The Spirits of Lincoln Park

There are few things as haunting as an abandoned amusement park.

If you have the chance to walk through one of these deserted locations, you can almost feel the emptiness that hovers over the area. You’ll see the remnants of carnival rides that no longer present the same excitement and joy they once did, and broken-down concession stands where delicious treats were served to happy customers.

Lincoln Amusement Park in Dartmouth, MA, was once a fun-filled location, but after it closed in 1987, the park was abandoned and left to deteriorate in the elements.

However, the park wasn’t completely deserted; it turns out several spirits were left behind from the park’s heyday, who now spend eternity in this place of wonderment.

For more haunted tales from New England, be sure to check out The Historic Lizzie Borden House for a 90-minute guided ghost tour. Learn all about the unsolved murder mystery that took place at this very location back in 1892 during your visit, or stay overnight in one of the six rooms inside this Victorian-style bed and breakfast.

Who Haunts Lincoln Park?

The former site of Lincoln Amusement Park is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of several people who lost their lives in tragic accidents caused by issues with the rides. Those incidents eventually led to the park being permanently closed.

The History of Lincoln Amusement Park

Lincoln Amusement Park officially opened in 1894. In its early days, the park, which was located at the end of the trolley line between New Bedford and Fall River, was essentially a place to enjoy picnics. Over time, a playground for kids was added, followed by concession stands and a few carnival games. 

As interest in picnic parks began to decline and families became interested in more exciting attractions, Lincoln Park evolved into an amusement park. A dance hall building was added as well as a “Giant Coaster” and a carousel.

During the mid-1940s, the owners of the park purchased additional land for expansions. The Giant Coaster was disassembled and rebuilt as The Comet. A new Kiddy Land was added, as well as areas for mini-golf and boat rides. 

The park was a place where locals gathered on the weekends for sock hops and to watch synchronized skating teams. They enjoyed playing games and eating treats such as cotton candy, popcorn, and local favorites like clam cakes.

But the fun didn’t last forever; due to the decline in attendance, tax issues, and unfortunate ride casualties, Lincoln Amusement Park was shut down permanently in 1987. The rides were auctioned off to help the owner pay overdue bills, and the carousel was relocated to the Fall River waterfront.

The Fires at Lincoln Park

Aside from removing some of the rides, the park was left untouched until 1990, when a fire destroyed ten of the buildings, including concession and food stands. Another fire a year later took the ballroom, small arcade, and the restaurant, among other buildings. A third fire destroyed even more, including the bowling alley, skating rink, and game room. 

A fourth fire at the park wiped out all the remaining food stands as well as the archway that connected them to the pavilion. The last fire that occurred around 1997 destroyed the park’s maintenance warehouse. This left 90% of the park’s buildings destroyed.

The Horrific History of the Comet Roller Coaster

The Comet roller coaster was constructed for the park in 1947 and cost an astonishing $80,000 to build. The first people to ride the coaster had sandbags placed at their feet to help the cars move forward because the ride hadn’t loosened up enough to allow gravity to do its job.

Over the years, the popular ride was the cause of several tragic deaths. During the 1960s, a man on the ride stood up as the car descended the lift hill, causing him to fall to his death. In 1968, the car at the end suddenly detached from the train and began rolling in reverse until it derailed, tossing its passengers out with no survivors. 

In 1986, a worker attempted to climb from one car to another while the coaster was in motion to make repairs and fell to his death.

And in 1987, an issue with the braking system caused the last car to derail and hang off the track with passengers still inside. Fortunately, during this incident, no one was injured. But that was the final run for The Comet. The defunct car remained in that same position until it was removed and stolen by vandals after the park shut down.

Murder at Lincoln Park

Along with the tragic deaths that occurred at the park due to the faulty roller coaster, there was also the murder of the night watchman, which has cast a dark shadow over the history of the park.

On March 6th, 1982, Raymond Santos, who worked as a night watchman at the park, was murdered by Charles Chaples. According to reports, 21-year-old Chaples broke into a Dartmouth area home and stole a 12-gauge shotgun, two boxes of shells, and a pair of gloves. 

After the break-in, he drove and parked behind Lincoln Park and walked through the wooded area, hiding behind one of the rides at the amusement park. From this location, he was able to watch every move 48-year-old Raymond Santos made.

Chaples approached Santos at the maintenance warehouse of the park. He demanded that Santos hand over the keys, but Santos refused. Chaples persisted, and when Santos refused a second time to give him the keys to the park, Chaples raised his gun and fired at Santos, shooting him three times before leaving the scene of the crime. He tossed the shotgun and shells in the woods.

A few hours later, Santos’ body was found by maintenance workers at the park. Chaples was questioned the following day about his whereabouts; during questioning, he confessed to the murder.

Charles Chaples was convicted of 2nd degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Hauntings at Lincoln Park

It’s very common for abandoned amusement parks to be visited by dark entities. These places were once filled with high levels of energy, full of adrenaline and exuberance, people screaming and laughing while on carnival rides or simply taking in the excitement of being there. It is no surprise that all that energy leaves a lasting imprint on the site of these old parks decades after they have shut down.  

There were several reports of ghost sightings at Lincoln Park after it was closed down in 1987. Several have seen the apparition of a man climbing on the old tracks for the Comet roller coaster, only to see him disappear as he reaches the highest peak. Many believe it is the ghost of the worker who died while trying to repair the coaster by walking from one car to another while it was still in motion.

Some people have reported hearing the eerie sound of carousel music playing in the distance, while others have noticed the distinct smell of clam cakes like those that were once served up at the park’s concession stands.

Stay at the Haunted Lizzie Borden House

The old site of the Lincoln Amusement Park is just one of the many haunted locations in the area that you can’t miss out on if you want to experience a ghostly encounter. For a truly haunting experience you will not soon forget, book an overnight stay here at The Lizzie Borden House, the creepiest bed and breakfast in New England.

The historic Lizzie Borden House is a museum/Bed and Breakfast where you can learn all about the macabre tale of murder that still haunts the Fall River community. This is the actual site of the 1892 murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother. While no one really knows for sure who committed the crime, it is believed that Lizzie murdered them in their sleep using a hatchet.

Several guests have reported seeing apparitions, hearing disembodied voices, and seeing objects move on their own during their stay here, so be on the lookout for ghostly activity when you book a night with us.

Be sure to check out our blog for more chilling tales of haunted locations in the area.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more tales about the most haunted locations throughout the country. 

Sources:

• https://artinruins.com/property/lincoln-park-ma/
• https://dartmouth.theweektoday.com/article/haunted-dartmouth-unsolved-murders-and-spooky-stories-local-ghost-hunter/50268
• https://www.heraldnews.com/story/entertainment/2021/10/01/new-bedford-area-haunted-sites-ghost-tales-paranormal-sightings-halloween-haunting-legend-scary/5944160001/#:~:text=LINCOLN%20PARK%2C%20DARTMOUTH&text=When%20it%20was%20in%20operation,he%20reached%20the%20highest%20peak.
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/124249761108201/posts/1248554078677758/ – 
• https://dartmouth.theweektoday.com/article/lincoln-park-killer-be-released-parole-next-year/48482
•  https://fun107.com/macabre-memories-of-the-southcoasts-haunted-amusement-park/