The rusted Ferris wheel at Lake Shawnee stands as a stark and stoic reminder of the park’s former glory days. Lake Shawnee operated as an amusement park in Mercer County from 1925 to 1966. Now, its tragic past has made it a draw for paranormal enthusiasts from across the globe.
LAKE SHAWNEE, W.Va. — As dying rays of a setting sun light fall foliage ablaze, a giant, rusted Ferris wheel — overgrown with weeds and foliage — stands as a stark and stoic reminder of carefree moments of yesterday.
It was here where residents and visitors to Mercer County would flock to enjoy swimming, boating and amusement park rides.
But it was also here where tragedy ensued, claiming the lives of two young children in separate incidents. Both were enjoying days of recreation when their lives were cut short.
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On a recent sunset tour of Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park, owner Chris White shared stories of the site’s tragic history that is now drawing paranormal enthusiasts from as far away as London and South America.
Curiosity seekers from across the world are coming to the park to catch a glimpse of apparitions, orbs and other ghostly hauntings.
The amusement park, located on Route 19 between Princeton and Matoaka, operated from 1925 to 1966. But the location of the park is also the site where Mercer County’s first white settlers, the Mitchell Clay family, made their home. Two of the Clay children, Bartley and Tabitha, were massacred by Native Americans in 1783…
