Little_Amerricka

Little Amerricka

Little Amerricka

Amusement park in Marshall, Wisconsin, United States


Little Amerricka is an amusement park located in Marshall, Wisconsin, United States. It features the 16 in (406 mm) gauge[1] Whiskey River Railway, a 1/3 size rail road with over 3 miles (4.8 km) of track that begins at the amusement park and goes through trees, past the wildlife pond area, and across the Whiskey River. Passengers hear a whistle as they go through the tunnel, past the locomotive shops including roundhouse and turntable, over bridges and around a lake. Other attractions include 24 rides and an 18-hole miniature golf course.

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The park is also the home of Merrick Light Railway Equipment, where 1/3 size steam, diesel, and car equipment are still built.

History

The concept for the park started in 1987 as a minimum-gauge railway that owner Lee Merrick constructed as a hobby. Guests often visited to ride it to his christmas tree farm. It proved popular enough for him to purchase the land the park currently stands on and build a concession stand. He was already beginning to collect and refurbish vintage children's rides, and was beginning to plan expanding to a park around 1989 when he met his business partner Darrell Klompmaker. They opened in 1991 with mini golf, the railway, bumper cars, a ferris wheel, a Tilt-a-Whirl, and a fire truck ride. In 1993, they added the Little Dipper, Mad Mouse, and Tobboggan, and became the only park in Wisconsin to have a permanent roller coaster at the time. In 2003, they purchased a wooden roller coaster, The Meteor. They had to replace about 75% of the wood, but it became the first wooden coaster that was moved to a new park more than one time. [2] Lee Merrick passed in 2011.[3]

Attractions

Roller coasters

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Other rides

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See also

icon Trains portal


References

  1. "Whiskey River RR 4-6-2 No. 'Oakland Acorn', Marshall, WI, United States". Steam Locomotive Information. 2017-06-10.
  2. "Little Amerricka". Park World Online - Theme Park, Amusement Park and Attractions Industry News. 2009-06-28.
  3. "Unique amusement park owner Lee W. Merrick dies at 92". Wisconsin State Journal. Aug 9, 2011.

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