Will Old King Cole remains as other attractions are moved?
Will Old King Cole remains as other attractions are moved?
In 1955, a small fairy-tale theme park open on Rt. 40 at the now location of Enchanted Forest Shopping Center. It was a favorite of Howard County children for more than 30 years until it closed in 1989. Visitors to the park could explore storybook settings, climb aboard many of the attractions and gaze into windows of several of the attractions with vision of another place and time.
Over the past years, many of the structures were moved. Many went to the Clarks Elioks Farm on Clarksville Pike but till others went to other places dividing up the treasured attractions.
Remaining at the original site on Rt. 40 is the Storybook (recently restored after damage during recent construction near-by), and the Castle with its dragon (both visible from Rt. 40) along with a gingerbread house and Cinderella’s castle (hidden further back on the property).
The Castle, dragon and storybook will be moved to Clark’s early this summer and there is plans for an August 15th anniversary celebration to be held by Martha Clark, the owner of Clark’s farm. The gingerbread house and Cinderella’s Castle are made of wood and are covered in concrete and are structurally unsound to be moved so they will be demolished.
What will happen to Old King Cole? You may be happy to know, he will remain at the entrance to the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center inviting guest to enter and provide a smile to those that know why he is there and a wonder to newer residents.
The developer does plan to erect a plaque at the site with information about the history and direction to Clark’s Elioak Farm.