Today there exist a handful of different amusement parks to enjoy throughout the state of Maryland. But long ago there were even more options. In fact, one of the most “enchanting” endeavors from the past—one that still stands out in the memories of baby boomers and millennials alike—used to be located right in the heart of Ellicott City, along Route 40 (Baltimore National Pike), no less. I am of course referring to the one and only original Enchanted Forest theme park.
For this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m taking everyone on a trip down Memory Lane, recounting the overall history of this whimsically warmhearted former attraction that still holds a dear place in the hearts of those who remember it fondly.
Just one month following the debut of Walt Disney’s famed Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, the Enchanted Forest opened to the public on August 15, 1955. Owned and operated by the Harrison Family (Howard County locals), the Enchanted Forest was more than just a mere amusement park—it was an intricately themed “theme park” largely influenced and inspired by childhood fairytales and nursery rhymes. While the park featured such fanciful callouts as fairytale-like buildings and even ornamental characters gracing the grounds, mechanical rides actually weren’t part of the original setup.
Eventually track rides were incorporated onto the scene later on, however. Those that went on to become the most popular ones included an Alice in Wonderland ride with teacup-shaped cars, the “Little Toot” boat that took children to Mount Vesuvius to enjoy giant slides, a Jungleland Safari driven by Land Rover-type vehicles, and even a Cinderella’s castle-themed ride with mouse cars.
While rides have since become synonymous features at any theme park, let it be known the Enchanted Forest’s other anchoring onsite attractions have always been largely popular independently and on their own. Birthday party celebrations in an exclusive birthday room location, for instance, have always been the ultimate must-do endeavor for so many kids—generation after generation. What could be greater than celebrating your big day in a fairytale setting?
Originally, admission to the Enchanted Forest was just one dollar for adults and fifty cents for children—a definite deal by today’s typical amusement park admission standards. It’s also interesting to note, given that it opened in the 1950s, that the Enchanted Forest has always ever operated as an integrated theme park for all to come out and enjoy equally.
Within years the land comprising the Enchanted Forest expanded from its original 20 acreage to an impressive 52. At the height of its popularity the park welcomed in around 300,000 children per summer season.
Following decades of expansion, the Harrison Family eventually sold the Enchanted Forest in 1988 to JHP Development for $4.5 million. In 1989 the park closed briefly for the first time since opening. The site was considerably downsized, with more than half of the land (most of which served as former parking lots) being redeveloped into the new Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, which opened in 1992. JHD reopened the Enchanted Forest for the summer season in 1994, where it predominantly catered to the hosting of children’s birthday parties.
It was only a matter of time, however, before the Enchanted Forest would shutter permanently, once and for all. That fateful day came about in 1995. While most of the theme park sat undisturbed and chained off for most of the remaining 1990s, a post office did open on location in 1998. With the formation of the Friends of Enchanted Forest in 1999, the intent was to initially revive park operations by 2003. But the main focus was on preserving the artifacts making up the site and not letting them rot, become damaged, or lost forever. That’s where the Clark Family came in and the Enchanted Forest Preservation Society.
As a way of preserving, restoring, and displaying the artifacts with a new lease on life, Kimco Realty Group (which acquired ownership of the abandoned park land), agreed to permit the majority of existing fairytale structures and figures dotting the grounds to be moved to nearby Clark’s Elioak Farm. Today many of the original nostalgic callouts have been restored to their former glory at their new home at Clark’s Elioak Farm. Now newer generations visiting the farm get to enjoy the same fond fairytale features that were so integral to the growing up years of their parents and grandparents before them.
The original Enchanted Forest theme park may be gone now, but it will never be forgotten. And thanks to the efforts of so many caring individuals, far more than just the memories have been preserved. That makes for a most befitting fairytale happy ending to the story about the Enchanted Forest’s ongoing legacy.