Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley, North Carolina was the vision of businessman R.B. Coburn, a Virginia native who moved to Maggie Valley. After visiting several ghost towns in the American West, Coburn was inspired to create his own Western-themed amusement park. In 1960, he purchased Buck Mountain at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains as the location of his new attraction. The park was designed by Russell Pearson and constructed for $1 million. It is divided into several towns located at different elevations of the mountain, each with a different theme. Each hour a gunfight was staged in the middle of the street with guests lining up to watch. The center of the park is an Old West town with two saloons, a church, a school, a bank, and a jail.
When construction began in 1960, over 200 locals were hired to build the 40 replica buildings that comprised the Western Town, located at the mountain’s peak. Approximately 300,000 feet of lumber, 200,000 feet of plywood, and 20,000 pounds of nails went into the construction of Ghost Town. The town was completed in May 1961 and consists of about 120,000 square feet of building space.
Ghost Town in the Sky opened on May 1, 1961, quickly becoming one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions. It was promoted as “North Carolina’s mile-high theme park.” At one time, Ghost Town was a worthy rival to the pre-Dollywood Silver Dollar City/Goldrush Junction theme parks. As Dollywood and Pigeon Forge soared in popularity, Ghost Town faded. New rides and attractions were added throughout the years.
At its peak, Ghost Town attracted over 400,000 visitors each season. A double-incline railway was constructed to bring visitors to the top of Buck Mountain. The incline was created with a 25-ton bulldozer attached to a winch secured to another bulldozer, which pulled the bulldozer up the mountain. The railway created an exciting ride up to the top of the mountain with varying slopes ranging from 30 to 77 degrees. Tourists could only reach the mountaintop amusement park by riding the incline railway or the chairlift up to the top. In the spring of 1962, a two-seat chairlift was added parallel to the incline railway to take visitors up the mountain. The chairlift is the longest in North Carolina and the second-longest in the United States. It moves at 310 feet per minute and ascends 3,370 feet.
R.B. Coburn sold Ghost Town in 1973 but bought it back a decade later in 1986. In 1988, he hired Hopkins Rides to build a new $2 million steel roller coaster on the side of Buck Mountain. The new coaster was part of a park refurbishment plan by Coburn. He hoped the new roller coaster attraction would bring in 25-30% more guests. Unfortunately, its summer opening was delayed due to construction and harsh weather conditions. The Red Devil, featuring a red and white paint scheme, opened in September 1988 with little fanfare. Under R.B. Coburn’s ownership, Ghost Town suffered from a lack of maintenance and mismanagement. Since the chairlift and incline railway are the only ways tourists can access the park, they both need constant repair. Coburn spent thousands maintaining both. In July 2002, the chairlift malfunctioned, leaving passengers stranded for over two hours in the rain. A few days later, Coburn decided to close the park and sell the property. During the next four years, the amusement park sat empty and unmaintained, giving the impression that no one would buy it. Without proper security in place, the park was subject to vandalism.
The Red Devil roller coaster operated until the closure of Ghost Town in 2002. It was repainted yellow and renamed the Cliff Hanger for the reopening of the 2007 season, however the ride remained closed due to necessary state code updates. It eventually reopened in June 2009, but two days later, the ride closed after inspectors found a hairline crack in one of the train’s frames. The coaster reopened again in October 2009 but closed a few days later after more mechanical issues were discovered. The Cliff Hanger, like many of the rides in the park, has garnered a reputation for constantly breaking down.
Ghost Town declared bankruptcy in 2009 after spending $11 million, including $6 million on the Cliff Hanger roller coaster. The Great Recession of 2008 was blamed for the park’s problems, but owners insisted Ghost Town would reopen and continue to operate. By May 2008, the rides had not been inspected and the owners needed $330,000 to reopen. The failure to obtain a loan was expected to result in the loss of 200 jobs and a loss of revenue for local businesses. An anonymous donor provided the money which allowed Ghost Town to reopen for the 2009 season. However, the park struggled to make payroll and employees complained they were not paid. The kiddy rides and the Wild West town were operational, but rides that attracted a more adult crowd like the Cliff Hanger roller coaster and the drop tower failed to pass state inspections.
A massive mudslide occurred on the mountain after retaining walls on the property failed in February 2010. Although there were no injuries, 40 homes had to be evacuated and several were damaged. Ghost Town itself sustained damage, but to what extent is publicly unknown. After the incident, the local news announced the park would reopen on Memorial Day weekend but that did not happen. A month later, a judge ruled to proceed with foreclosure and sell the property at auction. Ghost Town was sold in February 2012 at public auction to Alaska Presley, a local businesswoman and long-time supporter of the park for $1.5 million. New regulations required her to spend millions on labor and time lost due to state inspections. Another issue arose when it was discovered the water was never shut off after the park closed, so the old pipes were subject to the mountain freeze-and-thaw cycle. Wells for private water were condemned because they were too close to potentially unacceptable objects. Four new wells were drilled, and all were failures except one of limited output. Ultimately, the option of city water was decided which meant virtually every part of the old system had to be replaced.
In February 2010, retaining walls on the property failed, causing a massive mudslide on the mountain. Although there were no injuries, 40 homes had to be evacuated and several were damaged. Ghost Town itself sustained damage, but to what extent is publicly unknown. Local news outlets announced the park would reopen on Memorial Day weekend after the incident, but it didn’t. A month later, a judge ruled to proceed with foreclosure and sell the property at auction. Ghost Town was sold in February 2012 at a public auction to Alaska Presley, a local businesswoman and long-time supporter of the park for $1.5 million. Due to new regulations, she had to spend millions on labor and lost time due to state inspections. Moreover, the old pipes were subjected to the mountain freeze-thaw cycle since the water was never turned off following the park’s closure. Wells for private water were condemned because they were too close to potentially unacceptable objects. Four new wells were drilled, and all were failures except one of limited output. Ultimately, the option of city water was decided which meant virtually every part of the old system had to be replaced.
In 2013, Ghost Town in the Sky was fined $2,000 by the Labor Department after an actor was injured by shrapnel from a shotgun blast in a staged gunfight. Investigators discovered the actors were actually using real .45 caliber revolvers and a real shotgun loaded with blanks instead of prop guns capable of only firing blanks. A year later, in 2014, Alaska Presley listed a lower portion of the property, that includes the Old West town, for sale for $3 million. Presley planned to redevelop the upper portion as a “Holy Land replica theme park.” The listing was taken off the market a few months later due to no interest. In an effort to deter vandalism, Presley hired security guards and placed cameras on the mountain. In 2015, the park announced a rebranding to Ghost Town Village. This was in part due to the inability to reopen any of the rides or rollercoasters due to the repair costs. However, the park never reopened. Local news outlets anticipated a reopening in 2019, but that never happened. Today, the park remains closed, although work is underway by a team of new investors to restore the former amusement park in the hopes of one day reopening.
In August 2021, a key person working on the redevelopment of Ghost Town made a rare public speaking appearance and explained basic plans in front of the local Chamber of Commerce that involve an investment of up to $200 million. More information, including a specific timeline and date to reopen, will be available in early 2022. The water and sewer issues that plagued the park are resolved, clearing the way for improvements. The park’s main street, home to the Red Dog Saloon, a jail, and several cafes, will be gutted and completely redone. The ground floor of the buildings will be home to unique shops and boutiques, and possibly even some brand-name retail or dining outlets. The second floor of those buildings will be sold or leased as condominiums for residential use. At the base of Buck Mountain, a new hotel will be constructed and will have a lodge-like appearance to blend in with the environment. Behind the lodge will be small vacation rental cottages. There is no word yet on what will become of the original rides. There are rumors of the addition of a Ferris wheel.
A heavy level of skepticism remains as previous attempts have appeared promising only to fail. The process will be fascinating, even if they only get the doors open. The nostalgia factor alone could bring in thousands of people who grew up going to Maggie Valley. These folks would love to share their experience with their kids and grandkids. A big part of the resurrection plans is better infrastructure and housing plans to help Maggie Valley become a tourist destination. Roughly 200 employees would be required to run the new Ghost Town in the Sky. The area needs affordable housing, restaurants, a grocery store, and an urgent care center to support the local economy and the park. As beautiful as Maggie Valley is, doubts remain whether it can attract the number of tourists needed to support Ghost Town. As of 2024, the park remains tied up in a lawsuit over ownership.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your support. Please share the blog with your friends.
You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. If you would like to receive the Abandoned Southeast blog in your email, please sign up below or on the main page. Also, for more amazing, abandoned places check out my books available through Amazon.
Abandoned Southeast 
Ghost Town in the Sky is still owned 100% by Lula, LLC, that Alaska Presley owns 100%. There has been publicity claiming it was sold in 2018 but that contract was never consummated. The park is no longer under contract but there is interest from other investors yet no deal has been reached.
LikeLike
Ghost Town Adventures LLC currently owns the park.
LikeLike
Ghost Town Adventures never consummated the deal and never closed on the sale of the park.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh ok, so those news articles are incorrect? Do you know the latest of what’s going on with it?
LikeLike
Is it possible to live in the buildings there…having people there for security and upkeeping the buildings would help you…pay us to caretake
LikeLike
You should check out Rim Rock Railroad in Norton VA. Theme park abandoned in 1974
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Neil, I will have to check it out! Thanks
LikeLike
It is under contract. A deal has been made. It is not the 2018 contract but a new buyer came forward in late 2019.
LikeLike
Are you referring to Ghost Town or Rim Rock?
LikeLike
Ghost Town in the Sky. Maggie Valley, NC
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great. I hope they are able to reopen one day.
LikeLike
How about Six Gun Territory near Wytheville, Va. Or Lakeside Park near Salem, Va.?!
LikeLike
Also, the Land of Oz theme park in North Carolina. It’s not completely abandoned, but close to it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_of_Oz_(theme_park)
LikeLike
Thank You so much for sharing this story, or should I say Legend. I’m so sorry that “Ghost Town in the sky, closed down so many times however, the owner’s tried & tried again. However we all know what the constant battle of higher costs for updates to the systems, and not to mention, that everyone had their hand in the Ghost Town in the sky- “wallet.” It’s a shame.
I give ALL the people that were employed there at various times, an applause for their efforts to assist others, and the guests that come there to this high mountain top, just to have fun.
In addition, I must mention that the photography of the Ghost Town is Spectacular!! What perfect views, and of course the mountain view in it’s self…Awesome!!! WONDERFUL!!!
Note: I like this story, and Haunted Places…Interesting.
Have a Great Day!!
Respectfully,
Karen E. Crudele (Canandaigua, N.Y.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Might try selling it to Disney. They have deep pockets, and are always looking for another way to make money.
LikeLike
Hell no.
Keep Disney out of the Smokey Mountains. Disney done’n screwed up enough stuff.
LikeLike
Was there in 1970 at the age of 10, such a great family vacation then. So sad to see it go through so many hands, changes, and failures to re-open.
LikeLike
Enjoyed it as a kid, Would love to introduce my grandkids to it as a Mouse alternative.
LikeLike
Blowing Rock NC has the Tweetsy theme park. It has a western theme.
LikeLike
We were there in Maggie valley & decided to stop & have a look at ghost town & we noticed some one has started cleaning up the property & there appears to be work going on going on other places there ! We wonder if there is something in the works ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe there are some new investors involved working to revive the park.
LikeLike
I worked there as a saloon girl from 1996 to 1999 my all time favorite job
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a new contract and potential buyer is working every day to improve as he goes about his due diligence.
LikeLike
Hope that Ghost Town can open again someday….I took my grandson to the property this summer and he saw it so abandoned and deteriorated …he expressed that he would like it to open again someday so he can get to visit it when things and rides are working and kept well. It’s really an amazing location and has a lot of potential.
LikeLike
are homes available?
LikeLike
Not at this time. There will be homes available in the future. I’m not at liberty to give you the particulars or a time frame as yet.
LikeLike
Would like to know if homesites will be developed in the area .
LikeLike
Most definitely part of the planning stage. Keep watching for good things to come
LikeLike
My family and I went on vacation to Maggie Valley when I was a child. I believe it was 1981-82? I loved Ghost Town in the Sky. I fell in love with a native boy that was in the indigenous dance ceremony. Our eyes locked many times. He would find us around the park here and there and when I would catch a glimpse of him, we exchanged sweet smiles. As a young tween, I was instantly smitten. I always thought about him over the years and hoped we would meet again someday. But that dream was never meant to be. Ahh, to be young again.
LikeLike
WENT THERE AS A KID AND TOOK MY SON IN THE 1990’S. LOVED IT BOTH TIMES. DID YOU KNOW THAT BURT RENOLDS WORKED THERE ONE SUMMER WHEN HE WAS YOUNG?
LikeLike
Wonderful family vacation memories in Ghost Town Maggie Valley! Would love for my grandchildren to experience the way vacations were in the wild west times. Miss Ghost Town!
LikeLike
I played in Eddie Nash’s show in 1973 and in the Garmon Hines Show in 1978. I love that park and i have many memories . We would eat at Joey’s pancake house for Breakfast. My wife and I visit the Valley ever so often. It is my prayer the park will one day again reopen and thrive. We have taken our grandchildren up to the park for years
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought I remembered seeing something about this place when I moved to the area in 2008. I hope someone does renovate & operate it again.
LikeLike
Very interesting! Hope to visit in the future, at least the Ghost Town parts. Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i hope its reopens soon before i die i never been there before
LikeLike
I do hope things will work out that Ms. Alaska will be able to get funding and help to reopen the town. Would be so great if it could be opened back up in original state.
In the original opening if the town there were 5 members of my family that worked there, from night watchman, store manager, gunfighter, saloon waitress, to other things.
Was a great drawer for many years, people came from everywhere to be part of the great times that were had there.
To Alaska:. Please put it back in it’s original state and see what happens, you might be surprised.
As we all know it’s name is GHOST TOWN……..
Bring a ghost town back to life.
LikeLike
It is a no brainer there is nothing around here for families to come to now . I believe with refinishing the parks nostalgic history and maybe try and bring some new attractions along with it.This place would become a huge family attraction and would continue to make family memories for generations I myself was a child and now 47 And remeber it as one of my all time favorite memories In all my life. I hope to of brought my own children there one day but I never got the chance.please make historic and precious memories for so many of us possible again maybe The outside investor isn’t such a bad idea Disney im sure would bring the originalality and new ideas with a comfort of safety it needs. Bring back western Carolinas only fun thing to do….
LikeLike
That would be awesome if they get this unusual and unique attraction to reopen. I remember driving by a few years ago and my gf told me the story of how she went as a kid. Home sites??? We plan to retire somewhere in the NC mountains within the next few years. How do we get hooked up to any info about? Thanks for the story.
LikeLike
Please bring back ghost town .I loved it as a kid in the 70s. Loved riding the chair lift to.
LikeLike
I reminder being there before an we loved it .Wish it would be rebuilt so some of us could take our grandkids to see where we would spend our summer days.
LikeLike
Went there in the 60’s and in 72-73. Never got to take my son. Great place to learn about the old West and about the mountains. Hope they get it back together and the public is able to once again enjoy something so magnificent!!!
Cheryl Whicker
LikeLike
i would like to go there for a week
LikeLike
I’m 60 years old, My mother and father took my brother and sister and I to Ghost Town in the sky when I was about 9 years old, I loved it, enjoyed it, just rode by it with my three grand children on the way to yogi bear campground they hadn’t opened for season yet,new that though, just riding and looking, rode on up to Gatlinburg TN, anyway I had to tell my grand children about Ghost Town in the sky and how I hated it closed , brought back memories pray it reopens one day
LikeLike
I loved this place. As a kid we went there every year from 93-00 and then in 2004 we t up to Maggie Valley and she was closed down. Very sad indeed hopefully they will get her up and running again….
LikeLike
I use to love coming here it was an awesome place I came here every year with my mom and 2 aunts we always had so much fun here I really hope that ghost town in the sky opens up again soon people don’t know what they are missing I am just heartbroken to see it like this so sad 😞
LikeLike
Does anyone remember the animatronics that was in America’s music Hall? Like what they did and what their names were and any other information about the animatronics.
LikeLike
i am 65 visited when young was great also rode train close by, found comerative plate at yard sale
LikeLike
My family and I went therein the early 1970s, probably about 1972. I actually liked it better than Silver Dollar City which has since been changed to Dollywood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Worked there as a Can Can Dancer in 1975 and 76. Had a wonderful time there. So sad to see it closed for so long. Was a really great place to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting article !! Hope you are able to open up soon . It is a shame for all the vandalism that has occured.
LikeLike
Any news on big Dan lake or the riverboat ? I think it was located in meadows of dan . either n.c. or va.
LikeLike
I have a picture of myself from 1966 or 1967 riding that chairlift sitting in the middle between my mom and dad. I looked a bit ‘afraid’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOW! I was born and reared in NC and lived here, most, of my life. Few up in Eastern NC about midway between the Outer Banks and the mountains. I now reside close to where I was born, have a lovely wife, 2 kids and 3 grandkids. I have visited mountains of NC many, many times but have now just heard of this place. Sounds like a wonderful place I would love to take the whole family to. The roller coaster looks amazing and would love to ride it, in the front of the first car, of course. I have been to many amusement parks in the East Coast and a couple on the West Coast and a few in between but would surely like to visit this one, if or when it reopens. Hoping those invested can get it back up and running soon.
LikeLike
Would you give a presentation to our Rotary Club in Highlands, NC?
LikeLike
Hey George, shoot me an email at abandonedsoutheast@gmail.com and let’s talk about it.
LikeLike
I enjoyed your article today and I am intrigued by the mystery of abandoned landmarks… I don’t have a website but I would like to receive your articles at my email annotated below… Thank You, Mr Kent!
LikeLike
I will add you to the mailing list!
LikeLike
Six gun Territory!?
LikeLike
I love Maggie Valley photo the most, are these abandoned places available for visit during covid?
LikeLike
We have been there several times in the early years of 1960 and 1970’s. We are 81 and 82 years old now! We have ridden up in a bus! We have ridden in a car because a friend was handicapped! We have ridden in a cable car across like the chair lift. We never rode the chair lift! All the three we rode were scary! David and Dora Sue Smith, Sparta NC
LikeLike
I was able to go there a few times in the early 1960’s with my grandparents who lived in Hendersonville, i remember swimming in Lake Lure and going down Sliding Rock, Great childhood memories so long ago.
LikeLike
I took my children there 1990 great place
LikeLike
Great article Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to reviewing others.
LikeLike
I worked at Ghost Town in the summer in the early 80’s. Worked in the games. One of the few who knew ” the Trick” to win at the Strong man up by the flying Dutchman. Went there several times as a younger kid in the 70’s. Grew up over in Sylva and always loved this place. Never got to share it with my kids but would love to share it with my grands. Good luck building it back. An entire generation of mountain kids are anxious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On vacation and accidentally discovered “Ghost Town” so we decided to check it out. We absolutely loved it !! Went back years later and it was in shambles. So sad. This is 2022 and I’ll be 74 years old in a few months so needless to say I will not get to see again. I hope it gets built back, it was totally worth seeing.
LikeLike
What about Dogpatch USA in Harrison. Arkansas?
LikeLike
its what made maggie valley
LikeLiked by 1 person
My wife and i drove past Ghost Town on our way home in the 80’s and did not have time to stop and always planned to go back down, but never found the time, we regret that
LikeLike