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Located near Charlotte, Carowinds has long been considered the Thrill Capital of the Southeast!Inspired by a trip to Disneyland in 1957, Hall envisioned an amusement park for the citizens of the Carolinas. The brainchild of Earl Patterson Hall, a self-made businessman and real estate developer, Carowinds is an exciting day for children and adults alike. In 1973, after four years of planning and construction, Carowinds opened to the public on a large site that straddles the North Carolina-South Carolina border. Throughout the 1970s, visitors enjoyed rides such as the Witchdoctor and White Lightnin'. Currently, the park features rides, shows, and attractions for all, including Intimidator, the tallest and fastest coaster in the Southeast. Carowinds showcases the rich history of this Carolina amusement park celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2013.
About the author
Author Scott Rutherford, a former employee of Carowinds' marketing department, is a writer, photographer, and historian specializing in amusement parks. As a charter member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), he has penned several titles on parks and roller coasters. Since 1997, he has also served as staff writer and photographer for the monthly amusement industry trade publication Amusement Today. Images within the pages of Carowinds were culled mostly from the internal archive of the amusement park.
