As a former Rhode Islander, Rocky Point was a part of my childhood too. This really takes me back and I'm glad to have been able to partake in its rich history. So sad it is no longer there for future generations to appreciate.
You had to be there,sunset when the cool breeze off the ocean would start to blow across your face ,sky turning pink and orange..and all of the sudden the lights come on!
I can still smell the clam cakes and the hot grease from the ride on the hot summers days while at the park. Thanks for the memories; they will never faid.
This is one of the most bittersweet documentary videos I've ever seen. Wonderful to look back on so many fond memories of Rocky Point, but also extremely sad to see it's demise. Seeing the entry gate torn down in the end was utterly crushing. The park deserved so much better. You wouldn't think an amusement park could mean so much to some of us, but damn, this really hit home. Thanks for doing this, VERY well done.
As I Rhode Islander growing up this was just the most special place. Hard to describe if you never went but just fantastic, from the musical express to clam cakes and chowdah to the live music, man do i miss this place
Me too! My husband Kurt grew up within walking distance.... I always tell him how lucky he was... he agrees. That place shaped the lives of many locals... from summer jobs, to meeting people from all over the country, to just having fun being a kid. Great times for sure.
Watching this brought back so many memories from when I was a little girl. The Corkscrew was my very first roller coaster! I live in Georgia now and we have a small regional amusement park that always reminds me of Rocky Point. It's a family owned park. I really wish that a wealthy family would come together and open up something similar to Rocky Point again. You'd be surprised at all the people who would go.
I can literally remember the smell of the dining hall as I sit here watching this, and it's been a good 35 yrs since I've been there! Crazy! I live in Florida, but my grandpa lived in Warren, RI. He would fly my sister and I up every summer for a few weeks. Every summer, he would take us to Rocky Point. I feel such a privilege to have had shared a part in the history of this awesome place, having come from so far away, in Florida! I really never knew the history of it until now, watching this. It's fasinating! The Music Express was our favorite, and we would ride it over and over! I think my love of music, rock and roll, was born on that ride! Lol! We would be holding onto the bar for dear life, trying not to squish each other in the corners. It was the best! We would go home, bruised up in the ribs and hips for a week! The spider ride, the last time I got on that, it made me so sick, I never rode it again! Lol The last time I was there, the Freefall ride was new, and my Gramps actually got on it with me! I couldn't believe it! I will never forget it. His toupee flapping in the breeze before we dropped...😂 I guess since we were little kids, we were never allowed to go into the Castle of Terror. I regret that deeply... I just found out today, Rocky Point is no longer there, which is really sad. I've imagined all these years it has still been there, with other little kids enjoying it all these years. But to know it was abandoned, vandalized, and left rotting all that time I thought it was going strong, really made me feel some type of way...🥺💔 But it's awesome too, the land has been restored, and new adventures await! What an awesome documentary! I'm so happy to have found this, to share it with my kids. I've told them of this magical place my Gramps used to take us every summer, and now I can show them! Thank you so much! 🥲😎🤙❤
I actually bought this on DVD when people still used those. 😂😂 God this is still so hard to watch. I have such vivid memories of Rocky Point. God I wish I had a time machine.
@Dylan Weakly I don’t know you, but I love you ❤️❤️❤️and I’m sooooo downloading that and checking this out. Thanks so much for telling me, that is so cool! Looking forward to sitting at my computer and crying my eyes out reminiscing about the “good old days” tonight 😂😂😂
@Dylan Weakly Yeah, someone I know who makes apps said that it be cool if we made an app where you turned on your phone and went on the app, and if you were in front of the Arch in real life, the phone would show you the view from 25 years ago when it was a Popular Amusement Park. I thought it also be a good idea to have a setting where you could watch old videos of onride POVs taken by people throughout the years.
@@GildedTouch that’s how good I felt when my grandson showed me how to use Spotify while I’m playing Xbox!! Play my games and listen to MY OWN music??? 👍🏾👏🏾
Not a single mention (except video) of “The Enterprise”. By far my favorite ride in the park! Thank you for this documentary! It brings back such great memories and nostalgia, but at the same time it is also sad to see such a great place we use to go as kids no longer be in existence. I would love to have been able to bring my kids to Rocky Point every summer. At least we have this fantastic video now and for that I think we can all be grateful for! Thank you David and crew! 🙌🏻
Hi David. 2 things: I just bought your book and it was AMAZING, and thanks for putting this online for free. I am a teacher and a writer, and I know that only someone passionate would do that. This is my fourth time watching...amazing film!!
My dad grew up down the street from Rocky Point, my grandmother still lives in the same house. All of what remained of Rocky Point is torn down now, but a few years ago, my dad took me there. It was all fenced off, with 'no trespassing' signs everywhere, but we got through. This video doesn't talk about all the condos that were condemned and abandoned, too. We walked past all of them until we got to the big open lot where so many of the rides used to be. My dad pointed out where all of his favorite places were. I could tell it meant a lot to him, he spent so much of his childhood there. We even came across a couple of other people walking through, reminiscing. It still means a lot to so many people. Glad I got to see at least a tiny piece of it before it all disappeared. What sticks out most in my mind was seeing, spray painted on the side of one of the decrepit condos, "Goodbye Rocky Point! We'll miss you!"
Outstanding documentary ! Growing up in Texas, I hadn't heard of Rocky Point before. I was recently in Rhode Island, and during the weekend was looking for a nice place to walk, and the hotel staff recommended I go to Rocky Point. Little did I know of the incredible history of this place, which was hinted at through the well placed markers in the park and a few remnants of the rides. After watching this documentary, I'm really blown away by how amazing this place was, and how much it must have meant to the Rhode Islanders that grew up going there. Thank you David Bettencourt and team for putting this together, my only wish is that I could have visited it before it closed !
I known this is old but Rocky Point was everything to me as a young 11 year old boy. My first kiss was with my first girlfriend Her name was April'. 1989. Thank you.
I spent 3 summers there, working for MRB, (the games) in 1974, 81, and 82. I still remember it fondly. Bo Diddley on Stage, Mrs. Leake running the Redemption Center, My major crush on Alice Kiselka, The great Zachhinai (cannon Guy). Amazing times.
I received this video as a gift from a friend that I use to go to Rocky Point with while I was in high school. The video really brought back great memories. I did some of my best laughing there while hanging with my friends and just being a kid that wore an out of control mullet & uncomfortable braces.
I remember the House of Horror and how scary it was as a kid. But there was a wooden roller coaster next to it where I almost died. The bar that comes down and locks you in didn't lock in place and popped up. Before I knew it we were off, a boy next to me saw what was happening and held on to me for dear life as I wrapped my arms around the loose bar. I could've died that day but survived and I'm still here... That boy is now a man, if you're watching this and remember, you know.
Lol.. I never met the minimum height requirement, so my dad would take me to an office where he could sign a slip for me to be able to ride all the rides.. Just had to show operator the slip and i was good to go. We always stayed till way after dark. All the lights, smells, and sounds were like no where else.. Thanks for stirring up some good memories!
The two men Vincent Ferla was talking about : In 1945, the Harringtons sold the park to the Studley Land Corporation, which, in 1947, sold it to Rocky Point. lnc., headed by Frederick Hilton with Joseph Trillo (my great-grandfather!) of Providence as treasurer. Vincent Ferla later bought out Hilton’s interest and eventually became sole owner of the park.
Turning the corner and seeing the sign! The commercial on TV. The flume! I remember when they first built The Enterprise. The Shore Dinner Hall. So many memories!!
I have such wonderful memories of going to Rocky Point as a kid. Thanks so much for this wonderful documentary, it was nostalgic and made me relive the excitement I experienced as a child!
I loved going to Rocky Point to play the midway games. There was also the salt water taffy. I am the son of Ray Bussey. We opened up a snack and dairy restaurant in South Attleboro we had fried clams and clamcakes and one of the first to have 15¢ hamburgers the name of it was called the Big Joy and was at the corner of 1a and 1 highway we owned the business for 8 years.
I enjoyed watching this documentary. I only wish I had had a chance to visit before it was gone. I understand why so many are mourning its passing. Thank you for sharing its history.
This is a fantastic capture of a true Rhode Island Icon. Thank you so much for publishing on You Tube. Producing short, fun and personal movies on You Tube myself @RJUnleashed, I know most viewers do not realize or even think about how many hours this video took to produce. I do, and this movie did exactly what any good movie does. It was emotionally stimulating, which transitioned to much appreciation of this production. Thank you!
I really wish i was alive earlier. It seems like rhode island was actually a decent place to live at one point with things to do that werent always heavily patrolled by police + wanna be thugs. I wish i could of went to this park and experienced it. Thank you for the movie. I would love to know more about why it shut down + maybe talk to people that did go if they have old film from the park as well. Thanks!~
I grew up in Southern Rhode Island. I was born in 74 and my dad worked for Pfizer and every single year they rented out the park for one day for their employees. I can't describe to you the magic of those days. I've been to many larger and more fantastic parks including Disney. But none of them hold the special place in my heart that Rocky Point does. You are so right about how RI has changed
RP was a nice little amusement park, and was great for it's time. It was obviously small and simple, and offered little variety. It certainly paled in comparison to places like Six Flags and Disney, but it was a nice little regional park that was perfect for a day of fun. It closed because it was it was over-leveraged by it's owners, who used the funds for other bad investments.
I grew up in Providence & even Rhode Island Hospital had their annual outings there & this was a family fun day for the employees & their families! We went every year until the until they ended it for good & I can`t remember which year this was,maybe the early 80`s was the last event from R.I. Hospital i want to say,yet i do remember all of the fun we had on those special outing days! Waiting in that long line to get in for the chowder dinner that came with that ticket that sometimes was over an hour was so hard to do because we could smell it all along with hearing the comments of the people leaving after finishing their food speaking on how wonderful it all was,only made us more hungry,it was long yet well worth the wait!. Oh it was great,they would serve,corn on the cob with lots of butter,clam chowder,clam cakes,a pitcher of water was also placed there for those who only had that ticket as a means of eating that day,watermelon slices & bread & it was also "all you could eat," yes,they would bring it until you couldn't eat anymore,there were also special dinners one could order which also gave you a special & always wanted seat at the famed "long window to the ocean," that was against only the one side facing & giving an ocean view as you ate your dinner,this was from lunchtime on,there were also some people,who would be there quite a while longer than most because it was all you can eat & people were taking advantage of this as these dinners they served were normally quite expensive for the average person working a regular job,so one really ate all they could! There were some,who actually had to be asked to leave they`d stayed so long. Also,they held special events & many prizes were awarded at the many raffles they held for so many different things,like races & games,sports challenges & the like,remember,i am going way back in time,also there were baseball games played by the teams one would join according to the ticket given,at which people could also win prizes,oh,there were so many things from the 50`s-60`s i remember that started to disappear as the 70`s approached,yet there was so much joy in those early days for us just anticipating this special day,it was a family tradition & my Dad worked at the hospital for 45 years,so that`s where our tickets came from! Gratitude to Rhode Island Hospital for those outing days at Rocky point,& Gratitude also,to you David bettencourt for sharing this video & some really cool memories as well as the history!
I grew up in Smithfield. Didnt live here from 18-45. I can honestly say there is no place Ive seen like it. Truely one of kind places to grow up til early 90s.
not fighting them. lol. smiling and tears at the same same is my usual lately. Imagine having a redo of the original. wow. all the jobs this would create.
Spent so many summers there! Lived in neighboring MA. The Flume, Music Express, and the clam cakes!!! Great memories! Was sad to see it close especially since Lincoln Park had closed.
So, many great memories... i remember jumping the fence and sneaking in through the woods to see the Beastie Boys in !992, but, sadly, found a Led Zepplin cover band playing inside the park; we had no idea the Beasties were in the Paladium. Dejected, my buddy and I circled the Paladium numerous times, and, on our final go-around, someone yelled from the bathroom, "Come climb in!" We climbed in and the concert blew our minds; the Beasties were amazing, and the Paladium was the perfect venue. We hung out afterwards and got to meet the Beastie Boys, who were stoned and shooting off fireworks. Besides losing my virginity, it was the greatest joy in my first 17 years on Earth... Thanks for the movie, Dave; you did a great job.
straight up satanic story. Taking pride in losing your virginity as a great joy in your life. LOL Yet, your YT "name" is bitch slap 666. I think 666 is gonna bitch slap you in the end.
Word travels fast in a small state like RI. We all heard rumors about cooks putting disgusting things in the chowder. I don’t eat clams or shellfish anymore but those rumors turned me completely off from eating chowder or clamcakes. 🤢
I wish the the TARDIS or any other time machine was more than science fiction, because I would’ve LOVED to have seen this place in its heyday. House of Horrors would’ve been one of my favorites
I grew up in central Connecticut in the 80's and I never heard of Rocky Point. We went on vacation to Charlestown RI in the early 90's and I never heard of Rocky Point. I finally heard of Rocky Point a few years ago, and after watching this, I feel like I was there every summer. Amazing documentary.
Thank you David Bettencourt for sharing this. This truly shows the History of the park from its highs to its lows. But you failed to acknowledge how the park came to close and that should have been brought to the viewers attention. I am an ex-employee of the park 1989 - 1991 as a concessions stand employee (14-17 years old).
I gotta say I’m SHOCKED this was here in the mid 1800s! I didn’t even know we had amusement parks back than, till I saw when this park was opened. Awwww the musical express!!! I loved that ride, was probably my favorite bc they always played good tunes too. Were those the Nirope brothers??? I wonder if someone bought this property back & reopened it close to what it once was if it would make the money it used to make??? Reminds me so much of Wally World. I wanna say I read or saw somewhere the owner had leant ppl money that when he needed it back to put
It's always very sad when amusement parks close. I remember when Peony Park closed in Omaha during 1994. And when Joyland closed in Wichita during 2006. One of the best parts of childhood and being young disappears forever.
Brought a tear to my eye. My parents would take me and my sister there starting in the early 60's. But first and foremost before you could even get on a ride my father wanted chowder and clam cakes. It would drive my sister and I to distraction because we weren't there to eat.
Being in the shore dinner hall as a kid was incredible!! All those people. The endless rows of tables, the view of the bay and that unforgettable smell of the chowder and clam cakes!! God I miss it!!!😢
I worked at Rocky Point Park when I was a kid for 3 years. I was there 1985, 1986, and 1987. I started working in foods 1985 and the following year I work in traffic and rides because there was a shortage of ride operators. 1987 strictly worked and rides. It would be easier for me to list the rides that I didn't work on as an operator versus the rides I did work on.
Wait! Did I miss a bit? Why did the park have to close? The video didn't explain that... it went from people enjoying themselves to the rides being auctioned...
that was the worst thing they could have done was get rid of rocky point. It was the only place to go in Rhode Island. the is the boringest state ever.
So great to read everyone's fond memories of Rocky Point. I worked there in the summers of 1977 and 1978, working in the various games and the Penny Arcade - long, hot, boring days sometimes - but so glad I had the opportunity to be a part of the magic and excitement of the park in the glory days.
Me and my buddy where on the coaster in house of hours and as a joke jumped into the car behind us that two girls where in. We got thrown out of course.
Stumbled across this movie and so enjoyed it! I was one of a bunch of British students who worked in the park in 1989. I spent most of my time as an operator on the log flume and Maurice, 48.38, was my boss. He was a great guy, made being there 12 hours a day great fun. Made loads of mates and had such a great summer, many great memories. Thanks to all who pulled the film together.
I saw Pearl Jam opening for Smashing Pumpkins who went on before Chili Peppers to about 500 peeps. This park was so amazing as a child, the over stimulation was intoxicating! I will never forget all the fun there. As I got older into my teens we would take girlfriends to the parking lot by the water and make out…so classic!
lol the guy that kicked frank sinatra jr off his ride for not having a ticket ...too funny ,,i loved that park.. grew up in pawtucket..now retired in warwick since 2002, i now share the bay in the oakland beach community... minutes away ... sad that its gone..
I went on 1994/1995 i was about 17/18yo. we went to see our favorite singer olga tañon a latin singer. i still have the pictures. me and my sister got on the sky diver and we cried like babies omg i was so sacry, but funny too lol. my friend friend lost her baby on the free fall, when she got home she was in pain then she knew whe was pregnant but it was too late. Rip baby, and Rip naomi, Rip rocky point park.
When the ocean mist combined with the winds of the corkscrew was no match for my 80 bangs. Would ruin the hair every time. Such fond memories! Amazing documentary
I used to go there every summer with my family during the late 70s to mid-80s. I live on the west coast now, and have for almost 23 years, but I still remember the fun times we had at Rocky Point.
As a kid every summer I would go to rocky point for the chowdah, clam cakes, house of horror and corkscrew were the best and the log flumes! Man I miss these days!
Thank you sooo much for producing this epic movie. I am sitting next to a photo of my entire family taken in 1958 in that studio with the horse and buggy; 8 kids, at the time, with Mom and Dad. We didn’t have much but we have that moment in that photo. Rocky Point visits were few, but they remain my BEST childhood memories by far.
All I can do is share my memories and this movie with my son. I never left RI and last time I was at that spot was in 90 when it was Rocky Point. Wow, almost 27 years and I live 6 miles away.
I worked at the shore dinner hall as a bus boy. My first job at 15. Never forget trying to roll the paper down the tables and not have it fall off. Loved those clam cakes and chowder. We used to get it to go also and ate a whole bag of clam cakes on the way home. My mother was not happy.
Im From nh my gram lived in RI growing up we went to rocky point a few times.This doc made me think of her and the summers we spent w her as kids. We still got canobie up here but of course its changed alot.
Yes, a Rhode Island Tradition, not there when it was an amusement park but won't forget the stories of EVERYONE jumping off the Skyliner, I also heard a story of my dad riding the freefall with 3 members of a famous band playing in the midway that day. Ah those memories.
I wish on the land rocky point was on they would make plaques or statues where each ride was with a little history written on it. I think that would be pretty cool!
I love this but I think the government officials making 6 figures could have all pitched in and saved this. They would have made so much money smh took a staple of the community away. Even smashed the sign, I hate the Rhode island officials
Yeah, according to David, they weren't going to take that sign down but he got a call the very last minute saying to get down there. BRING BACK THAT SIGN!!!! THAT'S ALL WE HAD LEFT AND THE LAST THING TO LEAVE THE PARK!!!!
I miss it wished the would bring it back now a days u have to go to Massachusetts or c.t. for an amusement park sad 😢 miss the enterprise too bumper cars too all of it
OUTSTANDING!!!! Thank you for the trip to the best times of my life and childhood. The best days with my mother or grandmother. With friends. With family. Brought tears to my eyes too many times.
Ive heard so many people say "I wish it was still here today".Watching this I realize it would still be very different then it was all the yrs it was open. People would be on or worried about thier cell phones, posting everything on the web, taking away from the full experience as we remember it. Our ancestors had a gift for giving us the fortune of a full childhood while also preparing us for becoming adults.
I finally watched this for the first time tonight. Great film and lots of good memories. What the film is missing now is the newest chapter of Rocky Point Park. I visited Rocky Point twice in the past year and it really is a beautiful park still. If you haven't been in many years, it's worth the visit. While the old amusements, concessions and dinner hall are long gone, the tranquil natural beauty of the bay is once again its main attraction, and there are relics of the familiar park that have been preserved.
No thanks. We got "Greenways around this State" Taking the park for your "water vistas" is/was the absolute worst reason it could of have been done. We certainly have scenic viewing areas of the ocean, being the Ocean State. How can going to sit on a bench be "worth the visit"? This clearly doesn't equate to the log flume... But hey "We Are Preserving Nature and all it's beauty" Screw the tremendous amounts of energy from the joy children had. Generations of families playing and eating together. Nope, we got cut grass, nice benches, paved walkway and folks walking toy dogs with poop bags at the ready....
The Muzic Express usually played disco. It went around pretty fast, first one way, then the other. If you were on a date you couldn’t help ending up pressed up against each other, thanks to centrifugal force, and if you were the guy, you probably wanted the outside seat or you’d spend the whole ride trying not to crush your date too much.
This is such an awesome movie ! Will there be a new version released that i've heard about for years with the missing pieces from the good days and in-between the demolition?
+Eric Lima It's already out. It's part of the "Images Of America" series, simply titled "Rocky Point Park" by David Bettencourt and Stephanie Chauvin. Got mine on Amazon. It's great.
So sad... I miss Rocky Point. Was a 2 hr ride from home in western CT, I'll never forget the day we drove all the way there n found out that they closed. This was one sad 14 year old. Would love to find a place that has their chowder n clam cake recipe
youtubeaddict21 there actually is the rocky point place with the original recipe. its here. person there brought back all of its memories as much as he can.1689 post rd warwick ri 02888 big sign and spot appears like the old rocky point entrance
I've got fond memories going to Rocky point with my grandparents in the early 70s all the way to the midnight he's going with my girlfriend. I never knew the early history of the park. This is a great documentary, thanks for sharing this story 👍✌️🇺🇲
![[ TEASER ] เงาะป่า - วงL.กฮ. | TMG RECORD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M4ObdFfcPww/mqdefault.jpg)
Very thorough, well produced documentary. Good job.
I agree! there were a few rides in the 80's that I thought were going to fall apart...
@Jaxx Braylen Tobias Gerald said something similar to your comment . why would anyone want to have others information?
As a former Rhode Islander, Rocky Point was a part of my childhood too. This really takes me back and I'm glad to have been able to partake in its rich history. So sad it is no longer there for future generations to appreciate.
It's still pretty neat there now.
There's placards and remnants.
Never a former rhode islander.🎉😊
You had to be there,sunset when the cool breeze off the ocean would start to blow across your face ,sky turning pink and orange..and all of the sudden the lights come on!
I can still smell the clam cakes and the hot grease from the ride on the hot summers days while at the park.
Thanks for the memories; they will never faid.
This is one of the most bittersweet documentary videos I've ever seen. Wonderful to look back on so many fond memories of Rocky Point, but also extremely sad to see it's demise. Seeing the entry gate torn down in the end was utterly crushing. The park deserved so much better. You wouldn't think an amusement park could mean so much to some of us, but damn, this really hit home. Thanks for doing this, VERY well done.
Not a single cell phone in sight.
Ahh.. how refreshing to me to see people just being with each other.
Ok?
That was the first place I ever ate cotton candy. First flume and first coaster that went upside down too.
As I Rhode Islander growing up this was just the most special place. Hard to describe if you never went but just fantastic, from the musical express to clam cakes and chowdah to the live music, man do i miss this place
Me too! My husband Kurt grew up within walking distance.... I always tell him how lucky he was... he agrees. That place shaped the lives of many locals... from summer jobs, to meeting people from all over the country, to just having fun being a kid. Great times for sure.
Watching this brought back so many memories from when I was a little girl. The Corkscrew was my very first roller coaster! I live in Georgia now and we have a small regional amusement park that always reminds me of Rocky Point. It's a family owned park. I really wish that a wealthy family would come together and open up something similar to Rocky Point again. You'd be surprised at all the people who would go.
I can literally remember the smell of the dining hall as I sit here watching this, and it's been a good 35 yrs since I've been there! Crazy!
I live in Florida, but my grandpa lived in Warren, RI. He would fly my sister and I up every summer for a few weeks.
Every summer, he would take us to Rocky Point.
I feel such a privilege to have had shared a part in the history of this awesome place, having come from so far away, in Florida! I really never knew the history of it until now, watching this. It's fasinating!
The Music Express was our favorite, and we would ride it over and over! I think my love of music, rock and roll, was born on that ride! Lol! We would be holding onto the bar for dear life, trying not to squish each other in the corners. It was the best! We would go home, bruised up in the ribs and hips for a week!
The spider ride, the last time I got on that, it made me so sick, I never rode it again! Lol
The last time I was there, the Freefall ride was new, and my Gramps actually got on it with me! I couldn't believe it! I will never forget it. His toupee flapping in the breeze before we dropped...😂
I guess since we were little kids, we were never allowed to go into the Castle of Terror. I regret that deeply...
I just found out today, Rocky Point is no longer there, which is really sad. I've imagined all these years it has still been there, with other little kids enjoying it all these years. But to know it was abandoned, vandalized, and left rotting all that time I thought it was going strong, really made me feel some type of way...🥺💔
But it's awesome too, the land has been restored, and new adventures await!
What an awesome documentary! I'm so happy to have found this, to share it with my kids.
I've told them of this magical place my Gramps used to take us every summer, and now I can show them!
Thank you so much! 🥲😎🤙❤
I actually bought this on DVD when people still used those. 😂😂
God this is still so hard to watch. I have such vivid memories of Rocky Point. God I wish I had a time machine.
@Dylan Weakly what?!?!? 🤯
@Dylan Weakly I don’t know you, but I love you ❤️❤️❤️and I’m sooooo downloading that and checking this out. Thanks so much for telling me, that is so cool! Looking forward to sitting at my computer and crying my eyes out reminiscing about the “good old days” tonight 😂😂😂
How old is this documentary?
@Dylan Weakly Yeah, someone I know who makes apps said that it be cool if we made an app where you turned on your phone and went on the app, and if you were in front of the Arch in real life, the phone would show you the view from 25 years ago when it was a Popular Amusement Park. I thought it also be a good idea to have a setting where you could watch old videos of onride POVs taken by people throughout the years.
@@GildedTouch that’s how good I felt when my grandson showed me how to use Spotify while I’m playing Xbox!! Play my games and listen to MY OWN music??? 👍🏾👏🏾
I looked for myself in the crowd or on the rides throughout the whole movie.
Same!!! Lol I miss that place!!
I went to Rocky Point so many times as a kid. Good memories.
Not a single mention (except video) of “The Enterprise”. By far my favorite ride in the park! Thank you for this documentary! It brings back such great memories and nostalgia, but at the same time it is also sad to see such a great place we use to go as kids no longer be in existence. I would love to have been able to bring my kids to Rocky Point every summer. At least we have this fantastic video now and for that I think we can all be grateful for! Thank you David and crew! 🙌🏻
Hi David. 2 things: I just bought your book and it was AMAZING, and thanks for putting this online for free. I am a teacher and a writer, and I know that only someone passionate would do that. This is my fourth time watching...amazing film!!
Thank you so much!
My dad grew up down the street from Rocky Point, my grandmother still lives in the same house. All of what remained of Rocky Point is torn down now, but a few years ago, my dad took me there. It was all fenced off, with 'no trespassing' signs everywhere, but we got through. This video doesn't talk about all the condos that were condemned and abandoned, too. We walked past all of them until we got to the big open lot where so many of the rides used to be. My dad pointed out where all of his favorite places were. I could tell it meant a lot to him, he spent so much of his childhood there. We even came across a couple of other people walking through, reminiscing. It still means a lot to so many people. Glad I got to see at least a tiny piece of it before it all disappeared. What sticks out most in my mind was seeing, spray painted on the side of one of the decrepit condos, "Goodbye Rocky Point! We'll miss you!"
Well said
Outstanding documentary ! Growing up in Texas, I hadn't heard of Rocky Point before. I was recently in Rhode Island, and during the weekend was looking for a nice place to walk, and the hotel staff recommended I go to Rocky Point. Little did I know of the incredible history of this place, which was hinted at through the well placed markers in the park and a few remnants of the rides. After watching this documentary, I'm really blown away by how amazing this place was, and how much it must have meant to the Rhode Islanders that grew up going there. Thank you David Bettencourt and team for putting this together, my only wish is that I could have visited it before it closed !
I known this is old but Rocky Point was everything to me as a young 11 year old boy. My first kiss was with my first girlfriend Her name was April'. 1989. Thank you.
I loved this place 😍 my great grandmother worked at the ticket booth right before you entered the park she would take your money to get in
I spent 3 summers there, working for MRB, (the games) in 1974, 81, and 82. I still remember it fondly. Bo Diddley on Stage, Mrs. Leake running the Redemption Center, My major crush on Alice Kiselka, The great Zachhinai (cannon Guy). Amazing times.
California here, I moved to California in 1977. I grew up in in RI. I have many memories from this place. Near and dear to my heart.
Thank you so much for this video bring back so much memories I love that place
I received this video as a gift from a friend that I use to go to Rocky Point with while I was in high school. The video really brought back great memories. I did some of my best laughing there while hanging with my friends and just being a kid that wore an out of control mullet & uncomfortable braces.
I remember the House of Horror and how scary it was as a kid. But there was a wooden roller coaster next to it where I almost died. The bar that comes down and locks you in didn't lock in place and popped up. Before I knew it we were off, a boy next to me saw what was happening and held on to me for dear life as I wrapped my arms around the loose bar. I could've died that day but survived and I'm still here...
That boy is now a man, if you're watching this and remember, you know.
Lol.. I never met the minimum height requirement, so my dad would take me to an office where he could sign a slip for me to be able to ride all the rides.. Just had to show operator the slip and i was good to go. We always stayed till way after dark. All the lights, smells, and sounds were like no where else.. Thanks for stirring up some good memories!
What a great dad you have! Who knew you could have a parent sign something to get on??
The two men Vincent Ferla was talking about : In 1945, the Harringtons sold the park to the Studley Land Corporation, which, in 1947, sold it to Rocky Point. lnc., headed by Frederick Hilton with Joseph Trillo (my great-grandfather!) of Providence as treasurer. Vincent Ferla later bought out Hilton’s interest and eventually became sole owner of the park.
Turning the corner and seeing the sign! The commercial on TV. The flume! I remember when they first built The Enterprise. The Shore Dinner Hall. So many memories!!
Memories including sights, sounds, smells, first kisses, new friends...Wow. Thank you for posting this video.
16 people weren’t tall enough.
I have such wonderful memories of going to Rocky Point as a kid. Thanks so much for this wonderful documentary, it was nostalgic and made me relive the excitement I experienced as a child!
I loved going to Rocky Point to play the midway games. There was also the salt water taffy. I am the son of Ray Bussey. We opened up a snack and dairy restaurant in South Attleboro we had fried clams and clamcakes and one of the first to have 15¢ hamburgers the name of it was called the Big Joy and was at the corner of 1a and 1 highway we owned the business for 8 years.
Jolly Cholly!!!!!!!!!!!
Jolly Cholly had great pizza!!!
I can almost smell it. And the popcorn at Slater Park Zoo.
I enjoyed watching this documentary. I only wish I had had a chance to visit before it was gone. I understand why so many are mourning its passing. Thank you for sharing its history.
I suggest you go see it now.
This is a fantastic capture of a true Rhode Island Icon. Thank you so much for publishing on You Tube. Producing short, fun and personal movies on You Tube myself @RJUnleashed, I know most viewers do not realize or even think about how many hours this video took to produce. I do, and this movie did exactly what any good movie does. It was emotionally stimulating, which transitioned to much appreciation of this production. Thank you!
I really wish i was alive earlier. It seems like rhode island was actually a decent place to live at one point with things to do that werent always heavily patrolled by police + wanna be thugs.
I wish i could of went to this park and experienced it. Thank you for the movie. I would love to know more about why it shut down + maybe talk to people that did go if they have old film from the park as well. Thanks!~
I grew up in Southern Rhode Island. I was born in 74 and my dad worked for Pfizer and every single year they rented out the park for one day for their employees. I can't describe to you the magic of those days. I've been to many larger and more fantastic parks including Disney. But none of them hold the special place in my heart that Rocky Point does. You are so right about how RI has changed
RP was a nice little amusement park, and was great for it's time. It was obviously small and simple, and offered little variety. It certainly paled in comparison to places like Six Flags and Disney, but it was a nice little regional park that was perfect for a day of fun. It closed because it was it was over-leveraged by it's owners, who used the funds for other bad investments.
I grew up in Providence & even Rhode Island Hospital had their annual outings there & this was a family fun day for the employees & their families! We went every year until the until they ended it for good & I can`t remember which year this was,maybe the early 80`s was the last event from R.I. Hospital i want to say,yet i do remember all of the fun we had on those special outing days! Waiting in that long line to get in for the chowder dinner that came with that ticket that sometimes was over an hour was so hard to do because we could smell it all along with hearing the comments of the people leaving after finishing their food speaking on how wonderful it all was,only made us more hungry,it was long yet well worth the wait!. Oh it was great,they would serve,corn on the cob with lots of butter,clam chowder,clam cakes,a pitcher of water was also placed there for those who only had that ticket as a means of eating that day,watermelon slices & bread & it was also "all you could eat," yes,they would bring it until you couldn't eat anymore,there were also special dinners one could order which also gave you a special & always wanted seat at the famed "long window to the ocean," that was against only the one side facing & giving an ocean view as you ate your dinner,this was from lunchtime on,there were also some people,who would be there quite a while longer than most because it was all you can eat & people were taking advantage of this as these dinners they served were normally quite expensive for the average person working a regular job,so one really ate all they could! There were some,who actually had to be asked to leave they`d stayed so long. Also,they held special events & many prizes were awarded at the many raffles they held for so many different things,like races & games,sports challenges & the like,remember,i am going way back in time,also there were baseball games played by the teams one would join according to the ticket given,at which people could also win prizes,oh,there were so many things from the 50`s-60`s i remember that started to disappear as the 70`s approached,yet there was so much joy in those early days for us just anticipating this special day,it was a family tradition & my Dad worked at the hospital for 45 years,so that`s where our tickets came from! Gratitude to Rhode Island Hospital for those outing days at Rocky point,& Gratitude also,to you David bettencourt for sharing this video & some really cool memories as well as the history!
It was fun
I grew up in Smithfield. Didnt live here from 18-45. I can honestly say there is no place Ive seen like it. Truely one of kind places to grow up til early 90s.
Liked it there but I lived in Massachusetts I was more of a Lincoln park guy.
Am I the only one that was fighting back tears every now and then watching this?
not fighting them. lol. smiling and tears at the same same is my usual lately. Imagine having a redo of the original. wow. all the jobs this would create.
Spent so many summers there! Lived in neighboring MA. The Flume, Music Express, and the clam cakes!!! Great memories! Was sad to see it close especially since Lincoln Park had closed.
Rocky point had an intangible that can’t be defined. It was that cool.
So, many great memories... i remember jumping the fence and sneaking in through the woods to see the Beastie Boys in !992, but, sadly, found a Led Zepplin cover band playing inside the park; we had no idea the Beasties were in the Paladium. Dejected, my buddy and I circled the Paladium numerous times, and, on our final go-around, someone yelled from the bathroom, "Come climb in!" We climbed in and the concert blew our minds; the Beasties were amazing, and the Paladium was the perfect venue. We hung out afterwards and got to meet the Beastie Boys, who were stoned and shooting off fireworks. Besides losing my virginity, it was the greatest joy in my first 17 years on Earth... Thanks for the movie, Dave; you did a great job.
That is a awesome story! Haha!
My husband Kurt tells almost the same experience from that day!
He lived on Payton Ave... off Tidewater dr. Pretty cool remembering that time.
@@ruthiematteson6827 he had to know Brian and guy wicket on ogden st?
@@ronniehdable he said he remembers the names but sadly he didn't get to meet after the concert... just the sneaking in part.
straight up satanic story. Taking pride in losing your virginity as a great joy in your life. LOL Yet, your YT "name" is bitch slap 666. I think 666 is gonna bitch slap you in the end.
Word travels fast in a small state like RI. We all heard rumors about cooks putting disgusting things in the chowder. I don’t eat clams or shellfish anymore but those rumors turned me completely off from eating chowder or clamcakes. 🤢
Hell of a video R.I.P Rocky Point
I wish the the TARDIS or any other time machine was more than science fiction, because I would’ve LOVED to have seen this place in its heyday. House of Horrors would’ve been one of my favorites
I grew up in central Connecticut in the 80's and I never heard of Rocky Point. We went on vacation to Charlestown RI in the early 90's and I never heard of Rocky Point. I finally heard of Rocky Point a few years ago, and after watching this, I feel like I was there every summer. Amazing documentary.
Thank you David Bettencourt for sharing this. This truly shows the History of the park from its highs to its lows. But you failed to acknowledge how the park came to close and that should have been brought to the viewers attention. I am an ex-employee of the park 1989 - 1991 as a concessions stand employee (14-17 years old).
what year they closed?
the rides were auctioned off its final summer in 1995.
I gotta say I’m SHOCKED this was here in the mid 1800s! I didn’t even know we had amusement parks back than, till I saw when this park was opened. Awwww the musical express!!! I loved that ride, was probably my favorite bc they always played good tunes too. Were those the Nirope brothers??? I wonder if someone bought this property back & reopened it close to what it once was if it would make the money it used to make??? Reminds me so much of Wally World. I wanna say I read or saw somewhere the owner had leant ppl money that when he needed it back to put
Back into the park they just didn’t pay him back. So it folded.
It's always very sad when amusement parks close. I remember when Peony Park closed in Omaha during 1994. And when Joyland closed in Wichita during 2006. One of the best parts of childhood and being young disappears forever.
Brought a tear to my eye. My parents would take me and my sister there starting in the early 60's. But first and foremost before you could even get on a ride my father wanted chowder and clam cakes. It would drive my sister and I to distraction because we weren't there to eat.
Hahaha. You and your sister meant business!
Your poor dad probably needed the energy to keep up with the two of you!😜👍
Being in the shore dinner hall as a kid was incredible!! All those people. The endless rows of tables, the view of the bay and that unforgettable smell of the chowder and clam cakes!! God I miss it!!!😢
@@JeffM70 Big stainless chowder pots and loads of clam cakes. I miss it to and nothing today could even come close to it.
I worked at Rocky Point Park when I was a kid for 3 years. I was there 1985, 1986, and 1987. I started working in foods 1985 and the following year I work in traffic and rides because there was a shortage of ride operators. 1987 strictly worked and rides. It would be easier for me to list the rides that I didn't work on as an operator versus the rides I did work on.
The old guy kicking Frank Sinatra Jr off the Ferris Wheel, priceless
Wait! Did I miss a bit? Why did the park have to close? The video didn't explain that... it went from people enjoying themselves to the rides being auctioned...
that was the worst thing they could have done was get rid of rocky point. It was the only place to go in Rhode Island. the is the boringest state ever.
Well, nobody "got rid" of Rocky Point. It was simply a business that, due to mismanagement, went under. It happens every day.
So great to read everyone's fond memories of Rocky Point. I worked there in the summers of 1977 and 1978, working in the various games and the Penny Arcade - long, hot, boring days sometimes - but so glad I had the opportunity to be a part of the magic and excitement of the park in the glory days.
Pretty much all carnival games these days are rigged, but Rocky Point had skill games that weren't rigged.
Keith, do you have any memories of AC/DC performing at Rocky Point Park in the Summer of ´78?
Me and my buddy where on the coaster in house of hours and as a joke jumped into the car behind us that two girls where in. We got thrown out of course.
I can still smell the bay....at low tide! 😲
Just went for a walk at rocky point today with my sister
Stumbled across this movie and so enjoyed it! I was one of a bunch of British students who worked in the park in 1989. I spent most of my time as an operator on the log flume and Maurice, 48.38, was my boss. He was a great guy, made being there 12 hours a day great fun. Made loads of mates and had such a great summer, many great memories. Thanks to all who pulled the film together.
I saw Pearl Jam opening for Smashing Pumpkins who went on before Chili Peppers to about 500 peeps. This park was so amazing as a child, the over stimulation was intoxicating! I will never forget all the fun there. As I got older into my teens we would take girlfriends to the parking lot by the water and make out…so classic!
lol the guy that kicked frank sinatra jr off his ride for not having a ticket ...too funny ,,i loved that park.. grew up in pawtucket..now retired in warwick since 2002, i now share the bay in the oakland beach community... minutes away ... sad that its gone..
Wow! It’s actually quite sad seeing it all overgrown & just so in ruins.
I went on 1994/1995 i was about 17/18yo. we went to see our favorite singer olga tañon a latin singer. i still have the pictures. me and my sister got on the sky diver and we cried like babies omg i was so sacry, but funny too lol. my friend friend lost her baby on the free fall, when she got home she was in pain then she knew whe was pregnant but it was too late. Rip baby, and Rip naomi, Rip rocky point park.
So cool how they go into detail about each and every attraction
RIP Buddy Cianci
I moved to Florida,i seen your text.didnt realize buddy had passed,thanks.
When the ocean mist combined with the winds of the corkscrew was no match for my 80 bangs. Would ruin the hair every time. Such fond memories! Amazing documentary
I used to go there every summer with my family during the late 70s to mid-80s. I live on the west coast now, and have for almost 23 years, but I still remember the fun times we had at Rocky Point.
As a kid every summer I would go to rocky point for the chowdah, clam cakes, house of horror and corkscrew were the best and the log flumes! Man I miss these days!
Found this after listening to "Mr. Fun" on the Scared To Death podcast
Thank you sooo much for producing this epic movie. I am sitting next to a photo of my entire family taken in 1958 in that studio with the horse and buggy; 8 kids, at the time, with Mom and Dad. We didn’t have much but we have that moment in that photo. Rocky Point visits were few, but they remain my BEST childhood memories by far.
I miss Rocy point park let's do the right thing and bring it back that was my Play ground I had a lots of fun back then.
All I can do is share my memories and this movie with my son. I never left RI and last time I was at that spot was in 90 when it was Rocky Point. Wow, almost 27 years and I live 6 miles away.
Spoken like a true Rhode Islander! Gotta love it...
I worked at the shore dinner hall as a bus boy. My first job at 15. Never forget trying to roll the paper down the tables and not have it fall off. Loved those clam cakes and chowder. We used to get it to go also and ate a whole bag of clam cakes on the way home. My mother was not happy.
Born and raised in warwick ri. I'm 26, so i got to go a few Years . Good times.
Im From nh my gram lived in RI growing up we went to rocky point a few times.This doc made me think of her and the summers we spent w her as kids. We still got canobie up here but of course its changed alot.
Yes, a Rhode Island Tradition, not there when it was an amusement park but won't forget the stories of EVERYONE jumping off the Skyliner, I also heard a story of my dad riding the freefall with 3 members of a famous band playing in the midway that day. Ah those memories.
93...94..96....the best @ Rocky Point
I wish on the land rocky point was on they would make plaques or statues where each ride was with a little history written on it. I think that would be pretty cool!
They do have plaques up for a lot of the most iconic sites like the House of Horrors and the Shore Dinner Hall.
@@kristinmcshane4680 oh wow I didn't know that. That's awesome!
I live in Rocky Point, NY. On Long Island. It's so weird to read/watch about other places named Rocky Point!
i wish i got to go here
I just got my picture taken yesterday in the #9 floom that can be seen at 48:14. lol
I love this but I think the government officials making 6 figures could have all pitched in and saved this. They would have made so much money smh took a staple of the community away. Even smashed the sign, I hate the Rhode island officials
Yeah, according to David, they weren't going to take that sign down but he got a call the very last minute saying to get down there. BRING BACK THAT SIGN!!!! THAT'S ALL WE HAD LEFT AND THE LAST THING TO LEAVE THE PARK!!!!
Sad , best part of my childhood...was fun as a teenager too!!
What the, this looks like a legit movie from the intro and length
Rocky Point LOVED IT THEN LOVE IT NOW !--!!!!
what is not explained in this GREAT documentary is WHY it closed???
Financial mismanagement
Fraudulent loans
Best time in life.
I’m sure Rhodeislanders will enjoy this film immensely!
I miss it wished the would bring it back now a days u have to go to Massachusetts or c.t. for an amusement park sad 😢 miss the enterprise too bumper cars too all of it
OUTSTANDING!!!! Thank you for the trip to the best times of my life and childhood. The best days with my mother or grandmother. With friends. With family. Brought tears to my eyes too many times.
Ive heard so many people say "I wish it was still here today".Watching this I realize it would still be very different then it was all the yrs it was open. People would be on or worried about thier cell phones, posting everything on the web, taking away from the full experience as we remember it. Our ancestors had a gift for giving us the fortune of a full childhood while also preparing us for becoming adults.
59:48 Nooo, It's not custom. It's a standard arrow Loopscrew. There are many like it.
I think I'll take the word of the park GM on this one. If he says it was "custom" at the time, it was custom. Seems pretty plausible to me.
Shore Dinner and Cotton Candy
I finally watched this for the first time tonight. Great film and lots of good memories. What the film is missing now is the newest chapter of Rocky Point Park. I visited Rocky Point twice in the past year and it really is a beautiful park still. If you haven't been in many years, it's worth the visit. While the old amusements, concessions and dinner hall are long gone, the tranquil natural beauty of the bay is once again its main attraction, and there are relics of the familiar park that have been preserved.
No thanks.
We got "Greenways around this State"
Taking the park for your "water vistas" is/was the absolute worst reason it could of have been done. We certainly have scenic viewing areas of the ocean, being the Ocean State.
How can going to sit on a bench be "worth the visit"?
This clearly doesn't equate to the log flume...
But hey "We Are Preserving Nature and all it's beauty"
Screw the tremendous amounts of energy from the joy children had.
Generations of families playing and eating together.
Nope, we got cut grass, nice benches, paved walkway and folks walking toy dogs with poop bags at the ready....
I like the park that it is now. It is very beautiful and serene. I do miss the old park too.
Thank you so much for the recommendation for that, Mr. Hendrickson! I'll check it out.
The Muzic Express usually played disco. It went around pretty fast, first one way, then the other. If you were on a date you couldn’t help ending up pressed up against each other, thanks to centrifugal force, and if you were the guy, you probably wanted the outside seat or you’d spend the whole ride trying not to crush your date too much.
This is such an awesome movie ! Will there be a new version released that i've heard about for years with the missing pieces from the good days and in-between the demolition?
Joshua Martins No new movie. But I am publishing a new book of color photos that hits bookstores this July!
David Bettencourt I'll be looking for that. What's the title?
+David Bettencourt July of 2016?
+Eric Lima It's already out. It's part of the "Images Of America" series, simply titled "Rocky Point Park" by David Bettencourt and Stephanie Chauvin. Got mine on Amazon. It's great.
Scott J Yeah,I just found one on eBay. Maybe thinking of getting it.
the movies were fun, the zoo was fun but when your mother said "Rocky Point" you were like "YEAH LET'S GO!!!!"
Who remembers the salt water swimming pool 😬
My brother did a two and a half flip off that high dive, great times!
So sad... I miss Rocky Point. Was a 2 hr ride from home in western CT, I'll never forget the day we drove all the way there n found out that they closed. This was one sad 14 year old. Would love to find a place that has their chowder n clam cake recipe
I went last year and saw the stand on my way.
youtubeaddict21 there actually is the rocky point place with the original recipe. its here. person there brought back all of its memories as much as he can.1689 post rd warwick ri 02888 big sign and spot appears like the old rocky point entrance
That was the good old days it was perfect
I've got fond memories going to Rocky point with my grandparents in the early 70s all the way to the midnight he's going with my girlfriend. I never knew the early history of the park. This is a great documentary, thanks for sharing this story 👍✌️🇺🇲
If I win the lottery one goal I have is to buy and restore Conneaut Lake Park in Pennsylvania.
Thank you for this