SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City

i went to dogpoatch in the early 90's. im looking for pix and video from around that time. if anyone can help please let me k now. thanx

I always wanted to visit Dogpatch, but never could.  Here is a site I've found that shows the park as it now stands - closed and falling apart.  The links are interesting on this page, but I don't recommend following the example of the people on this site - it seems trespassing is illegal in some states.

http://www.undergroundozarks.com/dogpatch.html

^That's a great set of photos, Dale!  It is sad to see it in such decay.  I have so many fond memories of that park as I visited in the late 80s until the last year it was open (1993).  Here are a couple of good links.

This first one is an extensive history (with photos):
http://users.aristotle.net/~russjohn/attractions/dogpatch.html (http://users.aristotle.net/~russjohn/attractions/dogpatch.html)

And the Wikipedia page is very informative with some good photos too (and some nice scans of old brochures).  It also has some other links you might enjoy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogpatch_USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogpatch_USA)

On my last visit to the Branson, I stopped in over by the old location for Sadie's Sideboard (on the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway) and to my surprise, the iconic statue of General Cornpone was hidden behind the store!!!! 

I took a picture of it and some guy came out and started asking me questions about my snooping.  He said his family still owns the Dogpatch property.  He could have been part of the Dunn, Spradley or Maland families that shared ownership before it closed.  The statue might still be sitting there.

Quote from: betamike on June 02, 2008, 06:53:29 PM
On my last visit to the Branson, I stopped in over by the old location for Sadie's Sideboard (on the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway) and to my surprise, the iconic statue of General Cornpone was hidden behind the store!!!! 

I took a picture of it and some guy came out and started asking me questions about my snooping.  He said his family still owns the Dogpatch property.  He could have been part of the Dunn, Spradley or Maland families that shared ownership before it closed.  The statue might still be sitting there.

It probably is still sitting there.  As I remember it was moved to that location last fall.  The statue has been there for a while.

it's been there for at least 4 or 5 years.  They were supposed to fix it up, and do somethig with it, but what, I don't know.  It's sad to see it just falling apart on a trailor out behind a building.

I didn't know Sadie's used to be there.  I always thought it was where it is now.

I could be (and probably am) mistaken about the Sadie's Sideboard location.  It was right next to the little ampitheater there on S.H. Expressway.

is the statue still there?

it was in the middle of May.  I'm sure it is.

ok i know where soth express way is but where exactly is this statue, and ill look the next time im down there

it is behind a place that is called Tumblin Tumbleweeds, at 3099 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  This is the website... http://www.tumblintumbleweeds.com/ (http://www.tumblintumbleweeds.com/)

ok i know that place. thanx alot

Bringing up an oldie...but a goodie.

I know with all the legal troubles DogPatch is going through that It will be some time before it is open for ANYTHING, but I thought I'd post a bit of what I bought yesterday at a flea market to add to my collection.

I think I spent $1.75 on these total...
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/cornpone.jpg)
reverse of the statue
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/reverse.jpg)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/falls.jpg)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/goat.jpg)

By The Way- the Jubilation T. Cornpone Statuefrom the p/c now resides behind a fence at the afore mentioned location within this thread. I went and took pics last week, and the owners came out, but went back in after seeing I was not causing a disturbance, and more than likely I am not the only weirdo to take pics in their backyard!!

Here it is last weekend...
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/statue.jpg)

^You find all the bargains!  So many memories growing up visiting Dogpatch USA.  I really hope it reopens someday, and doesn't remain defunct. :'(

One of my college friends went to school in Dover, AR, and has a number of pics posted on Facebook of class trips to Dogpatch.

Quote from: KBCraig on August 06, 2009, 11:23:45 PM
One of my college friends went to school in Dover, AR, and has a number of pics posted on Facebook of class trips to Dogpatch.

Does he mind if you post any of them here? I would love to see some pictures of the place from back in the day.

I'll ask her.

Oh, sorry. I guess I should have said does "she" mind.  ;)

I have a flicker group for Dogpatch, which me & Rube has added a ton of pics.  Anyone can join, I'll post the link soon-

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1095896@N22/ (http://www.flickr.com/groups/1095896@N22/)

Here is the URL for the Dogpatch Site. I know it is not nearly as large as BeatMikes SDC page/group, but It might get there! I still have a few things to upload for DP-USA.

I would love to get there one more time. BUt am again very aprehensive about entering after the people on other sites discussions have told of countless charges being pressed for trespassing.

Multiple threads on an "exploring site" talk of the legal issues etc. The group is not inherantly bad/negative, however many of the locations they "urban explore" are off limits, private property, and they utilize some b/e to gain access it seems. SO I try to steer clear of them, but I trust them on this one when they say DO NOT TRY since they do pretty much anything it seems!

^Yeah, people get kinda crazy sometimes when exploring defunct theme parks/attractions. :)

Thanks for posting the link to the photos.  It's so weird, and sad, to see a favorite childhood memory just rotting in the sun... :-[

As an employee of SDC in the late 70's and early 80's, we had a pass exchange program benefit to visit Dogpatch. I went to the park maybe three or four times then, and I always thought it was completely second rate compared to SDC. I worked at the diving bell, so when Dogpatch put in a simulation ride called Lil Abner's Space Rocket, I had to go down and try it out. It sat in the open and those waiting in line could see the rocket moving up and down and back and forth on the trailer it was mounted on. Really lame. At the diving bell, we had all sorts of theming, props, live actors playing Junior Dugan, and line activities to "convince" visitors they were getting to go on a submarine ride. The cheap simulation rides you see at shopping malls today are about the same level as the rocket ride at Dogpatch. One thing I did like about Dogpatch. They had a "Mad Mouse" rollercoaster, similar to the one I remember riding as a kid at the now long defunct Chain of Rocks Park along the Mississippi River at St. Louis. I don't want to slam Dogpatch too much, though. Richard Young who has worked at SDC since 1980, played various roles at Dogpatch in the 70's. I worked with Richard in the early '80's at SDC. He is a class act, a great guy with a good sense of humor. Another fellow I worked with at SDC cut his acting teeth at Dogpatch. His name was James McKay, and I worked with him at the diving bell in 1980. We both played Junior Dugan.

TinMan might recognize a few of these!
Window Cling
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/marblefallscommunityclub.jpg)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/dogpatchcheck.jpg)
Bumper Sticker
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/dogpatchbumpersticker.jpg)
Marble Falls Postcard
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/falls-1.jpg)

1969 Postcard
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/cornpone-1.jpg)

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/goat-1.jpg)

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/dogpatchenvelope.jpg)

Some of you have found the most unusual stuff in your quest to have an interesting collection. I've seen the SDC artist renderings of park concepts...and unless some employee had these in his personal file and gave them away, I just don't know how the general public got their hands on them. This Dogpatch stuff is pretty neat, too. Having a Dogpatch check and a sticker after all these years, whew! By the way, in the last year or two somebody had purchased the Dogpatch property and for about a month or two, a HUGE HOUSECLEANING took place. Many old buildings were either torn down or re-roofed. Last I heard there was a campground operating adjacent to the property and a couple of other small family operated businesses.  However, I seriously doubt Dogpatch itself will ever operate again. It had a very checkered history, and that theme park ran out of steam and gave up the ghost in the early 1990's. I currently work with people who live in the vicinity of the park, or pass by it on their way to work, and they say the place for years was a horrible eyesore, but now everything is neat and clean and well maintained.

Thanks...I think! I have to thank Tinman for the check, and sticker and envelope (almost everything I posted :D) since he was the one that found them, before I did! but
I have been to the park several times since its' closing, and it has gotten better. I was there as cleaning/roofing was taking place, and it was a mess. Paths overgrown, vandalism etc, the usual things to have when a place goes abandoned for 10 years. It does have a tough road ahead to become a working anything again, let alone a park of some sort.

According to the northwest Arkansas edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the old sewer station at DOGPATCH, now used by area residents of Marble Falls, AR, is leaking right into the Buffalo National River. I've included on Flickr a part of the news story...a timeline history of the sewer station.
The real article is too long, and, you can't get it on line unless you pay for it. The Buffalo National River is a real gem...a beautiful area. Officials are none too pleased about the problem.

                               Check it out at:     http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan

More on the old Dogpatch sewer station leak. A newspaper article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on Wednesday said the latest samples taken from a tributary creek leading to Buffalo National River indicates pollutant levels are "back to normal" but that a state lawsuit remains open at this point. The Marble Falls Sewer Improvement District #1 was loaned a pump which got the sewer station in operational compliance. An agreement between the state and sewer district was turned into a judge last week. It's under review.

More sad news, proof the media is either uninformed, or simply biased...
http://www.kspr.com/news/local/86355067.html
They do NOT mention that the kid was trespassing, or that his parents bought all the land around Dogpatch (with their eyes on the park), and the reason work stopped on restoring DP, which was DIRECTLY related to the bogus lawsuit...

Though I am not as informed as Tinman about it, I have kept up with the park since 2006, and it is a shame what has happened. For anyone that has looked into it as we have, this seems to be a bad deal for DP and its' owners. This "nail in the coffin" seems to be fueled by the media, which goes back to who is actually holding "all the cards" in that area. It is unfortunate of the accident, he should not have been on the property on the ATV and it is unfortunate of his pain and suffering, BUT it is just wrong that those with the power in the area( the family of the kid) are heard more than those who own the land. I am not a lawyer, but I just hate to see someone get a raw deal like this....I am getting down off my soapbox now >:(

According to an article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today 4-12-10, the quality of water in the Buffalo River has been deemed OK. This follows a state investigation into the leakage of an old DOGPATCH sewer station now used by the citizens in the Marble Falls, AR community. You can read in previous posts on this thread about the concern officials had about waste water from the sewer station getting into a creek that flowed into the Buffalo River. A water ecologist for the National Park Service is quoted in the article as saying "everything is well below state standards," regarding E. coli bacteria contamination commonly found in human and animal waste. WHEW! If you have ever been to the Buffalo River, you know what a gem it is in the National Park Service system. It was deemed the first national river, and is beautiful for a float trip or picnic site. Take your family sometime, you will really enjoy it!

I have to agree with you Junior about the Buffalo National River...anywhere on the river (although I prefer the Ponca area) is the perfect place to relax!

I drove up to the Dogpatch property last year while on a camping trip...it's very surreal, like you've stumbled upon an abandoned civilization.  So much is still just sitting there, rotting away.  I remember going there when I was five years old, but nothing specific.  The creek and trout pound could be beautiful if they were maintained, and it's a shame the property is just wasting away.

Not much of merit to add here, but I went canoeing in Buffalo River a long time ago. I loved it.  ;D

I am just in awe on pic of abandoned parks how they just leave things to rot.  Rides that could be sold off to settle debts, along with other things.  If your gonna just walk away, the cty government should level the remains.  SFNW in the 9th district is just sitting there. Rotting. 

Quote from: Coaster on April 21, 2010, 07:31:47 PM
Not much of merit to add here, but I went canoeing in Buffalo River a long time ago. I loved it.  ;D

I was a freshman at Arkansas Tech 1981-82. The big buzz was that students could take a basic Military Science (ROTC) course and receive credit for the mandatory PE class. Let's face it: go canoeing on the Buffalo and participate in Escape & Evasion at Fort Chaffee, versus bowling or tennis, is a no-brainer.

I wound up changing majors, and graduated with a minor in MS and a reserve commission as a lieutenant of Field Artillery. I served three years active duty in Germany, thanks to that opportunity to float the Buffalo.

Sad news from Arkansas...That old Dogpatch sewer station that was causing trouble leaking into tributaries of the Buffalo River a few months ago is doing it again! This time the E Coli bacteria level is high enough to warrant putting warning signs up along a section of the Buffalo River National River.  :o  A temporary pump installed at Marble Falls in Feburary stopped raw sewage from getting out of the old Dogpatch sewer station, but The Arkansas Democrat Gazette is reporting today that bacteria levels sometimes still exceed acceptable levels. Swimmers in the vicinty are at risk, boaters should be OK because they aren't in the water. The section at Mill Creek is where the trouble is. Testing continues on water samples. :'(

What will they do if the problem continues? 

Probably shut down the problem treatment station at Marble Falls, which will then leave a few dozen residents without proper wastewater facilities. Nobody living in the vicinity of the facility has money to make the repairs...or at least nobody is volunteering to pony up any cash. In the end it will probably be the state of Arkansas or the Federal government that will pay for the fix.I wish somebody would get up off their butt and do it, cause the thought of Buffalo River getting polluted is horrible.

Every new problem unfortunately is like another nail in the coffin. Not much room left for more nails either....

Headline today in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reads "Repairs aren't keeping waste out of Buffalo, state threatens to shut water, fine district until leaks repaired." The sewage leaks continue from a  waste treatment plant that was built and used initially for the defunct DOGPATCH USA theme park. Dye will be used to trace the path of sewage not reaching the community treatment plant. If the dye reaches streams, it proves high levels of E coli bacteria in streams feeding the Buffalo River is a direct result of the treatment plant problems.  The levy of fines and shutting down of the plant could result...this would leave residents of Marble Falls without modern facilities. Doing nothing means the Buffalo is threatened. An official says the old pipes are crumbling and the treatment plant needs to be replaced. Project estimated at $900,000. Less than $100,000 is available to the water district.  Warning signs are in place along a small section of the Buffalo River, alerting park visitors to the troubles of E coli bacteria in the vicinity. People are advised to stay in boats, and not swim in that section.  :'(

Great times here. I picked this up yesterday at the local flea market in a group of 4 AR/MO postcards for $1.00

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/marblefalls.jpg)

I like it. It is the first postcard I've seen without the West Poke Chop Speshul train bridge from Dogpatch days above it.

From remembering how it was last time I was there, I think this was taken from below the train bridge. The upper portion of the falls does not have the same brickwork/ management system in place (the bricks, as well as the Po'k Chop Express can be seen in some photos at the following site:
http://www.albertsplace.com/dogpatch.html (http://www.albertsplace.com/dogpatch.html)

I barely remember going to dogpatch when I was a kiddo. I only remember cuz I caught a fish and took it up to the resturant and they cooked it with the head on. I hated that. And thats all I really remember. Sad huh?

I totally just bought a Dogpatch USA souvenir bell at a thrift store for less than half a dollar. It's in great shape. I'll take a pic when I get the chance; I'm out of town right now so can't post pics at the mo'.

Nice find! I have yet to come across any deals from DP at my local thrift stores.

nice..

A couple of my best finds have been at thrift stores up here in the KC area. One birthday, my sis got for me at a thrift store an SDC souvenir spoon that's shaped like a shovel; I've seen one that shape in all my Ebay travels.

I always trawl the aisles that have the cups, mugs, plates, etc 'cause there's always a chance of finding something from local parks and other places. I highly recommend it.

Make that "I've _never_ seen one shaped like that".

Sorry for the double-post, but I can't edit from my phone. I'll take care of it when I get back home (unless another mod can do that for me).

I love DP, and get jealous whenever I see photos of it online (Don't worry not nearly as jealous as SDC photos!)
I search it about once a week to see any new news, or photos.
I came across this page yesterday. Not that I agree of somebody running free on the private property, but honestly I was a bit jealous of him! Enjoy.

http://www.abandonedok.com/dogpatch-u-s-a/ (http://www.abandonedok.com/dogpatch-u-s-a/)

Enjoyed the little documentary presented on the site. Thanks for the link.

decent pics too...  thanks

Not sure if I had mentioned there are squatters in the park itself now.
If you drive by you will see buses parked together with tarps draped from one to another.
Old campers.
Its sad.

It's my understanding that after the property was cleaned up a few years ago, a bikers bar, a campground, and maybe a store were opened and operated on the premises somewhere. That could be what you saw regarding "tarps and old campers."

I went out there in 06/07 and was met at the road by a few gentleman. I asked if I could look around and take a few photos. only anser I got was "nope" I asked if they could say what was going to be done with the place all i got was "nope" very lively conversation! There was a hustle and bustle in the park that day of chain saws, and leafblowers, and hammering, but I didn't get in that day. I know at one point a groundskeeper lived on the premises, but not in a camper/ tent.

I am not setting out to come off mean, but that is so lame! Like the Dogpatch remains are a big government secret or something being done by the FBI! I understand there's been enough problems and accidents on that property, but, in my opinion, they need to crap or get off the stool! Make a decision about the property and move on!
  There's probably legal tie ups and things I dont understand as a "lurker" on DP news. But throughout everything I've read, it's ridiculous. It seems like no one can make up their mind on what to do. People are seen there, clean ups are done, you hear work being done, but I'll bet it sits there for years to come in relatively the same condition unless someone comes in and just levels the remains!

A Top Two list of things to do with Dogpatch....



2. Level it and clear it out.

And the number one thing to do with Dogpatch....

Develop the property.

(Not a big choice, huh?) ::) >:(

Having been there and having dealt face to face with some of the issues there on several occasions, it is more than likely a manner of preservation, and protection form more lawsuits. I do not believe that they are keeping something under wraps, I just think that because of the high amount of destruction/ theft, and vandalism in the past, that the owners and management are attempting to keep what they have left in tact. I know a good amount about the legal proceedings, and the issues that came from the accident of the individuals, but the park is not too safe at this point. decaying wood, warped bridges, crumbling buildings, wildlife etc. The rides themselves that are left are too far gone to save in my mind. but some structures have been kept up, new roofs, new windows etc. Who knows what the park holds in the coming years, but with the location, and the competition, is it honestly going to ever be what it once was?

Yeah, I understand, Rube. I know there are a lot of legalities and trying to protect themselves, but I'll bet it either sits for many more years to come or it is broken down and cleared out. I hate to be Johnny Raincloud here, but it just seems to me that whoever is in charge or owns it cant figure out what to do with it. If I had a gun to my head, I'll say I'll bet it sits for a few more years and then gets cleared out and will just be land again. And DP will be a memory.

As sad as this is to say.

As it stood a while back, I had heard the ownership rights were up for grabs in a legal battle with the individual who was injured on the property. I heard this from an urban explorer so I am not sure if it was 100% accurate, but it checks out... I know that a lawsuit by the family of the 15-17 yr old injured on the property won the 2008 suit. A very powerful family from what i hear in the area,that owns a good amount of the land in the area around DP. Seems a bit fishy to me, and I am not talkin' about the trout pond...

It must have been a powerful family to win a lawsuit...to me, if you are trespassing on someone's property and hurt yourself, it's just too bad. It seems the land owners could have had the folks on the ATV's charged with trespassing. Dogpatch was marginally profitable in it's good years, lost money other years. Dogpatch was the weak link of three parks in the region that catered to Ozarks history and arts and crafts...SDC is #1, Ozark Folk Center at Mountain Home is #2 (It still operates only cause it's a state park and gets state funding.) Dogpatch was #3, and died in the 1990s. As a SDC employee in the early 1980's we got in free to Dogpatch, and I went there maybe three or four times, had a nice time, but it was second rate all the way compared to SDC. I know the park holds fond memories for many, so I don't want to "diss" the place too much. I wish I had the money buy some of the old hewn log structures on the property, and had a place to reconstruct them. Several of the old log structures were actual homes or barns in the region before being moved to Dogpatch, and probably date back to the early to mid 20th century.

Some of those building would look great at SDC>>...  and of course almost everything there fit into the theme..   what a shame...

Was looking for some more additional information about the Dogpatch lawsuit and found this site.  My deceased mother-in-law was Wanda Finney who was a part owner after it closed.  I got to explore the whole place after she bought into it and even got a couple of the rides to operate.  Her and her husband were the caretakers that lived on site for a while.  Sure looks sad now.

There was an article in Arkansas Democrat Gazette recently about a judgment in a Dogpatch lawsuit that had been reinstated.  Kid on ATV was trespassing and riding through the property.  Hit a wire at the neck level, crushed his larynx, other problems.  The trespassing charge apparently didn't mitigate the danger/neglect charge of the condition of the property.  At least that's what I understood from the article.  In the old Marble Falls Convention area above Dogpatch, the campground has been reopened (sort of -- still very rugged) and there are bikers conventions up there in the old convention center.  The homes that are up at the top have seen better days but folks are still living in them.  We were last up there about 1 1/2 years ago.

Update: when the property owners failed to pay the $650,000 judgement to the injured trespasser, the judge gave him the whole property.

http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2011/05/04/injured-man-awarded-dogpatch

I have got to admit I am flabbergasted. Apparently from the media I've seen, the FORMER owners put steel cables up to keep people from trespassing. Some were "throat high" to be at the effective level to whack people as they rode their ATVs around the place. That's ride ATV's around the property ILLEGALLY. Personally, I remember a time when if you trespassed somewhere, YOU were to blame for being injured for being someplace you were not supposed to be. Even if the FORMER owners were being extreme by putting the cables throat high, I still think it is wrong to give someone a reward for doing something illegal. It's too bad the guy who was trespassing was seriously injured and will likely suffer for the rest of his life, and could be in the care of daddy and the attorney the rest of his life. You break the rules, you pay the price...at least that is how it used to be. The Dogpatch property and Marble Falls is beautiful. Rugged Ozarks country. If anyone successfully develops the property it will be a miracle. The only thing the NEW owner and his family and attorney can do is put the property up for sale, otherwise they run the risk someone who is trespassing at the place will be seriously injured, and then after a lengthy court case they will have to forfeit the property. Aw, hell, wouldn't that be a doggone shame! Boo hoo hoo! :'(                (END OF TIMES birthing sign: Wrong becomes right, right becomes wrong.)

I am glad I made it in and out in one piece (and no I was not on an ATV) Odds are not much will be left of it.

We went by it last year on our way to Hot Springs and I didn't even realize what it was until later. Pretty sad looking place right now.

does anybody have some pics/  ?   maybe before and after?  what it was like then.  and look like now?

Sanddunerider, check out the first page of this thread for pictures and for links to other sites that have more pictures.

I have to back away and apologise for comments made in my last two postings or so on this thread. I read an Arkansas Democrat Gazette article on the xfer of the Dogpatch property to the young man injured in the ATV accident there a few years ago. The article states the rider HAD PERMISSION to ride on the property, and wording in the article led me to believe someone, probably a caretaker, strung a cable across a roadway at a 52 inch height either on purpose as a booby trap for people illegally trespassing or by some error or mistake. The father of the guy injured said the family would have rather won cash to pay for medical care expenses, and have no ability to improve or develop the property. In fact, he said they were trying to figure out a way to pay back taxes. He also said there is no one that has come forward with an interest in purchasing the property.

I think if we'd make an offer we'd have to change our name to DPfans.com!

I was never aware that the young man had permission. That changes things somewhat. I have ridden many ATV's and I could understand how, while speeding down a trail, that an unmarked obstacle could pose a serious threat.

We went too all the time! Lots of legal troubles now though. Last I heard on the news last year some settlement is in the works (I know the current owners and lots of issures; do not talk with them much lately). I have pictures from my childhood years from both Dogpatch and SDC, just need to get them out and scan.. they are great! (from mid 70's & early 80's)  :)

Well in ALL your spare time eagle 1, dig out those pictures!  I could look at them next weekend! ;D


LOL>

No kiddin' huh? You never know.....may have them when you get here!  ;D

One of our local channels, KARK Channel 4 Little Rock, is supposed to do a story on Dogpatch on Monday night's news cast.  They should have a video on their website by Tuesday and I'll try to post the link Tuesday night.

Thanks! It will be interesting to see what's going on there.

I just viewed the Dogpatch story on the KARK TV Website. Interesting. Sounds like the young man who was deeded the park property is interested in redevelopment, saying he's open to suggestions. You can see the story, too, as well as some of the other Dogpatch stories KARK TV in Little Rock has ran over the last year. Type KARK TV into your search engine, click on the tab that has news listed, and the story should pop up. The links to the older story are below the text on the Website.

Here's the link: http://arkansasmatters.com/news-fulltext/?nxd_id=423497

That's is a lot of work, as well as a lot of responsibility....Hopefully he can make things work for himself.

yeah, I'd love to see it brought back to it's heyday!  Makes me want a bottle of Kickapoo Joy Juice...

Although the fellow who now owns the park property says Dogpatch will never return, he has thrown out the ideas that perhaps it would make a good Christian camp or something of that nature. Anyone have any practical ideas for how the property could be redeveloped and reopened? I'm sure the guy who owns the property would love to hear from you. He just wanted to be paid some cash for injuries sustained on the property, and wound up owning the park!

A bit of info, here...they had plans long before the lawsuit, the kid's family owns the surrounding land, as well as business in the Jasper area.  It's sad the boy was injured, but there's a whole lot of info not released to the general public.  If you enjoyed the scenic drive that curved down around DP, I advise NOT going, the hillsides are bulldozed, trees gone.  Welcome to the future...

Tinmann...tell us more. What have you heard and seen?

DP has been a passion of mine for years, I'm friends with a family member of the previous owner (who is on here & remains silent), the long time care-taker, along with several people in the area. My Uncle & his best friend are the ones that replaced all the roofs.  However, I choose to not disclose the full details out of respect for the victim in this heinous crime, the previous owner, who was not involved with the wire being strung between the trees.

Well, sounds like a nice little drama going on behind the scenes here. Sounds like a grab for land that may be redeveloped. Just guessing. Unless someone in the know comes forward, we won't be able to find out more.

Hey all I added some pics of Dodpatch to my flickr account and one pic of Mutton Hollow.http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertburton620/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertburton620/)

Thanks for sharing! What year are the Mutton Hollow and Dogpatch photos from?

Way to go Bobber! I loved your photos! I hope you don't mind I used your photos to find a "Then & Now" location from my own trips to DP since it has closed. I was able to line up this one of the Kissin' Rocks.

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/KissinRocks.jpg)

This next one is not nearly as good, but I'll throw it on here anyway...I find this one much more sad than the previous one. The Arkansas Razorback is still there...you just have to know where it was in order to dig through the brush to find it!

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/razorback.jpg)

I stumbled across this the other day when preparing for a long car ride. I don't usually try many podcasts, but this one sounded good. I gave it a listen and it was pretty good. It is a first person account (Fayetteville musicians John Cook and Mic Walden) of playing music at the park in the last few years of the place made in conjunction with the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History.
http://shilohcast.blogspot.com/2009/06/season-at-dogpatch.html (http://shilohcast.blogspot.com/2009/06/season-at-dogpatch.html)

Anyone else get a tightness in the throat when looking at these? Ahh....there goes some of my childhood! :'( :'(

its a shame..  just a shame... :-[

Go back a few pages on this thread and you will read the news about the young fellow who was awarded the Dogpatch property in a court settlement after being injured riding a 4 wheeler on the property. He didn't want the property, just some cash to pay for medical expenses. Now he owns the whole park! However, investment options are limited, and the old Dogpatch will never be back again, it had its day. The fellow is interested in hearing from folks who are sincere about redeveloping the property.

Quote from: Junior on July 12, 2011, 05:30:26 PM
Go back a few pages on this thread and you will read the news about the young fellow who was awarded the Dogpatch property in a court settlement after being injured riding a 4 wheeler on the property. He didn't want the property, just some cash to pay for medical expenses. Now he owns the whole park! However, investment options are limited, and the old Dogpatch will never be back again, it had its day. The fellow is interested in hearing from folks who are sincere about redeveloping the property.

How about a SDCfans.com retreat?  ;D

I would go for sure! I have been wanting to get some more photos!

If you like poison oak, sumac, snakes, and wasps! At Least those were prevalant on my last visit...nedless to say, I was glad I didn't get bitten or stung, and glad I wore pants.

well rube maybe we could move the "treasures" over to the front yard at our 2000 club cabin.  I would help mow and trim around the new yard art!

Quote from: rubedugans on July 12, 2011, 09:14:45 PM
I would go for sure! I have been wanting to get some more photos!

If you like poison oak, sumac, snakes, and wasps! At Least those were prevalant on my last visit...nedless to say, I was glad I didn't get bitten or stung, and glad I wore pants.

Are you pitching a new theme idea for Dogpatch USA? :D

"Come experience Arkansas' newest wildlife adventure! Battle through the poison oak. Jump over the man eating snake. Avoid the wrath of the wasp nest. Only at Dogpatch USA!" :)

I wish I had been able to go there. I never did get the chance. :(

Sounds like a visit to the old site would be fun...get permission from the new owner!

Found this way cool find on ebay today...a Dogpatch USA honorary citizenship certificate...hope someone who appreciates it gets the winning bid! You Dogpatch fans have got to check this out. I never saw this one before, or even heard of such a thing!  http://www/flickr.com/photos/juniordugan

Whoops...try it again!                    http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan

now thats cool. If I had the spare $$ I would bid on it.

One of the fellows I work with now told me a few weeks ago he was a DOGPATCH employee in the early 1970s. He worked rides and maintenance, and later portrayed several of the characters on the park over a few summers when he was in high school. His experience at a theme park was far different than mine. He says after a summer or two of pounding the streets in the hot summer time, working six and even seven days a week, he was through with theme parks when he left to pursue other interests. He mowed the steep hillsides along where the tram took visitors down to the park from the parking lots above on the mountain. He had to watch out for snakes while mowing and trimming, said they were a real problem there. He said he piloted the boats that carried passengers along the creek in the park, played characters in skits all over park, in general, did whatever needed to be done. That's the way it was in the early days at SDC, and even during my time, we cross trained at several attractions to go where we were needed. He speaks fondly about his DOGPATCH days to some extent, but said he would not go back to that type of work. He did work with the well known Richard Young...Richard played Earthquake McGoon at Dogpatch prior to moving to SDC in 1980. Richard is still employed with SDC, and last I heard works the line as an entertainer at the Opera House. Small world, ain't it? Ha!

Was down around Harrison this weekend and drove down Hwy 7 to Dogpatch. Went atop the hill where the parking area and entrance was. Very, very, sad, folks. I read media accounts of how the property was cleaned up about three or four years ago. Man, I could not tell anyone had been doing anything with this property for a long, long time. Tried walking to the top of the little loading area where you used to take a hillside train/elevator down to the park but it was so dilapitated and grown up I could not see anything. So I drove on back down the mountain and followed Hwy 7 around the perimiter of the park, and it is in sad, sad, shape! Buildings are really in poor condition. I saw a few buildings that had sustained storm damage and had gaping holes in them. Vandalism is bad, too. No fence between the edge of the highway and the park in one place...you could have just walked on in and around. I was alone, so I dared not go anyplace that was posted as no trespassing, and I did not want to go in any buildings for fear of falling through a floor or something. It was obvious to me that a handful of people are living in some of the houses and facilities at the top of the hill where parking used to be. The Hub Motorcycle Bar is up there in an old Dogpatch/Marble Falls building, and there were a few scattered vehicles up there. Did not see any people, though. It was obvious a few people habitate the area around the park edge. I spent the weekend at a campground about three miles away and my wife and I attended a church function there. I slipped away for about a half hour to make a quick view of Dogpatch...very weird...a once thriving area that has been about completely abandoned. Drive by sometime all you old Dogpatch fans, and see the place...very different from all those years ago when thousands of people were at the park every day! :'(

Brooks Blevins' Hillfolks: a history of Arkansas Ozarkers and their image has a whole chapter devoted to the history of Dogpatch and its downfall. It's a fascinating read.

T.

It is a shame for sure. I haven't been down in probably 4 years, and I wonder, with the court cases/trials etc. what has changed since I was there. I was there with some permissions, so I kicked around nearly every square inch of the place (that was fit for people to kick around!) and it was in rough shape then. The bridge, and tracks made it rough to get across to the other side of the falls, and many buildings had been gutted long ago, so other than the offices, not much was left in tact of the history, just an empty shell. I have hundreds of photos from that day, and I will remember it as an adventure...but I am sure the old parks days are numbered.

I drive by Dogpatch at least every 6 weeks. It is continuing to decay. Makes me sad because I do remember good times there.

reviving an old thread:  Dogpatch USA sold this week for 2 million to  Great American Spillproof Products.  No mention of future plans...

The company manufacters spill proof pet food bowls, and is apparently located somewhere in Arkansas.

Hey, maybe we'll get lucky and they'll make a tuperware-themed theme park.  ;D

Quote from: Junior, too! on August 14, 2014, 05:08:20 PM
The company manufacters spill proof pet food bowls, and is apparently located somewhere in Arkansas.

Or maybe we can get a "dog" friendly amusement park??

Bring your dog for a bark in the park at "Dogpatch USA". Enjoy spending time with your best friend as you walk through dog friendly shops, restaurants, and attractions.  :D

Jay

Here's an article from NWAOnline and it does mention some of the plans for Dogpatch:

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2014/aug/15/for-2-million-inventor-reels-in-dogpatc/

We drive by Dogpatch on a regular basis during our work related travels. Will be interesting to watch the clean up and development if it takes place.

Saw and read the article today. An eco friendly park with shops, trout fishing and reintoduction of the mussel to an ozark waterway, plus, eventual location of the dude's pet bowl company...interesting concept, now we will see if it pans out.

If you say so, Mr. Pelsor... :-\

I hope he restores and uses the hewn log buildings on the park. I seem to remember about a half dozen on park. They were used as prop houses for Mammy and Pappy Yoakam, Lil' Abner, and Daisy Mae, 2 for various shops, and Dogpatch Chapel. They were real log buildings used as homes, barns and so on in various locations in the Arkansas ozarks, repurposed for park use.

Had a chance to roll by Dogpatch Saturday. Nothing being done there. The place is such a mess, so sad. Scenic Hwy 7 was nice to drive along. We wound up at Pruett's Landing on the Buffalo River, very beautiful. I stayed at a campground 1 mile from Dogpatch Friday night, and the lady who owns it said the motorcycle riders along Scenic 7 are the majority of her customers now. Back in Dogpatch days, her place was packed all summer and fall. Now, just on the weekends.

I finally had a chance to post photos of a September 2014 stop at the ruins of Dogpatch. Pretty sad, I think you will agree.  https://www.flicker.com/photos/juniordugan.

Very sad to see what use to be a great family entertainment park.  It would take $$$$ to bring it back to its glory.

Quote from: Super on November 02, 2014, 04:55:20 PM
Very sad to see what use to be a great family entertainment park.  It would take $$$$ to bring it back to its glory.

Ain't no way it's ever going to see it's former glory. The current owner has visions of lollipops of it as something but not a full fledged theme park. It's too remote for the times, when it was developed, the Buffalo was up in the air on whether it was going to get dammed up by the COE. That ain't ever happening.

Now, I've thought it would be neat to see it reborn in a different location as a Super FEC/Resort

Here's my latest musings

Here's a strip for reference
(http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/lilabner.gif)

The opening center would consist of this:

It would consist of three highly themed 18 hole mini golf courses, two outside, one themed as a backlit cave indoors that would be part of an indoor section of the development

Teetering Rock(see strip) is the focus of the whole outside area. Teetering Rock would be home to a great mine train coaster and either a log flume or a raft ride. The rides would interact with each other and the two outdoor mini golf courses.

The City of Dogpatch will consist of a mixture of themed to the strip buildings one being a hotel with an exclusive indoor waterpark(year round appeal) for guest, eateries and a few retail outlets. It would also be the entrance to the indoor section that would consist of rides and attractions designed for indoor use and the indoor mini golf course.(more year round appeal) There could also be a Dogpatch Review stage show as part of this section. There would be a bowling alley and indoor go cart track.

Skonkworks is an indoor spinner coaster with possibly a microcraft brew place producing Kickapoo Joy Juice sharing the footprint. Pincus 2 and 7 can be visited by a launch tower. There would be a couple of toddler flats,  several family flats and a thrill flat based on stuff in the comic.

Areas of  potential expansion include Skunk Hollow and Badlands. I envision a woodie in one area and a nice steel coaster of some sort in the other.

Why bother with Dogpatch? Uniqueness, there's nothing like it out there and it's rich in characters.

But folks don't know what it is anymore, hasn't time forgot it? So.....It's a social media marketing/guerrilla marketing campaign waiting to happen.

How much would it cost? I'd price it like Fun Spot in Orlando. a reloadable fun card with price per attraction or an unlimited wristband

This is more like something you see in the Dells, but this is the Ozarks, why here? Well, exactly, there's none of this around. You got your typical summer folks but there's lots of cabin fever cities around in a half days drive(STL, KC, Tulsa, OKC, NWA, LR, Memphis)  Lot's of my idea comes from Timberfalls and Mt. Olympus and have you priced a night at the Dallas Great Wolf for a stay between Christmas and New Years?  400 bucks a night, Holy Cow!!!!!! It would be much better than anything in Branson currently. Ya, that's you Grand Country where have to walk outside in the cold to the waterpark and the rooms leave a lot to be desired, like a mattress that ain't a rock.

Anyway that's just spitballing. Any ideas from the board? Any venture capitalist? I didn't win the lottery this past weekend.

How did we miss this? The new owner wants to turn dog patch into a nude theme park, lol!

http://www.rockcitytimes.com/dogpatch-usa-owner-announces-plans-open-nude-theme-park-property/

Quote"I was a huge fan of Dogpatch as a kid, but one of the problems of the original park, in my opinion, was that everybody was required to wear clothing...

I'm just amazed at how some people can just come out of the blue and propose crazy stupid ridiculous things like this.

Anyone heard any updates on this? I assume it got shot down instantly by whatever regional board would oversee it, but it would be entertaining to see them keep pushing for it.

EDIT: Nope, wait, I didn't even look at the header before posting this. It's from a satire site. That's the first time one of these types of things has really got me, but I've never heard of this site before so I wasn't expecting it. Pretty funny though.

The trout hatchery sounds like a better plan.  ;)

Now that's funny!!..  I don't care who you are.......

Them ticks and chiggers would've had a field day!

 ;D ;D ;D ;D   ::)   ;D ;D ;D ;D   LOVED IT!

Quote from: rubedugans on November 22, 2014, 10:50:58 PM
Them ticks and chiggers would've had a field day!

...not to mention...

Quote from: shavethewhales on November 22, 2014, 06:15:35 PM
How did we miss this? The new owner wants to turn dog patch into a nude theme park, lol!

http://www.rockcitytimes.com/dogpatch-usa-owner-announces-plans-open-nude-theme-park-property/

Quote"I was a huge fan of Dogpatch as a kid, but one of the problems of the original park, in my opinion, was that everybody was required to wear clothing...

I'm just amazed at how some people can just come out of the blue and propose crazy stupid ridiculous things like this.

Anyone heard any updates on this? I assume it got shot down instantly by whatever regional board would oversee it, but it would be entertaining to see them keep pushing for it.

EDIT: Nope, wait, I didn't even look at the header before posting this. It's from a satire site. That's the first time one of these types of things has really got me, but I've never heard of this site before so I wasn't expecting it. Pretty funny though.

The trout hatchery sounds like a better plan.  ;)

That's the Akansas version of The Onion.

Interesting site.  :o smh

Real news about Dogpatch -- will be open for walking tours next Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, noon - 5 pm. Tours are free but there will be donation boxes set up. Supposed to have volunteers to answer questions and some live entertainment.

More details from Hometown Radio:
http://www.hometowndailynews.com/23206/former_dogpatch_property_to_give_tours.html

Wow, I'd love to attend.

That would/could be a very interesting tour. IF anyone goes............. PICTURES PLEASE!!!..............

Here's more, including pictures, from KY3:

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/21048998_29974756

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/new-owner-opens-old-dogpatch-theme-park-for-tours/21048998_29973796

Forgot to mention that I drove by Dogpatch less than 2 weeks ago. The pictures do seem to indicate there has been some work done.

My friend, Eddie, has been doing volunteer work when he's free.  He's helping with this weekends event.  I'll be down there tomorrow, of course I'll post pics on facebook,next week!  ;D

Thanks to those who can post. I would like to have gone. Weather is cold and wet, which would make for an uncomfortable visit.

Good news, Chance sez they'll make a modernized Toboggan if someone asked!

Article about the event in the Tuesday Arkansas Dem-Gazette. About 3000 toured. About a third of those came through an unsecured gate without signing a waiver to not sue if hurt on the property.  Caution tape was placed at locations deemed by the owner not to be safe. It appears from the article many buildings were in better shape than thought. Two former employees were interviewed, and were hopeful the property would be developed.

Quote from: Junior, too! on December 09, 2014, 04:58:23 PM
Article about the event in the Tuesday Arkansas Dem-Gazette. About 3000 toured. About a third of those came through an unsecured gate without signing a waiver to not sue if hurt on the property.  Caution tape was placed at locations deemed by the owner not to be safe. It appears from the article many buildings were in better shape than thought. Two former employees were interviewed, and were hopeful the property would be developed.

Given 5 he fact the building were made to look run down helped with that perception. I don't think it will ever be a viable theme park with rides and such again. It's just too far off major highway corridors. I do think a quality attraction could be based off of the whole Dogpatch thing a little further up the road as stated before.

Here's an article from a recent issue of Branson Tri-Lakes News that discusses the recent visitor day and about some of the plans for the park.

http://bransontrilakesnews.com/news_free/article_44b85a82-8fa6-11e4-9312-176b4b7be548.html

To make it a viable attraction it would need to be called something else. The younger generation has no clue what Dogpatch or Lil Abner is. It is good to see they had a good day. A lot of curiosity seekers I bet.

I don't get this place.  Do people just have a sentimental attachment to it or something?  What is the fascination with it?  I'm 33 and don't have a clue who Lil Abner is so you can bet anyone younger than me sure as heck won't either.

Li'l Abner and Dogpatch are victims to political correctness and outdated language patterns.  The comic strip was rather difficult to read with its heavy emphasis on backwoods accents.  Also the themes were repetitive.

Plus who knows what a shmoo is?


The park itself was a failure for other reasons.  One is that it came on the heels of the popularity of a comic that newspapers held on to for too long.

I, myself, was more of a Tumbleweeds kind of guy.

I am 55 and the only reason I know about Lil Abner is we always had a Sadie Hawkins dance in High School. Apparently the idea for that came from Lil Abner. The girls asked the guys I think.

Folks who went to Dogpatch in the old days DO have a sentimental attachment to it just like SDC and other attractions. Younger  folks who don't remember the place wouldn't care...I am old enough to remember Chain of Rocks and Jessie James Territory, both in the general St. Louis area. I still miss them both. Dogpatch was 2nd rate compared to SDC, and since SDC and the Ozark Folk Center duplicated the arts and crafts and hillbilly stuff, they survived, while Dogpatch died. Honestly, if Arkansas government did not underwrite the folk center, it would be gone, too. Soon as the folk center's folklorist and director died, his massive archive was put into the special collection at the university in Fayetteville. That to me was a massive insult to the man who built up that place. Anyway, times change. Dogpatch is located in a beautiful site, but was not as easy to access as the other two attractions. That also led to the downfall.

Location, location, location!

Quote from: Swoosh on January 03, 2015, 12:34:42 PM
1) I don't get this place.
2) Do people just have a sentimental attachment to it or something?
3) What is the fascination with it?
4) I'm 33 and don't have a clue who Lil Abner is so you can bet anyone younger than me sure as heck won't either.

1) Yes.
2) Yes.
3) The same as the fascination with SDC, for those who attended long before you were born.
4) Yes.

:)

Another reason for failure: the other major draw was the neighboring Marble Falls snow-skiing resort, which never had decent snow that they didn't have to make.

Quote from: KBCraig on January 03, 2015, 09:14:54 PM

Quote from: Swoosh on January 03, 2015, 12:34:42 PM
1) I don't get this place.
2) Do people just have a sentimental attachment to it or something?
3) What is the fascination with it?
4) I'm 33 and don't have a clue who Lil Abner is so you can bet anyone younger than me sure as heck won't either.

1) Yes.
2) Yes.
3) The same as the fascination with SDC, for those who attended long before you were born.
4) Yes.

:)

Well, there in lies the MAJOR problem.

I didn't live in Arkansas during the Dogpatch years but visited it 3 times on vacation; vacations which also included SDC and for 2 trips included the Ozark Folk Center. There are more Ozark hills near Dogpatch. It is near the Buffalo River. Some folks think it is more scenic than the Branson/SDC area.

I liked parking up top and riding the funicular down into Dogpatch. The assortment of rides was okay. The food was pretty good. Nice assortment of crafts. The musicans in the park shows were excellent. Some folks really liked the trout fishing in the park. Don't think the Lil' Abner theme did much for the park but kids generally like interacting with people in costumes/cartoon characters. There was a combo ticket so that you could also visit Dogpatch Caverns (now Mystic) just up the road.

It was affordable and for many people in Arkansas, it was the first theme park they ever attended, thus sentimental attachment.

There are a lot of folks today who don't GET the theme of SDC, either.

Talking about a generational gap, I mention Lawerane Welk the other day and all I got was who is he

Larry Welk?  From the old neighborhood?  I think he owes me money!

I only know about Lawrence Welk because of my dad and because I'm a band director if I didn't have those two things going for me I'd have no clue who he, the Lennon Sisters, Joanne Castle and many other regulars from that show are.

Quote from: Junior, too! on January 03, 2015, 08:22:56 PM
Folks who went to Dogpatch in the old days DO have a sentimental attachment to it just like SDC and other attractions. Younger  folks who don't remember the place wouldn't care...I am old enough to remember Chain of Rocks and Jessie James Territory, both in the general St. Louis area. I still miss them both. Dogpatch was 2nd rate compared to SDC, and since SDC and the Ozark Folk Center duplicated the arts and crafts and hillbilly stuff, they survived, while Dogpatch died. Honestly, if Arkansas government did not underwrite the folk center, it would be gone, too. Soon as the folk center's folklorist and director died, his massive archive was put into the special collection at the university in Fayetteville. That to me was a massive insult to the man who built up that place. Anyway, times change. Dogpatch is located in a beautiful site, but was not as easy to access as the other two attractions. That also led to the downfall.

My kids have no clue about Calvin and Hobbes, a strip that is endeared to my heart. I pity that.  They seem disinterested in my collection of books. Same goes for Bloom County. I feast on Pearls before Swine these days.

Arkansas Gov? Cough, hack, cough, try Arkansas Tax Payer, the ones that voted in a dedicated sales tax to the State Park System and Game and Fish. That happened under Huckabee and he gets grief for it as a tax hike, he just referred it to the people.  Remember the state that went total red also overwhelmingly voted for a modest minimum wage increase in the same election. It's a populist state at heart and why Huckabee once said the anti anything immigrant Republicans (the Duggar clan and allies) drank a different kind of Jesus Juice than he did.

As for Dogpatch, the theme reused today would be akin to SDC using the Baldnobbers and fictional characters like Rube Dugan to sell a theme. The family has done nothing to help keep it alive, either. I think it can be sold or pushed via a social media campaign.  The comic strip offers plenty of ride and theme ideas. Like I posted, I think it's a great backdrop for an enhanced small scale theme park/enhanced FEC.  Again, Here's a strip just full of ride ideas and focal points for theming
(http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/lilabner.gif)either.

I spend lots of time in Newton Co and it's absolutely stunning country. There was a huge debate in the 60's on putting a dam on the Buffalo that would have destroyed it in my opinion. It's much more valuable as a River as it's designation as a National River signifies.

The roads getting there weren't much more difficult to traverse than those to Branson back in the day. That's not to say they aren't now. It's really not much farther a drive from downtown Harrison as Branson was to SDC 30 to 40 years ago. The theater growth and the lake gave Branson the edge, but like I said the turning the Buffalo into a lake was a great never happened. If it was to have been place around Eureka on Beaver, it may still be kicking today. It was to have a ski slope and I think they actually tried the man made stuff but it was futile. In hindsight, if I could have survived, the snowflex tech that I've posted about may have made that much more viable especially with the snowboarding component and the growth of NWA and the eventual upgrading of US 412 that's slowly taking place. The river is known as a floating river but it is a mecca for thrill seekers in kayaks when there's a heavy rain and the upper has water. It would be a good location for a man made whitewater course that's immune to rain, like I've posted about. But that's all stuff folks like Morris should be looking at for Branson these days.

Just found this thread.
I've done work for Abandoned Oklahoma & my post on there is in a link previously mentioned in the earlier pages.
So thanks for the compliments guys. Yes my first visit was unplanned & spur of the moment & did not have permission to be at the park. I don't condone trespassing either. I always try to find the owner before i take photos.

On our second visit we had met locals living atop the hill where the parking lot used to be.
"Purple Dennis" gave my crew & I a tour & let us walk about freely.
Here is my post on my new site with different photos than the set that was on Abandoned Oklahoma.

http://destinationdeserted.com/locations/amusement/dogpatch-u.s.a?galAlbum=105#.VLh1lyvF9V0

Enjoyed the photos...thanks!

Those are some great pictures... Thanks!

A lot has been cleared, just in the last couple of weeks. I posted over 400 on fb this week. It's a labor of love, helping clear and clean up there. I'll try to post before and after pics on here, tomorrow~

So you are personally doing some clean up work there? I can't wait to see pictures, thanks.

Yes  ;D

Wow, it's just amazing how much better things look by just clearing away the brush.

Jay

Tinman, It looks great!  Keep in touch.  Job well done

Unbelievable! Good work and photos.

If this has already been answered (I went back a few pages and didn't see it) I apologize, but can I ask why you are cleaning it up? I'm assuming it's not opening up again, but is something else going on there, or is this just a community service type project? And would you mind posting a link to your FB pics? If not, perfectly understandable.
Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2HIJ4MMDYw&feature=youtu.be

Never visited Dogpatch. Would like to go if and when it opens this year.

Thanks for the video update Tinmann.

Of course, one could always go to Facebook.com/dogpatchusa.  Thanks for helping get the word out, Tinman.  We are going to be open for a public walk through in the spring, follow the FB page for the details.  They will be posted as soon as they are available.  Thanks!

 ::) ;D

Welcome to the Forum Dogpatch!

Quote from: DogpatchUSA on January 28, 2015, 04:45:23 PM
Of course, one could always go to Facebook.com/dogpatchusa.  Thanks for helping get the word out, Tinman.  We are going to be open for a public walk through in the spring, follow the FB page for the details.  They will be posted as soon as they are available.  Thanks!

Did you know Chance is open to making toboggan coasters again ;D

That is awesome.

Breaking news -- fire at Dogpatch this morning. So far 3 buildings involved. Some details from KY3:

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/at-least-3-buildings-destroyed-in-dogpatch-usa-fire/21048998_31412944

Please keep us updated. Glad to hear no one is hurt.

I hope they catch the scum that set the fires. The 2 smaller buildings (bathrooms & small cabin) were going to be removed, but devastated by the loss of the ice cream/funnel cake building and the old time photo building  :'(

Past weekend clean up

Big difference, but refurbishing buildings will take some time.

The next free "River walk" will be noon to dark, May 16 & 17. If any of you plan on attending, please let me know, as I'll be working there  ;D

I drove by there yesterday. It is looking better.

RIVER WALK DETAILS

This weekend The Village of Dogpatch comes alive for two days and one late evening with lots of entertainment with some of the finest artisans and craftsmen in the Ozarks!

This Saturday, May 16th, and Sunday, May 17.
Saturday 12:00 PM- 12 AM and Sunday - 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
Plan to stay late for the "river dance" Saturday from 8 PM to around midnight.

Admission prices will be $3 for one or $5 for a couple. Kids 12 and under are free.

See the cleanup that has been done to the park and explore on a non-guided tour through Dogpatch!

Musical guests: The James White Trio, JustUs, Southern Tradition, Mountain Boomers, members of the Burleson's Family Band plus Karaoke Saturday night and a surprise Saturday night performance!

Food will be served by the non profit organization Silent Bonez Biker Club. We'll have hot snacks plus a special meal deal from our friends at White Oak for River Walk visitors!

Vendors: The multi-talented furniture maker extraordinaire and blacksmith James Brantley, Two Peas in A Pod Country Store, personalized mugs from Arkansas Family Creations, mason jars and more, blown glass from Dogpatch USA's Steve Coffman, glitter tattoos, sketches, Fired copper jewelry, crocheted items, blacksmith James Brantley, wool spinning, Sugar Gems jewelry, fine artist Gene Brantley, hemp and homemade soap, hand-tufted items, Cooks Creative with repurposed decor, tissue roses and lots more!

Parking: On top of the hill near the old mall buildings and handicap parking will be across from Marble Falls Church.

In case of rain keeping the event from happening, it will be held the following weekend. We are constantly watching the forecast. If the event is called due to weather, it will be announced by the page.

Any questions please comment below! Share this post, let's get the word out and support Dogpatch!

Sounds great...thanks for the heads up.

Is the funicular working to transport people down into Dogpatch?

People will be shuttled down from the top~

Please post some photos of the park as it looks today, and snap a few of the crowds. Any announcments regarding restoring buildings and more on new things going in?

I'll post on fb pics soon. All buildings in sound standing will be restored. Vendors such as blacksmith, glass blower, etc., have each started working on the building they will stay in. Slow process, all volunteer work and donations. My building was one burned down, just picked out a new one yesterday  ;D

Saw some of your pics from the weekend, area looks pretty good.  You and the other volunteers are doing a great job...

"your" building? are you going to be a vendor?  Selling what?   

LOL

Inquiring minds want to know..

Future home of Roark Mountain Photography & Antique Lighting~

Details on next event Labor Day weekend:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1592068407712138/

Severe flooding today at Dogpatch due to all of the heavy rain. The KY3 website has pictures. Lots of flooding on the Buffalo River today.

Quote from: biscuitcreek on July 05, 2015, 10:29:25 PM
Severe flooding today at Dogpatch due to all of the heavy rain. The KY3 website has pictures. Lots of flooding on the Buffalo River today.

Yeah, it was a pounding in a couple of places over the weekend, Memphis fl got nearly 4 inches in 6 hrs. Friday morning. My drive from Little Rock to Memphis was miserable.multiple hydroplaning incidents where folks met the cable barriers.

It's bad there. We don't know how much is lost and damaged, yet. To my knowledge, my shop has little damage

more...

Saw pics over the weekend,
looks bad,
hoping the damage isn't what it looks like...

Labor Day Weekend!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1592068407712138/