CoasterGallery.com -- Paramount's Carowinds

Carowinds
Charlotte, North Carolina

In 1969, Charlotte business man E. Pat Hall announced his intention to build a 73-acre park straddling the North and South Carolina border. Hall envisioned Carowinds as a walk through the history and culture of both Carolinas. After spending $27 million, the park opened in March, 1973. The state line passed right through the middle of the main courtyard and was marked by plaques engraved with the names of the 146 counties that make up the Carolinas. (Unfortunately, Paramount replaced these with bricks marked with movie titles.)

The park was renamed Paramount's Carowinds after it was purchased by Paramount in 1993. The park's name reverted to Carowinds when all five Paramount parks were purchased by Cedar Fair, Limited in 2007.

One coaster has left the park: White Lightnin', a Schwarzkopf shuttle loop, ran here from 1977 to 1988. It is now known as Golden Loop at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Carolina Cyclone