Lake Shawnee Amusement Park near Princeton could easily be one of the creepiest places in West Virginia. The area was first a Native American burial ground, and then later the site of a massacre of European settlers. The first park owner was unaware of this history, but tragedy struck again when two children died in accidents at the park. Since then, the rides have been abandoned and left to rust away.
The Lake Shawnee area has a dark and bloody history.
Lake Shawnee/Facebook The area was first a sacred burial grown for the Shawnee Indians. In 1783, the Clay family came to settle and farm the land.
Two children of the Clay family were killed here and one was captured by the Indians.
Lake Shawnee/Facebook The Clay family were unable to rescue their captured son before he was killed. In retaliation, they killed several members of the Shawnee tribe and made leather out of their skin.
The land went undeveloped for decades, until it was purchased by a businessman unaware of its history.
Lake Shawnee/Facebook In 1920, Conley T. Snidow decided that this was the perfect spot for an amusement park.
The amusement park offered rides, refreshments, and swimming.
Flickr/Forsaken Fotos
It was a popular spot for families.
Lake Shawnee/Facebook
But tragedy struck here again.
Lake Shawnee/Facebook The first death happened when a little boy drowned in the pool. His body wasn’t found until his mother came looking for him hours later. Another little girl died when a delivery truck backed into her path when she was riding the swings.
The park was shut down in 1966, and nature has slowly been taking over.
Flickr/Dustin Many people believe the area is haunted and cursed. Sometimes the swings move by themselves, and the air above them feels cold. People have heard chanting and seen orbs floating around the park. Some people have seen figures on the Ferris wheel and the swings.
Few people have seen its remains since then, but the park will be open again for special tours this year in October.
Lake Shawnee/Facebook You can buy tickets for a storytelling and history tour, or tickets for a special “Dark Carnival” themed halloween event.
The address for Lake Shawnee can be misleading for some GPS systems, so enter 470 Matoaka Rd, Rock, WV 24747 to get close to the park.
Lake Shawnee/Facebook
The area was first a sacred burial grown for the Shawnee Indians. In 1783, the Clay family came to settle and farm the land.
The Clay family were unable to rescue their captured son before he was killed. In retaliation, they killed several members of the Shawnee tribe and made leather out of their skin.
In 1920, Conley T. Snidow decided that this was the perfect spot for an amusement park.
Flickr/Forsaken Fotos
The first death happened when a little boy drowned in the pool. His body wasn’t found until his mother came looking for him hours later. Another little girl died when a delivery truck backed into her path when she was riding the swings.
Flickr/Dustin
Many people believe the area is haunted and cursed. Sometimes the swings move by themselves, and the air above them feels cold. People have heard chanting and seen orbs floating around the park. Some people have seen figures on the Ferris wheel and the swings.
You can buy tickets for a storytelling and history tour, or tickets for a special “Dark Carnival” themed halloween event.
For more information about Lake Shawnee and to find out about special events, visit their Facebook page. Call (304) 921-1580 for appointments in the off season.
If this isn’t spooky enough for you, here are some more haunted places in West Virginia.
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