The Remnants of Rocky Point Amusement Park

Rocky Point Park was once a staple of summer fun in Warwick, RI. Originally drawing visitors in the 1840s, it developed into a beloved destination with numerous attractions. Unfortunately, the amusement park welcomed its last guests in the 1990s. During the intervening years, Rocky Point was turned into a passive-use park, with walking paths and green fields. Almost all the amusement park structures were cleared away, but a few pieces still remain, hinting at what once was. On my recent trip, I attempted to find the remnants of the park’s former life.

Brief History of the Park

Rocky Point’s trajectory into an amusement destination began unassumingly in 1840, when Captain William Winslow started bringing his Sunday school class there for outings. He purchased the land in 1847 and began offering popular seafood dinners. A few rides were then added in the 1850s. The property was sold at various points as time went on, and things kept growing. President Rutherford B. Hayes visited Rocky Point in 1877 and made the first ever presidential phone call there (thanks to Alexander Graham Bell). Baseball legend Babe Ruth even played an exhibition game at the park in 1914!

As the 20th century moved along, Rocky Point further gained popularity. Over time, the park had roller coasters, a flume ride, a Ferris wheel, a haunted house, and many other attractions. Famous bands played concerts at the Palladium Ballroom and the Shore Dinner Hall could seat up to 4,000 hungry guests. Although it weathered various storms over its history (including actual hurricanes), financial difficulties forced the park to announce its closure in 1995, admitting its final visitors in 1996. It briefly reopened in 1998 as a haunted attraction called Halloweenland. Unfortunately, that would be the end. The site sat dormant for many years, with rides being sold and buildings eventually getting demolished. The land was finally purchased by the city and state, who converted it into a passive-use park. It was opened to the public in 2014 as Rocky Point State Park.

Postcard of Rocky Point, ca. 1930-1945 (Source: Digital Commonwealth)

The Hunt

The thought of an abandoned amusement park has always captivated me. I knew Rocky Point wouldn’t have full on empty midways and decayed roller coasters. Most everything was either sold or demolished – some of its former rides are actually still in service at other amusements parks. However, I was aware that a few pieces remained at the park – some right out in the open and others nestled away. I decided to try to find and photograph those remnants. As I wandered, I was pleasantly surprised to find numerous informational plaques throughout the park, part of the Rocky Point Park Pathways Project. They identified points of interest relating to the amusement park days, providing history and old pictures. Below are the old attractions I could find:

Where the midway once stood

The Skyliner

For me, the most impactful remnant was the old gondola ride, called the Skyliner. Visitors would enjoy a trip across the midway to a turnaround station situated on top of a tall, rocky outcropping, and then travel back to disembark where they got on. Aside from the gondolas themselves, everything else for this ride seemed to still be there – even the cables were in place. The loading/unloading station is situated in a grass field, easily visible from the main parking lot. The support towers remain, as well.

I went up the hill to examine the turnaround station, though I picked a rather precarious path. I realized later that there was an easier trail that connected to the north end of Rocky Point Ave that leads to the main parking lot. Given this station’s more isolated location, it had quite a bit of graffiti. Overall, it was fun to imagine the heyday of the park, with visitors enjoying a relaxing aerial ride and expansive views.

The Skyliner loading area

Standing on the Skyliner loading platform

The Skyliner turnaround station

The Kiddieland Train

Rocky Point had a kids’ area that included the Rocky Point Express – small train that would take children on a loop around the west side of the park. It would go by the other rides, under the gondolas, and into the wooded area. Today, some of the tracks remain, slowly being taken over by nature. They can be found near the southwest entrance, in between Rocky Point Ave and the base of the hill (where the turnaround station sits).

Overlooking a segment of the old train tracks

Some of the old train tracks

The Circle Swing

In middle of the main field is a tower that looks sort of like an oil derrick. This was the central component of the Circle Swing ride. Originally, affixed to the top of this structure was a round, rotating piece that held suspended swings. The attraction was slightly altered over the years, being renamed to the Seaplane Deluxe in 1920 and then the Rocket Ride in 1948. The ride was eventually shut down in 1965, so one would assume the tower stood there unused during the last decades of the park’s history. You can see the swing in its former glory depicted on the old postcard at the top of this post.

The tower of the Circle Swing

The Saltwater Pool

As you walk down the path from the main parking to the beach, you’ll find an area with substantial sections of cement pavement surrounding a large rectangle of grass. This used to be an Olympic-sized swimming pool! Some of the more expansive cement pads were likely for the bleachers and bathhouse. You can still see some of the light blue paint around it.

Corner of the old pool

Likely where the bleachers once stood

Perhaps the old foundation of the bathhouse

The Arch

At 60 feet high, the Arch served as a sort of landmark in the park where families and friends could meet up. It was originally one of eleven such arches at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. Sponsored by General Foods, each one displayed the message “Peace Through Understanding” in molded letters affixed towards the top. The arches also had electronic informational panels that would provide fairgoers with weather updates, traffic, and other news. The Arch founds its way to Rocky Point, minus the lettering and electronics, in 1966.

The Arch

The Water Tank Building

Sitting at the top of a hill in the center of the park sits an abandoned stone structure. It consists of two rooms and no roof. For a long time, the backstory of this building was unknown. Some people theorized it was the foundation of a tower that once stood at the park. Others thought it was the camera obscura attraction. The mystery was eventually solved – rather than an attraction, the building was actually part of Rocky Point’s infrastructure. It once contained a large tank that held the park’s water supply. It was no longer needed after 1948, when the site was connected to city water. Today, it still remains a rather mysterious location for visitors, as there’s no plaque explaining what it is.

Exterior of water tank building

Interior of water tank building

Conclusion

As I strolled around, I noticed other details that perhaps date back to the amusement park days. One stairway, in particular, clearly looked that way. It was fun to think about how there was a time when these sedate, green fields were once filled with buildings, rides, and the hustle and bustle of excited visitors. The pier, recently rebuilt, offers stunning views of Naragansett Bay – but the famed Shore Dinner Hall is long gone. It’s wonderful that the City of Warwick, the State of Rhode Island, and dedicated individuals preserved the Rocky Point location and were able to keep some tokens of its old life. It’s a real summertime treat for the curious visitor.

Stairs that likely date to the amusement park days

Unclear about these stairs

Unsure about this structure near the water

A view of the pier

Location

1 Rocky Point Ave.
Warwick, RI 02889
Official site: riparks.ri.gov/parks/rocky-point-state-park

Written by A. P. Sylvia