Beech Mountain, North Carolina: Land of Oz

We have frightening childhood recollections of a Land of Oz Theme Park atop Beech Mountain, NC. Being only 5 yrs old at the time, we remember going into a farmhouse and being scared until we almost pissed ourselves because we were led to believe by the guide that a tornado was approaching via audio/visual special effects. Then we were led into a cellar to escape the approaching tornado. After the tornado subsided, the guide led us out into the magical world of Oz, complete with all the Oz characters, a Munchkin Land, a Yellow Brick Road, a Haunted Forest, a hot-air balloon ride, and The Emerald City as the finale.

The park operated from 1970 to 1980 as a lure to attract tourism during the summer months in this sleepy little skiing town. After its closure in 1980, vandals unfortunately destroyed and/or stole much of what remained of the park. The property is now part of a resort community, complete with an annual tribute to the old park every October, locally known as "OZFEST" (and NO, Ozzy Osbourne will likely NOT be performing this year, but we'll keep working on him).