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Coordinates: 42°16′6.42″N 70°51′16.97″W / 42.2684500°N 70.8547139°W / 42.2684500; -70.8547139
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Adding local short description: "Former amusement park in Hull, Massachusetts, United States", overriding Wikidata description "former amusement park located on Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts, United States"
 
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{{Short description|Former amusement park in Hull, Massachusetts, United States}}
{{Infobox amusement park
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = Paragon Park
| name = Paragon Park
| image = [[Image:View of Paragon Park.jpg|300px|Paragon Park ''circa'' 1914]]
| image = View of Paragon Park.jpg
| caption = Paragon Park ''circa'' 1914
| location = [[Nantasket Beach]]
| location = [[Nantasket Beach]]
| location2 = Massachusetts
| location2 = Massachusetts
Line 11: Line 13:
| owner = Larry & Phyllis Stone
| owner = Larry & Phyllis Stone
| general_manager =
| general_manager =
| opening_date =
| opening_date = {{start date|1905|06|11}}
| closing_date = 1984
| closing_date = {{end date|1984|09}}
| previous_names =
| previous_names =
| season =
| season =
Line 20: Line 22:
| water_rides =
| water_rides =
| slogan =
| slogan =
| status = Removed
}}
}}

'''Paragon Park''' was an [[amusement park]] located on [[Nantasket Beach]] in [[Hull, Massachusetts]]. It closed in 1984.
'''Paragon Park''' was an [[amusement park]] located on [[Nantasket Beach]] in [[Hull, Massachusetts]]. It closed in 1984.


==Rides==
==Rides==
Among the [[amusement rides]] in operation during Paragon Park's history was a traditional-style [[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]] [[carousel]] (PTC #85) with hand-crafted horses, a [[bumper cars]] ride known as "Auto Scooters", a [[Ferris wheel]], a horror-themed [[dark ride]] called "Kooky Kastle", and a [[wooden roller coaster]] known as [[The Wild One (roller coaster)|The Giant Coaster]].<ref name="Paragon Park Memories pg. 2">[http://www.paragonparkmemories.com/memoriespage2.html Paragon Park Memories pg. 2]</ref>
Among the [[amusement rides]] in operation during Paragon Park's history was a traditional-style [[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]] [[carousel]] (PTC #85) built in 1928 with hand-crafted horses, a [[bumper cars]] ride known as "Auto Scooters", a [[Ferris wheel]], a horror-themed [[dark ride]] called "Kooky Kastle", and a [[wooden roller coaster]] known as [[The Wild One (roller coaster)|The Giant Coaster]].<ref name="Paragon Park Memories pg. 2">[http://www.paragonparkmemories.com/memoriespage2.html Paragon Park Memories pg. 2]</ref>


There was also a [[ski lift]]-type ride called the Sky Lark, an automobile-themed ride known as "Turnpike Cars" (replaced by a different ride in the 1970s called the "[[Indy 500]]"), and a [[Water Rides|water ride]] called "[[Bermuda Triangle]]" (formerly the "Congo Cruise," the "Jungle Ride," the "Red Mill", and the "Mill Rapids").<ref name="Paragon Park Memories pg. 2"/> More rides that Paragon hosted over the years were the Trabant, the [[Tilt-A-Whirl]], Galaxy Coaster, the [[Skydiver (ride)|Skydiver]], [[Paratrooper (ride)|Paratrooper]], [[Matterhorn (ride)|Matterhorn]], [[Himalaya (ride)|Himalaya]], [[Round Up (ride)|Round Up]], [[Scrambler (ride)|Scrambler]], Crazy Tea Cups, Twister Kiddie Coaster, [[Caterpillar (ride)|Caterpillar]], [[The Whip (ride)|the Whip]], Batman-slide, Super-slide, Salt and Pepper Shakers, [[Swing ride]], Rotor, along with many rides that were smaller versions of these, geared towards children.
There was also a [[ski lift]]-type ride called the Sky Lark, an automobile-themed ride known as "Turnpike Cars" (replaced by a different ride in the 1970s called the "[[Indy 500]]"), and a [[Water Rides|water ride]] called "[[Bermuda Triangle]]" (formerly the "Congo Cruise," the "Jungle Ride," the "Red Mill", and the "Mill Rapids").<ref name="Paragon Park Memories pg. 2"/> More rides that Paragon hosted over the years were the Trabant, the [[Tilt-A-Whirl]], Galaxy Coaster, the [[Skydiver (ride)|Skydiver]], [[Paratrooper (ride)|Paratrooper]], [[Matterhorn (ride)|Matterhorn]], [[Himalaya (ride)|Himalaya]], [[Round Up (ride)|Round Up]], [[Scrambler (ride)|Scrambler]], Crazy Tea Cups, Twister Kiddie Coaster, [[Caterpillar (ride)|Caterpillar]], [[The Whip (ride)|the Whip]], Batman-slide, Super-slide, Salt and Pepper Shakers, [[Swing ride]], Rotor, along with many rides that were smaller versions of these, geared towards children.


<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Entrance to Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|Park entrance in 1908
File:Entrance to Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|Park entrance in 1908
Image:Airship Swing, Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|Airship Swing c. 1920
File:Airship Swing, Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|Airship Swing c. 1920
Image:Scene in Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|General view c. 1920
File:Scene in Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|General view c. 1920
Image:Palm Garden, Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|The Palm Garden in 1913
File:Palm Garden, Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|The Palm Garden in 1913
File:Hull Paragon Park Carousel.jpg|alt=|Paragon Carousel House Today
File:General View, Nantasket Beach, MA.jpg|Nantasket Beach at Paragon Park
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Other entertainment==
==Other entertainment==
[[Skee Ball|Skeeball]] and [[pinball machine]]s were favorite games at Paragon Park's [[Penny arcade (venue)|penny arcade]]. Vendors along the [[boardwalk]] sold [[fried clams]], [[salt water taffy]] made in a pulling machine visible to patrons, [[hot dog]]s and other food. There was a [[miniature golf]] course under the roller coaster.
[[Skee Ball|Skeeball]] and [[pinball machine]]s were favorite games at Paragon Park's [[Penny arcade (venue)|penny arcade]]. Vendors along the boardwalk sold fried clams, salt water taffy made in a pulling machine visible to patrons, hot dogs and other food. There was a [[miniature golf]] course under the roller coaster. And in the mid-1960s, local radio station WBZ sometimes had live broadcasts from Paragon Park. The deejays used a trailer, called the Sundeck Studio, which was outfitted with broadcasting equipment.<ref>"WBZ Advertisement," ''Boston Record American'', Sep 7, 1964, p. 26.</ref>


==Today==
==Today==
Today, the only surviving remnant of Paragon Park on the boardwalk is the historic [[Paragon Park Carousel]], which was moved from its original site. It is now located next to the old train station and [[clock tower]]. The rest of the site is devoted to [[condominium]] development. The Giant Coaster, built in 1917 and removed from the park in 1985, now operates as [[The Wild One (roller coaster)|The Wild One]] at [[Six Flags America]].
Today, the only surviving remnant of Paragon Park on the boardwalk is the historic [[Paragon Park Carousel]], which was moved from its original site. It now is located next to the old train station and clock tower. The rest of the site is devoted to condominium development. The Giant Coaster, built in 1917 and removed from the park in 1985, now operates as [[The Wild One (roller coaster)|The Wild One]] at [[Six Flags America]].


A small miniature golf course is located on one of the smaller sites that once housed a water slide and, previously, a few rides. The Dream Machine arcade is still in operation, as well as the historic "[[Fascination (game)|Fascination]]" game room. The remains of the "Turnpike Cars" roadway ride are hidden in overgrowth beside the parking lot.
A miniature golf course is located on one of the smaller sites that once housed a water slide and a few rides. The Dream Machine arcade is still in operation. The historic [[Fascination (game)|Fascination]] game room closed in 2019 due to storm damage. The remains of the Turnpike Cars roadway ride are hidden in overgrowth beside the parking lot, but these remains are visible through Google Maps.


==See also==
==See also==
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*[http://www.paragonparkthemusical.com/ Paragon Park The Musical]
*[http://www.paragonparkthemusical.com/ Paragon Park The Musical]
*[http://www.paragonparkmemories.com/PARAGON_NEWS.html Paragon Park Memories]
*[http://www.paragonparkmemories.com/PARAGON_NEWS.html Paragon Park Memories]
*[http://www.paragoncarousel.com/calendar.html Official Site of the Paragon Park Carousel]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110707115432/http://www.paragoncarousel.com/calendar.html Official Site of the Paragon Park Carousel]
* http://spitpermit.com/?p=590
* http://spitpermit.com/?p=590
* [https://sued51.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/prettiestgirl22.jpg Album cover art] for the [[The Neighborhoods (band)|Neighborhoods]], featuring the [[The Wild One (roller coaster)|Comet]] roller coaster at Paragon Park
* [https://sued51.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/prettiestgirl22.jpg Album cover art] for the [[The Neighborhoods (band)|Neighborhoods]], featuring the [[The Wild One (roller coaster)|Comet]] roller coaster at Paragon Park
* ''[http://www.amazon.com/Paragon-Park-Mark-Doty/dp/1567924425 Paragon Park]'', a collection of poems by [[Mark Doty]]
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Paragon-Park-Mark-Doty/dp/1567924425 Paragon Park]'', a collection of poems by [[Mark Doty]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Pb4uTZud8 Paragon Park TV ad]

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Buildings and structures in Plymouth County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Plymouth County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Defunct amusement parks in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct amusement parks in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Hull, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Hull, Massachusetts]]
⚫
[[Category:Amusement parks in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1984 disestablishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1984 disestablishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Amusement parks closed in 1984]]
[[Category:Amusement parks closed in 1984]]
⚫
[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 1905]]

Latest revision as of 15:51, 1 August 2024

Paragon Park
Paragon Park circa 1914
LocationNantasket Beach, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates42°16′6.42″N 70°51′16.97″W / 42.2684500°N 70.8547139°W / 42.2684500; -70.8547139
StatusDefunct
OpenedJune 11, 1905 (1905-06-11)
ClosedSeptember 1984 (1984-09)
OwnerLarry & Phyllis Stone

Paragon Park was an amusement park located on Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts. It closed in 1984.

Rides

[edit]

Among the amusement rides in operation during Paragon Park's history was a traditional-style Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel (PTC #85) built in 1928 with hand-crafted horses, a bumper cars ride known as "Auto Scooters", a Ferris wheel, a horror-themed dark ride called "Kooky Kastle", and a wooden roller coaster known as The Giant Coaster.[1]

There was also a ski lift-type ride called the Sky Lark, an automobile-themed ride known as "Turnpike Cars" (replaced by a different ride in the 1970s called the "Indy 500"), and a water ride called "Bermuda Triangle" (formerly the "Congo Cruise," the "Jungle Ride," the "Red Mill", and the "Mill Rapids").[1] More rides that Paragon hosted over the years were the Trabant, the Tilt-A-Whirl, Galaxy Coaster, the Skydiver, Paratrooper, Matterhorn, Himalaya, Round Up, Scrambler, Crazy Tea Cups, Twister Kiddie Coaster, Caterpillar, the Whip, Batman-slide, Super-slide, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Swing ride, Rotor, along with many rides that were smaller versions of these, geared towards children.

  • Park entrance in 1908
    Park entrance in 1908
  • Airship Swing c. 1920
    Airship Swing c. 1920
  • General view c. 1920
    General view c. 1920
  • The Palm Garden in 1913
    The Palm Garden in 1913
  • Paragon Carousel House Today
  • Nantasket Beach at Paragon Park
    Nantasket Beach at Paragon Park

Other entertainment

[edit]

Skeeball and pinball machines were favorite games at Paragon Park's penny arcade. Vendors along the boardwalk sold fried clams, salt water taffy made in a pulling machine visible to patrons, hot dogs and other food. There was a miniature golf course under the roller coaster. And in the mid-1960s, local radio station WBZ sometimes had live broadcasts from Paragon Park. The deejays used a trailer, called the Sundeck Studio, which was outfitted with broadcasting equipment.[2]

Today

[edit]

Today, the only surviving remnant of Paragon Park on the boardwalk is the historic Paragon Park Carousel, which was moved from its original site. It now is located next to the old train station and clock tower. The rest of the site is devoted to condominium development. The Giant Coaster, built in 1917 and removed from the park in 1985, now operates as The Wild One at Six Flags America.

A miniature golf course is located on one of the smaller sites that once housed a water slide and a few rides. The Dream Machine arcade is still in operation. The historic Fascination game room closed in 2019 due to storm damage. The remains of the Turnpike Cars roadway ride are hidden in overgrowth beside the parking lot, but these remains are visible through Google Maps.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Paragon Park Memories pg. 2
  2. ^ "WBZ Advertisement," Boston Record American, Sep 7, 1964, p. 26.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Paragon Park.
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