Located in the tranquil countryside of Princeton, Mercer County, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park is a relic of what it once was. Its secluded location adds to its allure together with its Native American heritage.
Today, it attracts all kinds of tourists, from adventurers to history buffs. With that in light, this article delves deeper into the history of Lake Shawnee Amusement Park. It focuses on its history, the reasons it was abandoned, and what it has become of it.
History of Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
The story of Lake Shawnee Amusement Park is layered with tragedy, cultural disputes, and a typical haunted demeanor due to its dark past. This story starts from its Native American roots, where it housed a few Native tribes.
Archaeology revealed that it was a Native American burial site due to the human remains and artifacts discovered. This sacred connection rendered it solemn, and many believe that this was the reason that contributed to the park’s later misfortunes.
In the late 18th century, a European settler, Mitchell Clay, deemed it fit to establish a homestead on the exact land. He built a home and moved in with his family of 3 children. Little did he know the horrendous fate of what was to follow.
In 1785, his home became the site of a massacre where his own children were murdered. In a horrific act, two of his children’s lives were taken and later scalped. The third child was taken away to Chillicothe and executed by being burnt alive.
The perpetrators of this heinous crime were the Native Americans. In an act of retaliation, Clay, together with other landowners in the area, declared war on the Native Americans. A counterattack occurred, claiming the lives of the American Natives and further escalating the tensions between both parties.
Despite all this, years later, in 1926, Conley Trigg Snidow, an entrepreneur, bought the land to set up the park. It featured classic attractions such as the Ferris wheel, swing rides, and a swimming pool. All this made it a charming, popular destination for families in the area.
Why Was Lake Shawnee Amusement Park Abandoned?
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park was abandoned because of a combination of tragic events, financial issues, and a hauntingly dark past. Operational years for the park were studded with a few fatalities, something that did not help with the reputation of the park. For example, it is said that a small girl on a swing met her untimely demise while a truck delivering sodas backed into the ride.
In addition to that, two drowning incidents were reported. The drowning occurred in the most bizarre situations. It is said that a nine-year-old boy drowned after his arm was sucked down into the drain of the swimming pool. The other drowning incident was reported in the lake.
These incidents raised a myriad of safety concerns. While it is up for debate, they say that the park was closed because of the deaths. On paper, it is said that the park was closed in 1967 because it failed a health inspection.
Later, in 1985, a former Lake Shawnee Amusement Park employee, Gaylord White, deemed it fit to purchase the land and reopen the park. In 1987, the park was back on, and that was short-lived. A year later, it was closed due to increased insurance costs.
White decided that the park could be repurposed, and at first, that worked. He held fishing tournaments and off-roading sports. Despite the ambitious plan, an archaeological dig was started in 1988 around the park.
The last nail to the coffin was when workers in the park started unearthing human remains and artifacts. A total of 13 skeletal remains were discovered, mainly consisting of children. However, it was opened briefly three years later and was closed.
What Happened to Lake Shawnee Amusement Park After It Was Abandoned?
The entrance to the park. Photo credit.
Following the excavation of the bodies and artifacts, stories of paranormal activity began to surface, bolstering the site’s reputation as a haunted location. Visitors and workers reported seeing ghostly apparitions, hearing disembodied voices, and experiencing other unexplained phenomena.
One is of a little girl in a pink dress, seen mostly around the swing ride where she is supposed to have died. Another one is a mysterious man linked to the park’s early history or Native American heritage.
Lake Shawnee became a hotspot for those interested in paranormal activity and history over time. The site did not reopen as a classic amusement park. However, hosted ghost tours, especially during Halloween and other seasons of spookiness. Visitors toured the overgrown grounds to learn about the park’s dark history and hear about ghostly encounters.
The park has also been covered in numerous documentaries, TV series, and writings on the most haunted abandoned places. Television series like Travel Channel’s “Most Terrifying Places in America” and Discovery Channel’s “Ghost Lab” have shown this place to the audience, placing it in a higher status of the most haunted places in America.
Today, the ruins of Lake Shawnee Amusement Park bear witness to its complicated history. The rides, including the rusting Ferris wheel and swing set, still stand. They are now overgrown with vegetation, serving as a grim visual reminder of that history. The property is privately owned and is sometimes opened for guided tours and special events.
Can You Visit Lake Shawnee Amusement Park?
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park can be visited. However, it is highly restricted and usually only via guided tours or special events. Of course, these are particularly popular during Halloween as the atmosphere can be so eerie.
Paranormal enthusiasts can sometimes book overnight investigations to explore the park and experience its reputed ghostly activity. These events are typically advertised online or through the park’s official social media channels.
Visitors cannot freely roam the grounds because the site is considered dangerous due to the decaying rides and overgrown terrain. This park’s state of abandoned rides and buildings is dire. As such, visitors touring around should observe precautions and respect safety rules.
Photography is often allowed during tours. For a visit, checking their website or social media pages is advisable as most of them will indicate any tours that might be scheduled, along with the ticket price and how to book one.
People come to experience ghostly encounters, and it could be a hit-or-miss affair. You may or may not experience anything. However, the atmosphere will leave you impressed whether you are a skeptic or believer.