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Wales Online
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'Cursed' ghost town theme park in the hills lies abandoned with chilling explanation
'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. 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." 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. Article continues below 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. 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. 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. Article continues below 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."
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
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pippa Scott, Actress in ‘The Searchers' and ‘Auntie Mame,' Dies at 90
Pippa Scott, who played one of abducted daughters alongside Natalie Wood in John Ford's The Searchers and the secretary of Rosalind Russell's title character in Auntie Mame, has died. She was 90. Scott died peacefully May 22 of congenital heart failure at her home in Santa Monica, her daughter Miranda Tollman told The Hollywood Reporter. More from The Hollywood Reporter Arthur Hamilton, "Cry Me a River" Songwriter, Dies at 98 Enzo Staiola, Child Star in Vittorio De Sica's 'Bicycle Thieves,' Dies at 85 Jason Constantine, Lionsgate Co-President, Dies at 55 Scott's film résumé also included Gower Champion's My Six Loves (1963), Richard Lester's Petulia (1968), Norman Lear's Cold Turkey (1971) and Michael Lindsay-Hogg's The Sound of Murder (1982). On television, the redhead portrayed the wife of a Broadway actor (Brian Aherne) transported back in time in the 1960 Twilight Zone episode 'The Trouble With Templeton'; was the wife of a rabbi helping Morey Amsterdam's character with his very belated bar mitzvah on the 1966 Dick Van Dyke Show installment 'Buddy Sorrell: Man and Boy'; and played a nursery school teacher and love interest of Jack Warden's detective on the 1976 NBC drama Jigsaw John. Scott's career got off to a rousing start with she portrayed the ill-fated Lucy Edwards, older sister of Wood's Debbie Edwards, in the John Wayne-starring The Searchers (1956). And in Auntie Mame, she starred as Pegeen, who winds up falling for Roger Smith's Patrick Dennis. Philippa Scott was born in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, 1934. Her mother was stage actress Laura Straub, and her father was Allan Scott, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals Top Hat (1935) and Swing Time (1936). Her uncle, writer-producer Adrian Scott, was blacklisted during the McCarthy era as one of the Hollywood Ten. (She would appear in a 1964 film written by him, The Confession.) Educated at Radcliffe and UCLA and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Scott made her Broadway debut in 1956 in Jed Harris' Child of Fortune, and in 1958, she starred as a teacher who is kidnapped in As Young as We Are. Scott guest-starred on lots of TV shows, with appearances on Mr. Lucky, The Virginian, Maverick, Thriller, Have Gun — Will Travel, Dr. Kildare, The Fugitive, Wagon Train, Ben Casey, Perry Mason, Wagon Train, F Troop, I Spy, Family Affair, Medical Center, Gunsmoke, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mission: Impossible, Barnaby Jones, Columbo, The Waltons, Ironside, The Streets of San Francisco, Mannix and Remington Steele. On stage, she appeared in the New York company of 1959's Look Back in Anger and 1984's Isn't It Romantic and collaborated with John Houseman at UCLA in a 1973 production of Three Sisters in preparation for the start of the Center Theatre Group. In 1964, Scott married Lee Rich, producer and founding partner of Lorimar Productions, the company behind such acclaimed shows as The Waltons, Dallas, Falcon Crest, Knots Landing, Eight Is Enough and The Blue Knight. They divorced in 1983 but reconnected in 1996 and remained together until his death in 2012. As a child whose family experienced the consequences of persecution, Scott in 1993 founded The International Monitor Institute, a nonprofit that gathered evidence to assist the prosecution of war crimes in the Balkans, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Congo, Cambodia and Iraq and the systemic use of rape and child soldiers in genocide. The work of the IMI continues to assist war crime prosecution to this day through the Human Rights department at Duke University. Scott also founded Linden Productions to further illuminate human rights violations, and her work includes projects commissioned by the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and the International Rescue Committee. In 1998, she produced for PBS' Frontline the documentary The World's Most Wanted Man, about the hunt for Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. And in 2006, she produced another doc, King Leopold's Ghost, about the exploitation of the Congo by the king of Belgium. After two decades behind the camera, she made her last acting appearance in the indie feature Footprints (2009). Survivors include her daughters, Miranda and Jessica, and five grandchildren. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
