On June 12, 1949, Wichita introduced an amusement park, Joyland. It was up and running for 55 years as they closed in 2004. Lester Ottaway owned it. In front of approximately 2,00o people, William Stone (The mayor) cut the ribbon for the roller coaster. After the death of Ottaway in 1953, his sons took over and ran the amusement park.

In 1975, Stanley and Margaret Nelson ran Joyland after the brothers retired. They improved safety and added more rides. In total, Joyland had over 24 rides.

Roller Coaster

• It cost a total of $75,000 to build
• On May 25, 1977, an 8 year old named, Monty Stovall stood up in the cart, obtaining fatal head injuries which later was pronounced dead before making it to the hospital.
• On August 27, 1998, a 35 year old maintenance worker was tragically killed after standing up and got hit by the roller coaster.
• On July 23, 2015, the last death to occur was sadly it’s own.

Whacky Shak

• One of the most popular attractions
• On August 9, 2018, there was a fire that broke at 4 a.m., they worked for nearly an
  hour to put out the flames, but ultimately were unsuccessful. Only thing that remains is a black, charred ground where it once stood.

Skycoaster

• Up and running on August 16, 1996.
• Flings you in the air, a nice thing to experience for people willing to take a risk, or someone that likes the thrill

Log Jam

• Added in 1985
• During a flood, 2 log jam rafts escaped. One found a few days later and the other one was supposedly found 3 years later in the Arkansas river. Who knows it might actually still be out there somewhere.
• One trespasser in 2015, a 14 year old girl, suffered many injuries after after climbing on the log jam equipment.

The Ferris Wheel

• Cost $135,000 to bring it to the park.
• Elizabeth Schmitz, a 13 year old, suffered many injuries after falling thirty feet off the ride on April 16, 2004.
• Later the ride was reopened after it was proven that it was safe to operate again.

Dodgem

Basically bumper cars

• One of the most popular rides through 1950s-1960s.
• There was another bumper car attraction but was moved so their could be room for the Whacky Shack.
• A 12 year old girl sued the park on in June 1964, because she suffered mouth and teeth injuries, when another bumper car hit hers…

Louie the Clown

• Mascot
• In 2005, he mysteriously went missing
• Almost 10 years later he was found at Damian Mayes’ door, the former employee that was in charge of taking him home during closed seasons, painting him, make new clothes and accessories.

All Information from, https://abandonedks.com/joyland-amusement-park/

What does Joyland look like now? Well it won’t be the colorful lively place you saw when you were kids if you were alive to visit Joyland.