Dogpatch, USA opened in 1968 along scenic Highway 7, right in the heart of hillbilly country. Based on the comic strip Li'l Abner, Dogpatch's backwoods theme, log cabins, and quirky characters with skewed English was a sight to behold and a giant economic boost for the area, putting my nearby hometown on the map.
As a child, I remember visiting a few times before its closure, usually to see a celebrity guest they had that day. I remember one particular day, my mother dragging me along to see several members of the daytime soap opera Days of our Lives, but I was way more interested in the rides and funnel cakes.
By 1993, Dogpatch closed its doors and then changed ownership several times. Meanwhile, the small hick village sat untouched and was eventually reclaimed by nature.
What follows is a series of photos showing Dogpatch, USA as it was then compared to current day:
Time and the Ozark mountain elements have not been a friend to this now abandoned theme park.
If you would like to visit Dogpatch, USA, the current owners hold events like craft fairs and a haunted house at Halloween on the property. While you're in the area, stop by the Buffalo National River (the country's 1st federally protected river) and then head on over and check out the historic and beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas if you love peculiar history. (stay in "America's Most Haunted Hotel" while you're there!)
All image credits go to the Dogpatch, USA's facebook page and Abandoned Arkansas's website.
Thanks for reading!
I guess they had to take part of the slide out because too many people were trespassing and still trying to use it. Crazy how much can change in 25+ years. We have an amusement park close to where I live in Shreveport, Louisiana called Hamels Park that closed down back in the 90's. I remember going there as a child... Several years ago, they converted one of the buildings into a Church. Thanks for posting, Upvoted and Followed!
They did dismantle a bunch of the rides and equipment because there is just no good way to keep trespassers out. If I remember correctly, someone did fall at one point and it becomes a liability to the land owner. There was also an incident of arson there a few years ago that took out several of the little log buildings.
That's what they had to do at ours as well. It seems like every year they come in and take down more and more of the rides because people get hurt and try to file lawsuits.
Was a fun place many years ago.
I've never heard of this. Very interesting to learn about it. The spiral rollercoaster looks quite....um....not safe.
It's about 10-15 mins south of Harrison, AR. I don't think the spiral roller coaster stayed around very long. I don't remember ever seeing it, anyway, but there are a handful of photos of it online.
Every picture is creepy.
That's where my sister and her new husband went on their honeymoon. It was the best place they could imagine to go to! The place actually looks in better shape than I would have thought. The log cabin and dams, especially.
A friend from work was just telling me about this place. It's interesting to see something like this in such contrast with itself. Thank you for sharing!