Dartmouth’s Lincoln Park Auctioned Off in Unearthed News Video

A Dartmouth filmmaker recently unearthed a video gem that is a real throwback for those who grew up spending their summer days at Lincoln Park.

Aaron Cadieux was going through some cable news video when he found a 1988 news clip that covered the auctioning off of the Lincoln Park land, rides and other amenities – and you won’t believe how cheap folks got them.

The one minute, 45 second clip shows many of the abandoned rides around the empty park, including the beloved Comet roller coaster, as well as rides such as the Paratrooper.

The park, which closed in 1986 after years of financial troubles, was being auctioned off due to a bank foreclosure.

The 60 acres of land around the park went for $2.3 million at the time, the reporter stated. Much of that land now comprises The Residences at Lincoln Park.

However, rides were being auctioned off for far less.

The haunted house attraction went for just $700, and the antique Ferris wheel fetched just $1,500.

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In the video, George Bartholemew – then the owner of Edaville Railroad in Carver – is seen contemplating purchasing the Ferris wheel.

“Well I was interested in the Ferris wheel, because you can see it actually is an authentic antique,” he told the reporter. “But I’m interested in the little kiddie train and maybe some of the exhibits from on the grass to incorporate into our park.”

Interestingly, the park that Bartholemew once owned is in the news this week, as current owner Jon Delli Priscoli announced plans to make Edaville a Christmas-only park and developing part of the property for apartments, including affordable units, and also stated that Thomas Land will not be reopening.

Cadieux, by the way, is the co-director of The Bridgewater Triangle documentary, which can now be seen for free on YouTube. He's currently working on a multi-part documentary about the New Bedford highway murders.