mystery abandoned roadside attraction
Posted by: Matt McCormick | From: May 20, 2008
On Highway 97 in Oregon, about mid-way between Chemult and Klamath Falls, lies a mysterious abandoned roadside attraction that has been taken over by a truck accessories store. Hub City Chrome, an incredibly specialized store that deals in big rig bling, apparently moved into this location about ten years ago but doesn't seem to know or care much about the places history. It looks to be some sort of 1960s era "prehistoric times" campground or theme park, but is now boarded up and plastered with no trespassing signs. The very grumpy man working in the store (which i assume is either a new building or used to be the office of the campground) had no information he cared to share other then to let us know that we were not welcome, and it's clear that the business isn't interested in utilizing the mammoth life-sized Paraceratherium sculpture in front of the store, and instead is sadly letting the amazing mid-century paper-mache looking work of art rot away. It seems at the very worst they would use the Paraceratherium as a sign- paint it up and pimp it out with some chrome rims or something...
this sign said 'PORTAL TO THE PAST' before it was painted out.
over the fence you can see a couple dinosaur statues like this one, though most were too far back in the trees to really be able to make out.
If anyone has any ideas as to what this place used to be please leave a comment. I have not been able to find anything on the web. SAVE THE PARACERATHERIUM!!!
yes! that is it!! thanks jesse!!!
a quick google search finds lots of good stuff:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2193
Posted by: matt mc at May 25, 2008 10:17 PM
i suggest you buy it and reopen it. im sure there is a NEh grant fort that sort of thing.
Posted by: elizabeth at May 26, 2008 9:07 AM
This is Thunderbeast Park! My family and I went there once in the mid-1980's.
Posted by: Jesse at May 24, 2008 4:06 PM