Camden Park
Huntington, West Virginia
June 24, 2018
Page One
Click on any photo to see a larger version of it.
Camden Park is one of those little parks that I have always wanted
to visit but have never been able to get to. The reason is I've
never found myself in West Virginia. After this years Coaster Con and
visiting some friends in North Carolina looking at the map we were going
to be heading right past Camden Park. Lucky me I got to take a break in
driving and get to add a classic park and several coasters to my count.
Camden Park is the only amusement park in West Virginia and it dates back
to 1902. Like many small parks that once dotted the American
landscape Camden Park was a "trolley park" that was created by the
Camden Interstate Railway Company to encourage ridership on evenings and weekends.
Most trolley parks were located on the end of the line. Camden
Park was located where trolley riders had to switch lines in order to
get from one city to another city. It is not a huge park; at only twenty-six
acres in size including parking, but it is full of classic rides and a
lot of charm.
Camden Park in the home to four different coasters including this one.
I know you're saying "but that is a haunted house".
But Camden's Haunted House is a rare gravity driven dark ride created by
the Pretzel Amusement Ride Company.
The Haunted House cars are hauled up a lift and have a drop before
heading into the dark building that is full of classic scares and gags
all the while being powered by gravity. It is wonderfully fun and
"cha ching" another coaster to add to my count.