'Cursed' ghost town theme park in the hills lies abandoned with chilling explanation

Wales Online

23-06-2025

'Cursed' ghost town theme park in the hills lies abandoned with chilling explanation
The once-bustling amusement park is now an eerie bastion of faded splendour
It drew visitors from far and wide with its unique attractions
A chillingly abandoned "ghost town in the sky", which captivated crowds in its heyday, now lies deserted amid the hills of North Carolina, having succumbed to financial woes over ten years ago.
Left to decay under the mercy of the weather, the Old West-inspired amusement park, previously a magnet for movie stars and stunt performers, now languishes as a haunting reminder of former grandeur. Yet, there might be a glimmer of hope for its revival.
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One particularly daunting rollercoaster rises above desolate saloons at Buck Mountain's summit, at an impressive elevation of 4,650 feet. Local travel outlet Blue Ridge Mountain Life noted that some have dubbed Ghost Town Village as a "cursed amusement park."
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The concept of the attraction originally came about when the land was purchased from a townsman known as Uncle Dan Carpenter back in 1960. The narrative has it that R.B. Coburn stumbled upon the tale of Carpenter's sheep being lost in a vast cave on Buck Mountain, as reported by The Sun, reports the Mirror US.
This Western-themed park quickly became a beloved destination
(Image: Youtube )
Coburn, intrigued, sought out Carpenter who then revealed the location where his sheep had gone missing, sparking the vision for the park. Inspired by his experiences in the ghost towns of the Midwest, Coburn envisaged transforming this site into a time capsule for visitors.
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The construction of the park was a Herculean task that saw the concerted effort of more than two hundred locals come together to erect about 40 constructions at the pinnacle of the mountain to comprise the ethereal township.
Approximately 120,000 square feet of construction emerged, utilising 91,000 metres of lumber, 60,000 metres of plywood, and a staggering 9,000 kg of nails. The park threw open its gates in 1961, rapidly establishing itself as a premier destination in Western North Carolina and becoming a hub for TV western stars from series like Laramie and Wagon Train to shoot their scenes.
Audiences were particularly captivated by the staged gunfights that took place hourly on the main street, with the unique selling point being the rides darting in and out of the mountain's flanks.
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One rollercoaster was called the Red Devil
(Image: Youtube )
However, over time, the attraction began to deteriorate, leading to a decline in visitor numbers, akin to falling off a cliff. The park was further beset by infrastructural woes, including issues with water, power and sewage systems.
Workers also started airing their concerns regarding unpaid wages, culminating in the park ceasing operations after the 2009 season.
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Yet, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Despite being dubbed the "cursed amusement park" by Blue Ridge Mountain Life, owing to numerous failed attempts at revival, salvation may be at hand.
On May 9, a post on NAPHA's Facebook page disclosed that an interested party from Florida is considering the purchase of the now-defunct theme park.
That very post also indicated that the proprietor, Jill McClure, is keen to sell it for use as an entertainment venue rather than to interests with different intentions.
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However, the site has reportedly been earmarked for a housing development instead. The new owner reportedly intends to revamp the area into "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly."