Lake Shawnee Amusement Park

Princeton, West Virginia

The Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, located in Princeton, West Virginia was built in the 1920s on the site of a Native American burial ground and is said to be one of the most haunted places in the United States.

The history of the park dates back to the early 1700s when the area was inhabited by the Shawnee tribe. The Shawnees were a peaceful tribe who were known for their farming and hunting skills. However, their peaceful existence was interrupted when the Europeans arrived and began to settle in the area.

In the late 1700s, the Shawnee tribe was forced to move westward, and the land was eventually sold to a local businessman who turned it into a farm. In the early 1900s, the land was sold to Conley T. Snidow, who had a vision of turning it into an amusement park.

Snidow opened the Lake Shawnee Amusement Park in 1926, and it quickly became a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The park featured a wooden roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, a dance hall, and a swimming pool.

Tragically, the park was plagued with accidents and deaths, which led to its closure in 1966. In 1985, the park was purchased by a local businessman, who attempted to reopen it but was met with opposition from the local community.

The park has been featured on numerous television shows, including Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” and “The Dead Files.”

Deaths

• In the 1940s, a soda delivery truck making delivery to the concession stand backed up into the path of the swingset crushing a little girl
• A mother dropped off her 9 year old son to swim while she ran her errands. When she returned at closing, son was nowhere to be found. After an exhaustive search of the parking lasting well into the night her son’s body was finally found with his arm stuck in the drain of the swimming pool. The suction pulled the little boy in drowning him
• While on an outing a family decided to take a canoe across Shawnee Lake when it suddenly capsized and another little boy drowned

A total of 6 children lost their lives before the amusement park’s doors closed in 1967 due to a failed health inspection.

Visit

The Lake Shawnee Amusement Park can be visited by appointment only. More information about tickets, appointments, and events can be found here: Lake Shawnee Amusement Park

Sources:

wvlakeshawnee.com

“The Haunted History of Lake Shawnee Amusement Park”,  by Stephanie Hubka, roadunraveled.com