In 2005
I reported the discovery of a lost Wildwood Boardwalk attraction;
I am referring to the Elephant of Fun Pier's Jungleland dark
ride. As the story went it somehow ended up on the rooftop of
Rocky's Liquor Store in Wildwood... however this is not the
case. I have recently been informed by local amusement and railroad
enthusiast Bill Campbell, that my original story is likely incorrect.
No doubt, Rocky's elephant is certainly of the same breed...
but not the real McCoy. While biking down some back roads Bill
spotted the lost attraction on a piece of property located in
Cape May Court House, New Jersey. After inquiring with the property
owner he came to find that it supposedly had been purchased
at an auction in Wildwood some 12 to 15 years ago. Surely there
are more than a few of these elephants in existence, but along
with this discovery comes obvious visual signs and a background
that leads me to believe that Bill has found the original. Bill
has since purchased the elephant from its previous owner and
I thank him for contacting me on his recent find, thus setting
the record straight on the elephant issue.
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