find out more on my own!!!!

Gary		08-Aug-2010 17:04
Last night i attended a catfish tournament at Lake Shawnee.I had no fore knowledge of the places reputation and have always considered ghost hunters as rainbow chasers at best. However i did have some odd unexplained experiences there that make me want to investigate more.First when i got into my van to drive around to my fishing spot an intense blue flash occured right in front of my face . I thought that the overhead dome light had blown out but i turned it on and it was ok. Then while fishing i seen another intense blue flash near some power lines. I thought to myself...that explains it...the lines are arching but now i dont think so. Then lastly i could smell smoke from a campfire but when i looked around no one had a fire going. This has been reported before.My fishing partner who goes there regularly started telling me about the place on the way home and reports that he has often seen lights on in the old trailer on the property but there hasnt been any electrical service to the trailer in 30 years.You can call me a paranormal skeptic but im convinced something is going on there that may be paranormal or it may be sophisticated human trickery....im not sure.If anyone has had a similar experience there please feel free to e mail me. Im very interested

Nancy Snidow Magiera		27-Jul-2010 09:38
I remember Lake Shawnee. It was a very special time and place. My father’s father owned the property and developed it into an amusement park that was unparalleled in southern West Virginia before I was born. My father and his brothers and sister spent their summers living in the log cabins at Lake Shawnee. My earliest memories include wonderful times at Lake Shawnee during the 1950’s and early 60’s. I can still remember the excitement that I felt when my brothers and I got to go there! As you entered the park, you could immediately see the Ferris wheel on your right, that HUGE concrete swimming pool that looked like a lake (complete with boat house) on your left, a real lake beyond that, and you could smell the popcorn from a hundred miles away. On Saturday nights at Lake Shawnee, after we were warm and dry, we often stopped for a Ferris ride, then a hot dog and a bottled Coca-Cola just before heading home. Nothing tasted quite so good after a hard day of playing in that pool. We could hear the music wafting through the summer nights as we left the park. They used to hold dances in the boat house but that was for another generation and I can’t speak to that aspect of the park. I do know that my father proposed to my mother at Shawnee Lake so romance was obviously in the air there. As was beauty. Even as a child, I was struck by the beauty of the hills and meadows that surrounded Lake Shawnee. Perhaps that was as much a part of its attraction as anything, that beautiful setting that reminded you of the breathtaking kind of panorama that only West Virginia can provide. Even today, when the Park is but a distant memory, you can appreciate the beauty of that land in any direction from which you approach it. Yes, I remember Lake Shawnee and I know many, many other West Virginians who remember and cherish the rich heritage of that Park as I do. It was nothing like the pictures that you see now. After the park was closed and the property changed hands, the lake and pool were filled in and the boathouse was torn down. To my knowledge, there were never any ghosts and no rumors of ghosts until recently, all apparently generated for publicity.

Erin		01-Jul-2010 01:07
I have lived near Lake Shawnee my entire life, cheered there when we were still the Shawnee Indians, had dinners there, fished there, and watched football there. I've even been there for a night around Halloween that you can tour the place and although it's creepy at night I have never ever seen anything that look paranormal to me. To me it's just a place where I spent a part of my childhood...I'm not saying its not haunted b/c I don't really know but I don know that I, myself, haveing spent a lot of time there have never seen anything out of the ordinary. Your pictures are amazing though!

Guest		14-Mar-2010 13:34
My name is Shawn, and I was named after "shawnee" lake, I do beleive that is where my parents conceived me in 1955, I have not been to the Lake, but I do plan on going, I was born in Princeton and we moved north in 1960, Growing up it was unusal for a girl to have the name shawn aka shawnee I would love to visit.

Autume		27-Feb-2010 22:57
This is Autume again and for Jasmine Smith if she wants to visit Lake Shawnee and it's haunted amusment park, well it's back in the boonies. I don't know where she lives but I think going to Lake Shawnee would be a big change for her.

Autume		27-Feb-2010 22:54
Today February 27th 2010 I went past Lake Shawnee in Mercer County, WV, and it's haunted amusment park. I live really close to Lake Shawnee's haunted amusment park. And I didn't know that it was haunted until today.

greenday		17-Feb-2010 21:39
GOING THERE THIS SUMMER =-)

Guest		16-Feb-2010 15:23
DOESNT LOOOK ALL THAT HAUNTED 2 ME =-( SRRY

Jasmine Smith		03-Jan-2010 03:52
I saw Scareist Places on Earth and I started getting into Lake Shawnee. And for a fact it is " HAUNTED ". Some day I want visit there.

Rebecca Sikes		01-Dec-2009 13:14
My daughter and I really like watching the haunting shows on TV. We were a the Mercer Mall to do Christmas wish list and we stop in a little shop named Twin Arrows. We talk to a very nice and friendly gentleman. We were looking at the indian jewelry he had, which by the way is very pretty. We then got on the subject of haunted places and he told us about Lake Shawnee, we talk for a pretty good while and could have talk forever but the phone rang. During our conversation he told us his name, Gaylord White. I have never been to the LAKE but I believe I remember signs when I was younger. What ashamed to have never been there. It was a priviledge to have met Mr. White. A visit I will never forget (it won't be my last trip to the mall) I plan to purchase some of the indian jewelry. A Great Visit. Rebecca and Amy Sikes

christien		14-Nov-2009 04:14
in my life i always wanted to go and see the abandoned amusement park.But i sticked with watching lake shawnee on scariest places on earth. and that was my choice that i made.also cuz i knew if i went to a real haunted place i would be like those other poeple on tv, crying,yelling,saying i want to get out of here ect....... But anyway thanks for the great pictures!:)p.s. LAKE SHAWNEE IS HAUNTED:o

Kayla		10-Nov-2009 00:38
Me and a couple of close friends are planning on a road trip to different haunting/scary sites in the south by spring time. I heard about this place and my curiosity got the best of me. If anybody has ANY information at all about its location, visiting, the owner or anything that may be of help PLEASE email me. My email is missfemme@live.com It would be greatly appreciated. And if all goes well with a visit I'll be sure to post about it along with pictures. Thank you!!

A		31-Oct-2009 03:57
I attended the haunted amusement park tonight. It was quite fun, had a few strange encounters myself. If anyone wants to trade pictures, email me. redhotholla@yahoo.com

Donnie Lambert		05-Oct-2009 01:36
My name is Donnie Lambert and I am a freelance paranormal investigator. Myself, my wife, and a group of four more of our investigators have stayed numerous times on the property of Lake Shawnee. During our time as investigators we have seen alot of things and places but have recently invested all our time on only Lake Shawnee because so much activity happens there every single time we go that we have come to believe that it deserves more than just a passing look during a single investiagtion. So far we have compiled over 3,000 photographs of orbs and other spectral anomalies including bulbous black masses and rods, we have captured 7 video clips of phenomenon including shadow people and will o' the wisp like dancing lights, and we have found 17 E.V.P.s including my favorite I have ever captured of a particularly amused sounding little girl saying clearly "I like Gaylord too." speaking about Gaylord White the owner of the property. If you would like to stay there or talk to any of us about coming along on an investigation you can reach us through him at this phone number: 304 487-1819.

Guest		20-Sep-2009 02:25
Contact Info: Gaylord White - 304-487-1819

Jason		08-Sep-2009 21:24
We are a paranormal group here in WV thats filming nationally for a tv show and our first season will all be filmed in WV and we are wondering who it is that we need to get in contact with to film and conduct an investigation at this location. If anyone could help us we would truely appreciate it! Our website is www.MounainStateSpiritSeekersSociety.com. Thanks! M.S.S.S.S. Team!

Guest		07-Sep-2009 20:09
Me and my friends would LOVE to visit lake shawnee this halloween! If anyone knows how to go about visiting plz let me know.

Aimee Curran		14-Aug-2009 19:08
As ma child I was taken to Lake Shawnee and told the storys. I never believed them till I began having nightmares about it many years later as a teenager. Now as an adult I am curious to go to find out for myself if there really is something out there.

robert		13-Aug-2009 01:08
i am told that you can stay the night on lake shawnee for ghost tours. does anyone know how to go about doing this. me and a few friends would love to do this. i only live 20 min. from the lake and it sounds like a load of fun. any information anyone could give me would be very helpful.

michael		12-Aug-2009 21:52
this sound exciting,why didnt they take the rides down..thats what so scry about it.

JAC65		22-Jul-2009 17:51
Hi, I grew up not far from Lake Shawnee, in the 1970's. We had to pass it on our way to Princeton to go grocery shopping or visit civilization. Lake Shawnee was always decrepit, crumbling creepy looking place. If my memory serves me right there used to be an old white bridge that went across the lake..which made it look ever more creepy..especially when the mist would be rising off of the lake. My older brother and sisters used to tell me about Lake Shawnee's glory days and those stories always made me envious of them and the fact they had such a great place to go to as kids..we had nothing like an amuesement park..we had Camp Creek state park or we had to travel down to Roanoake, VA (about a 100 miles) to go to Lake Side Amusement park.. I saw the episode of The Scariest Places On Earth and was astounded at the fact they were saying that Old Lake Shawnee was "haunted".. It certainly always was a creepy place to have to pass as a child and while we sometimes went past it a night, I cannot remember seeing anyhing, but I do remember how fascinated I was by the lake and the old buildings there on the property. After I moved away, it seems that they re-did Lake Shawnee and tried to restore some of it's former glory? I never saw it in that condition but, I can say this..if ever there should be a place full of haunts and spookies it should be old Lake Shawnee...

Kendra Banks		03-Jul-2009 15:34
Lake Shawnee Looks so awesome! Its Like one of my biggest dreams to go there, ( Besides meeting CRISS ANGEL!). I am going to go in December 2009 for Christmas! I will post some pics XD!

Ken		24-Jun-2009 02:17
I've been by Shawnee Lake lots of times, but never knew anything about it. I didn't know it was an amusement park, and had been the site of a massacre, let alone that it was haunted or whatever it is. Then one day I decided to stop there and eat my lunch that I picked up at a Wendy's in Princeton. I pulled onto a gravel lot beside the road that goes by Shawnee Lake, turned off the engine, got my lunch and got out of my car. I put my lunch(it was in a Wendy's bag) and my drink on top of the car, and got back in the car to look for a straw or some catchup or something(I don't remember which)...... Now, you have to realize that it was a very calm day, no wind or anything... When I got back in the car to look for the straw or catchup I the car started rocking like it would if it was really windy outside, and I heard sounds outside that sounded like someone running around my car in the gravels, so I jumped out and started looking around to see what was going on. I thought it was some of the people that I worked with, and that they had sneaked up behind me and were rocking my car, but there was no one around, so I thought it must be the wind, but the leaves on the trees weren't moving at all, and the water on the lake was smooth as glass, and my lunch was sitting on the back bumper, my drink was nowhere to be found. It never occurred to me that it was something paranormal. Then a car drove by, and the people in it were looking at me as if I had six eyes or something, and one of the guys yelled out the window and said "Dude, get the fuck out of there"! So I thought "What the hell"?! Later I told the people that I was working with at the time about the place, and suggested that we go there to check it out, and they all got this weird look on their faces, and started saying things like "I'm not going out there again", and some of them were talking among themselves and saying stuff like "Remember what happened to Bill and Kathy"? "It took them over a year to get rid of that thing"! So I was like "Awe come on! Let's just go out there and check it out"! But they wouldn't even talk to me about it. I never REALLY believed in anything paranormal before, but I can tell you, there is definitely something at Shawnee Lake.

jami		25-Apr-2009 17:18
ok so me and my friends just went there over break and we went at night, never again. my friend was acctually almost pulled into the lake by something, and i was almost hit in the face with a door, we left after my friend was almost pulleed into the lake,

keli		13-Feb-2009 17:48
i went there with my brother and cousin on christmas of 2008 and it was really awesome. i mean, we definitely trespassed, but it was worth it. the ferris wheel image is totally enigmatic and i got some great photos. there are some really awesome places in spanishburg to visit

Nose		04-Jan-2009 21:48
Well just got back from there. Phoned the landowner first of course. Turns out he charges 100 dollars! for a tour for up to 10 people. He wouldn't let us go on the land and made it clear he would call the cops if we did so. We're just few kids interested in the paranormal. Weren't planning on doing anything but take some pics and wander around. But yeah, he didn't seem very nice at all. Judgeing from the past comments. You guys have either trespassed, he wasn't charging anything at the time, or actually coughed up the money. Which is absurd. I feel sorry for anyone who wasted their time traveling there(as me and my friends did) just to find out at the last moment you had to pay some crazy amount of money. There we're about 2 other cars that turned around there as we drove up. Man, I really should of called AHEAD of time. Stupid me...

Barry		25-Nov-2008 11:14
Awesome Place to visit.Alot of activity.

afton		31-Oct-2008 17:15
I just got back from my second time there. It's become an annual tradition for my group of friends and it never fails to give us a scare!

chelsea		22-Oct-2008 15:24
I've heard things bout it but never thought it wuz tru or that it would be on T.V. or the computer I guess I thought wrong!!!!!!

Guest		13-Oct-2008 04:17
My sister lived in one of the cabins by the lake in the 1980's.I never saw anything!I walked up and down Cabin Branch Rd late at night many times.I was never scared.It surprized me whem I saw the show about the lake!I was 10yrs old.I have lived in this area all my life!I think it's very possible.There are lots of stories about the lake.Southern WV is full of history.All you people come on over and visit we would be glad to have you in our beautiful state!

Terry		07-Oct-2008 21:10
During the 80's I watched many of the mud bogs that went on there.

Aleah		16-Feb-2008 01:07
Bonjour!!! I'm FOURTEEN now! and I STILL want to visit this place... Yeah... K bye.

Heather		29-Dec-2007 04:49
wow! i've lived in bluefield my whole life which is next to princeton, and now i live in princeton and i've never heard of this place till today when i heard two guys talking about it at work. damn... ghost hunting is one of my hobbies! how could i have not heard about this place? i think my dad did tell me about this place years ago though.

Katie		30-Nov-2007 15:25
I'm going to WV in a few weeks, and would really like to visit shawnee lake! If anyone knows exactly where it ism would you please e-nmail me? Thank You!!!! sevendust1831@yahoo.com

Felicia T		25-Nov-2007 17:27
I love things like this I Love taking Picture and getting the hole story is there some way I can set up a tour.

Heather H		16-Oct-2007 16:59
Hello. I am visiting Princeton next week from TN. for vacation and would love to be able to take a tour. How can i get in touch with the owner, Mr. White? Oh, please get back with me if any of you know. Thanks a bunch and have a great day!!

Scott		01-Oct-2007 00:32
Can anyone tell me where I can find contact information for Mr. Gaylord White? I would really like to speak to him!

Bill		17-Sep-2007 21:31
Mr. White, I was wondering if you would be having any kind of Halloween event this year? From: Bill Bradley - Bethlehem United Methodist in NC

guitar1tele		16-Aug-2007 02:02
i live 20 miles from the lake.....anyone game 2 check it out 1 night.....let me know.....

karen amstutz		12-Aug-2007 01:21
yes becky his name is gaylord white he owns the park

MEREDITH		07-Aug-2007 22:36
MY FAMILY AND I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE HAUNTED AMUSEMENT PARK... WE OWN PROPERTY AT INDIAN MEADOWS IN LERONA, WV WHERE WE GO AND SPEND WEEKENDS IN THE SUMMER... WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THE DIRECTIONS OR THE NAME OF SOMEONE WE COULD CONTACT ABOUT VISITING.. please contact me at copleyx4@suddenlink.net..THANKS... MEREDITH

Becky		03-Aug-2007 01:27
I want to visit this place. I did see it on the TV when I wuz living in Texas. Now Im back home & would like to visit this place for myself. Does anyone know who I can contact to see about visiting? Any information you can email me: bectasy2004@yahoo.com Thank You.

Tim		11-Jun-2007 16:08
Hello Everyone, I just recently discovered this site. A co-worker was telling me about the Scariest Places on Earth episode which I must have missed, I thought I saw them all. Does anyone have this episode on tape or DVD? I would love to visit this park does anyone know if they still allow people on the property?

Shell		04-Jun-2007 23:40
I've coming to West Virginia for the past 5 years riding 4wheelers and we pass the by this place on our to camp. I can't talk my husband into stoping, YET! I remember the first time I saw the it, I only the saw the Ferris wheel and thought how creepy is that! When I saw it on Scariest Places it freaked me out! From then on I've to visit and see for myself, during the day of course!

Aleah L.		18-Apr-2007 17:11
Hey, ya'll! I'm 13 now! I still believe in what I said... I still want to visit as many allegedly haunted places as possible... I still hope ya'll take the idea of a haunted amusment park as something real... Because you know something, what I have been through has been terrible... My grandfather died only three weeks after I made my first post on here... It was slightly Ironic... But I must say that it only heightened my belief in the paranormal because that night, the computers and lights were turning on by themselves and things were flying off of shelves with no winds... I am not sure if it was him... Or if it was the negative energy and dismay we all felt, because they say a paranormal event can be caused by the emotions of the people around at the time. As always, Thank you, and Blessed Be, Aleah

PATSY CARTER CROY		07-Feb-2007 17:19
I SPENT MANY HAPPY TIMES AT LAKE SHAWNEE, IN MY TEENAGE YEARS, LATE 50'S EARLY 60'S--BEFORE IT WAS SLOWLY WINDING DOWN FROM ITS HEYDAY, AND ABOUT TO CLOSE. AT ONE TIME IT WAS A GREAT PLACE FOR FAMILY FUN, WITH BOAT RIDES--SWINGS, CABINS, FISHING, SWIMMING POOL AND OF COURSE THE DANCING AT THE LODGE, WHEN ROCK AND ROLL WAS GETTING STARTED. THE 4TH OF JULY WAS A GREAT DAY--YOU WENT REAL EARLY TO GET A PICNIC TABLE, IN THE SHADE, FOR THE FAMILY AND IT CLOSED THAT NIGHT WITH A GREAT DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS. PARKING WAS A BIG PROBLEM ON THE 4TH--YOU BARELY HAD ROOM TO DRIVE A CAR THRU THE PARK. MANY PEOPLE HAD TO PARK ALONG RT.19 OR RT.10. THIS WAS BEFORE ALL THE DOPE WAS AROUND--MOSTLY A FEW FIGHT'S OVER GIRL OR BOYFRIEND PROBLEMS AND OF COURSE THERE WAS ALWAYS A FEW THAT DRANK BEER. BUT THEY WOULD GET THROW OUT OF THE LODGE FOR FIGHTING OR GETTING TO ROWDY OR LOUD. IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO GO. TOO BAD IT ISN'T OPEN THE WAY IT USED TO BE--BUT THEN TEENAGERS TODAY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS TO HAVE GOOD OLD FASHION--CLEAN FUN, WITH A BIG BOWL OF POPCORN AND KOOLAID TO DRINK AND JUST TO BE TOGETHER AS FRIENDS WITHOUT ALL THE DOPE AND THE THINGS THEY THINK THEY HAVE TO DO THESE DAYS. ALL THE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN TORN DOWN, THE SWIMMING POOL IS NO LONGER THERE, THE LAKE HAS BEEN DRAINED BUT, LOOKING AT THESE PICTURES BRING BACK A LOT OF HAPPY MEMORIES WITH MY FRIENDS JEAN, JUANITA, PHYLLIS AND IRENE. WE WERE SOME OF THE ORIGINAL CRUISER'S--CRUSIN' PRINCETON ON THE WEEKEND'S AND RIDING THRU THE LAKE SHAWNEE PARK.----GREAT MEMORIES.

heath dorsey		04-Jan-2007 22:41
I am a direct descendant of Mitchell Clay and as a youngster actually took a ride on ferris wheel number 2 in the pictures below. Very nice to see someone took time to make this page. My grandfather was Mason m. Clay great,great, great grandson of mitchell clay Jr. I believe. As an aside....mitchell jr. followed some of the indians close to chilicothe ohio and killed two of them. they cut strips of flesh from the indians from their backs and made two razorstraps that were passed down as family heirlooms.

William Bradley		05-Dec-2006 19:39
Bethlehem United Methodist Youth were on a Mission trip in Beckley and I had seen the show on TV. Our group of youth really wanted to go and see this place. I called Mr. White and he graciously arranged a time for us to come out. The first time we arrived was during the day and Jr. showed us the property. One of our girls asked if we could come back in the evening and he said yes. He and his father met us there at 10pm and we split up into groups and went around the property. Several of our youth had paranormal experiences. I was taking some photos of my daughter in the ticket booth and when I got home had captured what looked like a indian face in the photo. This place is for real! As we were beginning to leave they had told us earlier that the fog rolled in on cue at 12am and it did. I imagine if we could have stayed longer it would have got very interesting. The White's are great people. -Bill Bradley

Rebecca Alfred		06-Nov-2006 23:17
I think Shawnee Lake is so cool the story is so awesome. Believing in this story or just ghost is coo; cause you never know what is going to happen if you believing

Aleah Landry		31-Oct-2006 21:45
Some may be skeptical about ghosts and the paranormal, and that is entirely up to them. But I believe that anything is possible now. Do you want to know my explaination of ghosts? Well... It is simple... The energy of the soul and body latch on to something when a person dies... The good souls have no idea they are even still there, yet the terrible souls must suffer and live on earth forever, or until something brings them to peace. The left over energy remains in its originating location and thrives on the energy of other people, etc. Now all of this comes from a 12 year old girl and i believe that spirits and the paranormal only exist when one truely believes, or one who is overly doubtful. They only come when you least expect them, and oddly, in some of the places you may or may not expect them. And just as a little statement to the guy named" Local Yokel", Halloween is for kids to go out, dress up, and have fun... The 30th is supposed to be mischeive night... that is the night where, if they can get away with it, the idiotic, careless, self absorbed teens go out and cause trouble. On Halloween, any kid who does any of that can get arrested on the spot. Just letting you know... This may be a hint that I am not a normal kid. I just voice my opinions and this all took me 4 minutes to type out. Have a great halloween... I will visit Shawnee Lake one day... AAAANNNNDDD... Alot of other allegedly haunted places one day... Thank you, Blessed Be, Aleah

Local Yokel		31-Oct-2006 19:29
The park definitely has a history, but haunted? I doubt it. We used to hang out there as teenagers, parking and congregating back in the 70's/80's. They have a great spot to develop, but haven't done a lot to enhance the park. My 12 year old daughter and friend went last night 10/30 for the $5 tour. He told the history around a bonfire and you could watch the video clip from television at the concession stand. BRING A FLASHLIGHT - or you get to buy one for $2 at the concession stand. You are then free to walk to the special places of interest at your own pace. It was great for the kids. They were scared silly. They even want to go again tonight.....10/31 oooooooowwwwww..... Which I will gladly take them and pay another $5, to keep them away from the eggers/pranksters and getting into mischief they don't need to be involved with.

Jessica Dowd		31-Oct-2006 03:57
I visited this place tonight which is all hollows eve (night before Halloween) and truely enjoyed the experience. Me and my husband are both of Wiccan heritage and my son which was 4 years old accompanied us on the journey. We did not see anything and my son had a ball but we did take some photos and are gonna get them developed tommorrow....so maybe i may post them if I get anything special.

Charles Gregory		21-May-2006 14:15
I was born in Pocahontas, Va. which is about 25 miles from what used to be Lake Shawnee. It's really sad the way that area has been misused by thrill seekers. My first visit there that I recall was around 1946. It along with the rest of that part of WVA was a beautiful sight to see. All of that area was destroyed by the greedy coal barons of the time and probably out of disrespect for history the area will never be the same. I'm 69 now but I can still remember the haunted areas of that region. If you want a real scare visit the old graveyard in Pocahontas on a warm summer evening about midnight. You won't be dissapointed. Just remember to respect those that live there and leave the place as you find it.There is quite a story about the young boy who was taken by the Indians from that area. Do a little research. You won't be dissapointed.

Abandoned Places Buff		16-May-2006 19:20
I'm typing this from Lake Shawnee, via wireless internet on my Blackberry. This place really is creepy, just like the photos demonstrate. But you have to be here to really appreciate the ominous aura of the place. It's not an exaggeration to say that it's simply overwhelming. In fact, I'm hearing strange things right now. Every second I feel like someone is watching me. Actually, just now it's as if I can feel a cold hand on my shoulder. It is almost too much to even type theseewoew3e00bghrwjafeosZmcx;sadv,

Ralph		05-Apr-2006 02:12
That was a great episode of Scarist Places on Earth! Just watched it again (TIVO'd) and it was intense with the gal in the concession stand! To bad this place isn't really haunted. Oh, and the one chic had a great rack too!

Paul Rock		25-Feb-2006 00:12
[quote]Mitchell Clay was the first white settler in what is now Mercer County, WV. One day while the men were away hunting, Indians rode down from the ridge and killed and began to scalp one of the boys who was working in the fields. When his sister came to his aid, she too was killed. Another boy was kidnapped. A posse followed but the Indians split into two groups. The men followed them into Boone County and killed several Indians before realizing the Clay boy was not there. After they backtracked and pursued the second band who had fled to Ohio, they arrived only moments after the third child had been burned at the stake. [/quote] This is probably hogwash. Another attempt at the dominant society to portray Indians as "merciless savages." Shame on you!

Kaitie		24-Feb-2006 17:16
Hi I'm from Princeton, and used to drive by Lake Shawnee as a kid every Sunday. I remember the stories my grandmother told me, b/c she used to take my mom when she was a little girl to ride the rides. Apparently some extra lore from my mom is that of the child drowning in the lake and the guy who fell off the ferris wheel... I just want people to remember that the lake has been drained. It was drained several years ago so that they could do mud bogging or some other thing that involved mud. The original lake was much larger than what it is today it extended nearly to the road. It is privately owned and there are a lot of kids who think it's great fun to hope the fence and hang out in there to see who gets scared and runs back to the car first, so don't be surprised when you are met w/some hostility. The photos were wonderful...I'm hoping in the spring to get permission to take some nighttime photos of the place and I really enjoyed what you did.

to whom it may concern		20-Jan-2006 21:05
to those of you who are interested. lake shawnee will be open in the spring. 2006 camping, will be available for overnight stays. for info. call (304)425-5716

anonymous		28-Nov-2005 02:15
I live in Bluefield,VA which is basically right beside princeton, WV...and lake Shawnee is on the other side...right outside of Princeton. Prior to the episode on Scariest Places on earth..Myself, nor anyone else i know had heard of it. The few that have..had never heard anything about it being haunted. Last night, four of my friends and myself decided to find it and check it out. After getting vauge directions we stopped at a gas station that we were told was very close to it. One of my friends and I went in and asked an employee how to get there from where we were. He told us and said that when we got to the first double wide on our right, pull in and that is the owner of the property. He told us to ask the man if it was ok to check it out and he'd be very cool about it. So that's what we did. When we get to the double wide, myslef and one of my friends got out of the car and attempted to go to the house and knock on the door. A dog started barking and comming towards us so we got back in the car. My friends convinced me and a different friend to get back out after we realized the dog was chained. As we stepped out of the car and a few steps away from it, this big guy comes out from the house and screams "WHO ARE YOU" He then cocks a shot gun and walks towards us. Basic instinct told me to get the hell out of there, and i attempted to turn back around and get in the car...Then man says "DONT YOU THINK ABOUT TOUCHING THAT CAR" So i step back and he comes to me and puts the shot gun directly in my face. He askes me what the F* we're doing on his property and i explained why we were there and the guy at the gas station told us to come there. While the gun is still in my face is said "The only spooks you are going to find around here are the living...EVERY ONE GET OUT OF THE CAR" "GIVE ME YOUR I.D.'s" "WHERE ARE YOU FROM" At this point i think that we're all going to be killed. He walks around the car, looks at the license plate..etc. Here we are at gun point in the backwooded foothills of west virginia with the crazy man! All that running through my mind is that he is going to murder us and through our bodies in the lake. He then says..."I'll tell you what we'll be open in the spring and you can come back then...BUT THE THE F* OFF OF MY LAND" So that's exactly what we do. The was i see it, if he didn't want anyone on his property he shouldn't have had it on national television. And sure, we didn't have any business on it...but he took it WAY too far with putting a shotgun in my face and harassing us like that. I suggest that no one go near that place. Because like the man said...the only spooks around there are the Psycho Hicks like him!

dawny		20-Nov-2005 23:11
I saw this episde on Scariest Places on Earth. Then my girlfriend, a co-worker and I decided to venture down to see what we could see. What we saw was a big JOKE. This location has a catfish tournament every Saturday night. The "lake" is a mere mud bog - something cows would drink out of. The ferris wheel is MAYBE 40 feet tall. And as if it couldn't have been any more of a joke, while this area is all fenced in, some redneck guy with a pickup truck and a red car lives at this location. If the place is SO haunted, how could someone stand to live there and host catfish tournaments every Saturday?? I have to say that I'm severely disappointed in what I saw, the pictures I got, etc. We had more of an adventure driving around the mountains than we did trying to catch a glimpse of the SCARY LAKE SHAWNEE.

Chung Do Kwan		02-Nov-2005 21:22
An After thought about this episode..Notice the camera persons filming this series didn't get creeped out...hmmmmm...or else the cameras would have been shaking..Perhaps they were given the insight of what was REALLY happening at the park! ! !

Chung Do Kwan		02-Nov-2005 02:03
Give me a break! The tour of college kids that have over imaginations, carrying laterns, that illuminate shadows. I would like to see a group of Navy Seals, or a few of my Martial Arts group do the same tour as the college kids..Makes me wonder how many strings were attached to make swings move, and also other apparatus. :) Booo!

Mike McReynolds		30-Oct-2005 14:11
I used to live in Princeton for over 10 years and had always heard the stories about the park but never really investigated. I also used to work for Princeton Rescue Squad which had a sub-station right next to this park. I would work overnights there. Man when I saw the TV documentary on the park it truly gave me chills. Nice pictures to capture the story.

Flower		25-Oct-2005 15:51
I, too, saw this on "Scariest Places on Earth." I've seen hundreds of episodes on hauntings and paranormal activity, and have never been so creeped out as I was watching this particular episode of the amusement park. What those teens captured on film was so unexplainable. I don't think I'll be visiting that place anytime soon. Thanks for sharing.

BJ		24-Oct-2005 23:33
What was the name of the amusement park?

Krista		24-Oct-2005 20:10
Hi there, your pictures are chilling. I love looking at pictures of historical events and saying "wow, this and that happened here and there" ya know? and just getting the picture in my head, it's just so eerie. i, as well, went researching for this amusement park after I saw this on "Scariest Places on Earth" last night. If I ever get the chance to go to WV I may just have to stop by here. I'm in the mood for a scare...

Mitch B		24-Oct-2005 19:36
I watched this on Scariest Places too, I have an unquenchable thirst to go there after seeing these pictures. The abondonment aspect is compelling to say the least, I can almost hear the children playing fom my chair. This is an odd sensation, sort of like the way I feel when I see any well used, forgotten place, I seem to feel the emotions of and the hopes and dreams of the people that have passed through that paticular place in time. Was wondering how many others might get a feeling llike that ?

C		24-Oct-2005 01:03
I too saw this on "Scariest Places" on ABC Family and went searching for any information. Creepy to say the very least! Thanks for the history lesson and great photographs! As a photographer myself, you did a great job! Thanks!

GW II		28-Jul-2005 14:05
Would like to say your photos are well taken. You captured the true spirt of the land. It has so much history. That it is hard to capture the true felling like you have in your photos.

GW II		28-Jul-2005 03:27
for the bare facts, the park was bulit in the 1920's and ran till the mid-1960's and then closed and re-opened in 1985. was one of the first places to do catfish turn. catfish weighing from 3lb. to 75 lb. have been caught on the site. one of the first places in WV to have mud bogs,monster truck shows,country music festivals, and many other events. do to family health problems the park was closed for a few years. now re-opened in May 2004 with catfish turn. now in 2005 we had our first ever freedom fest witch consissted of 4-wheeler rodeo, live bands, and much more. and with the grace of god we plan to continue haveing many more events if you would like to have more info. contact us at pitstopwv@hotmial.com

JeremyGood		17-Jul-2005 18:47
Nicely done, you captured the sense of abandonment. It seems so strange that anyone would create an amusement park on this site. GMV.

laine82		13-Jul-2005 22:33
Both are wonderful galleries.

Guest		08-Oct-2004 11:51
oh wow...i've never seen an abandoned amusement park before. these are so very cool.

Guest		02-Aug-2004 14:29
What a cool subject for a photo essay. Well done!

Jude Marion		23-May-2004 15:42
What an amazing gallery .. the photos are lovely in their lonely solitude and the story ... pretty powerful!

Denise Dee		07-Jul-2003 16:13
oh these are wonderful, i especially love octopus! what a find for you. thanks, denise

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