Posted in Connecticut Attractions, Fun Adventures December 11, 2022 by

These 17 Photos Show You Connecticut’s Oldest Amusement Park Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

Lake Compounce is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States. Located in Bristol, Connecticut, it originally opened as a picnic park in 1846. The following 17 Lake Compounce photos show what the attraction looked like during its earlier years.

1. During its humble beginning, the lake was the main draw at this attraction. Picnicking, swimming, boat rides, and concerts engaged visitors at Lake Compounce.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
2. The Casino, constructed in 1898, was the first permanent building on the property. Public transportation by trolley to the park began the same year.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
3. The Carousel, one of the early amusement rides at Lake Compounce, opened to the public on Memorial Day of 1911.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
4. The Green Dragon, an electric powered roller coaster, opened for its first public ride in 1914.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
5. The Green Dragon was later replaced by the Wild Cat, a wooden roller coaster that was built in 1927 by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. You can still enjoy this historic thrill ride today.
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6. In 1929, a Chris Craft was purchased to give park goers an exhilarating ride around the lake. The cost of a boat tour was $0.15. In 1962, speedboats replaced the Chris Craft.
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7. Lake Compounce became a thriving destination with the lake at its hub. Musical performances were frequent and added to the jolly atmosphere.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
8. In the 1930s, the Casino ballroom was expanded. An enormous dance floor without walls was added so visitors could dance under the stars. A high arched ceiling and windowed walls were added in 1937.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
9. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Bathing Beach was a popular place for swimming. This was long before the waterpark was built at Lake Compounce.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
10. The amusements at Lake Compounce consumed just a fraction of the space that they do today.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
11. More amusements were added to the park over the years, including a miniature golf course and fun house.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
12. The midway was much smaller than it is today, but no less crowded on weekends.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
13. The park also had its games of skill and chance where you could win prizes.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
14. As the decades marched forward, more and more amusement rides were added to the park. Many of them geared towards young children.
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15. Each new ride was opened to the delight of kids and adults alike. Even an amusement as timeless as bumper cars looked much different during earlier times.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
16. Many of the nostalgic rides have since been removed to make way for thrill rides and the largest waterpark in the state.
Facebook/Lake Compounce
17. Although Lake Compounce is now a sprawling amusement park with more rides than you can possibly imagine, the lake itself, the Wild Cat coaster, and the fun-seeking park goers remain constant.
Facebook/Lake Compounce

For more information about Lake Compounce, including operating hours and ticket prices, you can view the Lake Componce website or the Lake Compounce Facebook page.

Were you already familiar with the history of Lake Compounce? Do you have any memories of Lake Compounce? If so, please share them with us in the comments below. Also, feel free to share photos with us if you happen to have any.

If you enjoyed these photos that give us a much better understanding of Lake Compounce history, be sure to take a look at these vintage pictures taken during the construction of the Merritt Parkway.

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Address: Lake Compounce, Southington, CT 06489, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Lake Compounce

December 15, 2022
Jennifer Young

1. Is Lake Compounce a great destination for a day trip?

Lake Compounce is a great destination idea for anyone planning a day trip. It’s especially a wonderful place to visit during the summer months because it’s both a water park and an amusement park in one. Everything is also included with admission. Lake Compounce, which spans 332 acres, opened in 1846 and is one of Connecticut’s top attractions. It’s also the nation’s oldest amusement park. Pretty amazing, huh? The amusement park offers a variety of rides, including roller coasters, kiddie rides, a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and more. The water park includes everything from thrilling waterslides to a relaxing lazy river. Numerous people consider Lake Compounce to be the best water park and theme park in New England. People of all ages enjoy visiting Lake Compounce. If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a day that offers a little something for everyone, consider visiting Lake Compounce. You’ll love it!

2. Besides Lake Compounce, are there any other places in Connecticut that are great for day trips?

In addition to Lake Compounce, there are several other places in Connecticut that are great day trip destinations. A few of the best day trips in Connecticut are Yantic Falls, The Dinosaur Place, and East Haddam. Each of these day trip destinations are great for the entire family. If you’re looking for a place to spend a day, or even an afternoon, in Connecticut, consider one (or more) of these places. They offer a little bit of everything, and you won’t be disappointed! Don’t forget to add Lake Compounce to your bucket list. After just one visit, you’ll be counting down the days until you can return. You’ll also be wondering why you waited so long to visit. If you have kids, you’ll certainly want to add Lake Compounce to your bucket list. And if you don’t have any kids, but you’re still a kid at heart, you might want to give it a visit anyways because there’s something for everyone.

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Address: Lake Compounce, Southington, CT 06489, USA