Whalom Park was an amusement park located on Lake Whalom in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, that operated from 1893 to 2000. The site was redeveloped into a 240-unit apartment complex.

History Whalom Park was established in 1893 by the Fitchburg & Leominster Street Railway as a traditional, English-style park of gardens and walking paths."Coasting to a stop at Whalom Park," The Boston Globe, October 19, 2006, Jenna Russell At the time of its last day of operations in 2000, Whalom was known as the 13th oldest amusement park in the United States,"Once a Carny", The Metropolis Observed, June, 2002, Michele Herman as well as the second-oldest trolley park in the world.Lowell Sun, December 2013: "Groups Aims for new Whalom Park" The park had been in continuous seasonal operation for 107 years."Fire destroys Whalom ballroom", Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise (Fitchburg, MA), March 21, 2002, Benjamin Cole

The "Flyer Comet" wooden roller coaster was one of the park's best-known rides. Most remaining structures at the park, including the Flyer Comet, were demolished in October 2006 to make way for development.

Rides and Attractions

Name Manufacturer Year Added Year Removed Notes Whalom Park Carousel Looff"Great Old Amusement Parks", WQED (Pittsburgh, PA), 1999, 1914 2000"Minerva - A Sea Dragon", The Carousel News & Trader, November 2004, Edna Caskey Wieier Featured 2 Looff Sea Dragons. Broken up at auction April 15, 2000 Ferris wheel Eli Bridge 1950s 2000 Flyer Comet 1940"It Was a Whale of a Time", Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise (Fitchburg, MA), 2001, Shari Duffy 2006 Flying Scooters Bisch Rocco 1950s 2000 The Looper Allan Herschell 1967 2000 AKA: The Hamster Cages. Despite common belief, this ride was not purchased by Knoebels; Knoebels purchased theirs from a traveling carnival. Octopus Eyerly Aircraft Company 1967 1986 Parts of this ride were still sitting in back of the maintenance shop when the park closed in 2000 Paratrooper Frank Hrubetz & Company 1963 2000 Roto-Jets 1964 2000 Giant Slide 1969 2000 Satellite Jets Kasper Klaus 1961 2000 Originally located at Mountain Park in Holyoke, MA, a similar former trolley park which closed in 1987. Scrambler Eli Bridge 1968 2000 Sea Dragon Chance Morgan 1963 2000 Tilt-a-whirl Sellner Manufacturing 1958 2000 Tumble Bug Traver Engineering 1967 2000 Sold To Edaville Railroad but never assembled. Sold as scrap metal in 2010. Turnpike Streco 1959 1990 Replaced in the early 1990s by two Honda go-karts due to maintenance issue, Honda go-karts were in the park until the park closed in 2000. Train Ride Iron Horse Companyby Allan Herschell 1960s 2000 Sold The Whip W.F. Mangels 1920s 2000 the ride when it first opened was outside in 1920s but in 1957 they added a canopy to the ride and it stayed there till 2000 when the ride was removed. Yo-Yo Chance Morgan 1962 2000 Skating Rink 1906 2006 Arcade 1960s 2000 The Building that held the arcade was originally the park's Candle Pin Bowling alley. Funhouse 1955 1970 Ball Room 1933"People Rally for Whalom Park", Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise (Fitchburg, MA), March 10, 2002, Bob Green 2002"Police: Teens set fire at Whalom Park", Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise (Fitchburg, MA), March 2002, Benjamin Cole Destroyed by arson, March 2, 2002. Silly Savage 1964 2000 Silly Savage was one of the park mascots at Whalom Park; he was a lion with a top hat. Super Chick 1980s 2000 Another mascot. Simon Looneybear 1969 1985 Another mascot. Black bear. Wally Whalom 1950s 2000 Wally Whalom was also a mascot at the park, but unlike Silly Savage and Super Chick in costumes, he was a clown. Barnaby, The Walking Talking Puppet 1960s 2000 Barnaby was a puppet who gave shows to guests around the park. Whalom Park Center Stage 1969 2000 The Whalom Park Center Stage was an outdoor theater for shows that attracted guests. Kiddieland 1963 2000 Kiddieland was a section of the park for younger children where there were rides designated for younger kids and a small theater for puppet shows. Whalom Park Cafe Restaurant 1940 2000 There was a sit down restaurant called "Whalom Park Cafe" in the park besides the other food stands that were inside Whalom Park. Mini Golf Land 1959 2000 Mini Golf Land was a miniature golf course that was located near The Whip Picnic groves 1893 2000 The picnic groves had picnic tables and a pavilion, and a small playground. The picnic tables were sold at auction. Go Carts 1980s 2000 Sold Waterpark 1983 2000 Whalom Park had its own waterpark with waterslides in it.Pirates Den1950s1981it was a dark ride with pirates-themed scenes and special effects in 1981 it got destroyed by a fire so they never rebuilt it got replaced by a new flat ride called Luv Machine. Luv Machine19831980sa flat ride that replaced the pirates den dark ride it got removed because of declining popularity and maintenance issues it got replaced by new Kiddieland.

Gallery

Appearances in pop culture The music video for the song "Touch and Go" by The Cars was shot at Whalom Park in 1982.

TV advertisement jingle There were two versions of the jingle:

First Version

If you're looking for something exciting to do! Then Whalom Park is the place for you! With lots of rides and loads of fun! Whalom Park's for everyone! For fun and excitement! A place to unwind, happpynesss Whalom Park, for a whale of a time! Whalom Park, you'll have a good time!

Second Version

If you need excitement, then come for the fun! Whalom Park, it's for everyone! Amusement rides and water slides! Whalom Park, it's family sized! Picnics and good times! Rides, games, and shows! Whalom's got it! C'mon let's go! Great for the family, it's one of a kind! Whalom Park! For a whale of a time!

Land Redevelopment In 2006, Whalom Park was fully demolished and in 2010 was redeveloped into a 240-unit apartment complex. In a nod to the former amusement park, the street within the complex was named Carousel Lane. The development, which was initially called Emerald Place was sold in 2022 for $76M and rebranded as Arrive Lunenburg.

The Whalom Park Experience In 2023, the New Whalom Cooperative, a consumer co-op dedicated to the preservation of the Whalom amusement park past, present, and future, hosted a "Whalom Park Experience" pop-up event at Doyle Field in Leominster, Massachusetts. In partnership with Manuel Amusements, the three-day July 2023 event featured rides such as a scrambler, swings, carousel, slide, and four kiddie rides with games including skeeball and balloon chance games.

See also List of amusement parks in New England List of defunct amusement parks Amusement ride

References

External links

Interactive Map of Whalom Park (1980s) Bob Cornellier's Whalom Park site "Laff in the Dark" article about Whalom Park New Whalom Coopertive Whalom Park Carousel Association