{"id":16187,"date":"2019-09-18T05:00:08","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T10:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/?p=16187"},"modified":"2020-03-10T08:32:57","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T13:32:57","slug":"little-amerricka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/","title":{"rendered":"Little Amerricka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This week, I\u2019m talking about the still-operational small family theme park in southern Wisconsin, with connections to dozens of now-defunct amusement parks. It\u2019s time for the story of Little Amerricka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/pinecast.com\/player\/8b0afa89-9c60-4396-8a65-3e8e6f1f8134?theme=minimal\" seamless=\"\" height=\"60\" style=\"border:0\" class=\"pinecast-embed\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>When one is trying to visit Little Amerricka, the first impression is always along the lines of \u201cAre you sure you typed the right address into the map?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get to Little Amerricka, one heads west from Milwaukee or east from Madison, there in the heart of Wisconsin. Exit number 250 off I-94. And then you drive another five miles along WI-73, past farmhouses in groves of shady trees, big fields of corn starting to grow tall in the summer sun. A nice little two lane road. It\u2019s just rural enough and just far enough off the beaten path that you invariably ask your fellow car-riders: \u201cAre you sure this is the right way?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But eventually you hit the small town of Marshall and take a right at the Ace Hardware, and then there it is, just down Main Street. The first thing you see is a bizarre tree \u2013 no, is that a roller coaster? And that, no, THAT is definitely a giant inflatable tiger butt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that, my friends, is how I met the Little Amerricka theme park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_35_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><label for=\"item\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' style='display:none'><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Lee_Merrick_and_Darryl_Klompmaker\" title=\"Lee Merrick and Darryl Klompmaker\">Lee Merrick and Darryl Klompmaker<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Ambience\" title=\"Ambience&nbsp;\">Ambience&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Rides_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Rides at Little Amerricka\">Rides at Little Amerricka<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Wild_Wooly_Toboggan_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Wild &amp; Wooly Toboggan at Little Amerricka\">Wild &amp; Wooly Toboggan at Little Amerricka<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Mad_Mouse_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Mad Mouse at Little Amerricka\">Mad Mouse at Little Amerricka<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Monorail_and_Other_Rides_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Monorail and Other Rides at Little Amerricka\">Monorail and Other Rides at Little Amerricka<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Roll-o-plane_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Roll-o-plane at Little Amerricka\">Roll-o-plane at Little Amerricka<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Meteor_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Meteor at Little Amerricka\">Meteor at Little Amerricka<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#A_Comet_Coaster_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"A Comet Coaster at Little Amerricka?\">A Comet Coaster at Little Amerricka?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Whalom_Parks_Flyer_Comet\" title=\"Whalom Park\u2019s Flyer Comet\">Whalom Park\u2019s Flyer Comet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Lincoln_Parks_Comet\" title=\"Lincoln Park\u2019s Comet\">Lincoln Park\u2019s Comet<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Log_Flume_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Log Flume at Little Amerricka?\">Log Flume at Little Amerricka?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Whiskey_River_Railway_at_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Whiskey River Railway at Little Amerricka\">Whiskey River Railway at Little Amerricka<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#Ups_and_Downs_for_Little_Amerricka\" title=\"Ups and Downs for Little Amerricka\">Ups and Downs for Little Amerricka<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#References\" title=\"References\">References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lee_Merrick_and_Darryl_Klompmaker\"><\/span>Lee Merrick and Darryl Klompmaker<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The park is spelled A-merrick-a, a somewhat troubling yet ultimately harmless spelling, named after its founder, Lee Merrick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lee Merrick was born in Illinois. He was a farm boy. Eventually, he found his success in the necessary but unpleasant field of livestock rendering. (His son, Garth, currently runs the Merrick\u2019s brand of pet food, seen in stores all over.)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his spare time, Lee Merrick found a hobby in large-scale miniature trains. Not train sets like in someone\u2019s basement, but \u201cgrand scale\u201d or rideable miniature trains. Such as those we might talk about here on The Abandoned Carousel, for instance. Yes, my friends, we are talking about trains again, so hang on to your hats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Merrick had been involved in the grand scale miniature train scene since the mid-60s, but it took until 1987 for Merrick to meet up with the other main figure in our story: Darryl Klompmaker. That year, 1987, Merrick purchased the land in Marshall, WI that is now Little Amerricka, and set up himself a nice miniature train loop. According to Klompmaker in an interview with Parkworld Online, the train was the genesis for Little Amerricka. You see, they set it up so that the train took guests out to pick Christmas trees and then took them back to their cars \u2013 can you imagine how fun that would be, a steam engine on a snowy Wisconsin winter day, maybe some hot chocolate?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The train ride was incredibly popular, and they soon added a second building near the train loop. This building can still be seen today: it\u2019s right at the entrance to the park, and is now the main concessions and offices.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_7.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_7.jpg?w=768&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_7.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Ferris Wheel at Little Amerricka. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Even back at this time in the late 1980s, Klompmaker said that Merrick already had four rides in storage. These were reportedly the Ferris wheel, the tilt-a-whirl, the fire truck ride, and the bumper cars. Reportedly, Merrick offered Klompmaker a job, and in 1989 plans for the park began in earnest.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Klompmaker is quoted as saying: \u201c\u201cI kind of fell into the amusement industry. Lee didn\u2019t really have a plan, he just had the railroad. He thought that if we added a miniature golf course and a couple of rides alongside the train, it might draw people in and keep them longer. \u201d\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1991, Little Amerricka opened, with those original four rides, the mini golf course, and the extended train loop. By the time of this episode in 2019, the park has 26 operating rides, catering to the young family crowd in southern Wisconsin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The park, unlike some, wasn\u2019t planned. There were no blueprints, and some of the rides have moved a few times during the park\u2019s lifetime. \u201cIt just kinda grew, almost like a mushroom\u201d, said Merrick in a video interview from years ago. \u201cWasn\u2019t planned, it was just spontaneous\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What I personally love about Little Amerricka is how it has taken all of these seeds of older parks and planted them to grow anew. Little Amerricka has only been open for 28 years, but it feels like a place from out of time, like it\u2019s been there in the cornfields longer than forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_9.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_9.jpg?w=768&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_9.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Entrance at Little Amerricka. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ambience\"><\/span>Ambience&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like I said, the park is situated about five miles from the nearest \u201cbig road\u201d. Location is key, yes, but this is still close enough and easy enough to access that the park hasn\u2019t suffered as a result.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You park your car adjacent to the theme park, either in a grassy field or a muddy field, depending on how recently it\u2019s rained. There are two entrances, one from the parking lot and one right off Main Street, for any pedestrians. Of course, entrance to the park itself is free. Little Amerricka has a wristband\/ticket system and allows guests to bring in their own food and drink. This obviously makes the park a cost-effective place for families to visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rides_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Rides at Little Amerricka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The atmosphere is charming and freewheeling, like something out of a history film. Each of the park\u2019s 26 rides tell a story. Today, I\u2019ll be telling you a little bit about a lot of different defunct theme parks, because that\u2019s the thread that weaves through Little Amerricka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wild_Wooly_Toboggan_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Wild &amp; Wooly Toboggan at Little Amerricka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Take the connective tissue between this episode and the last. Perhaps you\u2019re not listening in release order. That\u2019s fine, this isn\u2019t a serialized podcast. <a href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/dogpatch-usa\/\">In last week\u2019s episode, I talked about Dogpatch USA<\/a>, that theme park down in Arkansas based on Al Capp\u2019s Li\u2019l Abner comic strip. Well, Dogpatch USA closed at the end of the 1993 season and began selling off its assets. One of the rides being sold was that original prototype Chance Toboggan, called Earthquake McGoon\u2019s Brain Rattler. This was different than later Chance Toboggans, in that it was not on a trailer but a permanent installation, built in 1969.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I misspoke slightly last week, though, so let\u2019s correct the record. Before Dogpatch was closed, the Toboggan was sold in an effort to cut costs, reportedly around 1988. A little park called Enchanted Forest in Chesterton, Indiana purchased the ride in a last-ditch effort to stay operational itself. We\u2019ll talk more about Enchanted Forest in a minute, but know that that effort was in vain. Enchanted Forest operated through the 1990 season and did not reopen in 1991. In the fall of 1991, all their assets went up for auction, and we\u2019ve got a delightful treasure online \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/ http:\/\/www.inportercounty.org\/Data\/Misc\/EnchantedForest-AuctionFlier-October19-1991-SS.pdf\">the original 1991 auction flyer. In the link for the auction flyer,<\/a> you can see pictures of the rides on offer, including Toboggan, painted its distinctive tan on brown, and see the serial number: 69-4101.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, Merrick and Klompmaker purchased the Toboggan at the auction for a cool $30,000, and installed it at Little Amerricka soon after. Klompmaker is quoted <a href=\"http:\/\/kurtraether.com\/documentary\/#\/short-film-little-america\/\">in the Little Amerricka mini-documentary<\/a> as saying that the color scheme (brown and tan) appealed greatly to Merrick, and though they hadn\u2019t planned on purchasing the ride, they knew they had to have it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coastergallery.com\/2001\/LA08.html\">the Indiana state inspection sticker on the ride could be seen in 2001, years after it had been operating in WI.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, the Toboggan at Little Amerricka is the last currently operating Toboggan at the time of this recording, according to the Roller Coaster Database, although there are a few nominally in storage. One such \u201cin storage\u201d is the Toboggan at Connaut Lake Park in Pennsylvania, which can be seen folded in pieces in a summer 2019 photo, overgrown with vines and other flora, rusting apart <a href=\"https:\/\/rcdb.com\/1671.htm#p=102417\">https:\/\/rcdb.com\/1671.htm#p=102417<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Funnily enough, this coaster is often one of the major draws to Little Amerricka, at least for out-of-towners, due to the novelty of the coaster. See, apparently \u201ccoaster counts\u201d or \u201ccoaster credits\u201d are a thing, where coaster enthusiasts travel the world and log as many coasters as they can ride. The current leader on <a href=\"https:\/\/coaster-count.com\/ranking\/ridden\">the website Coaster Count<\/a>, George, has ridden 2,872 coasters as of the time of this recording. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_1.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_1.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_1.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_1.jpg?resize=576%2C432&ssl=1 576w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_1.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_1.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>The last currently operating Chance Toboggan, seen at Little Amerricka. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Back at Little Amerricka, some in trip reports describe the Toboggan as the worst coaster ever devised. One trip report says: \u201cIronically, after 500 roller coasters, the scariest rides are no longer ultra-intimidating stratacoasters but things like this.\u201d There\u2019s about 450 ft of track, crammed into about 45 ft of length. The coaster cars are tiny, small claustrophobic enclosed cages for two. This is not the ride for a tall person.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How does the ride work? The chain winches you vertically up the central tube, staring at the sky like an astronaut about to launch. Then, a dizzying downward spiral, five and a half times around the outside of the lift tube. Since visibility is compromised in the cage-like car, the violent little bunny hills at the end are a jarring surprise. Your knees, head, and back take a beating on this ride, despite the car\u2019s padding, despite the apparent simplicity of the ride, as you slam back into the station.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s either a blessing or a curse for the rollercoaster enthusiast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2548.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2548.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2548.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2548.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2548.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Little Amerricka 2019: the Wild & Wooly Toboggan. Almost immediately after taking this photo, the ride broke down. Image by the author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Every ride at Little Amerricka has a history, though of course we don\u2019t know about all of them in as much detail. The rides are almost entirely secondhand, allowing the visitor in the know to trace the connections to parks past, parks still operational or parks defunct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mad_Mouse_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Mad Mouse at Little Amerricka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s go back to Enchanted Forest. Klompmaker and Merrick had gone to the auction at Enchanted Forest in Chesterton, Indiana, intent on purchasing a Scrambler ride. They ended up with a lot of stuff: the Scrambler, the Toboggan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Something else that was there caught their eye though, at that auction, and like the best of the impulse purchasers among us, they bought it: the Mad Mouse coaster, to the tune of $6,000. The coaster can be seen in operation there<a href=\"http:\/\/ https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8H1KmpehgOE\"> in this vintage TV commercial on YouTube<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/ https:\/\/jimvid.smugmug.com\/Amusement-Park\/Enchanted-Forest-defunct-park\/i-TMqNm3d\">in a still photo from the 50s or 60s here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Enchanted Forest sat in a state of flux for a few years, as I\u2019ve alluded to a few times \u2013 it\u2019s a park worthy of its own episode. But briefly, for now, the park operated between 1994-2009 as Splash Down Dunes. It then operated from 2013-2017 as Seven Peaks Water Park Duneland, and is currently abandoned. Like I said, it\u2019s worthy of its own episode.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a great aerial shot of Mad Mouse: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coastergallery.com\/2001\/LA05.html\">http:\/\/www.coastergallery.com\/2001\/LA05.html<\/a>. As noted in the Dogpatch USA episode, this coaster is not the mouse coaster from Dogpatch \u2013 that was a Monster Mouse model, with an extra loop of track to the left of the lift hill. Demonstrated in this image, Little Amerricka has a Wild Mouse model, which doesn\u2019t have that extra track. The Allan Herschell Mad Mouse is an endangered species. This specific coaster, a \u201cWild Mouse\u201d model, was manufactured in 1960 (serial number 432760), and has been at Little Amerricka since 1993. It was the only Herschell Mad Mouse in operation until just a few months ago, when another Wild Mouse opened at the small Arnolds Park in Iowa, its third location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not sure that we\u2019ve talked about a Mad Mouse coaster in any depth yet here on The Abandoned Carousel. If you\u2019re unfamiliar, mouse coasters run with single wide cars instead of trains of cars; the wide cars overhang the edges of the tracks and contribute to the psychology of the ride. The track itself is characterized by many tight, unbanked turns, as well as short bunny hills. Despite their name and descriptions, mouse coasters are often quite thrilling, with abrupt negative G forces and quite good airtime (the cars often are without seatbelts, particularly on vintage models). The original ride operator instructions were apparently \u201c\u201dSit down, shut up, and hold on!\u201d\u201d an exact quote, apparently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some chide the appearance of the Mad Mouse. One review describes it as \u201cit\u2019s basically a giant plug-and-play erector set roller coaster\u201d. Another commenter online describes it thusly: \u201cMad Mouse twists and turns on a naked track that weebles and wobbles\u201d. And still others call it rickety, rusty, horrifying, \u201cdeathtrap\u201d and \u201cnever quite seen one like it\u201d. BUT they also usually love it. The Mad Mouse at Little Amerricka is generally considered its most popular coaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a final fun fact, the cars all have padded bumpers on the front, because originally at Enchanted Forest, seven cars were run at a time, and if they bumped into each other, well, how about a little padding from a pool noodle? Now at Little Amerricka, they usually only run 3 or 4 at a time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_5.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_5.jpg?w=768&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_5.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>One of the last operating Allan Herschell Mad Mouse coasters, operating at Little Amerricka. This ride was built in 1960. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Monorail_and_Other_Rides_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Monorail and Other Rides at Little Amerricka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Merrick and Klompmaker have found impulse purchases at other places, too. The auction for the former Peony Park, in Omaha, NE, occurred in 1994. They went down to purchase the kiddie boat ride, where a handful of boats spin in endless circles over a pool of water. (Spoiler alert, this is one of my kids\u2019 least favorite rides.) In addition, though, they picked up an incredibly unique ride on a whim: <a href=\"https:\/\/i.pinimg.com\/originals\/a5\/27\/97\/a52797965a204b1e28a0c105689fd644.jpg \">the monorail, formerly called \u201cSky Rail\u201d<\/a>. Apparently it took about six trips with one truck back and forth between Marshall WI and Omaha NE to move the pieces of the Sky Rail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is technically not a monorail since there are three rails, but let\u2019s not be pedantic about things. The ride is actually Mad Mouse-esque, with wide cars that overhang the tracks. However, it\u2019s ultimately just one big loop that circles most of the park, allowing for lovely views. One report claims without source that only two of these rides were ever made, and that this is the only one in operation. I do believe it, because despite my research I have been unable to find another other rides like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"543\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2551.jpg?resize=800%2C543&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2551.jpg?resize=1024%2C695&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2551.jpg?resize=300%2C203&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2551.jpg?resize=768%2C521&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2551.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2551.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Little Amerricka 2019: view to one side of the Midway. Concessions on the left, slide and Toboggan in background, blue monorail platform ahead top, train bottom, Meteor right. Image by the author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Other rides we have less details on.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take that Ferris wheel, stored away and opened with the park. \u201c12-Car Eli Ferris Wheel came from Wonderland Park in Amarillo, Texas, when Wonderland upgraded\u201d their wheel. It can be seen operating at Wonderland here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wonderlandpark.com\/our-history?lightbox=dataItem-ixxq564f3\">https:\/\/www.wonderlandpark.com\/our-history?lightbox=dataItem-ixxq564f3<\/a> Otherwise, not much is known about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The carousel reportedly came from somewhere in Boston. The Tilt-a-whirl \u201cpossibly\u201d came from Ohio, and has been moved twice on the Little Amerricka grounds. One report pings this as the oldest permanent currently operational Til-a-whirl in the world, with serial number 614 from 1939, though Wikipedia cites without sources a claim that a Midwest traveling carnival called \u201cEvans United Shows\u201d still operates a 1927 model. Little Amerricka\u2019s Tilt-a-whirl has a licensed Mario sculpture in the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Little Dipper, the Allan Herschell classic kiddie coaster, came from a private owner who\u2019d been running the ride in his backyard. It came to Little Amerricka when the Missouri town he lived in decided to institute a \u201cno coasters in the backyard\u201d policy. The Little Dipper was manufactured in 1953 and still has the original flat iron wheels. It makes a small circuit around the kiddie ride area at Little Amerricka, with an 11-ft lift hill and a few bunny hills before the station. Apparently in most parks, this ride has a MAXIMUM height limit; here at Little Amerricka, anyone can ride.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t need to go through the entire list of the park\u2019s ride, but suffice to say there are plenty: bumper boats, a haunted house, mini-golf, an inflatable slide, a carousel, bounce house, etc. The only ride the park purchased brand new was the Red Baron kiddie airplane ride.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2568.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2568.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2568.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2568.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2568.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Little Amerricka 2019: little ferris wheel, Pinto Brothers fire truck ride, Little Dipper track, helicopters, and Chance Toboggan. Image by the author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Roll-o-plane_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Roll-o-plane at Little Amerricka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Roll-o-plane at Little Amerricka (\u201cTest Pilot\u201d) is a gem in the crown of the park. If you\u2019re not familiar with the ride, this was a 1934 improvement on the 1931 Eyerly Loop-o-Plane. Not familiar with that? The rides were built by the Eyerly Aircraft Company. Another Lee, Lee Eyerly, had always been a mechanically inclined person. He built and raced his own cars and airplanes in the early 1900s, and actually began his own flying school, there in Oregon. He built a custom flight trainer for his students, called simply \u201cAeroplane\u201d (originally the Orientator). The students did well, but Eyerley began being approached by a salesman who saw the flight trainer while passing by the school\u2019s parking lot. (<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/2dOrwNT0mMA?t=58\">Video of this early trainer can be seen here.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The salesman proposed selling the Aeroplane to theme parks and carnivals, and Eyerley reluctantly agreed. Upon seeing the profit totals that next year, though, he was happily surprised, and the Loop-o-plane came out soon after. A 1951 Billboard article notes that over 500 of these had been produced at that point, saying \u201cthere is scarcely a show or a park that doesn\u2019t have one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Rolloplane, then, came in 1934. This ride executes an \u201cImmelmann turn\u201d, named after the WWI ace Max Immelmann. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Immelmann_turn \">An Immelmann<\/a> goes as follows: the plane accelerates at level flight, then climbs vertically (a half loop). The plane then completes a half-roll, coming back to level flight at an altitude above the original flight path. Reportedly, this is a difficult maneuver.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyhow, despite once being such an incredibly popular ride, this is now 2019, and very few Loop-o-planes or Roll-o-planes are operational anymore. Merrick and Klompmaker picked up their Roll-o-plane from \u201ca very small park in northern Indiana\u201d for $75,000. Klompmaker is quoted describing his pride in their restoration of the ride. Apparently, the same ride inspector who\u2019d once inspected the ride in Indiana came and did the inspection on the ride in Wisconsin, and didn\u2019t believe it was the same ride until he\u2019d checked the serial number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ride is pristine, shiny and gorgeous, and the operators are generous with ride time. It\u2019s probably the most thrilling ride at Little Amerricka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_4.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_4.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_4.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_4.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_4.jpg?resize=576%2C432&ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Test Pilot (Rolloplane) at Little Amerricka. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meteor_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Meteor at Little Amerricka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Meteor is the shining star of the Little Amerricka ride pantheon. It\u2019s reportedly the only wooden coaster that\u2019s been successfully moved twice. The Meteor, you see, was originally called the Little Dipper. It was manufactured by PTC, Philadelphia Toboggan Company, for the Kiddietown park in the Chicago area (Norridge, IL), beginning in 1953.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_3.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_3.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_3.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_3.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_3.jpg?resize=576%2C432&ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Meteor at Little Amerricka. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a nice little junior coaster, and reportedly was one of six manufactured; today only one nearly-identical sister coaster survives, at Kiddieland in Melrose Park, IL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Little Dipper, as it was known then, operated there until Kiddietown was shuttered. The coaster has serial number 120 from PTC, and was designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck. Do you remember another coaster I\u2019ve already talked about here on TAC that was also designed by him?\u00a0 I\u2019ll post the answer in the website shownotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hillcrest Park, another Chicagoland location (Lemont, IL) purchased the classic wooden coaster in 1966 for $6,000, and spent another $66,000 to move the coaster 30 miles from one side of Chicago to the other. Images of its disassembly at Kiddietown can be seen here: <a href=\"https:\/\/rcdb.com\/2571.htm#p=8287\">https:\/\/rcdb.com\/2571.htm#p=8287<\/a>. The former site of Kiddietown is now a bank.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hillcrest is not a very well-known place. It was a private \u201cpicnic park\u201d, used for corporate outings, weddings, etc. The park handled between 200-2000 guests, depending on the day. Little Dipper operated there from 1967 until 2003. Images can be seen here: <a href=\"https:\/\/rcdb.com\/327.htm\">https:\/\/rcdb.com\/327.htm<\/a> In addition to the coast, Hillcrest operated a helicopter ride, bumper cars, a merry go round, and had a C. P. Huntington miniature train: number 41.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2003, <a href=\"http:\/\/ https:\/\/drloihjournal.blogspot.com\/2017\/12\/hillcrest-amusement-park-lemont-illinois-1952-2003.html \">Hillcrest Park simultaneously saw a decline in the number of corporate outings and an increase in the value of the land. <\/a>It became not profitable to operate the park, so it was closed in 2003. Today, the land is warehouses, storage, and parking lots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The auction for Hillcrest Park was held in October of 2003, and of course, Klompmaker was in attendance. He purchased the little woody coaster for between $9-10k. Lest these numbers start making you think you might open your own park in your spare time, it then took Klompmaker another three years and over $100,000 to restore the ride and install it at Little Amerricka.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Little Amerricka had to replace about 75% of the lumber in the wooden coaster, but \u201cit was still cheaper than buying new\u201d. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.themeparkreview.com\/dells2005\/amerricka\/amerricka2.htm\">You can find 2005 pictures of the disassembled coaster sitting in a field at Little Amerricka here<\/a>) Today, the coaster sits in the center of the park, looking as though the rest of Little Amerricka had been planned around it, despite being one of the newest additions to the park. It has a unique curved loading station and still uses the classic large person-sized wooden handles for braking the coaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_2.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_2.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_2.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_2.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_2.jpg?resize=576%2C432&ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>The unique curved loading station at Little Amerricka. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The sister coaster I\u2019d mentioned earlier was purchased from Kiddieland Melrose Park by Six Flags Great America in 2009 and currently operates there at the time of this recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best parts of Little Amerricka is the ride operators, who give you plenty of bang for your buck. For your two tickets ($3), you get at least three complete circuits on the coaster. More, depending on how the operator is feeling that day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Comet_Coaster_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>A Comet Coaster at Little Amerricka?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, the Meteor is, according to some, only practice for a larger event.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Merrick and Klompmaker took a trip to New England in the early 2000s, inspecting some defunct coasters: at Whalom Park and Lincoln Park, both Massachusetts theme parks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whalom_Parks_Flyer_Comet\"><\/span>Whalom Park\u2019s Flyer Comet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>At Whalom Park, they were looking into the Flyer Comet coaster (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-8dQ_6sE_GQ\">vintage on-ride video<\/a>). Opened in 1940 and closed around 2000, the Flyer Comet was a classic old figure-eight style woodie designed by Vernon Keenan (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/whalommemories\/336356504\/in\/pool-whalompark\/\">image<\/a>). Whalom Park shuttered, as seems to be the common refrain, due to financial struggles and competition for audiences from mega-parks like Six Flags. However, the park sat abandoned for half a decade after its closure, as assets were sold off piece by piece, or left to rot. The Flyer Comet fit both these categories. Unfortunately, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bigdumptruck\/390597671\/in\/pool-whalompark\/\">weather and time had not been kind to the ride, some 70 years old at the time it enters our story<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Klompmaker and Merrick inspected the ride, and found the wood of the Flyer Comet coaster in very poor shape. (Unsurprising, as trip reports and memories of the park from its active years in the late 90s described the coaster as dangerous and wobbly. Some even remember seeing actual pieces of wood fall off during coaster rides.)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the quality of the wood, Klompmaker and Merrick were able to salvage the lift motors, lift chain, and other station parts. This required the track of the coaster to be cut apart, reportedly the final death knell for the original Flyer Comet. The coaster sat, cut up and overtaken with greenery, for several more years, prior to its demolition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_8.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_8.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_8.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_8.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_8.jpg?resize=576%2C432&ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Model of the Comet in the concessions stand at Little Amerricka. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lincoln_Parks_Comet\"><\/span>Lincoln Park\u2019s Comet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Their next stop was Lincoln Park, in North Dartmouth (an unrelated, unlisted, hilarious video: <a href=\"http:\/\/ https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YJkXOggXrBM\">\u201clink in park\u201d<\/a>). This park had been around since 1894, operating first as a picnic park, traditional to that time period, and then later becoming an amusement park. There, they were looking at another vintage wooden coaster: the Comet, opened in 1947. This one was designed by Vernon Keenan (wait \u2013 screeching noise \u2013 yes, the same Vernon Keenan who designed the Flyer Comet we just talked about! Funny world, that). Keenan designed the Comet (with Edward Leis) and it was built by Harry Baker. Keenan and Baker also built the 1927 Coney Island Cyclone coaster. Ironically, the oldest of this family of coasters is the only one still operational.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(As a sidebar to a sidebar, the Coney Island Cyclone was saved from demolition by a massive refurbishment effort in the mid-1970s and millions of dollars have been invested since in order to keep the ride running, along with another major refurbishment in 2011. Apparently the structure is considered \u201cirreplaceable\u201d, since wooden coasters can no longer be built under NYC building codes. A single ride today on this 92-year-old coaster costs $10.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HqFgsdfNCQw \">There\u2019s a great video from opening day of the Comet (1947) available on YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, we\u2019ll only go into it briefly since this is a Little Amerricka episode and not a Lincoln Park episode, but the downfall of \/this\/ park, for once, was not solely finances. In fact, <a href=\"http:\/\/ https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spinnerpub\/3276232447\/in\/album-72157613395102606\/ \">it revolves around the coaster we\u2019re talking about<\/a>. This time the story is a bit more grim. In 1986, there was a fatal accident on the Comet coaster. The owner reportedly invested $75,000 in upgrades and park safety, but it wasn\u2019t enough. Only four months after the owner was quoted in the papers talking about the ride\u2019s safety, the coaster\u2019s brakes failed (or were applied too early, according to others). This caused a coaster car to actually jackknife on the track and derail, leaving passengers dangling over the edge and reportedly injuring four (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spinnerpub\/3277050236 \">image of the incident<\/a>). The coaster\u2019s cars are quite arresting-looking, even moreso when they\u2019re not on the tracks correctly. This 1987 ride was the coaster\u2019s last, and ultimately the park closed as a result a few months later.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The park changed hands several times before its current development company owner purchased it. This didn\u2019t do the park any favors, as it suffered heavy damages from arson and vandalism. Many of Lincoln Park\u2019s assets were auctioned off, but the coaster was left, standing but not operating. It was already 40 years old at the time of the park\u2019s closure. And there it sat. Reportedly, the jackknifed coaster car stayed in place on the track well into the 90s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, come the mid-2000s, Merrick and Klompmaker investigated the coaster and its components, now up for sale after the lift hill collapsed in 2005. The wood from the track was obviously in poor shape, unsurprising considering it had been unmaintained in the elements for almost another two decades since the park\u2019s closure. Despite the coaster\u2019s somewhat grim ending, they ended up purchasing the trains from the Comet, as well as the blueprints for the ride. Reportedly, one train is in decent shape while the other (probably our jackknifed friend) needs significant work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/lincoln-park-comet-CCBYND20_flopesPhoto_2010.jpg?resize=800%2C532&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/lincoln-park-comet-CCBYND20_flopesPhoto_2010.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/lincoln-park-comet-CCBYND20_flopesPhoto_2010.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/lincoln-park-comet-CCBYND20_flopesPhoto_2010.jpg?resize=768%2C511&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/lincoln-park-comet-CCBYND20_flopesPhoto_2010.jpg?resize=576%2C384&ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Lincoln Park\u2019s \u201cComet\u201d coaster, before it was demolished. Image: Flopes Photo \/ Flickr, CCBYND 2.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, the plan is to refurbish the original trains, and then to use new lumber to build a copy of the Comet at Little Amerricka. (For the interested, <a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150611014412\/http:\/\/www.lpcomet.com\/roller-coasters\/about-the-comet\/the-comet-anatomy-of-a-coaster\">here is an archived page detailing the structural components of the Comet.<\/a>) This is obviously a huge plan for a little park, and there is no expected timetable for this to occur at this time. But what an eventual tribute to two longstanding wooden coasters this will be when it\u2019s completed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Comet\u2019s remaining wooden structure was demolished in 2012. The land is now condominiums. A company named Marion Millworks reportedly was given salvage rights for the former coaster\u2019s lumber, and is said to have created unique outdoor furniture and other items with the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Log_Flume_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Log Flume at Little Amerricka?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only are they planning on a larger coaster. They also have plans for a water ride, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Klompmaker and Merrick had been on the trail of a log flume for the park for years. They passed on a poor-quality flume at the auction for the Old Indiana theme park; they never heard back about their offer on the log flume from Miracle Strip Amusement Park in FL. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.negative-g.com\/kiddieland\/2009\/kiddieland-closing-2009-10.htm\">Ultimately, they purchased a log flume called the \u201cLog Jammer\u201d from Kiddieland in Melrose Park, IL, which opened in 1995 and closed in 2009.<\/a> (You might remember me mentioning Kiddieland in Melrose Park a few minutes ago \u2013 it was the original home of the sister to the Meteor coaster.) The pieces to the log flume have sat in a field at Little Amerricka for years, maintained but not yet assembled, visible from the monorail. Eventually, the log flume will be installed at Little Amerricka. One blog reports that the estimated concrete costs alone are up around $1M, so it is not expected that this flume will open anytime soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whiskey_River_Railway_at_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Whiskey River Railway at Little Amerricka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We talked about the train at the beginning of the episode, but I haven\u2019t really made it clear that this park has a fairly legit railroad. Little Amerricka operates three different steam trains. Their first was the Atlantic, nicknamed The Little Engine That Could, was built in 1969 and came from the Sanford Zoo in FL. This engine was a 16\u201d gauge, which is why the Whiskey River Railway is made to 16\u201d and not the more common 15\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2574.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2574.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2574.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2574.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2574.jpg?resize=576%2C432&ssl=1 576w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2574.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-IMG_2574.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Little Amerricka 2019: train, parachute jumper, ferris wheel, monorail, Meteor. Image by the author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The next train to come was the Oakland Acorn, built in 1949 by George Reddington and Robert Blecha in Oakland Park in California. It has a sister, the Gene Autry Melody Ranch Special, \u201cDaylight\u201d. These two trains are actually identical, just \u201cdressed\u201d differently.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OdVr_oPHiIw\">Here\u2019s a great video showcasing the WRR; it includes a video interview with Lee Merrick before he passed.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The track itself covers a great distance, about 2.5 miles, and takes about 20 minutes to traverse. There are grade crossings, a tunnel, and a roundhouse. Trains can reportedly hold around 150 people at a time, and the train is actually the park\u2019s most expensive ride.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The train starts out by looping through most of the park; it then meanders through outbuildings before moving into farmland and fields. There are farm animals, including sheep and llamas. A fairly recent addition is a second stop at the Whistle Stop Campground, the new accomodations adjacent to the park.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Slambo-CC-BY-SA-4.0-https-creativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-Whiskey_River_Railway_locomotives.jpg?resize=800%2C534&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Slambo-CC-BY-SA-4.0-https-creativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-Whiskey_River_Railway_locomotives.jpg?w=1000&ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Slambo-CC-BY-SA-4.0-https-creativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-Whiskey_River_Railway_locomotives.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Slambo-CC-BY-SA-4.0-https-creativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-Whiskey_River_Railway_locomotives.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Slambo-CC-BY-SA-4.0-https-creativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-Whiskey_River_Railway_locomotives.jpg?resize=576%2C384&ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Whiskey River Railway. Source: Slambo, CCBYSA 4.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ups_and_Downs_for_Little_Amerricka\"><\/span>Ups and Downs for Little Amerricka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Things haven\u2019t been perfect for Little Amerricka over the years..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A fire in 2000 caused over $200k in damages, and ruined a train machine shop. Said Merrick to the paper: \u201cI don\u2019t believe in insurance.\u201d And in 2018, a ride operator was fired for seemingly nodding off while operating a kiddie ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reportedly, Merrick \u201cnever made a nickel\u201d on the park, at least during his lifetime. He died in 2011. Klompmaker continues to run the park, per Merrick\u2019s wishes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In an interview online, Klompmaker describes the park as filling a void. This is a small, quaint, classic kiddie park, a dying breed, a working collector\u2019s museum. The park allows parents and grandparents an inexpensive place to take kids and grandkids, standing out in the area, in a sea of over-the-top thrills at other massive parks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Little Amerricka is rough and tumble. There\u2019s essentially no theming, the rides\u2019 mechanisms are laid bare for all to see, fences are a suggestion at best. A ride operator was fired for seemingly falling asleep while operating a kiddie carousel. The whole place does seem like it\u2019s waiting for a massive public outcry.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, it\u2019s a hobby park, like a real-life museum. It \u201cpersonifies old-fashioned amusement traditions.\u201d The rides are meticulously maintained and painted. History is an important part of Little Amerricka. Klompmaker is quoted as saying \u201cwe try to keep the nostalgia alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Did I mention all of Little Amerricka\u2019s borders? Main street, on one side. The parking lot, on another. The railroad tracks, on another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the town cemetery, on the other.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_6.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_6.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_6.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_6.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jeremythompson_flickr_CCBY20_6.jpg?resize=576%2C432&ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Little Dipper and cemetery views at Little Amerricka. Source: Jeremy Thompson, via Flickr. CC BY SA 2.0. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, as your children spin in endless circles on the vintage car carousel or the Pinto Brothers 1940s fire truck ride, you the adult get to stare out at Marshall\u2019s town cemetery and contemplate the similarly endless cycle of life and death.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBuy the ticket, take the ride,\u201d said Hunter S. Thompson, and the contrast between the flower-bedecked headstones and the regular whoosh of the Little Dipper invites you and your children to do just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Little Amerricka is real, authentic, fun. It\u2019s a great place to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-crop.jpg?resize=800%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-crop.jpg?resize=1024%2C473&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-crop.jpg?resize=300%2C138&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-crop.jpg?resize=768%2C354&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-crop.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sq-crop.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Little Amerricka 2019: views across the park from the monorail platform. Image by the author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background has-light-gray-background-color\">Remember that what you\u2019ve read is a podcast! A link is included at the top of the page. Listen to more episodes of <em>The Abandoned Carousel<\/em> on your favorite platform: <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/applepodcasts\" target=\"_blank\">Apple Podcasts<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/GooglePlay\" target=\"_blank\">Google Podcasts<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/spotify\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/radiopublic\" target=\"_blank\">RadioPublic<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/tunein\" target=\"_blank\">TuneIn<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/overcast\" target=\"_blank\">Overcast<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/pocketcasts\" target=\"_blank\">Pocket Casts<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/castro\" target=\"_blank\">Castro<\/a>. Support the podcast <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"on Patreon for extra content (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/patreon.com\/theabandonedcarousel\" target=\"_blank\">on Patreon for extra content<\/a>! Comment below to share your thoughts \u2013 as Lucy Maud Montgomery once said, nothing is ever really lost to us, as long as we remember it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol><li> \u201cThe Oakland Acorn\u201d Trainorders.com Discussion. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.trainorders.com\/discussion\/read.php?11,954146\">http:\/\/www.trainorders.com\/discussion\/read.php?11,954146<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.            <\/li><li>Whiskey River Railway \/ Marshall, Wisconsin \/ (16\u2033gauge) \u2013 Photos. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pg\/Whiskey-River-Railway-Marshall-Wisconsin-16gauge-258337366872\/photos\/?tab=album&album_id=10150983969361873\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pg\/Whiskey-River-Railway-Marshall-Wisconsin-16gauge-258337366872\/photos\/?tab=album&album_id=10150983969361873<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.          <\/li><li>Long Time Lemonters. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/35998934826\/permalink\/10157249986579827\/\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/35998934826\/permalink\/10157249986579827\/<\/a>. Accessed September 14, 2019.         <\/li><li> 2008 Total Timber Tour Blog Day 6 | Coaster2Coaster.com. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coaster2coaster.com\/blogs\/2008\/2008_day_06.html\">https:\/\/www.coaster2coaster.com\/blogs\/2008\/2008_day_06.html<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.           <\/li><li>Amusement Park \u00abLittle Amerricka Amusement Park\u00bb, reviews and photos, 700 E Main St, Marshall, WI 53559, USA. <a href=\"http:\/\/amusements-parks.com\/Wisconsin\/Marshall\/Little_Amerricka_Amusement_Park\">http:\/\/amusements-parks.com\/Wisconsin\/Marshall\/Little_Amerricka_Amusement_Park<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.            <\/li><li>An End To Whalom Park | Retro Junk Article. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.retrojunk.com\/article\/show\/2649\/an-end-to-whalom-park\">https:\/\/www.retrojunk.com\/article\/show\/2649\/an-end-to-whalom-park<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.           <\/li><li>As coaster falls, many bid final farewell to Whalom Park \u2013 The Boston Globe. <a href=\"http:\/\/archive.boston.com\/news\/local\/massachusetts\/articles\/2006\/10\/19\/coasting_to_a_stop_at_whalom_park\/\">http:\/\/archive.boston.com\/news\/local\/massachusetts\/articles\/2006\/10\/19\/coasting_to_a_stop_at_whalom_park\/<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.           <\/li><li>Billboard \u2013 Google Books. <a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=8h4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA91&pg=PA91#v=onepage&q&f=false\">https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=8h4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA91&pg=PA91#v=onepage&q&f=false<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.            <\/li><li>Enchanting stories of Enchanted Forest. nwitimes.com. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwitimes.com\/blogs\/nwi-history\/blog-enchanting-stories-of-enchanted-forest\/article_fe0aef23-387e-5937-9769-229f92cb0f0a.html\">https:\/\/www.nwitimes.com\/blogs\/nwi-history\/blog-enchanting-stories-of-enchanted-forest\/article_fe0aef23-387e-5937-9769-229f92cb0f0a.html<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.             <\/li><li>Chadster\u2019s Vacation Adventures: Final Edition! <a href=\"https:\/\/themeparkreview.com\/forum\/viewtopic.php?p=1106616\">https:\/\/themeparkreview.com\/forum\/viewtopic.php?p=1106616<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.    <\/li><li>Coaster Census \u2013 American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aceonline.org\/page\/Census\">https:\/\/www.aceonline.org\/page\/Census<\/a>. Accessed August 14, 2019.            <\/li><li>Coaster Trips: 2009: Knuckleheads, Little Amerricka, Indiana Beach. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bannister.org\/coasters\/trips\/2009\/0704.htm\">https:\/\/www.bannister.org\/coasters\/trips\/2009\/0704.htm<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>CoasterGallery.com \u2014 Little Amerricka (formerly Little A-Merrick-A). <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coastergallery.com\/2001\/LA08.html\">http:\/\/www.coastergallery.com\/2001\/LA08.html<\/a>. Accessed September 13, 2019.              <\/li><li>Comet \u2013 Lincoln Park (North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States). <a href=\"https:\/\/rcdb.com\/451.htm\">https:\/\/rcdb.com\/451.htm<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.          <\/li><li>Decaying Lincoln Park | Flickr. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/41658249@N02\/albums\/72157623404867978\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/41658249@N02\/albums\/72157623404867978<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.             <\/li><li>EnchantedForest-AuctionFlier-October19-1991-SS.pdf. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.inportercounty.org\/Data\/Misc\/EnchantedForest-AuctionFlier-October19-1991-SS.pdf\">http:\/\/www.inportercounty.org\/Data\/Misc\/EnchantedForest-AuctionFlier-October19-1991-SS.pdf<\/a>. Accessed September 13, 2019.             <\/li><li>Eyerly Aircraft | LAGOON HISTORY PROJECT. <a href=\"http:\/\/lagoonhistory.com\/project\/eyerly-aircraft\/\">http:\/\/lagoonhistory.com\/project\/eyerly-aircraft\/<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.             <\/li><li><em>Flyer Comet<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-8dQ_6sE_GQ\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-8dQ_6sE_GQ<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.            <\/li><li>Flyer Comet \u2013 Whalom Park (Lunenburg, Massachusetts, United States). <a href=\"https:\/\/rcdb.com\/217.htm\">https:\/\/rcdb.com\/217.htm<\/a>. Accessed September 14, 2019.             <\/li><li>Flyer Comet (Whalom Park) \u2013 Wikipedia. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Flyer_Comet_(Whalom_Park)\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Flyer_Comet_(Whalom_Park)<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.            <\/li><li>Great American Road Trip! Part 1 \u2013 Timber Falls, Mt. Olympus, Little Amerricka, SFGAmerica. FORUMS \u2013 COASTERFORCE. <a href=\"https:\/\/coasterforce.com\/forums\/threads\/great-american-road-trip-part-1-timber-falls-mt-olympus-little-amerricka-sfgamerica.41788\/\">https:\/\/coasterforce.com\/forums\/threads\/great-american-road-trip-part-1-timber-falls-mt-olympus-little-amerricka-sfgamerica.41788\/<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.             <\/li><li> Cook MJ. <em>Hometown Wisconsin<\/em>. Savage Press; 1994.            <\/li><li> Immelmann turn \u2013 Wikipedia. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Immelmann_turn\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Immelmann_turn<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.          <\/li><li>Kiddie Parks | RoadsideArchitecture.com. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.roadarch.com\/fairyparks\/kid5.html\">http:\/\/www.roadarch.com\/fairyparks\/kid5.html<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.              <\/li><li>Wild M. Life, death, and the timeless amusements of Little Amerricka. <em>Milwaukee Record<\/em>. August 2018. <a href=\"https:\/\/milwaukeerecord.com\/city-life\/life-death-timeless-amusements-little-amerricka\/\">https:\/\/milwaukeerecord.com\/city-life\/life-death-timeless-amusements-little-amerricka\/<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.           <\/li><li>Lincoln Park (Dartmouth, Mass) Sold.. \u2013 CoasterBuzz. <a href=\"https:\/\/coasterbuzz.com\/Forums\/Topic\/lincoln-park-dartmouth-mass-sold\">https:\/\/coasterbuzz.com\/Forums\/Topic\/lincoln-park-dartmouth-mass-sold<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.             <\/li><li>Lincoln Park (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) \u2013 Wikipedia. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lincoln_Park_(Dartmouth,_Massachusetts)\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lincoln_Park_(Dartmouth,_Massachusetts)<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.            <\/li><li>Lincoln Park Comet North Dartmouth MA Comet Roller coaster Fan Site. <a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160409011556\/http:\/\/www.lpcomet.com\/\">http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160409011556\/http:\/\/www.lpcomet.com\/<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.              <\/li><li><em>LINCOLN PARK COMET Roller Coaster, North Dartmouth, New Bedford, MA 1947<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HqFgsdfNCQw\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HqFgsdfNCQw<\/a>. Accessed September 14, 2019.              <\/li><li>Lincoln Park Comet, Technical Details and photographs, What makes the Comet work | Lincoln Park Comet Fan Site. <a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150611014412\/http:\/\/www.lpcomet.com\/roller-coasters\/about-the-comet\/the-comet-anatomy-of-a-coaster\">http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150611014412\/http:\/\/www.lpcomet.com\/roller-coasters\/about-the-comet\/the-comet-anatomy-of-a-coaster<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.         <\/li><li>Lincoln Park\u2019s Comet roller coaster demolished today in Dartmouth, evoking memories of thrills past | Boston.com. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boston.com\/uncategorized\/noprimarytagmatch\/2012\/07\/11\/lincoln-parks-comet-roller-coaster-demolished-today-in-dartmouth-evoking-memories-of-thrills-past\">https:\/\/www.boston.com\/uncategorized\/noprimarytagmatch\/2012\/07\/11\/lincoln-parks-comet-roller-coaster-demolished-today-in-dartmouth-evoking-memories-of-thrills-past<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.           <\/li><li>Lincoln Park\u2019s Comet roller coaster demolished today in Dartmouth, evoking memories of thrills past | Boston.com. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boston.com\/uncategorized\/noprimarytagmatch\/2012\/07\/11\/lincoln-parks-comet-roller-coaster-demolished-today-in-dartmouth-evoking-memories-of-thrills-past\">https:\/\/www.boston.com\/uncategorized\/noprimarytagmatch\/2012\/07\/11\/lincoln-parks-comet-roller-coaster-demolished-today-in-dartmouth-evoking-memories-of-thrills-past<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.           <\/li><li>Philosopher TC. Little Amerricka. Roller Coaster Philosophy. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rollercoasterphilosophy.com\/2011\/little-amerricka\/\">https:\/\/www.rollercoasterphilosophy.com\/2011\/little-amerricka\/<\/a>. Published September 4, 2011. Accessed September 11, 2019.             <\/li><li> Philosopher TC. Little Amerricka. Roller Coaster Philosophy. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rollercoasterphilosophy.com\/2011\/little-amerricka\/\">https:\/\/www.rollercoasterphilosophy.com\/2011\/little-amerricka\/<\/a>. Published September 4, 2011. Accessed September 12, 2019.            <\/li><li>Little Amerricka. In: <em>Wikipedia<\/em>. ; 2019. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Little_Amerricka&oldid=905446086\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Little_Amerricka&oldid=905446086<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.             <\/li><li> Little Amerricka. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.karenandjay.com\/trips\/amerricka\/amerricka.html\">http:\/\/www.karenandjay.com\/trips\/amerricka\/amerricka.html<\/a>. Accessed August 14, 2019.             <\/li><li>Little Amerricka. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.midwestinfoguide.com\/2008\/06\/little-amerricka.html\">http:\/\/www.midwestinfoguide.com\/2008\/06\/little-amerricka.html<\/a>. Accessed August 14, 2019.              <\/li><li>Little Amerricka. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bannister.org\/coasters\/parks\/little_amerricka.htm\">https:\/\/www.bannister.org\/coasters\/parks\/little_amerricka.htm<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.            <\/li><li>Little Amerricka\u202f: Park World Online \u2013 Theme Park, Amusement Park and Attractions Industry News. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parkworld-online.com\/little-amerricka\/\">https:\/\/www.parkworld-online.com\/little-amerricka\/<\/a>. Accessed July 22, 2019. <\/li><li>Little Amerricka | The FUN starts when you pull into the station! <a href=\"https:\/\/whistlestopcampground.com\/little-amerricka\/\">https:\/\/whistlestopcampground.com\/little-amerricka\/<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>Thompson J. <em>Little Amerricka 001<\/em>.; 2011. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/rollercoasterphilosophy\/6130990540\/\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/rollercoasterphilosophy\/6130990540\/<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>Little Amerricka Amusement Park \u2013 Home. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/littleamerricka\/\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/littleamerricka\/<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>Little Amerricka Amusement Park \u2013 Welcome. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.littleamerricka.com\/\">https:\/\/www.littleamerricka.com\/<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.             <\/li><li>Little Amerricka amusement park operator fired after video shows him nodding off on the job. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmj4.com\/news\/local-news\/little-amerricka-amusement-park-operator-fired-after-video-shows-him-nodding-off-on-the-job\">https:\/\/www.tmj4.com\/news\/local-news\/little-amerricka-amusement-park-operator-fired-after-video-shows-him-nodding-off-on-the-job<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>Tanzilo B. Little Amerricka amusement park provides good, old, inexpensive fun. OnMilwaukee.com. <a href=\"https:\/\/onmilwaukee.com\/visitors\/articles\/littleamerricka.html\">https:\/\/onmilwaukee.com\/visitors\/articles\/littleamerricka.html<\/a>. Published August 28, 2014. Accessed July 23, 2019.           <\/li><li><\/li><li><em>Little Amerricka Tour & Review<\/em>.; 2015. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fDNzAYZnDJs\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fDNzAYZnDJs<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.              <\/li><li>Little Dipper \u2013 Hillcrest Park (Lemont, Illinois, United States). <a href=\"https:\/\/rcdb.com\/327.htm\">https:\/\/rcdb.com\/327.htm<\/a>. Accessed September 14, 2019.         <\/li><li> Lost Tourist Attractions of the Dunes exhibit extending its stay here. <a href=\"http:\/\/chestertontribune.com\/Local%20History\/820101%20lost_tourist_attractions_of_the.htm\">http:\/\/chestertontribune.com\/Local%20History\/820101%20lost_tourist_attractions_of_the.htm<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.          <\/li><li>Mad Mouse \u2013 Little Amerricka \u2013 Roller Coasters. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimaterollercoaster.com\/coasters\/madmouse_littleamerrick\">https:\/\/www.ultimaterollercoaster.com\/coasters\/madmouse_littleamerrick<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>Merrick Light Railway Equipment Works. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jvlnet.com\/~gardyloo\/\">http:\/\/www.jvlnet.com\/~gardyloo\/<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.           <\/li><li>Meteor \u2013 Little Amerricka \u2013 Roller Coasters. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimaterollercoaster.com\/coasters\/meteor_littleamerrick\">https:\/\/www.ultimaterollercoaster.com\/coasters\/meteor_littleamerrick<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.             <\/li><li>Museum General Photo Collection. <a href=\"http:\/\/durhammuseum.contentdm.oclc.org\/cdm\/search\/collection\/p15426coll2\/searchterm\/%22Sky%20Rail%22\/order\/nosort\">http:\/\/durhammuseum.contentdm.oclc.org\/cdm\/search\/collection\/p15426coll2\/searchterm\/%22Sky%20Rail%22\/order\/nosort<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.          <\/li><li>Negative-G A Farewell To Kiddieland Page Ten. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.negative-g.com\/kiddieland\/2009\/kiddieland-closing-2009-10.htm\">http:\/\/www.negative-g.com\/kiddieland\/2009\/kiddieland-closing-2009-10.htm<\/a>. Accessed September 13, 2019.              <\/li><li>Negative-G Little Amerricka 2011 Pictures Page One. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.negative-g.com\/little-amerricka\/2011\/little-amerricka-park-2011-1.htm\">http:\/\/www.negative-g.com\/little-amerricka\/2011\/little-amerricka-park-2011-1.htm<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>Pohlen J. <em>Oddball Wisconsin: A Guide to 400 Really Strange Places<\/em>. Chicago Review Press; 2013.          <\/li><li>Peralta Playland \u2013 Oakland \u2013 LocalWiki. <a href=\"https:\/\/localwiki.org\/oakland\/Peralta_Playland\">https:\/\/localwiki.org\/oakland\/Peralta_Playland<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.          <\/li><li>PERSONAL \u2014 Kurt Raether | Director, Producer. <a href=\"http:\/\/kurtraether.com\/documentary\/#\/short-film-little-america\/\">http:\/\/kurtraether.com\/documentary\/#\/short-film-little-america\/<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.             <\/li><li>Photo Gallery | National Amusement Park Historical Association. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.napha.org\/LibraryResources\/PhotoGallery\/tabid\/62\/Default.aspx\">http:\/\/www.napha.org\/LibraryResources\/PhotoGallery\/tabid\/62\/Default.aspx<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.         <\/li><li>Porter County, Indiana, GenWeb \u2013 Photographs & Historical Images. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.inportercounty.org\/PhotoPages\/Chesterton\/EnchantedForest\/Chesterton-EnchantedForest006.html\">http:\/\/www.inportercounty.org\/PhotoPages\/Chesterton\/EnchantedForest\/Chesterton-EnchantedForest006.html<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.          <\/li><li>r\/rollercoasters \u2013 Little amerricka trip report. reddit. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/rollercoasters\/comments\/8mfjcg\/little_amerricka_trip_report\/\">https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/rollercoasters\/comments\/8mfjcg\/little_amerricka_trip_report\/<\/a>. Accessed August 14, 2019.              <\/li><li>r\/wisconsin \u2013 TIL there is an amusement park in Marshall, Wisconsin called Little Amerricka. reddit. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/wisconsin\/comments\/8831mo\/til_there_is_an_amusement_park_in_marshall\/\">https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/wisconsin\/comments\/8831mo\/til_there_is_an_amusement_park_in_marshall\/<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>Ranking \u2013 Ridden coasters. <a href=\"https:\/\/coaster-count.com\/ranking\/ridden\">https:\/\/coaster-count.com\/ranking\/ridden<\/a>. Accessed September 14, 2019.        <\/li><li>Rides in Peony Park\u202f:: Museum General Photo Collection. <a href=\"http:\/\/durhammuseum.contentdm.oclc.org\/cdm\/ref\/collection\/p15426coll2\/id\/2958\">http:\/\/durhammuseum.contentdm.oclc.org\/cdm\/ref\/collection\/p15426coll2\/id\/2958<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.           <\/li><li>Scrambler (ride). In: <em>Wikipedia<\/em>. ; 2019. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Scrambler_(ride)&oldid=907175058\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Scrambler_(ride)&oldid=907175058<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.             <\/li><li>Search: \u201clincoln park\u201d dartmouth | Flickr. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/search\/?license=2%2C3%2C4%2C5%2C6%2C9&text=%22lincoln%20park%22%20dartmouth&advanced=1\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/search\/?license=2%2C3%2C4%2C5%2C6%2C9&text=%22lincoln%20park%22%20dartmouth&advanced=1<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.              <\/li><li>Seven Peaks Water Park Duneland. In: <em>Wikipedia<\/em>. ; 2019. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Seven_Peaks_Water_Park_Duneland&oldid=890355012\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Seven_Peaks_Water_Park_Duneland&oldid=890355012<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.            <\/li><li>Show Me The Coasters \u2013 Part 1. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themeparkinsider.com\/discussion\/thread.cfm?page=2114\">https:\/\/www.themeparkinsider.com\/discussion\/thread.cfm?page=2114<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.              <\/li><li>ST 00039 \u2013 Lincoln Park aerial 1966\u202f: Dartmouth | Geometry o\u2026 | Flickr. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spinnerpub\/3972615152\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spinnerpub\/3972615152<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.              <\/li><li>STC-D 00426 \u2013 Lincoln Park\u202f: Roller Coaster Accident 1987 \u2026 | Flickr. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spinnerpub\/3277050236\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spinnerpub\/3277050236<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.              <\/li><li>STC-D 00441 \u2013 Lincoln Park\u202f: Roller Coaster 1979\u202f: Dartmou\u2026 | Flickr. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spinnerpub\/3276232447\/in\/album-72157613395102606\/\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spinnerpub\/3276232447\/in\/album-72157613395102606\/<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.             <\/li><li>The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal<sup>TM<\/sup>: Hillcrest (Amusement) Park in Woodridge (formerly Lemont), Illinois. (1952-2003). <a href=\"https:\/\/drloihjournal.blogspot.com\/2017\/12\/hillcrest-amusement-park-lemont-illinois-1952-2003.html\">https:\/\/drloihjournal.blogspot.com\/2017\/12\/hillcrest-amusement-park-lemont-illinois-1952-2003.html<\/a>. Accessed September 14, 2019.             <\/li><li>The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal<sup>TM<\/sup>: Hillcrest (Amusement) Park in Woodridge (formerly Lemont), Illinois. (1952-2003). <a href=\"https:\/\/drloihjournal.blogspot.com\/2017\/12\/hillcrest-amusement-park-lemont-illinois-1952-2003.html\">https:\/\/drloihjournal.blogspot.com\/2017\/12\/hillcrest-amusement-park-lemont-illinois-1952-2003.html<\/a>. Accessed September 14, 2019.             <\/li><li>Ph.d NG. The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal<sup>TM<\/sup>: The History of Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Illinois. (1929-2009). <em>The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal<sup>TM<\/sup><\/em>. January 2017. <a href=\"https:\/\/drloihjournal.blogspot.com\/2017\/01\/the-complete-history-of-kiddieland-in.html\">https:\/\/drloihjournal.blogspot.com\/2017\/01\/the-complete-history-of-kiddieland-in.html<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.            <\/li><li>Album of Enchanted Forest photos, operating and defunct. <a href=\"https:\/\/jimvid.smugmug.com\/Amusement-Park\/Enchanted-Forest-defunct-park\/i-xWH63HZ\">https:\/\/jimvid.smugmug.com\/Amusement-Park\/Enchanted-Forest-defunct-park\/i-xWH63HZ<\/a>. Accessed September 13, 2019.         <\/li><li>The End of Whalom. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.angelfire.com\/nh\/whalom\/destruction.html\">http:\/\/www.angelfire.com\/nh\/whalom\/destruction.html<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.             <\/li><li>The FUN starts when you pull into the station! | Whistle Stop Campground. <a href=\"https:\/\/whistlestopcampground.com\/\">https:\/\/whistlestopcampground.com\/<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.             <\/li><li>Conceicao A. The Hidden Rides and Themed Attractions of\u2026Wisconsin. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.parkscope.net\/2018\/08\/the-hidden-rides-and-themed-attractions_22.html\">http:\/\/www.parkscope.net\/2018\/08\/the-hidden-rides-and-themed-attractions_22.html<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.              <\/li><li>The only operating Chance Toboggan in the world [Great Midwestern Coaster Trip Day 5]\u202f: rollercoasters. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/rollercoasters\/comments\/8wq4nk\/the_only_operating_chance_toboggan_in_the_world\/\">https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/rollercoasters\/comments\/8wq4nk\/the_only_operating_chance_toboggan_in_the_world\/<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.           <\/li><li> DiRienzo D. The Retro Amusement Park In Wisconsin That Will Take You Back To The Good Ole Days. OnlyInYourState. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlyinyourstate.com\/wisconsin\/retro-amusement-park-wi\/\">https:\/\/www.onlyinyourstate.com\/wisconsin\/retro-amusement-park-wi\/<\/a>. Published August 8, 2019. Accessed September 12, 2019.              <\/li><li>TR: Old School Road Trip Pt. 8 \u2013 Wisconsin Craziness & Conclusion (6\/7- 6\/8\/2014) | realtalkguidetoawesome. <a href=\"https:\/\/realtalkguidetoawesome.wordpress.com\/2014\/06\/26\/tr-old-school-road-trip-pt-8-wisconsin-craziness-conclusion-67-682014\/\">https:\/\/realtalkguidetoawesome.wordpress.com\/2014\/06\/26\/tr-old-school-road-trip-pt-8-wisconsin-craziness-conclusion-67-682014\/<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.          <\/li><li>Trip Report \u2013 The Whiskey River Railway. <em>Vintage Trains | DVDS, CDS, Video on Demand<\/em>. January 2014. <a href=\"https:\/\/yardgoatimages.com\/trip-report-whiskey-river-railway\/\">https:\/\/yardgoatimages.com\/trip-report-whiskey-river-railway\/<\/a>. Accessed July 23, 2019.              <\/li><li>Unique amusement park owner Lee W. Merrick dies at 92. madison.com. <a href=\"https:\/\/madison.com\/news\/local\/unique-amusement-park-owner-lee-w-merrick-dies-at\/article_d7909c0c-c218-11e0-b082-001cc4c002e0.html\">https:\/\/madison.com\/news\/local\/unique-amusement-park-owner-lee-w-merrick-dies-at\/article_d7909c0c-c218-11e0-b082-001cc4c002e0.html<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.              <\/li><li>Updated: Affordable, Beginner Amusement Parks for Little Kids. <em>Trippin\u2019 Midwest Mama<\/em>. May 2017. <a href=\"https:\/\/trippinmidwestmama.com\/affordable-beginner-amusement-parks-for-little-kids\/\">https:\/\/trippinmidwestmama.com\/affordable-beginner-amusement-parks-for-little-kids\/<\/a>. Accessed August 14, 2019.             <\/li><li>Vernon Keenan Rollercoasters | Lincoln Park Comet Fan Site. <a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150611011520\/http:\/\/www.lpcomet.com\/roller-coasters\/about-the-comet\/the-comets-family\">http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150611011520\/http:\/\/www.lpcomet.com\/roller-coasters\/about-the-comet\/the-comets-family<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.              92. Whalom Park | Flickr. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/groups\/whalompark\/pool\/\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/groups\/whalompark\/pool\/<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.            <\/li><li><em>Whalom Park 2001-2006<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kiit_5IPD9s\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kiit_5IPD9s<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.              <\/li><li>Whalom Park sale can go forward \u2013 CoasterBuzz. <a href=\"https:\/\/coasterbuzz.com\/Forums\/Topic\/whalom-park-sale-can-go-forward\">https:\/\/coasterbuzz.com\/Forums\/Topic\/whalom-park-sale-can-go-forward<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.             <\/li><li>What Was This Once-Common Carnival Ride??? | Roller Coasters, Theme Parks & Attractions Forum. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimaterollercoaster.com\/forums\/roller-coasters-theme-parks\/168263\">https:\/\/www.ultimaterollercoaster.com\/forums\/roller-coasters-theme-parks\/168263<\/a>. Accessed September 15, 2019.          <\/li><li><em>Whiskey River Railway at Little Amerricka Amusement Park<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OdVr_oPHiIw\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OdVr_oPHiIw<\/a>. Accessed September 16, 2019.              <\/li><li><em>Whiskey River Railway at Little Amerricka Amusement Park \/ Marshall, Wisconsin (16 Inch Gauge)<\/em>.; 2010. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zdgSwmLtrSU\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zdgSwmLtrSU<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.              <\/li><li><em>Whiskey River Railway Day 2014<\/em>.; 2014. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_4dqRNkob0g\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_4dqRNkob0g<\/a>. Accessed September 12, 2019.             <\/li><li>Wild Mouse roller coaster. In: <em>Wikipedia<\/em>. ; 2019. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Wild_Mouse_roller_coaster&oldid=909564349\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Wild_Mouse_roller_coaster&oldid=909564349<\/a>. Accessed September 13, 2019.              <\/li><li>Vanderwilt D. <em>Wisconsin Dells<\/em>. Channel Lake, Inc.; 2008.          <\/li><li>Marsh C. <em>Wisconsin Rollercoasters!<\/em> Carole Marsh Books; 1994.           <\/li><li>Wisconsin\u2019s 10 permanent standing roller coasters offer history, heartburn. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/story\/travel\/2018\/08\/02\/wisconsin-roller-coasters\/873697002\/\">https:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/story\/travel\/2018\/08\/02\/wisconsin-roller-coasters\/873697002\/<\/a>. Accessed September 11, 2019.       <\/li><\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week, I\u2019m talking about the still-operational small family theme park in southern Wisconsin, with connections to dozens of now-defunct amusement parks. It\u2019s time for the story of Little Amerricka&#8230;. <a class=\"read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"The history of Little Amerricka, a theme park that's also a working museum of unique rides from abandoned and defunct amusement parks. And yes, there's a train. #ladypodsquad #podcast #wisconsin","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[43,124,5],"tags":[128,134,71,129,127,133,126,132,36,125,131,130],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Little Amerricka - Wisconsin Park History | The Abandoned Carousel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Little Amerricka in Marshall, Wisconsin is a historian&#039;s paradise for miniature train enthusiasts and fans of unique and vintage amusement park rides.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Little Amerricka - Wisconsin Park History | The Abandoned Carousel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Little Amerricka in Marshall, Wisconsin is a historian&#039;s paradise for miniature train enthusiasts and fans of unique and vintage amusement park rides.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Abandoned Carousel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheAbandonedCarousel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-09-18T10:00:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-03-10T13:32:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/LA-YT-JeremyThompsonFlickrCCBY20.png?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ashley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@CarouselAbandon\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@CarouselAbandon\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ashley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"37 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ashley\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/person\/81dea24dcd011b16ec0f138a8ac51191\"},\"headline\":\"Little Amerricka\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-09-18T10:00:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-03-10T13:32:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/\"},\"wordCount\":7385,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"comet\",\"Darryl Klompmaker\",\"Ferris Wheel\",\"flyer comet\",\"herschell\",\"Lee Merrick\",\"mad mouse\",\"Roll-o-plane\",\"Roller Coaster\",\"toboggan\",\"Wisconsin\",\"wood coaster\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Episodes\",\"Operational\",\"US: Midwest\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/\",\"name\":\"Little Amerricka - Wisconsin Park History | The Abandoned Carousel\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2019-09-18T10:00:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-03-10T13:32:57+00:00\",\"description\":\"Little Amerricka in Marshall, Wisconsin is a historian's paradise for miniature train enthusiasts and fans of unique and vintage amusement park rides.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Episodes\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/category\/episodes\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Little Amerricka\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/\",\"name\":\"The Abandoned Carousel\",\"description\":\"Stories behind defunct and abandoned theme parks and amusements\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"The Abandoned Carousel\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"\",\"contentUrl\":\"\",\"caption\":\"The Abandoned Carousel\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/TheAbandonedCarousel\/\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/theabandonedcarousel\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC8DAUf2hEL0MQx5HwuoWMAA\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheAbandonedCarousel\/\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarouselAbandon\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/person\/81dea24dcd011b16ec0f138a8ac51191\",\"name\":\"Ashley\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/890649798591d7879b5b697b9e1150e6?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/890649798591d7879b5b697b9e1150e6?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ashley\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Little Amerricka - Wisconsin Park History | The Abandoned Carousel","description":"Little Amerricka in Marshall, Wisconsin is a historian's paradise for miniature train enthusiasts and fans of unique and vintage amusement park rides.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Little Amerricka - Wisconsin Park History | The Abandoned Carousel","og_description":"Little Amerricka in Marshall, Wisconsin is a historian's paradise for miniature train enthusiasts and fans of unique and vintage amusement park rides.","og_url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/","og_site_name":"The Abandoned Carousel","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheAbandonedCarousel\/","article_published_time":"2019-09-18T10:00:08+00:00","article_modified_time":"2020-03-10T13:32:57+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/LA-YT-JeremyThompsonFlickrCCBY20.png?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Ashley","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@CarouselAbandon","twitter_site":"@CarouselAbandon","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ashley","Est. reading time":"37 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/"},"author":{"name":"Ashley","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/person\/81dea24dcd011b16ec0f138a8ac51191"},"headline":"Little Amerricka","datePublished":"2019-09-18T10:00:08+00:00","dateModified":"2020-03-10T13:32:57+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/"},"wordCount":7385,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#organization"},"keywords":["comet","Darryl Klompmaker","Ferris Wheel","flyer comet","herschell","Lee Merrick","mad mouse","Roll-o-plane","Roller Coaster","toboggan","Wisconsin","wood coaster"],"articleSection":["Episodes","Operational","US: Midwest"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/","url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/","name":"Little Amerricka - Wisconsin Park History | The Abandoned Carousel","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2019-09-18T10:00:08+00:00","dateModified":"2020-03-10T13:32:57+00:00","description":"Little Amerricka in Marshall, Wisconsin is a historian's paradise for miniature train enthusiasts and fans of unique and vintage amusement park rides.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/little-amerricka\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Episodes","item":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/category\/episodes\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Little Amerricka"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/","name":"The Abandoned Carousel","description":"Stories behind defunct and abandoned theme parks and amusements","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#organization","name":"The Abandoned Carousel","url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"","contentUrl":"","caption":"The Abandoned Carousel"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/TheAbandonedCarousel\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/theabandonedcarousel\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC8DAUf2hEL0MQx5HwuoWMAA","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheAbandonedCarousel\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarouselAbandon"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/person\/81dea24dcd011b16ec0f138a8ac51191","name":"Ashley","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/890649798591d7879b5b697b9e1150e6?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/890649798591d7879b5b697b9e1150e6?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g","caption":"Ashley"}}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/LA-YT-JeremyThompsonFlickrCCBY20.png?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paUHe3-4d5","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":106339,"url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/carousel-15\/","url_meta":{"origin":16187,"position":0},"title":"Carousel #15","date":"March 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"This week, we\u2019re going to refocus ourselves from the external chaos. Let\u2019s set aside a space where we can go back in time, one hundred and thirteen years ago, and maybe even a bit before that, too. This is a story about a survivor. Can we call an inanimate object\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Abandoned Theme Park&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/YouTube-covers.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":36544,"url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/okpo-land\/","url_meta":{"origin":16187,"position":1},"title":"Okpo Land","date":"October 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"If you\u2019ve ever searched the internet for abandoned theme parks, this place is the home to one of the popular images that comes up. Honestly, it\u2019s one of the more spine-tingling images I\u2019ve seen. Have you ever seen a coaster-like ride with duck faces, eyes staring vacantly in odd directions,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Abandoned&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/YouTube-covers-okpo.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":29247,"url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/takakonuma-greenland-%e9%ab%98%e5%ad%90%e6%b2%bc%e3%82%b0%e3%83%aa%e3%83%bc%e3%83%b3%e3%83%a9%e3%83%b3%e3%83%89\/","url_meta":{"origin":16187,"position":2},"title":"Takakonuma Greenland (\u9ad8\u5b50\u6cbc\u30b0\u30ea\u30fc\u30f3\u30e9\u30f3\u30c9)","date":"October 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"This week on The Abandoned Carousel, something not too familiar, but not too not familiar. I\u2019m going to tell you a spooky story about one of the most well-known, spookiest abandoned theme parks. And then I\u2019m going to tell you the truth behind the legend. This week, the story of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Abandoned&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TG-Cover-2.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23043,"url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/carousel-casino-pier\/","url_meta":{"origin":16187,"position":3},"title":"Floyd Moreland Dentzel\/Looff Carousel","date":"October 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"This is the story of a century-old carousel that's escaped fires and hurricanes. This is also the story of Casino Pier and the roller coaster in the ocean. It's a good one. #ladypodsquad #podernfamily","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Demolished&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/web.archive.org/web/20230103084457/i0.wp.com\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/1-carousel-ytcover.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":170,"url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/joyland-part-one\/","url_meta":{"origin":16187,"position":4},"title":"Joyland, Part One","date":"May 29, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Joyland was a family-run amusement park in Wichita, KS, with a long history. This post is the first of two parts diving deep into the history of the park. In this post, I look at the history of the Ottaway family, the steam engine that started it all, and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Abandoned Theme Park&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2795,"url":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/elektrenai\/","url_meta":{"origin":16187,"position":5},"title":"Elektrenai","date":"July 17, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"This week, we\u2019re talking about an abandoned Soviet-era theme park. Many people draw parallels between this and the abandoned theme park in Pripyat near Chernobyl. Better known for its abandoned state than its operational years, this is the theme park in Elektrenai, Lithuania.\u00a0 Listen or watch this episode below, or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Abandoned Theme Park&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16187"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16187"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17052,"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16187\/revisions\/17052"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theabandonedcarousel.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}