Dartmouth’s Lincoln Park Was Slowly Destroyed By Arsonists

Ask anyone around that was around these parts before the late 1980s, and they will gladly share their memories of Dartmouth's beloved Lincoln Park.

Most are good memories. Those memories include family outings, learning to roller skate, first dates, high school proms and first jobs.

Lincoln Park was a part of many of our lives. My mother would have been 96 years old this year. Lincoln Park was a big part of her life growing up.

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Lincoln Park's slow decline began in the 1970s. The Herald News recalled the park running into problems with the Town of Westport over waste discharged into a brook that feeds into the Westport River.

The first of many fires to ravage Lincoln Park occurred in 1978, destroying two buildings.

"It took 60 firefighters and ten engines from Dartmouth and Westport to bring the blaze under control," the paper reported.

Additional fires, ride injuries and even a murder rocked Lincoln Park in the 1980s. The park closed in 1987.

The fabled amusement park fared no better in the 1990s when arsonists gained entrance, setting at least five fires, each claiming a bit more of what remained of Lincoln Park until there was nothing left.

Art In Ruins says, "The first fire in 1990 destroyed ten buildings including the Dodgems, the first aid building, the glass pitch, the skeeball building, and other concessions and food stands." The following year, the ballroom, taproom, and several other buildings burned.

In 1992, a fire destroyed 13 buildings "including the bowling alley, skating rink, game room, monster ride, souvenir stand, carousel building, and several concessions," according to the site.

By 1997, fires had destroyed roughly 90 percent of the buildings that existed at Lincoln Park. What remained of Lincoln Park was removed in 2012.

Private residences and apartments now occupy the footprint that was once Lincoln Park. The Town of Dartmouth posted signs at Beeden Road and Reed Road commemorating the history of Lincoln Park in words and photos.

The Westport Fire Department recently unearthed these photos from the 1992 fire and graciously allowed us to share them with you.