01/18/2026
This used to be just on the other side of the river from Hemlock Lodge.
Here's today's PHOTO OF THE DAY!!! Who remembers this long-lost Adirondack attraction?? It's the iconic fairy tale castle from the "Land of Makebelieve!!!" Once located in Upper Jay, New York, this amazing little theme park first opened in 1954 (A year before Walt Disney opened his first park in Anaheim, California). The work of local artist and visionary, Arto Monaco, who designed and built it. This attraction was wholly intended for children, with everything, including the buildings, vehicles, and rides, all built child sized! The grounds included the towering castle, a riverboat called the "Billabong Belle" (seen here), fairy tale houses, animals, and even an old western town. The Land of Makebelieve operated for 25 seasons, welcoming thousands of guests each summer before finally closing in 1979. Brought on by the nearly annual flooding of the nearby Ausable River. In 2011, the last surviving structures of the park, including the iconic castle, were swept away by Hurricane "Irene," leaving only fond memories of what once was.
