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When the carousel stops: Haunting photographs reveal abandoned New Orleans amusement park left to become overgrown wasteland

By Mandy Oteng 0

By James Daniel

PUBLISHED: 23:39 EST, 3 September 2013 | UPDATED: 07:21 EST, 4 September 2013

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New Orleans has made a remarkable recovery since the city was devastated by flooding during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

These images show how one part of the Big Easy has yet to be revived - its Six Flags theme park.

The photographs, taken over several years, reveal an almost post-apocalyptic landscape dominated by twisted and corroded rides, now silent forever.

Graffiti covers many of the buildings, welcoming visitors to 'Zombieland' - a fitting name for the eerie park, which has been completely abandoned.

Six Flags remains as a haunting memorial to the devastation of Katrina.

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Days gone by: Amusement parks are supposed to be the scene of some your happiest memories: whether it be the speed of the roller-coasters or the serenity of a Ferris wheel

Days gone by: Amusement parks are supposed to be the scene of some your happiest memories: whether it be the speed of the roller-coasters or the serenity of a Ferris wheel

Fallen silent: This carousel has been left to rust away like the rest of the park, which was already losing money before Katrina hit

Fallen silent: This carousel has been left to rust away like the rest of the park, which was already losing money before Katrina hit

Desolation: This eerie photograph shows a corroded rollercoaster soaring into the sky behind a graffiti-covered ride at the abandoned Six Flags theme park, New Orleans

Desolation: This eerie photograph shows a corroded rollercoaster soaring into the sky behind a graffiti-covered ride at the abandoned Six Flags theme park, New Orleans

Paradise lost: Weeds have been left to grow over many of the abandoned rides. Evidence of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 is obvious in this rusting 'cool zone' area

Paradise lost: Weeds have been left to grow over many of the abandoned rides. Evidence of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 is obvious in this rusting 'cool zone' area

Washed out: The colour has faded from this once-vibrant and noisy theme park ride

Washed out: The colour has faded from this once-vibrant and noisy theme park ride

Hope? In 2009 the revealed it planned to work with Nickelodeon to create the company's biggest-ever theme park, which would create 600 jobs, but the $165million project has failed to materialise

Hope? In 2009 the revealed it planned to work with Nickelodeon to create the company's biggest-ever theme park, which would create 600 jobs, but the $165million project has failed to materialise

 
Land of the rising sun: Nara Dreamland is an abandoned amusement park in Nara, Japan. It operated from 1961 up to 2006, when it was closed due to lack of visitors

Land of the rising sun: Nara Dreamland is an abandoned amusement park in Nara, Japan. It operated from 1961 up to 2006, when it was closed due to lack of visitors

In need of some fairy dust: An overgrown railway line remains uncompleted in a field after funds were withdrawn due to disagreements with the local government and farmers

In need of some fairy dust: An overgrown railway line remains uncompleted in a field after funds were withdrawn due to disagreements with the local government and farmers

Behind the magic: These fountains would have given visitors a spectacular sound, light and water show. Instead, all that greets onlookers are rusty pipes

Behind the magic: These fountains would have given visitors a spectacular sound, light and water show. Instead, all that greets onlookers are rusty pipes

Off the rails: Due to lack of visitors Nara Dreamland eventually closed down, but it had operated since 1961

Off the rails: Due to lack of visitors Nara Dreamland eventually closed down, but it had operated since 1961

Land of nightmares: nspired by Disney, Nara Dreamland's fairytale castles and fairground rides now look sad and forlorn

Land of nightmares: nspired by Disney, Nara Dreamland's fairytale castles and fairground rides now look sad and forlorn

Nothing to smile about: This carousel takes on a ghostly appearance with the colours fading as time passes by

Nothing to smile about: This carousel takes on a ghostly appearance with the colours fading as time passes by

Western Village: Japan¿s Abandoned Cowboy Theme Park was built in 1975 and shut down in 2007, likely due to its remote location and the pull of other nearby parks like Disneyland sucking away its tourist base

Western Village: Japan¿s Abandoned Cowboy Theme Park was built in 1975 and shut down in 2007, likely due to its remote location and the pull of other nearby parks like Disneyland sucking away its tourist base

 
Not mickey mouse: A Stagecoach-era John Wayne with cyborg heart exposed stands by the park entrance, welcoming urban explorers with his silent stare

Not mickey mouse: A Stagecoach-era John Wayne with cyborg heart exposed stands by the park entrance, welcoming urban explorers with his silent stare

East meet West: Western Village started life humbly in 1970 as the ¿Kinugawa ranch¿ in the Japanese countryside

East meet West: Western Village started life humbly in 1970 as the ¿Kinugawa ranch¿ in the Japanese countryside

Faded glory: At one stage, the park had close to 1 million visitors annually. Now it is nothing more than a ruin

Faded glory: At one stage, the park had close to 1 million visitors annually. Now it is nothing more than a ruin

In for a trim: The amusement park is the best attempt by Japanese entrepreneurs at mimicry of American life and culture

In for a trim: The amusement park is the best attempt by Japanese entrepreneurs at mimicry of American life and culture

Faded grandeur: These once proud buildings are now slowly falling apart

Faded grandeur: These once proud buildings are now slowly falling apart

Glory days: At one time the theme park hired wranglers and cowboys for shows like the parades at Disneyland, involving gun battles and displays of gunmanship and skill

Glory days: At one time the theme park hired wranglers and cowboys for shows like the parades at Disneyland, involving gun battles and displays of gunmanship and skill

Saloon: Visitors to this lop-sided saloon must have felt drink from the moment they walked through the doors

Saloon: Visitors to this lop-sided saloon must have felt drink from the moment they walked through the doors

Here's where the story ends: the decaying sculpture and the photographs taken of it only serve as a haunting reminder that not all success stories end in happiness

Here's where the story ends: the decaying sculpture and the photographs taken of it only serve as a haunting reminder that not all success stories end in happiness

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