Contoocook River Amusement Park, trolley park in New Hampshire, US
Contoocook River Amusement Park was a large recreational facility on the south bank of the Contoocook River featuring a big pavilion for dancing, swimming areas, boat rentals, and various activities. The site included a theater with over a thousand seats, a restaurant that hung over the river, and a man-made island with views of the rushing water.
The park was built in the late 1800s and operated until 1925, when a trolley line from Concord to Penacook brought visitors to the site. As automobiles became common in the 1920s, ridership declined and the park closed.
The park served as a gathering place where families and companies organized outings to celebrate holidays and enjoy leisure time together. Fourth of July celebrations drew thousands of visitors who came for fireworks and festivities.
The remains of the park are located in a wooded area near Penacook and can be accessed via Electric Avenue, a dirt road following the old trolley route. Walking through the site requires comfortable shoes as you explore foundations and ruins scattered among the trees.
The site attracts hobby metal detector enthusiasts searching for coins, jewelry, and other items lost by visitors over a century ago. Searchers frequently report finding old cans, horseshoes, and occasional rare coins from the park's early years.
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