A Quassy Chronology

Quassy Amusement Park Has a Long and Fascinating History

A Quassy Chronology

Some important years to remember in the history and development of Quassy Amusement Park are found in this chronology,; much of it is kept among park records.  
 

1905 – A sea wall was built at the lakeside property which would become Lake Quassapaug Park (Quassy). 

1908 – The Trolley line from Waterbury to Middlebury was built and Quassy officially became a “trolley park.” 

1910 – A dance pavilion was built by the lake. 

1915 – The Wallace House burned down, and a new dance hall was built. The original dance hall was converted into a bathing house for the beach. 

1920 – There was dancing seven nights a week during what was described as the “golden years” of Quassy. 

1925 – A Popcorn and root beer stand were built. 

1927 – The Carousel roundhouse was built near the dance hall. 

1935 – Paddle boats were added at the lake. 

1937 – Three Waterbury concessionaires, John Frantzis, George Terezakis and Mike Leon purchased Lake Quassapaug Amusement Park from the Connecticut Trolley Company. 

1938 – A hot dog stand was built. 

1939 – The dance Hall converted into a roller-skating rink. 

1940 – The Tea Room was built. It was later converted into the lakeside restaurant. 

1941 – Land across the highway was donated to the Town of Middlebury for a baseball field. 

1948 – Train and Octopus rides were added. 

1952 – The Allan Herschell Kiddieland was added. Dining Pavilion I (Clam Bake) was added. Today the pavilion is called the Fieldside Pavilion. 

1955- A Twister ride was added. 

1958 – A Helicopter ride was added. 

1959 – The Quassy Queen riverboat ride on the lake was added. Today a pontoon boat takes up to 30 guests on a leisurely ride on Lake Quassapaug. 

1960 – The Wild Mouse roller coaster was installed. 

1964 – Indoor miniature golf replaced roller skating in the big building which once served as the dance hall. 

1965 – The Trabant ride was added. 

1966 – A new bath house was constructed. 

1969 – Electric indoor bumper cars replaced miniature golf. 

1972- The arcade replaced electric bumper cars. Hampton Dune Buggy ride was added. 

1975- The giant slide was added. 

1976 – The Saturn Six ride replaced Octopus. 

1977- A Tilt-A-Whirl ride was added. 

1979 – Space Shot and bumper car rides were added. Dining Pavilion II (Clam Bake) was added near the beach. 

1982- Speed pitch was added. 

1983- The Allan Herschell Monster roller coaster replaced Wild Mouse. Hampton Space Age ride was added. The restaurant was totally refurbished. A new game stand was built, and batting cages were added. Quassy celebrated its 75th anniversary. 

1987 – The Mini Himalaya ride was added. 

1991 – The Music Fest ride was added. 

1997- The Flying Dragon and Paratrooper rides were added. 

1999 – The Anderson family purchased the Terezakis family shares in the property. A big Flush water coaster was added. 

2000- The Frog Hopper ride and Titanic slide were added. 

2003- Quassy celebrated its 95th anniversary. Development of the water park started with the addition of the Saturation Station at Quassy Beach. The attraction featured water cannons, fountains, slides, and a huge dumping bucket. Also, the park added The Extreme Zone rock-climbing wall and “airtime” adventure. 

2004 – The Yo-Yo super swing ride was added. 

2006 – Tunnel Twister waterslides were added at Saturation Station. A new maintenance shop was built on the north side of the property. 

2007 – 1927 carousel roundhouse was refurbished during the off-season. The historic structure is home to a 50-foot, four abreast Grand Carousel. 

2008 – The Galleon Pirate Ship and Family Fun Slide were added. Quassy celebrated its centennial with a big band dance on July 19. 

2009 – The new main entrance ticket booth opened – reminiscent of “trolley park” heritage at Quassy. 

2010 – Free Fall ‘N’ Drop Tower ride was added. Monster roller coasters were sold at the end of the season to make room for waterpark expansion. The Mini Himalaya ride was retired. 

2011 – The Wooden Warrior roller coaster opened. The Flying Dragon ride was retired. 

2012 – A new family teacup ride called Crazy Cups was added. Quassy Quest Laser Maze was added in the heart of redemption arcade. 

2013 – The Bullet Bowl water raft ride was added to Saturation Station along with body slides and a kiddie splash pad area. The waterpark was rebranded as Splash Away Bay, yet still incorporated all elements of Saturation Station. The bathhouse – entrance to beach/waterpark – was completely refurbished. 

2014 – A new group sales and season pass office was built near the main ticket booth. Quassy restaurant was refurbished with a large food preparation area added. Restrooms near the park entrance were totally refurbished. 

2015 - FRANTIC thrill ride and kiddie bumper cars were added. A new train station opened over the platform for Quassy Express. Trabant ride was retired at the end of the season. 

2016 – Slide City, a new five-slide children’s complex, opened in Splash Away Bay. Reverse Time, a spectacular new family thrill ride, replaced the Trabant. The new maintenance building was completed, bringing to two the number of new structures for safety and maintenance team. Spaceport Quassy, a remodeled and themed play port area for youngsters, was completed. Allan Herschell kiddie boat ride was refurbished. Eagle’s Nest Observation Deck was added adjacent to Wooden Warrior roller coaster. 

2017- Bella & Bessie’s Sweet Shoppe & Pizzeria opened on the site of the former popcorn stand. In addition, a new SBF/Visa Mini Jet titled Skipper’s Clippers and a Zamperla Samba Balloon ride called Up, Up & Away replaced the lakeside Hampton Umbrella rides. The Quassy Quest Laser Maze also received an upgrade with the addition of the Beam Busters® element. 

2018 – Category 5 Rapids – Extreme Waterslides- were added to Splash Away Bay waterpark in the largest investment in the park’s history. Also, Splash Away Bay Café was constructed overlooking Quassy Beach with upper deck seating. Yo-Yo Super Swing ride was completely refurbished to include a state-of-the-art LED lighting system. 

2019 – The Bouncing Buggies family ride replaces the children’s play port. 

2020 – The Tidal Wave swinging ship replaced the Galleon Pirate. 

2022 – The Rocket Rapids water coaster has been added to Splash Away Bay waterpark, surpassing the investment record set in 2018.