Tracing the History of America's Oldest Park

Opened in 1846, Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut is the oldest, continuously operating amusement park in the U.S. It is filled with charm and imparts a sense of its grand past even as it offers modern-day thrills such as the superb Boulder Dash wooden coaster. A new book, titled simply "Lake Compounce," tells the 162-year story of the park mostly through a vast array of photographs. Some of the pictures come from the personal collections of the two families that founded the park. Like many parks that operated during the big band era, some of the biggest performers of the day played at Lake Compounce's ballroom, and the book includes photos of the stars and the huge crowds that came to see them. The book also showcases the park's circa-1927 Wildcat roller coaster and many of its other rides as well as its namesake lake. "Lake Compounce" is available at the park and online. Lake Compounce is now open for the season.

• Splash Harbor Water Park at Lake Compounce Overview
• Find Other Connecticut Parks