[Trev32]

I found on RCDB a little park that USED to be in Charlotte, <a href='http://www.rcdb.com/locationdetail965.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.rcdb.com/locationdetail965.htm</a>

Does anybody have any info on this park?

[swampfox43]

Yes, Charlotte was cutting edge back in the early 1900's. Many people don't realize we had a trolley park like Lakewood. I researched many hours of microfilm in the public library on this old park about 10 years ago. I eventually did a small webpage tribute that you can see <a href='http://members.aol.com/somekick/lakewood.html' target='_blank'>here.</a> I included a postcard of the coaster that was built in 1910.

The area where the lake was is still there today. It's just a large open field. In fact, the area is still known as Lakewood. It's low income housing and pretty rundown unfortunately.

NC had 5 coasters in the early 1900's. Raleigh had Bloomsbury Park, Durham had a Lakewood Park and Greenville, NC had Paradise Park. A Switchback Railway was built at the NC State Fair grounds in 1898. There was a deadly collision one year and the fair grounds removed it. I just found that info while browsing through <a href='http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/new/default.htm#Fair' target='_blank'>this</a> book at Barnes & Noble. Really a nice book on the history of the NC Fair.

[carowindsfreak13]

No not me. I heard of Lakemount Prod. Kings Arena.

[coasterdude89]

Yes. I have heard of this park. I first heard about it in a book that is all about roller coastes that I got last Christmas. The author of it, Scott Rutherford, lives Charlotte, or at least he did at the time that that book was written. It's ironic that my name is Scott and his name is Scott and I read his book about rollercoasters, and that we both love rollercoasters. I find it interesting that we had a trolley park, but any city back then that had trolleys had one becuase they were normally the last stop on a trolley, and normally one of the few modes of transportation to the park, so this was a way for the trolley company to get more money.

[swampfox43]

I first heard about it in a book that is all about roller coastes that I got last Christmas.  The author of it, Scott Rutherford, lives Charlotte, or at least he did at the time that that book was written.

Yep, he still lives in Charlotte. Scott & I have been friends for about 15 years. Many people think we are brothers because we have the same last name. He's actually got 2 books on coasters and his helping with a 3rd due out next year.

It is amazing that Charlotte had a trolley park as they weren't nearly as common as they were up north. And like you said, they were always built at the end of the line.

[Dukeis#1]

Many people think we are brothers because we have the same last name.

I myself was under that assumption until now. You both like coasters and have the same last name, and then you both live in Charlotte, so there had to be some sort of connection.

[bgwfreak]

Well the only reason it's on rcdb.com is because I sent him the link to swampfox's site

So that's all I know of it.

Sad it fell victim of the times like many other parks. I would love to have ridden Charlotte's first coaster.

[swampfox43]

Well the only reason it's on rcdb.com is because I sent him the link to swampfox's site

LOL, Thanks for doing that. I've sent many things to Duane in the past, but I guess I failed to send him that one.

I occasionally send info to Chris LaReau's <a href='http://www.incoasterpaedia.com/' target='_blank'>incoasterpaedia</a> site. It's also very helpful in obtaining dates and other info but it lacks the photos that rcdb has.

[coasterbruh]

^^ Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah...

[swampfox43]

^^Off your meds again bruh?

[carowindsfreak13]

^^Off your meds again bruh?

[coasterdude89]

Yep, he still lives in Charlotte. Scott & I have been friends for about 15 years. Many people think we are brothers because we have the same last name. He's actually got 2 books on coasters and his helping with a 3rd due out next year.

That's neat. Wait a minute. Are you Ken Rutherford? Becuase I have seen pics and posts with his name on it. I can't wait to get that book that you and hime are working on. So, it's due next year. I'll have to be sure to look out for it because I really enjoyed it. I still take it out about every week and read a section of it or look at pics.

[RollerBee]

Yes, he is. May I add that his site, Carowinds:The Early Years was the orginal reason I started Carowinds:30 years, which has evolved into Carowinds Zone since its' orginal debut in August 2002.