Terrapin Park was located at 25th and St. Mary's Pike, well outside of the city limits. It was accessible by either the Outer Loop or Pottery Junction trolleys.
At one time this park, which was privately owned, was known for being one of the finest and most famous amusement parks in the state. Shortly before 1900, a company headed by Charles Shattuck, built a large casino there. The casino had a large auditorium, which seated 1,200 to 1,500 persons. This could be enlarged to hold over 2,000 by rolling up the large doors that served as walls and using the verandas. When the place was enlarged, park benches were brought in. The large stage of the auditorium was equipped with elaborate scenery and such modern facilities that it drew many of the top names in show business. Dramas, comedies, minstrels and vaudeville acts, including the famous Weber and Friends, played the auditorium. In the rear of the casino was a large artificial lake in a picturesque setting for canoeing, and an area for picnic tables with benches which added to the popularity of the park.
Terrapin Park in Parkersburg was given this name because of a small humped up knoll on the property. In 1913 Henry L. Brenig added a roller-coaster, a merry-go-round, dance halls, a skating rink and other items of amusement, and it began to develop an atmosphere of a Coney Island.
A Tunnel of Love, a Ferris Wheel, and other rides followed as did games of ring-toss, ball pitch, and shooting galleries creating a mid-way complete with a fun-house, cotton candy, hot dogs and assorted bakers. The roller-coaster, a wooden structure, was called The Dazy Dazier Dip Coaster and stood at the left of the front entrance to the park. Rides were 10 cents for adults and 5 cents for children. Small boys made a lot of money by retrieving hats blown from the heads of the riders who were unprepared for its wild ride.
In 1916 Paul and Jack Crane took over the park and had great success for two seasons. You could hear the music of the merry-go-round, amusement noises, and laughter for blocks.
When the park was closed for the season after Labor Day in September of 1917, a full-blown fire flared up one midnight under the stage of the auditorium. The fire lighted the area for blocks.
As firemen fought the blaze, the crowd noticed the American flag, which for some reason had not been removed, and it waved unscorched, spotlighted by the leaping flames. Only when the roof caved in was the flag touched. The fire was thought to have been set by religious fanatics objecting to the war. Not covered by insurance, the place was dismantled.