Editing Lake Compounce (section)

== History ==
The lake's name is derived from Chief John Compound, a Mattatuck-[[Tunxis]] Native American. On December 3, 1684, his tribe signed a deed that left Compound's Lake to a group of white settlers, including John Norton, who had migrated to central Connecticut from Massachusetts. The property was left to the settlers in exchange for a small amount of money and miscellaneous items, including a large brass tea kettle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Early Beginnings |url=https://sites.google.com/a/bristolk12.org/bristol-then-and-now/2-tunxis-tribe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718192155/https://sites.google.com/a/bristolk12.org/bristol-then-and-now/2-tunxis-tribe |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=America's First Family Theme Park |url=http://www.lakecompounce.com/site/information.html#history |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204165122/http://www.lakecompounce.com/site/information.html#history |archive-date=4 December 2011 |access-date=20 December 2011 |work=Lake Compounce History |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Early days ===
The park's history goes back to 1846, when Gad Norton hired a scientist to perform an experiment using explosives, which failed. The experiment brought large crowds, which inspired Norton to open an amusement park. His park had public swimming and [[rowing]] on the lake, a gazebo for lakeside band concerts, and several rides. The park saw success as a picnic park through the post-[[American Civil War]] era.<ref name="cthistory2">{{cite web |title=Lake Compounce: Bringing Amusements to the State's Residents Since 1846 |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/lake-compounce-bringing-amusements-to-the-states-residents-since-1846/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802204241/https://connecticuthistory.org/lake-compounce-bringing-amusements-to-the-states-residents-since-1846/ |archive-date=2017-08-02 |access-date=2017-08-02 |publisher=Connecticut History}}</ref>

In 1851, a [[California Gold Rush]] 49er named Isaac Pierce joined Norton to establish a firm. The two men petitioned local legislators and asked that their residences be ceded from the town of Southington to the town of Bristol. In 1895, a [[casino]] was built on the property, which was the first permanent building at the site. Later that year, the Bristol and Plainville Tramway Company constructed the Southington and Compounce [[Tram|trolley]] line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lake Compounce Trolley History |url=http://www.bera.org/articles/compounce.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627230843/http://www.bera.org/articles/compounce.html |archive-date=June 27, 2018 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=bera.org |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Shortly after, Lake Compounce purchased the [[Lake Compounce Carousel]] for $10,000. The Carousel is included in the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NRHP Confirmation |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/827ae077-eaca-480e-98ba-fea85563600f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814215631/https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/827ae077-eaca-480e-98ba-fea85563600f |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=npg.gov |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Green_Dragon.jpg|right|thumb|300x300px|Green Dragon roller coaster]]
In 1914, Lake Compounce opened [[Green Dragon (Lake Compounce)|Green Dragon]], the park's first electric-powered roller coaster. The coaster was torn down in 1927 to make room for Wildcat, a wooden coaster designed by [[Herbert Schmeck]] and built by the [[Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters|Philadelphia Toboggan Company]].

The early 1930s brought more growth to the park. The casino was expanded with the addition of a dance floor. An all-time attendance record of 5,000 people was set in the spring of 1941, when [[Tommy Dorsey]]'s reorganized band featured [[Frank Sinatra]], who had yet to reach the height of his career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lake Compounce Facts |url=http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/connecticut/lake-compounce-ct/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175548/http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/connecticut/lake-compounce-ct/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=onlyinyourstate.com |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The effects of the [[Great Depression]] and the growing usage of the [[automobile]] brought [[Tram|trolleys]] in the United States into a decline, which negatively impacted attendance at Lake Compounce. These same factors had similar effects on other parks in the [[New England]] region, such as [[Canobie Lake Park]] and [[Six Flags New England|Riverside Park]].<ref name="cthistory2" /> In 1944, Lake Compounce opened a [[steam railroad]]. It was designed and built by Connecticut actor [[William Gillette]], the original actor of [[Sherlock Holmes]] in silent films.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gillette Trains Coming Back |url=http://articles.courant.com/1997-12-23/news/9712230288_1_two-trains-richard-bisi-engine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814183142/http://articles.courant.com/1997-12-23/news/9712230288_1_two-trains-richard-bisi-engine |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=Courant.com |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

=== New ownership ===
The park's success was stable until the late 1960s, when attendance began to decline. Lake Compounce remained under the ownership of the Pierce and Norton Corporation until 1966, when Edward G. Pierce sold his share to the Norton family. The Nortons owned and operated the park through 1985 and were able to restore some profitability and raise attendance. No major attractions were added during this time, and the Nortons listed the park for sale in 1984. In 1985, Lake Compounce was sold to the [[Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company]], owners of [[Hersheypark]] in [[Hershey, Pennsylvania]], who briefly renamed the park to "Hershey's Lake Compounce".<ref>{{cite web |date=June 29, 1986 |title=140-year Run of Fun at Lake Compounce Perseveres |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/29/nyregion/140-year-run-of-fun-at-lake-compounce-perseveres.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015622/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/29/nyregion/140-year-run-of-fun-at-lake-compounce-perseveres.html |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=October 30, 2017 |df=mdy-all |last1=Hamilton |first1=Robert A. }}</ref> Factors such as poor marketing, low attendance, and repeated ride outages caused Hershey to sell the park after two seasons in 1987, a decision that upset local representatives.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 11, 1987 |title=Bristol Fights Park Closing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/11/nyregion/bristol-fights-park-closing.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021810/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/11/nyregion/bristol-fights-park-closing.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=October 30, 2017 |work=The New York Times |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In the spring of 1987, Joseph Entertainment Group (JEG), owned by Joseph Balestieri, bought the park and renamed it "Lake Compounce Festival Park". The park received renovations, and in 1988 a 20,000-seat outdoor amphitheater was added. One of the first notable musical acts to perform at the new venue was the group [[Milli Vanilli]], and their live performance was broadcast on [[MTV]] in what was later recognized as the first public sign that [[Milli Vanilli#Lip-syncing exposure and media backlash, 1989–1991|they were lip-syncing]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Anitai |first=Tamar |date=May 15, 2009 |title=Vintage Video: Milli Vanilli Performs 'Live' On Club MTV In 1989 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2293803/vintage-video-milli-vanilli-performs-live-on-club-mtv-in-1989/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019225537/http://www.mtv.com/news/2293803/vintage-video-milli-vanilli-performs-live-on-club-mtv-in-1989/ |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |publisher=MTV |df=mdy-all}}</ref> JEG focused more of their attention on concert promotion and neglected the amusement park portion of the property. The Wildcat roller coaster and other rides were nonoperational by 1991. That year, JEG's financial troubles were exposed when a check the company wrote to [[Guns N' Roses]] bounced, and the performance was cancelled. It was later discovered that JEG was nearly $900,000 behind in taxes and had not refunded nearly $300,000 to ticket-holders for 15 cancelled concerts.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 4, 1992 |title=When the Carousel Comes Grinding to a Halt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/04/nyregion/when-the-carousel-comes-grinding-to-a-halt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107032206/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/04/nyregion/when-the-carousel-comes-grinding-to-a-halt.html |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=October 30, 2017 |work=The New York Times |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 21, 1991 |title=Guns N' Roses Bows Out |url=https://www.courant.com/1991/09/21/guns-n-roses-bows-out/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107032738/http://articles.courant.com/1991-09-21/news/0000211789_1_refunds-ticket-prices-roses |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=October 30, 2017 |publisher=Hartford Courant |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

At the end of the 1991 season, Joseph Entertainment Group filed [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] and did not open the park for the 1992 season. The park was put up for sale at a very low price. After being unable to find a buyer, JEG filed for [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection]] and liquidated the park. The land and what was left of the rides and buildings were sold to Stephen Barberino. The park remained closed for the 1992 and 1993 seasons. In 1993, [[Funtime, Inc.|Funtime Parks]], owner of [[Geauga Lake|Geauga Lake Park]] and [[Darien Lake|Darien Lake Park]], among other parks, became Barberino's management partner. The existing rides were repaired, several new rides were added, and waterslides were constructed on the beach and lake areas. The park reopened for the 1994 season. That year, Funtime merged with Premier Parks, which later became [[Six Flags]]. Premier Parks and Barberino then put Lake Compounce up for sale again in 1995. Companies including [[Cedar Fair]], Alpha Smartparks, and the [[Kennywood Entertainment Company]] made offers.

=== Kennywood Entertainment Corporation and Parques Reunidos ===
[[File:LakeCompounceSkyRide.JPG|left|thumb|Lake Compounce SkyRide chair lifts from the Tunxis Trail Compounce Ridge side trail (2010)]]Early in 1996, Kennywood Entertainment Company, owners of Pittsburgh's [[Kennywood]] amusement park, signed an agreement to purchase Lake Compounce. That year the park added several new rides and a [[Boomerang (roller coaster)|Boomerang]] roller coaster. The park prospered as a family amusement park, rather than a thrill park. In 2000, the roller coaster [[Boulder Dash (roller coaster)|Boulder Dash]] was opened, and later received the 2004 Golden Ticket Award for the #1 Wood Roller Coaster from ''[[Amusement Today]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 Golden Ticket |url=https://www.lakecompounce.com/node/315 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030348/https://www.lakecompounce.com/node/315 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |publisher=lakecompounce.com |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In late 2007, Kennywood Entertainment Company sold its parks to the Spain-based [[Parques Reunidos]] company.<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=Kennywood Entertainment Company |title=New Chapter in Kennywood Entertainment History Announced |date=2007-12-11 |url=http://www.kennywood.com/docs/12.11.07KECNewChapterRelease.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911092118/http://www.kennywood.com/docs/12.11.07KECNewChapterRelease.pdf |archive-date=2008-09-11}}</ref>

More recent plans have included a significant expansion of the Crocodile Cove water park. This has required the moving of nearby Mount Vernon Road to the north to allow the park more room for expansion. The road move was expected to cost $6 million, while the additions to the water park were expected to cost $15 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bristol News |url=http://bristolnews.blogspot.com/2007/12/lake-compounce-sold-along-with.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811183419/http://bristolnews.blogspot.com/2007/12/lake-compounce-sold-along-with.html |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |access-date=August 9, 2017 |publisher=Bristol Press |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2013, the park added the Bayou Bay wave pool. In 2014, the park added an off-site campground called Bear Creek Campground with cabins, tent and RV spaces, and a main lodge. The campground was renamed to Lake Compounce Campground in 2021 during park's 175th season.

In 2016, the park added a new roller coaster called Phobia Phear Coaster, a [[Sky Rocket II]] model from [[Premier Rides]]. Phobia Phear Coaster features three [[Linear motor|linear synchronous motor]] (LSM) launches and a heartline roll at {{Convert|150|ft}} high. General Manager Jerry Brick stated that the coaster was the biggest investment in the park's history.<ref name="Phobia-RecordJournal2">{{cite news |last=Sievert |first=Lauren |date=July 10, 2015 |title=New multi-million dollar roller coaster coming to Lake Compounce next year |url=http://www.myrecordjournal.com/news/latestnews/7494079-129/new-multi-million-dollar-roller-coaster-coming-to-lake-compounce-next.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710172302/http://www.myrecordjournal.com/news/latestnews/7494079-129/new-multi-million-dollar-roller-coaster-coming-to-lake-compounce-next.html |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |work=Record-Journal |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Phobia-Coaster1012">{{cite web |last=Stillwell |first=Andrew |date=July 10, 2015 |title=Lake Compounce Announces "Phobia" for 2016 |url=http://www.coaster101.com/2015/07/10/lake-compounce-announces-phobia-for-2016/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711235734/http://www.coaster101.com/2015/07/10/lake-compounce-announces-phobia-for-2016/ |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=Coaster101 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Decommissioned_Lake_Compounce_chair_lift_on_Tunxis_Trail_2019.jpg|thumb|Decommissioned Lake Compounce chair lift on Tunxis Trail (2019)]]
In early July 2017, Lake Compounce shut down Sky Ride — a twenty-five minute round trip chairlift from the park up to the top of the Southington Mountain ridge. The non-ski chairlift was one of the rides brought to the park by Kennywood Entertainment in 1997. The decommissioning came after a chairlift accident at [[Six Flags Great Escape Theme Park & Lodge|Six Flags Great Escape]] on June 24, 2017. The remote and inaccessible nature of the lift's path and terminus on top of Southington Mountain were cited by Brick as reasons for the closing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake Compounce Closes Sky Ride Attraction Permanently |url=https://www.courant.com/community/bristol/hc-bristol-compounce-skyride-0704-20170703-story.html |access-date=2019-10-14 |website=courant.com|date=6 July 2017 }}</ref>

Both the bumper cars and the trolley ride were removed for the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sobol |first=Evan |date=2024-01-22 |title=Lake Compounce to remove some attractions |url=https://www.wfsb.com/2024/01/22/lake-compounce-remove-some-attractions/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=www.wfsb.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Herschend Family Entertainment ===
On March 18, 2025, it was announced that Lake Compounce had been purchased by [[Herschend Family Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Herschend to Acquire Palace Entertainment |url=https://www.hfecorp.com/whats-new/herschend-to-acquire-palace-entertainments-us-attractions-from-parques-reunidos/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=www.hfecorp.com |language=en}}</ref>