Editing Lake Compounce (section)

=== 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>