Story Land, New Hampshire’s longtime family attraction, is turning 70 this year, and what better way to celebrate than to look back at the popular amusement and theme park over the years?
In honor of its 70th birthday, Story Land will host new “Happy Hauntings” each weekend in October.
The happenings will include activities such as an interactive fairy tale trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin painting in Cinderella’s Pumpkin Patch, “Scary-oke,” scream contests, Halloween shows and more.
But before Story Land grew to include more than 50 attractions, the large theme park was once a small village with only a handful of rides.
The start of it all (Early 1950s)
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The idea for Story Land was born while founders Bob and Ruth Morrell were in Germany, Story Land’s website states.
The couple, who were from North Conway, New Hampshire, met an old woman who sold them more than 25 dolls she had made based on classic children’s fairy tales.
The woman suggested that the Morrells build a village for the dolls when they returned home. However, the couple wanted to do something much bigger.
Breaking ground (1954 — 1963)
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Looking to build a park to include rides and play areas for families, the Morrells bought a piece of land in Glen, New Hampshire, in 1954, according to Story Land’s website.
The couple, with some help, built several buildings and characters and officially opened Story Land, originally named “Story Town,” in 1954, a year before Disneyland opened.
It was renamed Story Land after its first year because another park in upstate New York had the name, New Hampshire magazine reported in 2014.
At first, the park’s only ride was an old fire truck called “Freddie the Fire Engine.” However, Story Land would eventually add more rides, including Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach and Castle in 1957.
Story Land underwent some tough financial times over the next few years, but was able to rebound and survive.
Growth and expansion (1964 — 1980)
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Story Land added more rides and attractions throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including the first Tree House and seal exhibit in 1966. The seal exhibit only lasted until 1972, however.
More rides were added in 1967 after Bob bought an ancient German Carousel (the same one still used today) and a fleet of Whale Boats, which in 1969 became what are now known as the Swan Boats. The first CP Huntington Train was also purchased in 1967.
As Story Land entered the ‘70s, the park added even more attractions including the Chapel, the Safari Ride, Moroccan Bazaar, the first Maze, second-generation Antique Cars, the Dutch Village and the Shoe Ride, Little Mexico area, the Mine, the Canadian Fun Fort (where the Cuckoo Clockenspiel is now), Iceberg Coaster (now Polar Coaster) and the Ted E. Bear Jamboree.
More and more rides (1981 — 2000)
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Story Land added its first boat attraction, called the Pirate Ship, in 1981, according to the park’s website.
Alice’s Tea Cups arrived in 1982 followed by the Voyage to the Moon in 1983. The second half of the ‘80s saw the arrival of the Great Balloon Chase, Farm Follies Theater, the Polar Coaster (replaced Iceberg Coaster) and Dr. Geyser’s Remarkable Raft Ride.
The park continued to grow in the 1990s with the addition of the Bamboo Chutes in 1993 and Grandfather Tree in 1995. Turtle Twirl and Oceans of Fun Sprayground, as well as the renovated Loopy Lab Theater, were added in the late ‘90s.
Electric cars, coasters and water parks (2000s — Present)
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During the 2000s, Story Land upgraded its Antique Cars to electric-powered vehicles, the Cuckoo Clockenspiel debuted on top of a hill in the park and the Whirling Whales arrived in 2002. The Whirling Whales only lasted to 2016, though.
The Crazy Barn arrived in 2003, followed by the Eggs-Traordinary Farm Tractors that rounded out the barnyard-themed section of the park.
The Flying Fish debuted a few years later followed by Splash Battle in 2011 and Roar-O-Saurus in 2014.
Story Land also recently opened Moo Lagoon, a new water play area, in celebration of the park’s 70th birthday.
Over the years, Story Land has grown to include more shows, dining, characters, rides and play areas.
