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Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Eerie 'ghost town in the sky' theme park lies abandoned amid 'curse'
Ghost Town Village in the hills of North Carolina once thrived with thousands of visitors but is now a shadow of its former self with empty saloons, rotting wooden buildings, and rusting rides A chillingly deserted "ghost town in the sky" stands eerily still in the hills of North Carolina, in the US, a decade after its once-thriving amusement park went under. The towering rides have been abandoned to the elements, with the Wild-West-themed park, once a hotspot for movie stars and stunt men, now a haunting symbol of faded grandeur. Yet, there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. A terrifying 1,500 metre rollercoaster looms over vacant saloons on top of Buck Mountain, standing at 4,650 ft. The regional travel guide, Blue Ridge Mountain Life, has noted that some refer to Ghost Town Village as a "cursed amusement park." The concept for the park was conceived when the land was purchased from a local land owner named Uncle Dan Carpenter back in 1960. According to The Sun, R.B. Coburn had heard a tale about Uncle Dan Carpenter losing his sheep in a large cavern on top of Buck Mountain, reports t he Mirror US. Coburn sought out Carpenter who showed him where he had lost his sheep, sparking the dream for the park. Coburn believed the location held immense potential to transport tourists back to the old ghost towns of the Midwest that he had once visited himself. The task of building the park was colossal. Over two hundred locals joined forces to construct around 40 buildings, creating the ghost town at the peak of the mountain. Approximately 120,000 square feet of structures were built, utilising 91,000 metres of timber, 60,000 metres of plywood, and 9,000 kg of nails. The park's opening in 1961 drew huge crowds, making it a top destination in Western North Carolina and a popular filming location for TV Western stars from shows such as Laramie and Wagon Train. The hourly staged gunfights on the main street were a significant attraction, and the ride's unique selling point was its steep plunges in and out of the mountain. However, the park gradually fell into disrepair, leading to a decline in visitor numbers. The owners struggled with infrastructure issues, including water, power, and sewage problems. Employees began to express concerns about unpaid wages, and the park ultimately closed after the 2009 season. Despite being dubbed the "cursed amusement park" by Blue Ridge Mountain Life due to numerous failed attempts to reopen, the National Amusement Park Historical Association remains optimistic. According to a Facebook post by NAPHA on May 9, a potential buyer from Florida has expressed interest in purchasing the abandoned amusement park. The post also mentioned that the current owner, Jill McClure, intends to sell the property for entertainment purposes, rather than to a buyer who would repurpose it. The land is now earmarked for a housing development, but the buyer intends to turn the area into "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly."
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Cursed ‘ghost town in sky' could soon reopen after rotting away with 1,050m-high rollercoaster & abandoned empty saloons
The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train SCREAM PARK Cursed 'ghost town in sky' could soon reopen after rotting away with 1,050m-high rollercoaster & abandoned empty saloons Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CURSED "ghost town in sky" could soon reopen after rotting away for 15 years. The rundown attraction includes a death-defying 1,050m-high rollercoaster and abandoned empty saloons. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A cursed "ghost town in sky" could soon reopen after its been rotting away for 15 years 4 The rundown attraction includes a death defying 1,050m-high rollercoaster and abandoned empty saloons 4 The theme park first opened in the early 1960's 4 The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train Ghost Town Village, formerly known as "Ghost Town in the Sky", is an abandoned Wild West-themed amusement park in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, United States. It sits atop Buck Mountain, with a top elevation of 4,650 ft. The land to build the park was purchased from a local land owner named Uncle Dan Carpenter in 1960. Folklore says that R.B. Coburn had overheard a story of Uncle Dan Carpenter losing his sheep in a large cavern on top of Buck Mountain. Theme Parks SUITE DREAMS European theme park that mums say is better than Disneyland reveals new hotel R.B. approached Carpenter so he could show him the caverns and his dreams grew for a western tourist town. The attraction mogul had visited the ghost towns of the American West and had become excited by the unique way in which they could transport visitors to a lost part of the country's history. Over two hundred locals help construct the 40 replica buildings that comprised the Western Town, located at the Mountain's peak. About 120,000 square feet of building were constructed, using 91,000 metres of lumber, 60,000 metres of plywood, and 9,000 kg of nails. The park opened on May 1, 1961, and quickly became one of Western North Carolina's most popular tourist attractions. The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train. Inside eerie abandoned funfair left a shell of its former self with iconic 90s-themed rides left rotting in rubble Hourly staged gun fights on the main street were a huge draw for visitors. It used the mountainous terrain it sat on to its advantage and guests would plunge out of the station and directly into a vertical loop before setting off for twists and turns along the mountainside. However, as the years went by, the park faced challenges under new management and a lack of real maintenance. Frequently broken roller coasters and rides started to deter visitors, leading to a decline in attendance. Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return. Infrastructure issues like water, power, and sewage problems also plagued the park's owners. And employees began to complain about not receiving their salaries. These issues sadly led to the park's closure at the end of the 2009 season. However, the park may see a revival, according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Regional travel guide Blue Ridge Mountain Life noted that some refer to Ghost Town Village as a "cursed amusement park." The gloomy title refers to the many failed attempts to reopen the park over the years. But the NAPHA made a Facebook post on May 9, stating that a potential buyer from Florida expressed interest in buying the defunct amusement park. The same post said that current owner Jill McClure aims to sell it for entertainment purposes rather than to a buyer who will use it for housing. The buyer envisions "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly." Meanwhile, one of Europe's biggest theme parks has opened a new Wild West themed holiday village with wagon huts and cowboy bars. Plus five new rides are opening in the UK this year. And this top European theme park is getting a brand new ride as well.
The Irish Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Cursed ‘ghost town in sky' could soon reopen after rotting away with 1,050m-high rollercoaster & abandoned empty saloons
A CURSED "ghost town in sky" could soon reopen after rotting away for 15 years. The rundown Advertisement 4 A cursed "ghost town in sky" could soon reopen after its been rotting away for 15 years 4 The rundown attraction includes a death defying 1,050m-high rollercoaster and abandoned empty saloons 4 The theme park first opened in the early 1960's 4 The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train Ghost Town Village, formerly known as "Ghost Town in the Sky ", is an abandoned Wild West -themed in Maggie Valley, North Carolina , United States . It sits atop Buck Mountain, with a top elevation of 4,650 ft. The land to build the park was purchased from a local land owner named Uncle Dan Carpenter in 1960. Folklore says that R.B. Coburn had overheard a story of Uncle Dan Carpenter losing his sheep in a large cavern on top of Buck Mountain. Advertisement Theme Parks R.B. approached Carpenter so he could show him the caverns and his dreams grew for a The attraction mogul had visited the of the American West and had become excited by the unique way in which they could transport visitors to a lost part of the country's history. Over two hundred locals help construct the 40 replica buildings that comprised About 120,000 square feet of building were constructed, using 91,000 metres of lumber, 60,000 metres of plywood, and 9,000 kg of nails . Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest Exclusive The park opened on May 1, 1961, and quickly became one of Western North Carolina's most popular tourist attractions. The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train. Inside eerie abandoned funfair left a shell of its former self with iconic 90s-themed rides left rotting in rubble Hourly staged gun fights on the main street were a huge draw for visitors. It used the mountainous terrain it sat on to its advantage and guests would plunge out of the station and directly into a vertical loop before setting off for twists and turns along the mountainside. Advertisement However, as the years went by, the park faced challenges under new management and a lack of real maintenance. Frequently broken roller coasters and rides started to deter visitors, leading to a decline in attendance. Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return. Infrastructure issues like water, power , and sewage problems also plagued the park's owners. And employees began to complain about not receiving their salaries. Advertisement These issues sadly led to the park's closure at the end of the 2009 season. However, the park may see a revival, according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Regional travel guide The gloomy title refers to the many failed attempts to reopen the park over the years. Advertisement But the NAPHA made a The same post said that current owner Jill McClure aims to sell it for entertainment purposes rather than to a buyer who will use it for housing. The buyer envisions "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly." Meanwhile, one of Europe's biggest theme parks has opened a new Advertisement Plus five new rides are opening in the UK this year. And this top European theme park is getting
