The abandoned Lake Shawnee Amusement park has a long and sordid past that has lead many of its visitors to believe that the land it sits on is perpetually haunted. The park is normally closed to the public but it is occasionally opened for tours, paranormal investigations, and during October its annual “Dark Carnival”. We had the chance to take a rare look inside one of West Virginia’s most haunted attractions. Come along with us if you dare…
The sordid tale of the abandoned Lake Shawnee Amusement Park begins in 1775 when the Clay family became the first white settlers in the area. Several years later, in August of 1783, the Clay’s property was attacked by the Shawnee Native American tribe. As a result of this attack, two of the Clay children were killed on site, and the third was taken prisoner and later burned at the stake in what is now known as Ohio. The property has been said to be haunted since the attack, leaving us to wonder why an amusement park was then developed on the property more than a century later.
In the early 1950’s the amusement park rides were brought to Lake Shawnee, and the park’s lake was dug out to form a swimming pool and paddle boat ride.
Shortly after opening though disaster struck. A delivery truck was driving through the park and struck a young girl riding the swings fatally wounding her and killing her on site.
Several years later another disaster struck, when a young boy drowned in the amusement park’s pool.
There was another attempt to open the park in the mid-1980’s, this time there were no deaths, but the park failed to draw enough visitors to remain open. After its closing, it was determined that the park would be developed as real estate. That’s when a tragic discovery was found: A Native American burial ground. Developers unearthed several skeletons and other artifacts on the site and it’s estimated to contain several hundred skeletons. Prudently, it was decided to leave the remains at rest and once again abandon the amusement park and the surrounding land of Lake Shawnee.
To this date, visitors of the park report unique and different experiences that can only be described as paranormal. Visions of a little girl playing on the swings is common, as are sightings of children near the ferris wheel.
There are also the cases of more insidious happenings. A TV crew member was trapped in an abandoned ticket booth even though the doors have no locks.
In addition to the original amusement park structures, other items have come to the site, and never left.
On our visit to the site, there was a strange energy and vibe to the location, before we even heard any of the stories of hauntings and sightings. We didn’t see any activity though, then again, we weren’t there at night. I’m not sure if I could or would spend a night in the now abandoned Lake Shawnee amusement park.
Would you?
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Details and Tour info: Abandoned Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
470 Matoaka Rd
Rock, West Virginia
304.921.1580
Facebook Page
Visit WV Page
The operators of Lake Shawnee abandoned amusement park offer occasional private tours in addition to their annual Dark Carnival event in the late fall. You can contact them directly for more information.
Those are some wonderful pictures. I’m sure it must be very creepy at night.
This is awesome and creepy. I couldn’t handle it.
What an interesting discovery! Love the way you captured the eeriness of the park. Great photos.
Audrey | http://www.keygypsy.com
You’re right this is very timely for Halloween! What a strange history for the place too! Creepy but intriguing photos!
Beautiful photos! Never heard of ‘Dark Carnival’ but now you have got me interested :) Thanks for this entry!
I am pretty sure I would not spend the night here. But it would be a great place to go on Halloween. Fantastic and eerie photos.
I like visiting abandonded places, but this one really creepes me out! I always wanted to visit the abandonded amusement park in Berlin. I lived there for over 2 years but I have never made it!
This makes me want to dress up in gothic costumes and do a photo shoot!
creepy!
These photos are STUNNING!!!
Um, no, No I would not go. especially at night!!
I love abandoned places, they have something that fascinates me, not sure why. This park is very creepy I have to say but I’d have gone to see it anyway, that might actually be part of the reason why it attracts me :)
Scary post..but interesting. Nice timing to tell this story for halloween.
Its really ironic when Amusement Parks become abandoned…It can really become creepy. More creepy than other abandoned places when in fact at one point they are once a place of fun. But having said that, I enjoyed this scary post! =)
OK I definately couldn’t spend a night camping in the park, despite whether or not I knew that some children had tragically lost their lives there. How eerie. Although I do love to see Mother Nature taking back her landscapes.
This is awesome and your photography is awesome!! I feel a bit spooked reading about it all haha I would definitely not be staying the night there – eeek!
Creepy!! And just in time for Halloween! I would totally spend the night!!
Fabulously creepy. I love the surreal photos and the great story telling. The day seemed perfect too for this type of activity. It seems overcast or at least partly cloudy.
Ted, it was raining on and off the whole time, that’s actually what the sky looked like. It was perfect
Those are some haunting images. I’d totally visit!
Wow! Stunning photos and a creepy site. Love it! You might be able to get me to visit during the day to take photos but stay overnight? Nuh uh. No way.
Really eerie — your photos are stunning but, along with the text, gave me chills. :-) Really great storytelling!
Thanks Deb!
Yeah, I wouldn’t spend the night! It’s cool to look at, though! From my house. With all the lights on! LOL!
Oh yes I would. Even though it gives me the creeps. You’ve captured the mystery perfectly – well done. The new location for American Horror Story?
Yep – a big nope for the night time tour!
I love creepy things, my fav holiday is Halloween, wish I could visit in person, but I live too far away, amazing pictures capture the true eeriness of this wonderful spooky amusement park ..made my day
I am fro central NY and our daughter down the road from the amusement park. It is an interesting sight. I am so happy you put this on facebook.