By now, you certainly have heard about Dogpatch USA, the abandoned amusement park situated in Marble Falls off Scenic Highway 7, right? But did you know it was deemed one of the eeriest places in America by Insider magazine? This theme park once attracted thousands of visitors who came from near and far to enjoy family-friendly entertainment. Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane and see what’s left of Dogpatch USA theme park and the plans for the future.
Opened in 1968, Dogpatch USA was built on a trout farm and themed around the comic strip Lil' Abner.
The park was the brainchild of O.J. Snow, a real estate agent, who has always dreamt of a pioneer themed amusement park.
At one point, it was a fun place for families who enjoyed horseback riding, paddle boating, waterslides, roller coasters, and more.
In addition, there was music and Lil' Abner characters, as well as fishing, petting zoo, and caverns, which were all part of the attractions.
Along with all the attractions, there was a tram that carried people from the parking lot into the 825-acre park.
Not to mention that there were also restaurants, footbridges, gorgeous waterfalls, a mill, and more on the property.
So, there was plenty to do and see at this family-friendly theme park. It’s no wonder that it was so successful when it first opened.
In its first year, Dogpatch USA entertained approximately 300,000 visitors and was projected to host over a million in about 10 years after opening.
Unfortunately, the park didn’t see those numbers, and due to financial constraints, lawsuits as well as other misfortune, Dogpatch USA was forced to close to the public in 1993.
So, what was once a place filled with laughter, joyful screams, and music, became an eerie, abandoned amusement park overrun by nature.
Over the years, ownership switched hands and in 2020, the park was purchased by the CEO of Bass Pro Shops, who has plans of turning this eerie abandoned park into Marble Falls Nature Park.
So, did you visit Dogpatch USA when it was open? Share your fond memories about the park in the comments below. We'd love to relive them with you.
And don’t forget to check out our previous article about this amusement park. You can watch some rare footage of this Arkansas gem. And guaranteed it will trigger nostalgic memories from your childhood. Also, if you love theme parks, here are some amusement parks in Arkansas to create some new memories with your family.
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