The $30 million theme park was designed by Randall Duell & Associates of Santa Monica, CA., the same folks who designed Disneyland. A series of artistic renditions were released to the public in 1970 and ground was broken on May 1, 1970. The General Contractor was Charles Cisne & Associates of Charlotte. Their plans were to have the park open in April 1972, but rainy weather caused numerous construction delays.

Carowinds finally opened it's gates to the public on a rainy, March 31, 1973 at 9:36am. About 3,100 people passed through the turnstiles, much less than the 25,000 anticipated. But amid the multiple park ownerships & drastic personel changes, steady crowds have continued now for 37 seasons. And although changes are necessary to remain fresh and competitve, the old Carowinds is barely recognizable with the exception of a few original rides. All of the local charm that made Carowinds the special place it was, is long gone.

Many of those who visited Carowinds in it's hey day may recall certain thrill rides like the Surfer, the Witchdoctor or White Lightnin'. Others will remember the exquisite Double-Decker Carousel, the Mule-Go-Round or Indian war canoes. And others may simply remember the trams that would shuttle guests to and from the parking lot and the front gate. Yes, these attractions may be long gone, but now you can rekindle those past memories once again with this nostalgic collection of over 175 photos, postcards, and news clippings that commemorate those lost but not forgotten rides and attractions of Carowinds' past.