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Robin Weiner/U.S Newswire Photography
Robin Weiner/U.S Newswire Photography
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Built:
1928
Designed by: Joe Urban
Renovated: 2002
Type: Entertainment Venue
Location: 50 Gingerbread Castle Road
City: Hamburg
State: New Jersey
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M
ost every American knows the major theme parks -- Six Flags, Paramount, and the various Disney establishments. But for decades, the American landscape was dotted with also-rans with names like "Jungle Habitat," "Space Farms," and "Fairy Tale Forest." These parks were aimed at children too young for the giant roller coasters of the major parks, and to their families looking for an outing without having to drive across the state. Nestled in the woods of northern New Jersey is such a place. Known as Gingerbread Castle, this park is tucked away along an unremarkable rural road in Sussex County, New Jersey. Built in 1930 by F.H. Bennett, it uses a life-sized castle to tell the story of "Hansel and Gretel." It also featured other stories, and even had a miniature railroad for the children to ride. The property actually started out as a flour mill in 1808. When that enterprise became unprofitable, a wire and cable factory was erected on the property. This was an important turn of events because the owners used their plastics to make several plastic dinosaurs which adorned the property. As children came to visit, more dinosaurs were added, and then eventually the Gingerbread Castle, itself.
Some time in the 1980's, the Gingerbread Castle fell into a serious state of disrepair. Eventually, the property was only used as a haunted house attraction during Halloween. But in the early 21st century, there was a renewed interest in the property. A man by the name of Frank Hinger bought the property and began a series of fundraisers to help fix it up. The restoration was boosted, in part, by a donation from the Hampton Inn hotel chain (Hampton Inn volunteers are pictured scraping the paint off of Humpty Dumpty).
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