http://www.themeparkreview.com/wgrove/wgrove.htm ... William’s Grove Amusement Park. The Williams family began hosting … As you can see above, mother nature is completely reclaiming what was once the crowning glory of the park, The Cyclone roller coaster. Williams Grove Park was nearly destroyed in the summer of the same year due to Hurricane Agnes, and subsequent flooding from nearby Yellow Breeches Creek. Within a few years, the grove was developed into a park. The Williams family that lived near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania began hosting picnics at a small grove in 1850. Michael Schwarz July 30, 2020. You’ll probably want to start a bucket list – that’s how many abandoned places in Pennsylvania you’ll find. Williams Grove Amusement Park is located close to the small town of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The June 13th, 1942 issue of Billboard contains an confusing entry on page 42: "At Williams Grove Park, Mechanicsburg, holiday introduced the Zipper, new roller coaster ride." Imagine the little kids who at one time ran after it. We hope that you enjoy these photographs, but please do not explore the area yourself. Williams Grove Amusement Park (1850-2005) Monroe Township, Cumberland County The remains of this abandoned theme park in Monroe Township will … Despite closing, plenty of aged equipment continues to haunt the abandoned property. The Cyclone is a wooden roller coaster and was the main attraction of the park. In fact, the desolate park was considered so creepy that the owners decided to re-open it for one night only in 2016 on Halloween. After World War I, the park's ownership changed hands several times. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Dating to 1850, Williams Grove Amusement Park remained open until 2005. Many of the rides were relocated to Williams Grove from the defunct New Jersey's… Its history stretches back to 1850, when the Williams family first began operating it as a picnic grove. Christi is from Allentown and currently lives and goes to school in Pittsburgh. Fans still post details of visits they've made to the park on Facebook, where photos depict the park in its heyday. Thank you! The park was rebuilt and operated through the end of the 2005 season, when the Hughes family decided to focus all of their energies on the Williams Grove Speedway. Although it was very tempting. Today, less than a handful of residents remain in the otherwise ghost town. Oct 26, 2015 - Williams Grove Amusement Park, Pennsylvania (1928-2005). July 2020. The carnival is a creepy enough place to begin with: clowns, piping organ music, a mysterious atmosphere, and very overpriced food. Williams Grove Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The park operated from 1850 until 2005. halloweenpark.com ; 717-324-7524. The slide's platform is still standing abandoned where the two watersides were. 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The Williams Grove Amusement Park in Pennsylvania boasts a long history, having operated for over a century from 1850 to 2005. Several rides were relocated to Williams Grove from the defunct New Jersey Palisades Amusement Park, which closed in 1972. Cost: $45. The grove would within a few years grow into a park. Williams Grove Amusement Park was a family-oriented amusement park located just outside Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, that operated from 1850 until 2005. Williams Grove Amusement Park was almost completely destroyed in Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Warning: Williams Grove Amusement Park sits on private property. There were two smaller coasters, the Kiddie Coaster, from 1992 until the park's closing, and the Little Dipper, from 1950 until 1963. The Williams Grove Speedway (located right beside the park’s entrance) was built in 1938 and is still used today. Abandoned Mansions Abandoned Buildings Abandoned Places Abandoned Castles Abandoned Theme Parks Abandoned Amusement Parks Most Haunted Haunted Places Ghost House. Apr 5, 2013 - abandoned Williams Grove Amusement Park in Mechanicsburg, PA. The carnival is a creepy enough place to begin with: clowns, piping organ music, a mysterious atmosphere, and very overpriced food. The roller coaster is too unstable to climb. Photography Subjects. Fans still post details of v... - Williams Grove Amusement Park, Pennsylvania by dfirecop (CC BY) Many of the rides were relocated to Williams Grove from the defunct New Jersey's Palisades Amusement Park, which closed in 1972. WG Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park , was established in 1850. Jun 1, 2019 - Dating to 1850, Williams Grove Amusement Park remained open until 2005. Background: The park operated from 1850 until 2005. What was it like then? Counted among the other creepiest cemeteries in Pennsylvania are Gettysburg National Cemetery, Coulterville Cemetery in Pittsburgh, and Strasburg Cemetery. Williams Grove Amusement Park has quite a long-standing history. The roller coaster is too unstable to climb. It is standing but not operating. The spooky allure of a fair is made all the stronger when it’s an abandoned amusement park in Pennsylvania. Several rides were auctioned off the same year. What a creepy ice cream truck that sits empty at the site. The Photos Of The Abandoned Williams Grove Amusement Park In Pennsylvania Are Chilling. The trail leads to abandoned cement kilns, a restored train car, and the remains of an abandoned cement factory. Can I visit any abandoned places in Pennsylvania? It's been abandoned for about 6 years, and was originally built in the 1930's. Carousel at Williams Grove, Pa Taken During The flea market about 2 years ago. Art. Here is some amazing drone footage of the Abandoned PA Turnpike. Today, the abandoned amusement park sits empty, a shell of its former self. Families began picnicking at the site in the 1850s, although it wasn’t until 1928 that the first rides appeared at Williams Grove Amusement Park. 1.7K likes. 16. Saved by Sheena Stoner. The waterslides have since been removed and the platforms are all that remains. Other rides and entertainment include - Twister, Tilt-A-Whirl, The Octopus, The carousel, Kiddie train ride, bumper cars, laser tag, and the fun house. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: Thank you! It is standing but not operating. The owners still live there and are trying to preserve the park and the historic buildings on … Williams Grove Amusement Park had very humble beginnings. More than 50,000 souls are resting at the cemetery, although there are a few of them who are restless. Any how, on to the photos. In the early 1980s, the park erected one of the first water slides in the area. After some rebuilding, however, it opened back up and remained operational until 2005, when it was closed. Williams Grove Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. But this abandoned one in Pennsylvania, which is slowly being reclaimed by Mother Nature, will leave you feeling disturbed rather than cheerful. The owners still live there and are trying to preserve the park and the historic buildings on the property but face frequent vandalism. Closed: 2005. 5. Morgan Hughes purchased the park in 1972 for $1.2 million. The spooky allure of a fair is made all the stronger when it’s an abandoned amusement park in Pennsylvania. It is standing but not operating. Are there any ghost towns in Pennsylvania? The owners still live there and are trying to preserve the park and the historic buildings on the property but face frequent vandalism. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Williams Grove Amusement Park is located in Mechanicsburg, PA, right down the road from the Williams Grove Speedway and the Williams Grove Steam Engine Association. Abandoned Amusement Park. . Although it was very tempting. If you’re intrigued by abandoned places, follow this road trip to nine abandoned places in Pennsylvania. When I think of abandoned I think of the grounds being essentially overgrown and trees growing through builds and falling down and what not. For years afterward, curiosity seekers would visit the town, spray painting the road (which was recently paved over). DETAILS: Starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at Williams Grove Amusement Park, 1 Steam Engine Hill, Monroe Twp. Williams Grove Amusement Park was a family-oriented amusement park located just outside Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, that operated from 1850 until 2005. 5 Secret Abandoned Places to Explore In Pennsylvania . Unfortunately, the Cyclone closed after the 2005 season, leaving it standing but not operational as of 2020, abandoned and in disrepair with the train parked at the loading station. The amusement park closed in 2005 when its owners decided to pour all of its resources into the Williams Grove Speedway. Two decades later, the park became the Mechanicsburg Fairgrounds. The Williams family began hosting picnics in 1850 at a small grove located in the village of Williams Grove outside Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.Within a few years, the grove was developed into a park. The owners live on the property and have lost patience with tresspassers. The park operated from 1850 until 2005. You will receive your first email soon. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. THIS PARK CLOSED IN 2005. In the summer of 1972, the park was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Agness. Hughes died in his sleep at his Pennsylvania home on April 12, 2008 at age 88.[2]. Went with my good friend Rob up to Carlisle, PA over the weekend to visit this old amusement park. The Cyclone rises to a height of 65 feet and travels at the top speed of 45 mph. Trespassing onto the property is strictly forbidden – and illegal. The amusement park shut down because the family who operated it (the Hughes) decided to focus entirely on the Williams Grove Speedway, which is still a major attraction in the area. Jun 10, 2015 - There is not much left of this amusement park. Rides The Cyclone, Fun Houses, Water Slides The 2 waterslides of Williams Grove Amusement Park were the first waterslides in the area and installed in the 1980s. This page is to remember Williams Grove Amusement Park. Williams Grove Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Today, it’s popular with hikers and bikers and is definitely worth a visit. Find it all and much more with the interactive Roller Coaster Database. Watch the video below to see some more of the abandoned Williams Grove Amusement Park. Pretty scary right? The 'holiday' mentioned is presumed to be talking about Decoration Day (AKA Memorial Day) … [1], An entrepreneur named Morgan Hughes purchased the park in 1972 for $1.2 million. The park operated from 1850 until 2005. While you can’t visit Centralia, you might want to check out East Fork, Eckley, or Frick’s Lock, other ghost towns in Pennsylvania. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The park operated from 1850 until 2005. Williams Grove Amusement Park An abandoned amusement park near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Jan 7, 2016 - There is not much left of this amusement park. The town has been “on fire” for decades after a fire started in the underground mines back in the 1962. The biggest change… If you equate haunted with creepy, you’ll be happy to learn that we have quite a few creepy cemeteries in Pennsylvania. Opened: 1850. Looking for statistics on the fastest, tallest or longest roller coasters? The park featured a dark ride called "Dante's Inferno", which is still standing, and it used to have a walk-through fun house called "Allotria". Amusement Park Rides. The cars have since been returned to Fort Lee, NJ, where they will be displayed at a museum. What are the creepiest cemeteries in Pennsylvania? After World War I, the park's ownership changed hands several times. The rotting structures of the Williams Grove Amusement Park near Mechanicsburg are hauntingly beautiful. For the past decade, its remains have slowly decayed, becoming more and more overgrown with each passing year. Photography. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! Jan 12, 2016 - Once a thriving family destination, this abandoned amusement park in Pennsylvania now sits empty, with much of the park falling into disrepair. Please note: Though the amusement park is no longer in use and has fallen into disrepair, the property itself is not abandoned. Sure the buildings need work but the grounds themselves look pretty well kept up. The adjacent Williams Grove Speedway half-mile track opened in 1938. Have you heard of the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, a stretch of turnpike that was shut down decades ago? Morgan Hughes purchased the park in 1972 for $1.2 million. For one of the spookiest experiences, go to Erie Cemetery. In 1850, the Williams family hosted picnics on the property, and in 1928, the property grew into an amusement park as the first rides appeared. The Williams family, who lived near Mechanicsburg at the time, began hosting picnics in the grove — which, over the years, led to the site growing into the Mechanicsburg Fairgrounds. Let us know in the comments! It is standing but not operating. The Williams family began hosting picnics here in 1850, eventually becoming the Mechanicsburg Fairgrounds. Love Pennsylvania? Williams Grove Amusement Park has quite a long-standing history, with its origins dating all the way back to 1850. The first rides were built in 1928 and the Speedway opened in 1938. The first rides appeared at the park in 1928. Those eager for an in … Upon the park's closing, the Wildcat was relocated to Adventure Park USA in New Market, Maryland. Williams Grove - Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Sep 28, 2012 - Carousel at Williams Grove, Pa Taken During The flea market about 2 years ago. Williams Grove Amusement Park. In 2001, the park erected The Wildcat, a steel roller coaster. The Williams family began hosting picnics in 1850 at a small grove located in the village of Williams Grove outside Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. If you enjoy hiking, follow the Ironton Rail Trail, which spans just under 10 miles in Whitehall. Williams Grove Amusement Park earned a spot in plenty of Pennsylvanians’ memories. In fact, it is still inhabited by a few long-time residents. Williams Grove Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The owners still live there and are trying to preserve the park and the historic buildings on the property but face frequent vandalism. Williams Grove Amusement Park, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania In 1972 the park was sold to a man named Morgan Hughes, and it immediately seemed as though the writing was on the wall. For the past decade, its remains have slowly decayed, becoming more and more overgrown with each passing year. Williams Grove Park was nearly destroyed in the summer of the same year due to Hurricane Agnes and the subsequent flooding from nearby Yellow Breeches Creek. Anyway while it is closed it doesnt seem exactly abandoned in this video. Over the next few years that grove grew into a full-fledged park, originally named the Mechanicsburg Fairgrounds. The owners still live there and are trying to preserve the park and the historic buildings on the property but face frequent vandalism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE9OlnQJ_4I - epic urby exy, Coordinates: 40°09′04″N 77°02′02″W / 40.151°N 77.034°W / 40.151; -77.034, Abandoned amusement park near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, United States, http://www.themeparkreview.com/wgrove/wgrove.htm, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE9OlnQJ_4I, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Williams_Grove_Amusement_Park&oldid=979135416, Abandoned amusement parks in the United States, Defunct amusement parks in the United States, Buildings and structures in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 19 September 2020, at 00:39. It is standing but not operating. Hughes, who was in his mid-80s when the park closed, attempted to sell the property in 2006 to a prospective owner who would keep the park intact and operational, but was unable to find a buyer. In fact, the rides (which are mostly gone now) were all transferred from the Palisades Amusement Park in NJ after it was closed. (Unfortunately, visitors are no longer allowed to visit Centralia.) Status: Abandoned. The park operated from 1850 until 2005. Pennsylvania is home to several ghost towns, the most well-known of which is probably Centralia. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Explore. A black dog, for example, is often seen at the cemetery, though he disappears when you get too close. Follow me on IG: @mikeschwarzthekid. Had you ever been to this abandoned amusement park in Pennsylvania before it was abandoned? 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