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A page devoted to this unknown ?? I have chronically been subjected to rumors and information about 'something' at 900 Wethersfield Avenue. There was a 'ballroom' according to State of Connecticut records. Most tales say there was also an Amusement Park'. This page is for me to remember' to do more research.


[EMAIL TO ME] Hello, Pursuing this thread from the New Haven forum, I was out to dinner with a long time friend, just last night, and I asked him about High Rock Park. He was raised in the Beacon Falls - Naugatuck area and can recall back almost 60 years. The most elaborate set up he can remember is a few picnic tables in the park. His opinion is that there simply was not enough room for any amusement rides, or even any substantial buildings. He has been told there was a pavilion for dancing, but he never saw any evidence of it. (Your too late !!! This Park was active in the 1800's. I have personally snooped the area and their is plenty of space !!!!)

I've run trains down the Naugy and looking at that park from a train crew's viewpoint, engineers must have been very cautious passing that area. Back then, there wasn't the fencing and other protective measures there are today to keep people away from the tracks.

Are you interested only in Naugatuck Valley amusement parks? If your interest is wider, I have one for you. I have been seeking information about an amusement park in the Hartford, Ct. South Meadows, near the Wethersfield town line. In the 40's there was a huge quonsett hut shaped building on Wethersfield Avenue that housed the Arrigon Ballroom, a nightclub. I've been told that this building was connected to the amusement park. (Your memory !!! Arrigon ?? That is in Chicago ???) The Valley Branch of the New Haven Railroad passed close to the back wall of that building. I've worked the Valley countless times and haven't ever seen the first piece of evidence of the park being there. A lot of the park features may have been obliterated in the late 30's when route 15 was constructed. Today's I-91 occupies the same location through there where route 15 ran.

If you have any interest at all in Riverside Park in Agawam, Mass. I have a pretty good recall of what was there in the 40's and 50's. Thank you for stirring my memory. It's a very pleasant exercise to close the eyes, lean back, and see things as they were long ago.

Regards.........Woody