Haunted House

Wow, pretty roughed up now.

Looks like a tornado came through and wiped the place out.

"Now, honey, it's a perfectly safe ride. Nothing's going to hurt you."
*~Crack, crash, bang, boom!~*

There aren't many "dark rides" left today.

MOTTS! you always seem to have a way to out do yourself

Hard to believe this was at one time an actual amusement attraction. Looks so ruined, so impossibly destroyed.

It's probably a lot scarier now than it was when it was when the site was still active. Come ride the abandoned dark ride! Step on the infected needle! Get chased by fat rent-a-cops!

Hey what happen here? in 2000, and 2001 photographs it was still standing! what happen? A tornado? Demolish, a bomb, a fire what? I want to know.

How strange, the whole facade is gone.

Here is what it looked like in 1990
http://www.joenisil.co...ark/RockyPoint12.jpg

It looks like Godzilla paid a visit to this place

Beautiful, it looks like a bombed out conversation.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO ROCKY POINT!

I really get sad looking at these pics. They said the park "wasn't making enough money". I went here when I was as young as I can remember up to when they closed it down. My band even played there.

I can't believe what I'm looking at. This was my favorite attraction as a kid.

NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO.... That was my favorite ride there :'-(

What happened to the haunted house it ruined compared to the other structures.

Rocky Point Park was a huge piece of Americana. This was one of the first amusement parks in the U.S. The park was built in 1847 and originally was a place for the rich folks. Not far from the park is Newport, where America's only true Giulded Age Mansions are. This was true high society in the day.

Rocky Point went through two horrible hurricanes, one in the 1930's and the other in the 1950's. The sad thing is those hurricanes destroyed alot of the original structures and rides that would otherwise still be there. They lost a mammoth wooden roller coaster and some really cool Victorian structures. So the park was rebuilt twice. The original Shore Dinner Hall was on stilts at the water front, it was beautiful. The hurricanew ate that building and the new Shore Dinner Hall was built of brick on land in the 50's.

New owners in the 80's and 90's mismanaged the park. They basically ran the park into the ground with thier poor management. The park closed in the red in 1995 and was auctioned in 1996. It still leaves a tear in my eye. This wonderful little park is part of history and all of my childhood. Under better management this park would still be alive.

Rhode Island also lost a few other great parks. Crescent Park was another great old park in Riverside, Rhode Island. Now boring and overpriced condominiums sit on that site. Atleast the condo developer restored and kept the Crescent Park Carousel on site.

The HOUSE OF HORRORS, this was a rare darkride. They don't make them like this one anymore. Infact the darkrides they make these days rather suck to put it bluntly. House Of Horrors was awsome, I loved this old ride. This was a "GHOST TRAIN" type darkride. That means you ride through two levels in a car on a track.

The exterior was a piece of art sculpture. Made of gunited concrete the house looked like a spooky old castle growing out of a cliff. Originally there was a giant Viking and Dragon on the exterior facade. When you stand back and look at this ride the castle tower on the left looks like a giant skull, this was creepy to me when I was a little kid. They used black lights and flourecent painted diaramas inside. This really was an awsome darkride. One of my favorite parts is the unexpected CRASH each time your car crashes through wooden double doors between scenes. The ride had great tricks (stunts) inside. Way back in the day there was a big foam rubber hand that would hit you in the face. Unfortunately our sue happy culture caused that great stunt to be removed from the ride. Other creepy diaramas included: A huge six foot spider overhead starring you down, A headless family in a living roon setting, A saw mill grinding a body, A cemetary with pop-up animitronics, A King Cobra snake, A hangman in the gallows, A bat's cave, Wall of fire (Cool flames painted on a wall where it looks like your car drives through it). This was an awsome old ride.

Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh still has many old rides. It is also a very historic amusement park. It was opened in 1898 as a picnic grove. There are quite a few rides from the 1920's still in operation. However, Kennywood lost its ghost ride to a fire. There is a similar dark ride in operation in Blackpool, England. I never got the chance to visit Rocky Point, but I know I would have loved it. I love the older traditional amusement parks with old carousels and wooden roller coasters, not to mention the dark rides. I go to Kennywood every year and have been to Blackpool.

Same here, I love the old world amusement parks. I am not sure why, I just love the old stuff. Growing up in New England was great because there were alot of original amusement parks in operation there. Most of them are gone now, reclaimed by the weeds. Or paved over with condominiums.

We use to go to Rocky Point Park, Crescent Park, Lincoln Park. All of these were old wrold parks.

Mr. Motts, you might try to visit Lincoln Park in Dartmouth, Mass. I think the ruins are still there. They had a huge old wooden roller coster there. Atleast it was still there a year ago.

In 2000 the Ride above caught on fire due to tresspasser and by the time the firedepartment arrived several surrounding buildings were also on fire. The fire department had to fight the other fires to get close enough to put out this one. The City started to remove the building but stopped because someone wanted to buy it. This was in the paper a week after the fire (Telegram and Gazzete in MA)

I use to love this ride and before the Corkscrew came to the park, this had the most people lined up for it.

I remember getting into the cart that had black leather seats and most of the time you sat in someone's sweat from the last person who rode it (ewwwwwwwwwwwww) and it was soooo cheesy but it was alot of fun

Sad...just sad.

When Rocky Point closed down I was about 6 years old,the haunted house never scared me,it was my favoirte ride

Yep, I always loved that old DarkRide. It was cool, we ahd alot of fun over the years there.

have u been on the black pool haunted house on pleasure beach.

hi me again just wondering if it scared u.

I've always wanted to see what the ride looks like.

hi its pretty scary in black pool haunted house on pleasure beach but we was at the back so we knew there was some thing there but the really scary part of it the monsters was following me cos i was at the back but most of the monsters was from films like exorsist and scooby doo monsters unleased.

i wanted to ride in it. Im so dissaponted.

Does anyone remember the "Wall of Gum" on the Haunted House exterior? It seemed everyone stuck their gum on one section while waiting in line ...

You might find this interesting:

http://www.laffintheda.../articles/rp/rp1.htm

Excellent article. Here is a photo I took in the mid 90s.

http://i51.photobucket...Black17/scan0001.jpg

Great photo, John! Goes to show how popular the ride was right up to the end. I'm dating myself here but the line was even longer when it first opened in 1963. And as the article says, there was a "nurse' on duty at the unloading area back then!

looks sorta planet of the apes..?

hey Nnylf....i jus started laughing when i read ur comment i so remema the wall of gum...do u remember the fat lady inside that had all the gum on her??...i think the flume had a wall of gum too!

This is a terrible sight we are looking at! But stay tuned as there is a original Pretzel dark ride from the 40's being restored and opening up at Wild Bills in Middletown Ct that is themed about clowns chasing you through this dark old circus frpm the early 1900's. Go to Laffinthedark.com to find out more. They're claiming it will also be the longest dark ride going besides being very scary and in your face!

every amusement park in the U.K has a Ghost train/Haunted house!

I have to say the one at Alton Towers is the best, as you walk in the floor tilts away from you so there is always a pile of kids at the bottom! Not to mention the ghosts and the babies cradle moving on its own! Really scary but great fun!

The Pirate adventure is a similar sort of thing at Drayton Manor theme park!

Not a thing has changed. I just hear how much my mother loved this and it's such a shame. But I don't agree with the fire story though. Not with this one. what a shame but we made sure we got a peice of the wall.

Rhode Island has very harsh weather conditions. If buildings go un-maintained this happens. The House Of Horrors structure facade was gunnite cement formed over chicken wire. Over years of neglect the extremes of the weather there took over. If the building was solid concrete it would still be standing proud. Afterall, the House of Horrors was the last ride standing fully intact til it fell.

This was also a Bill Tracy design, this is a real loss... Sad indeed...

Don't know if anyone else posted this, but Dollywood has a great looking dark ride coming next year. Can't wait, I LOVE dark rides.
http://www.dollywood.com/mmine/default.htm

This haunted house scared me to death as a child. I remember riding it with my father and getting mad that he was laughing and enjoying it because I thought the characters inside would get mad and try and kill us.
*sigh* They never should have abandoned this park.

what is the hantid house like

why couldnt someone with a lot of money reopen it? They could recreate it to original and by the way are the people who caused the mismanagement in jail? BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE!!!!!!!

Wow, if Robert could see this from darkinthepark, he'd probably have a breakdown!

Hi Nance, I saw this. It is so sad that a great dark ride was left to rot. And worse is that a fire just broke out at the park and now they are ordering the demolition of the rest of the buildings and a developer plans to build high-end homes, condos on the site. When will it stop? Several seaside parks closed in the past several years for condo development. This year, Myrtle Beach Pavilion closed after 58 years for CONDOS and SHOPS! Florida's Miracle Strip Park at Panama City Beach closed in Sept 2004 after 40 years the owner Billy Lark sold the land for condo development the 1963 coaster was relocated to another park in FL to be rebuilt, the Bill Tracy Haunted Castle building was apparently demolished, but the track, carts and some props were sold to a guy in Alabama who uses them on a Halloween dark ride in a major city in Alabama. The rest of the castle props were sold to a fire company in Pensacola FL? I think for use in a haunted house.
http://www.turnto10.co...10086675/detail.html Fire article http://www.turnto10.co.../2617862/detail.html Expensive homes article

i think its nice my friend lindsey thinks is awesome. we wish we can go but we dont know where it is well bye.
love
Erianna and lindsey

I worked there from '69 to '73 in the games. Amazing times! I met my girlfriend there and we are still married after 32 years! I made all my tuition there for URI! $1.60 /hr! 92 hrs/week! Many memories!

Who died at Rocky Point. And why is he or she haunted it

i went there this past summer and its abandon to the limit friggen crack heads live in this. its soo sad that it was gone i use to go there all the time when i was little cause it was the only good attraction/theme park in rhode island.

What a cheesy ride this was! But oh so much fun! :-)

What a shame what became of a wonderful park. I can still remember that huge salt water pool that was seen when driving in. The dining hall was vast with tables as far as the eye could see. The shore dinner was a must for anyone visiting the park that loved sea food. The happy tunes of the menagerie carousel, the music blasting from the Music Express, screams coming from the coaster....now all gone.

All, What happened to Rockey Point? I don't remember what Year it was, 1995 I think. Hurricane Bob Blew Through the Northeast with a fury not seen since the 50's. It destroyed the park. How do I know? I was there. We used to stop here with my Sea Scout Ship on our annual 2 week long Summer Cruise. We were in Martha's Vinyard when the storm blew through. Rocky Point was supposed to be our next stop. Alas, the destruction closed the gates. Never to reopen.

Of Boston Call Me (508-577-1123)

I MISS IT AND IT WAS NO HURRICANE OR FIRE OR EARTHQUAKE BUT ROCKY POINT JUST CLOSED ITS DOORS AND SHUT DOWN. TO REMOVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT THEY TORE DOWN SOME WALLS

I LOVED ROCKY POINT. THE SMELL OF THE FOOD. SEEN A LOT OF GOOD BANDS THERE. WAS THERE EVERY WEEKEND. WISH IT NEVER CLOSED DOWN.

rocky point was a haunted house in salt lake city

so sad, I loved the house of horrors, made me scared but I loved it. so sad to see how places just this melt away but the memories do not. Thanks for the pictures.

I've been on the ghost train at Blackpool Pleasure Beach a few times.

I used to go there every 2-3 years on a day trip with my family, & once or twice with friends in between.

I think my family stopped going because it was getting expensive because you have to pay per ride, while other places like Alton Towers you just have to pay at the gate & everything's free to go on.

i rode that when i was younger that thing was great. I went to it today the building next to it had been completly demolished and flatened so im guesing i got to see that the last day of its exsistence

Last night I read on the Rocky Point Movie website that the House of Horrors has been torn down.

Heres a link to a picture of the demolition:

http://rockypointmovie...7/05/14/overview.jpg

Just what R.I. needs more overpriced housing.To me loosing this area is like is like loosing a big part of my childhood and the countless others who have enjoyed for so many years.The state should bring this great park back to life.With fuel prices going out of site, it would be nice to have a place to that wouldn't cost an arm and leg to get to.It looks like casinos and condos are winning and to hell with our children.The problem is no one cares.

I agree with you Mike. Too many parks in New England were lost to high priced housing. We had Whalom Park and Paragon Park that were wonderful places too. It is sad that kids can't experience these wonderful old traditional parks today. Riverside Park in Agawam was a great traditional park until Six Flags took it over. They got rid of most of the rides I remember. The thing is not everyone can handle the roller coasters and that is what Six Flags focus is on. I can see why they are loosing money.

i went on when i was little like a year before it closed. I remember a noise then i closed my eyes. Man i really wish this place would open up again but it's way to late. Rhode island should reopen it with new rides.

John Black-any interest in doing an interview for the Rocky Point documentary?

...Hmmm...I don't mind responding to a set of typed questions. I did send an email to the admin@rockypointmovie.com email address and offer photos of the park. In addition to regular park scenes I have pictures taken from the top of the Freefall.

PM me if you like on Opacity. Alternatively, you can look up my email address at rockypointmovie.com website email box (i.e. look up the email I sent to admin).

Ps. I saw on another site that someone was trying to confirm if the Corkscrew rollercoaster was first shown at the worlds fair. It was not.

However, the arch at Gate 1 (the gate next to where the Apollo 11 ride was situated (and earlier the Whip)) was at one of the New York World's fair. Either 1939 or 1964. Not sure which...but I'm leaning towards 1939.

Lots of cherished memories....we'll all miss you Rocky Point!

wow how amazing is this bitches

THIS LOOKS SCARY.

Back in the late sixtys or early seventies I was on the skyliner at Rocky Point with my cousin. As we got to the top of the cliff one of the two boys in the lift in front of us got out on top of the cliff. As the lift turned around the boy tried to get back in but was pushed off the cliff. I will never forget that sight as I saw that boy fall down the cliff. Does anyone know if that boy lived I cannot see how he didi and how is his friend who was still in the lift. We kept yelling to him to stay in his car, all he did was yelled down to his friend Back up on the cliff he tried to pull his friend into the lift but just could not. I will never forget this day.

That's right!! NO ONE CARES!!! It's all about money, 21st century yuppie-ism, SUV's, CONDO's,...and destroying things like Rocky Point to make way for the above. Small parks like this were so great, because you could actually ride the rides and enjoy yourself; as opposed to Six Flags, where you pay a small fortune to stand in line all damned day...for a 30 second ride!!! Shame Shame Shame

my parents grew up there, i grew up there, my kids grew up there. i am no longer in r.i., but rocky point will live forever in our memories. long live rocky point!

aw. the towers fell :o(, in all these pictures i can just see the little kids running around and the rides turning.

i agree that six flags is a waste, they should bring back the old amusement parks. i'm a teenager and i never got to experience these, except one, in SC, there was a amusement park called the Pavilion, that had been there for like a hundred years, it was the most amazing thing ever, i loved it. but last year it was sold so some rich developer could put up more ocean-front condos, that no one will ever buy (there are already a bunch of condos that are for sale), there was a petition and everything, but all the town saw was 'big money'. it was truly sad, it makes me cry just thinking about it.
the history in these pictures is truly striking

Makes me think of the Mayan Mind Bender that was at Astro World in Houston before it was torn down...
It was always my favorite.

I`m glad I`m not the only one that gets mad when they tear down amusement parks for condos or more junk we don`t need.....Gawd I hate progress!!!!!

IT IOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO CRUMBLE

it looks like a crumble then a bomb went off

Funk RI .We should get sold by CT or MA. CT=2 % tax and MA =5 % tax and RI 7% atx or more.

I wanna ride it mommy lol

thats messed up''i remember riding this ride..all the camp field trips to rockey point memories withered away...its weird to see these pictures.

THE WALL OF GUM !!!! LOL
i WAS FEELING REALLY BUMMED OUT LOOKING AT THESE PICS BUT THE WALL OF GUM CHEARED ME UP. iI HAD NIGHTMARES ABOUT THIS RIDE AND THE LAUPHING FAT LADY WAS THE SCARIEST WITH HER DIABOLICAL LAUGH.
YIKES!!

hey whts ths abt then ?

I have many fond memories as a child going to this park with my brother, and youth group.
I now live in Columbus, Oh

how could people ever ruin the greatest memories of our life time!?!?!? I used to go there every year with my family but now that tradition is ruined.

THIS WAS THE COOLEST RIDE,HANDS DOWN. I SWORE I WOULD NEVER GO ON THE CYCLONE(POSSIBLY ORIGINALLY CALLED -THE FLYING FISH,BUT I MAY BE INCORRECT. THE CYCLONE JUST LOOKED TOO RICKETY,BUT I WOULD WATCH IN HALF FEAR HALF AMAZEMENT . CAN ANYONE GIVE ME AN IDEA WHAT THAT RIDE WAS ACTUALLY LIKE ?

ONE OTHER QUESTION-CAN ANYONE LIST EVERY CHARACTER ON THE CARTS IN THE HOUSE OF HORRORS? I TINK THERE WAS ONE WITH JUST BATS AND A MOON ON IT.

Chris L. I think you are thinking about Cresent Park. They had the flying fish. Or was that Jolly Charlies in North Attleboro. I do remember the flying fish. I also remember this wonderful place. Rocky Point will forever be part of my happiest memories as a child. Just like Christmas, but in the summertime. RIP Rocky Point.

Ah I remember that ride. One time on it I was sitting next to this older teenager who was cracking himself up laughing pretty much. Laughing hysterically. I don't remember much of the ride but I remember being in those little carts, scary monsters painted on the walls and going thru the doors. But that guy laughing hysterically really brings it back to me.

I'll never forget the thrill of seeing the salt water pool and the high platform diving board on the right when you first drive in. When I was a kid in the sixties, I was totally freaked out by the jungle terror dark ride with the jeeps. That rhino came out at us and I totally lost it. I was there when the flume first opened. I used to bug my mom all the time to take us there when I was a kid. Rocky Point was the most thrilling part of my childhood. So many good memories.

doesn't look haunted to me

I model and had a photoshoot at Lincoln Park (Dartmouth, MA) yesterday. It was very eerie to be there, even though I knew nothing about the parks history until I got home today and research it. I stood right oh those rail road tracks; it is creepy to think a guy died from that coaster.

did you go in there and check it out motts? lol

they don't make them like that anymore

Oh, yeah. There's a place in this world for Disney, and there's a place for places like Canobie Lake and Camden Park. I aawyls get a kick out of the breaking system on the Haunted House at Camden Park a big guy with a strong back who jumps in front of your car. You know, in all these years, I've never heard of anyone getting run over.