America's Oldest Amusement Park
It's NOT Coney Island
Ever have the experience of the thing you’re viewing as an interruption turning out to be the tonic you needed all along?
So went Monday’s trek to my husband’s company picnic in Lake Compounce Amusement and Waterpark in Bristol, CT. The three hours projected by Google Maps ran closer to four. We pulled into the packed parking lot, telling ourselves we’d stay for an hour, maybe two, and then head home. Instead, we stayed for 4+ hours and left with big smiles on our faces and, bonus for me, the subject of this week’s History With Hope!
Founded in 1846, Lake Compounce is the oldest, continuously-operating amusement park in North America. The lake and park are named for Chief John A. Compound, a Tunxis Native American. On December 2, 1684, Chief Compound, his wife and tribal members deeded a 28-acre lake, mountain, and large parcel of farmland to John Norton and 83 other white settlers who had migrated to central Connecticut from Massachusetts. The property was deeded to the settlers in exchange for a small amount of money and sundry items of no real worth. Legend holds that when the chief realized he had been duped, he drowned in the lake while trying to cross it. Some say he purposely drowned himself, others that outraged members of his tribe did the deed.1
On October 6, 1846, Samuel Botsford, a young Bristol inventor, attracted thousands to the lake to witness his “series of beautiful experiments in electricity."2 The spectacle tanked but the massive turnout inspired the landowner, Gad Norton (a descendent of the aforementioned slick operating white settlers) to open the area as a public park.3
When the park first opened, the lake was the main attraction. Day trippers turned out to enjoy picnics, swimming, boat rides, and concerts.4
Today, the 332 acre park boasts a plentitude of water-themed and other attractions. Shock of shocks, it was the historic rides that interested me most, the survivors as well as those long gone.
Still in use, the Wildcat is a wooden rollercoaster built in 1927 to replace the Green Dragon (1914 - 1926). Coney Island’s Cyclone rollrecoaster also made its debut in 1927 and remains in use.5 Must have been a good year for rollercoasters!
The Gillette Train, a 3-mile-long miniature railroad designed by actor William Gillette (1853 - 1937) for ferrying guests around his nearby estate, was relocated to the park in 1943 and ran until 1997.
Also long gone is The Casino, the first permanent building on the property built in 1898. Public transportation by trolley to the park began the same year.6
Above all, I gravitated to the antique carousel.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, the Lake Compounce Carosel opened in May 1911. One of fewer than 200 surviving classic carousels, it features 49 horses, two chariots and one goat, all hand-carved. Parts of the original 1890’s mechanism and Wurlitzer Band Organ are retained as well, though today most of the ride’s music comes via CD.7
In the words of the Bard, “summer's lease hath too short a date.” Our day trip to Lake Compounce was a sweet reminder to take time out to savor the scenery.
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https://sites.google.com/a/bristolk12.org/bristol-then-and-now/2-tunxis-tribe
https://historictownsofamerica.com/oldest-amusement-park
State of Connecticut Historic Marker, Lake Compounce
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/connecticut/old-photos-of-lake-compounce-ct/
https://lunaparknyc.com/rides/coney-island-cyclone/
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/connecticut/old-photos-of-lake-compounce-ct/
Lake Compounce historical marker.
Interesting. Later in the century, the railroad and interurban companies built amusement parks to encourage weekend travel. I'm familiar with Seabreeze outside Rochester NY, also still in business and also with a wooden roller coaster and vintage carousel.
Sounds like a fun visit. Love seeing historical rides that survived.
A small park I went to as a kid no longer has rides, but it's still a park. I remember trying to grab the brass ring. I was way too young and small to reach it.
My husband's company picnic is at another amusement park. The "sweetest" one. :) I love the carousel, too.