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Parks
Pirate's Cove
Tucked away in the wilds of Louisiana lies Pirate’s Cove, an abandoned water park frozen in time—a dream that never even took its first breath.
Dreams Deferred
Stumbling upon Castleberry, Alabama's baseball park was like finding a modern ghost town.
Red Bluff
Red Bluff, located in Marion County, Mississippi, and often dubbed "Mississippi's Little Grand Canyon," boasts a history as colorful as its geological formations.
Mississippi River Model
As I arrived and began to traverse the expansive scale model, a sense of familiarity mixed with a tinge of disappointment greeted me.
Go Kart Fun Center
Opened in 1977 this go kart track along with batting cages & miniature golf was the main attraction for family entertainment in the area. In 2003 families sought out other entertainment & the park was closed. Several developers since then have expressed interest & one even had a new name picked out with full restoration & plans for more.
Fort MaComb
Chef Menteur Pass is a water route from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Pontchartrain and the lakeshore of New Orleans. (The other route is the Rigolets; both straits connect Pontchartrain to the Gulf via Lake Borgne.) An earlier fort at the site was called Fort Chef Menteur.
The United States built the current brick fort in 1822, just seven years after British forces invaded the New Orleans area from the sea, at the close of the War of 1812. It was named Fort Wood in 1827 renamed Fort Macomb in 1851, for General Alexander Macomb, former Chief of Engineers and the second Commanding General of the United States Army.
The United States built the current brick fort in 1822, just seven years after British forces invaded the New Orleans area from the sea, at the close of the War of 1812. It was named Fort Wood in 1827 renamed Fort Macomb in 1851, for General Alexander Macomb, former Chief of Engineers and the second Commanding General of the United States Army.
Fort Pike
Fort Pike State Historic Site is a decommissioned 19th-century United States fort, named after Brigadier General Zebulon Pike. It was built following the War of 1812 to guard the Rigolets pass in Louisiana, a strait from the Gulf of Mexico, via Lake Borgne, to Lake Pontchartrain bordering New Orleans. It was located near the community of Petite Coquille, now within the city limits of New Orleans.
The fort's ruins were long a tourist attraction, but it was damaged by the Hurricane Katrina storm surge in 2005, and closed for a period. It also had to be closed following Hurricanes Gustav and Isaac in 2008 and 2012, respectively.
After the War of 1812, the United States built the fort in 1819 to protect New Orleans and the Gulf Coast against British or other invasion of the United States. During the Seminole Wars in Florida through the 1820s, the US temporarily held Seminole Indians here who had been taken prisoner. They were eventually transported to the Seminole Reservation in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma.)
The Louisiana Continental Guard took control of the fort in 1861, just weeks before Louisiana joined the Confederacy and the American Civil War began.
When Union forces captured New Orleans in 1862, the Confederate forces evacuated Fort Pike. The Union reestablished control of the installation, using it as a base for raids. The fort also became a site for training of United States Colored Troops, established in 1864. These soldiers in the South included mostly former slaves.
The fort's ruins were long a tourist attraction, but it was damaged by the Hurricane Katrina storm surge in 2005, and closed for a period. It also had to be closed following Hurricanes Gustav and Isaac in 2008 and 2012, respectively.
After the War of 1812, the United States built the fort in 1819 to protect New Orleans and the Gulf Coast against British or other invasion of the United States. During the Seminole Wars in Florida through the 1820s, the US temporarily held Seminole Indians here who had been taken prisoner. They were eventually transported to the Seminole Reservation in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma.)
The Louisiana Continental Guard took control of the fort in 1861, just weeks before Louisiana joined the Confederacy and the American Civil War began.
When Union forces captured New Orleans in 1862, the Confederate forces evacuated Fort Pike. The Union reestablished control of the installation, using it as a base for raids. The fort also became a site for training of United States Colored Troops, established in 1864. These soldiers in the South included mostly former slaves.
Algiers Babe Ruth
Over in Algiers sits Home of NORD (New Orleans Recreational Development) Algiers Babe Ruth. They keep the field mowed, but have let all of the buildings go. The field house/office roof has caved in & a little of vandalism has taken place. One bathroom is open & if not for stainless fixtures, I'm sure they would have been busted up. The press box floor has rotted & a chair sits half way in the booth & half way out. The bleachers are covered in green algae, but view is still nice.
Camp Happy Acres
Located in Long Beach, Mississippi was Camp Happy Acres. It was a water park that was open back in the 60's & was ran by Maxine and Erin 'Smitty' Smith. I'm not sure when it closed down, but from the looks of things, it has been a while. All I could find was the foundation & a few remnants of concrete. After all, there have been a few hurricanes & other storms since then. The paved parking lot is now covered with grass & weeds, but you could still see it. The main building had a concession area, changing rooms, and other amenities. The owners home was on the second floor overlooking the man made lake. It was a great place to hang out this morning & enjoy the weather & wild life.
Carnival Rides
Along the roadside in New Orleans sit some old & newer looking carnival rides. I've driven by many times, but I don't notice that anything changes with them.
Depot Creek
I was at lunch in Lucedale & really couldn't find anything to explore. I happened upon this park & straight away it seemed to have potantial. The pavillion looks like it may kept up, but the walkway over the water wasn't in good shape. I am not sure if it was damaged due to flooding or it is being neglected.
Royal Land
A ghost of an amusement park, Royal Land had high hopes of being the next Disney World in Mississippi. Now the concrete turrets keep watch over the path that once lead down every kid's dreams of carnival rides. I can imagine the 1970's excitement for such a small southern city with the bright lights, the sounds of the fair & the smell of carnival food. Anything to transport to that time & walk that path...
Sloss Furnaces
Sloss Furnaces is a National Historic Landmark in Birmingham, Alabama in the United States. It operated as a pig iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971. After closing, it became one of the first industrial sites in the U.S. to be preserved and restored for public use. Wikipedia
Battle of Raymond
The Battle of Raymond was fought on May 12, 1863, near Raymond, Mississippi, during the Vicksburg campaign of the American Civil War.
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