Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans.

Six Flags Amusement Park in New Orleans was so badly flooded during Hurricane Katrina it has been abandoned ever since.

A bit of history:
The park first opened under the name "Jazzland" in 2000 but it wasn't profitable so in 2001 the lease was put up for sale and in March of 2002, Six Flags purchased the lease.  The last day the park operated was August 21, 2005. Weekday operations ended a couple weeks before due to the fact schools start early in August in that region and end mid-May. The park was scheduled to open August 27 and August 28 as usual but once Katrina was forecast late on Friday to directly hit New Orleans, the weekend opening was cancelled in order to prepare for the storm and begin evacuations. After the park's drainage pumps failed during the storm, the berm retained the combination of rainwater and sea water overflow from Lake Pontchartrain caused by Katrina's massive storm surge, submerging the entire park grounds in corrosive, brackish floodwater to a depth of 4–7 feet. The floodwater was not drained for over a month. Due to the damage received, the park was closed indefinitely with no plans to reopen. (text taken from Wikipedia)

By the time I arrived it was pretty far gone. It’s been vandalized repeatedly and much of the decorations of the park have been piled up in heaps of sad garbage. Being in there was an adrenaline rush. The decrepit rides and buildings made noises in the wind and I kept thinking I heard voices. In the end, my only company was birds and flies. Many people have amazing photographs of this place. I had the opportunity to be there far after it’s prime of beautiful abandonment but I still feel like I made one other little dream come true. I read about the park just after the hurricane and have never forgotten it but I never actually thought I would get the chance to be there. Another check on my list!
turnstile booth closed attractions
IMGP0237 arcade
games IMGP0048
IMGP0046 geeks get away car
junk pile1 animal pile
ferris and red thing broken balloon
bumper dog and register tape
colored walls funhouse entrance
kids swing swings
come and slides risk 1
yosemite sam french quarter

6 comments:

  1. The colors are beautiful.

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  2. That is so friggin' cool! I think it is fantastic that you went ahead and did this, it takes some serious guts!

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    Replies
    1. I'm way too curious to pass up things like this. Its less about guts and more about not wanting to miss seeing a cool place! The adrenaline rush is also part of it.

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  3. Interesting photos and commentary. Nostalgia.

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