I was born and raised in Helena, Arkansas. Quite often we would travel across the state to visit my mother’s family who all lived in Northwest Arkansas around the Fayetteville area. Our trek across the Natural State would take us close to a place my sister and I begged and pleaded our parents to take us…Dogpatch, USA. They often would oblige. A haven for hillbillies, Dogpatch was a hillbilly themed park based on a popular Al Capp comic named Li’l Abner. Dogpatch featured thrill rides, trout pounds, caverns and the usual theme park fair. Opened in 1968, Dogpatch is located between Harrison and Jasper at a place called Marble Falls. The park closed it’s gates in 1993. Fast forward to 2014 when a man named Bud Pelsor purchased the the disheveled, over-grown property. Pelsor never visited Dogpatch early on but drove past it in the 70’s. He did, however, fall in love with the beautiful Ozark mountains, bought land near the hillbilly hideaway, and has been there since. He’s spent the last year cleaning up the theme park and renovating all the old rides and attractions in hopes to re-open the once popular family attraction. If he does, my sister and I will make a special trip to return to a place that holds so many special memories for us!

Below are pictures of Dogpatch, USA in its heyday. And click hear to visit the Dogpatch Facebook page for pictures of the current renovations and clean up.