The Land of Oz

by Tim Hollis

In 1966, North Carolina tourism moguls Grover, Harry, and Spencer Robbins began exploring ways to utilize their new ski facilities atop Beech Mountain during the summer. They brought in their associate Jack Pentes to come up with an idea. As a long-time fan of The Wizard of Oz, Pentes planned and developed the Land of Oz theme park, opening in June 1970. The park did not resemble the famous 1939 MGM movie or the Oz as depicted in L. Frank Baum’s book. Instead, Pentes interpreted his own vision of Oz, with a comical Wicked Witch and a wizard who did not turn out to be a fake. The Land of Oz closed after its 1980 operating season and was left to deteriorate. Since 1990, however, its remnants have been secured and restored. The property is now available for special events, and a giant Oz celebration takes place each autumn.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

99 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2016

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever visited North Carolina in the 70s, you likely heard of the little amusement park The Land of Oz based on the popular children's novel and MGM movie Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum. The park was nestled atop Beech Mountain near Banner Elk / Boone, North Carolina. During the winter, the park was a ski resort, but in order to extend the revenue season, the summers saw the area transformed into a park complete with Uncle Henry's Home, The Yellow Brick Road, and the Emerald City. As you walk along the brightly painted walk you would encounter Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, and the Wicked Witch. For anyone who was even a remote fan, the park provided an afternoon of fun. The park officially closed in the 80s and has since fallen into disrepair, until a few old fans and local realty agent began to bring it back to life. The park is now opened on a limited basis on special weeks(ends) in the spring and fall. This book is basically a photo journal of the park from its inception through its current state. Most of the photos are from the original park's publicity shots and souvenir book, as well as some photos from park employees and realty agency that is currently the owner of the property.

I vividly remember visiting the park as a young girl. I was always a fan of the Oz books, and the movie. I still have the souvenir book we purchased at the park and L. Frank Baum's Land of Oz book that I bought at the park bookstore. This was a great little book to stroll down memory lane. I hope to someday visit again on one of the park's special weekends.

[L.B. Sedlacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trip back in time and forward about the Beech Mountain, NC theme park Land of Oz. This book dives into the original opening and reopening of the popular Oz centric theme park and takes you forward into its current iteration as Autumn at Oz. Many pictures from the past and present are included in this thorough recount of what the park was like as well as what it’s like today.

[Joey Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures!

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was a fun read! I've never been to the Land of Oz, but now I want to go during one of their special openings! Enjoyed reading about the history of the place. Interesting photos, too.!