It has been many years since the Lake Shawnee Amusement Park sounded out with the laughter of children.
But according to local legend, the park is still a playground for ghosts. The park was abandoned in 1966, after the accidental deaths of two of its young patrons. But it seems Lake Shawnee's history goes farther back.
Mercer County was home to a Native American tribe until 1783, when a European family's attempt to settle the land sparked a violent turf war. The patriarch of the family was a farmer named Mitchell Clay, according to the Wyoming County Report. While he was out hunting, a band of Native Americans reportedly killed his youngest son, Bartley Clay. A daughter, Tabitha, was knifed to death in the struggle. Eldest son Ezekial was kidnapped and burned at the stake. Mitchell Clay enlisted the help of other white settlers to seek vengeance for his family. After burying his children, he murdered several of the Native Americans.
In the 1920s, a businessman named Conley T. Snidow purchased the site of the Clay farm and developed it into an amusement park. He built a swing set, a ferris wheel, and opened up the pond for swimming.
Now to the tragedies.
A little girl in a pink dress met her end after climbing into the circling swing set. She was killed after a truck backed into the path of the swing. Another little one, this time a boy, drowned in the amusement park's swimming pond.
It has been said that at least six children died at that amusement park, but I haven't been able to find any info on the other four. The damage was done, though, and the park closed in 1966.
The park's new owner, Gaylord White, says he can hear the wooden swings creak, though it may not be the wind that pushes them.
"Sometimes the seat will start to move underneath your hand until you feel cold air blowing through the seat," Gaylord White II told the Travel Channel. "And when you get to the middle you feel something warm. And we believe that's her spirit."
The younger White said he's even seen the little girl, with her dress covered in blood.
Paranormal investigators now frequent the site. It has also been featured on the Discovery Channel's "GhostLab" and the Travel Channel's "The Most Terrifying Places in America."
Lake Shawnee has now opened up for daring visitors who want to see the place for themselves. Tours last from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31.
Flashlights are mandatory, though you may not like what you see.
Since then archeological digs have shown that the place was a burial mound to the Native Americans.
I'm not sure why but there's not mention of a man that committed suicide by jumping from the wheel. We all know about it but there's no record.
On my way to my cousins house we would pass this place and I will say it's very eerie. Seeing the Ferris wheel poking out of the tree line.
The last time I checked you can stay at night but it's not that fun since there's so many rules.
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Folklore, Spirits, and Urban Legends of WV.
ParanormalI used to live in West Virginia for about twelve years and I heard and read on my own about creatures that skulk about in the Mountain State as well as the spirits that will hopefully find peace. (Photo is my moms).
