Dogpatch USA, Harrison Arkansas Arkansans have always been sensitive slide is now just a tired tower of a memory. and convention center. The venture failed about being portrayed as hillbillies, so the “You have a different feeling when and led to the park’s closure in 1993. The concept of a theme park based on such a you have an emotional attachment to a lo- property fell into disrepair. stereotype was questionable at the time cation.’ says Kirkendall. Many of the mem- In August 2014, the park was pur- the Dogpatch USA was imagined. bers of Abandoned Arkansas also serve as chased by Bud Pelsor and a business part- Opened in 1968 and based on the Dogpatch USA volunteers and are com- ner, who announced plans to restore the comic strip “Lil and Abner” by Al Capp and mitted to helping its restoration become park and eventually re-open it. Beginning set in a fictional village called Dogpatch, a reality. in December 2014, Pelsor opened the the theme park is located in Northwest Ar- Eddy Sisson sais that group efforts park to visitors for several events; these kansas between the cities of Harrison and have really shifted to more involment were the first occasions on which the park Jasper in an area known today as Marble in the hands on labor of these historic was open to visitors since its 1993 closing. Falls. places. Mr. Pelsor has big plans in the works For those of us who remember the joy “We are more then documenterians to clean up the park and restore what he ABANDONED Dogpatch brought to so many, it is simply we are Preservationists.” says Sisson. can. A few of his ideas are restocking the heartbreaking to see the treasure in such Dogpatch USA was a commercial trout farm, building a new restaurant, a a condition. Gone are the children running success in its early years. Investors tried Dogpatch museum and other nature relat- and playing, the roller coasters and rides to parlay that success into a sister park, ed industries are just a few of the ideas he ARKANSAS and the once mighty Wild Water Rampage “Marble Falls,” planned with a ski resort has as well for the neglected area. The Good ‘Ol Days... Arkansas Outdoor Country / 25.