Located in Mercer County, near the quiet community of Rock, West Virginia, Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park is more than a local attraction — it’s a story that’s been passed down for generations. While it’s often listed among the world’s most haunted destinations, its legend runs deeper than ghost tales. The folklore surrounding Lake Shawnee has lived on through word of mouth, shared by families and neighbors for centuries.
Around here, everyone seems to know a story about Lake Shawnee. Some grew up hearing hushed warnings, while others recall relatives swapping strange experiences tied to the old rides and grounds. Whether you believe in curses or coincidence, the land carries a history that feels impossible to ignore.
The Land’s Earliest Stories
Long before the carousels arrived, the land held ancient significance. Archaeologists believe that Native American tribes used the area as a burial ground over a thousand years ago. That deep history set the stage for the folklore that would follow.
In the late 1700s, frontiersman Mitchell Clay moved his family to the property, settling on 800 acres of wild, rolling land. Local stories tell of a terrible tragedy in 1783, when two of Clay’s children were killed, and a third was kidnapped and later lost. The grief and bloodshed left a mark on the land that some say was never quite lifted.
The Amusement Park Years
By the 1920s, the Clay family homestead was a memory, and a new chapter began. Conley Snidow arrived with big plans — circular swings, a pond and swimming hole, a dance hall, a speakeasy and more. Though his vision brought laughter and music to Lake Shawnee, many warned that the land was never meant to be disturbed.
Not everyone remembers the park for its tragedies, though. Many would recall Lake Shawnee as a place where families gathered, danced and enjoyed the simple pleasures of summer. But by 1966, the rides sat empty, their bright colors fading beneath creeping vines and rust. But even in its silence, the stories kept growing.
Finding Buried Truths
In the 1980s, another businessman, Gaylord White, made plans to breathe new life into the old parkland. But as crews dug into the soil, they uncovered Native American artifacts and skeletons, mostly belonging to children. It was a moment that stirred old memories and confirmed what many had long suspected — Lake Shawnee’s stories weren’t just tall tales.
Rather than develop the land, the White family chose to leave it as it was. The swings remain, swaying gently in the breeze, as if holding onto the whispers of the past.
Folklore That Endures
Today, Lake Shawnee stands as one of Mercer County’s most talked-about places. It’s not just a haunted spot — it’s a living piece of folklore, shaped by stories handed down through generations. For some, it’s a place of eerie wonder. For others, it’s a bittersweet memory of childhood visits and family time.
The tales are still told. Some recall ghost stories, others remember the sound of carnival music drifting through the trees. One thing’s for sure — Lake Shawnee’s legend isn’t fading any time soon.