GALLERY: Ghost Town property going on the market
After attempting to revamp the mountaintop amusement park for several years, Alaska Presley has decided to sell Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley.
Presley, who was an investor in the western-themed park when it first opened in the 60s, purchased the dilapidated park out of bankruptcy for $2 million in 2012 with plans to resurrect the anchor attraction in Maggie Valley. Presley managed to get the park open during the 2012 through 2014 summer seasons, but it was never without challenges and setbacks.
The old chairlift and the few kiddy rides left on top of the mountain failed inspections and needed expensive maintenance work every year. Presley had to spend unexpected money on constructing an emergency escape route underneath the chairlift. The entire park had to be rewired and all the plumping had to be redone. Getting water up the steep Buck Mountain also proved difficult and expensive.
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https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/17786-ghost-town-property-going-on-the-market#sigProId3b396d8da0
Presley was deeply passionate and determined to keep Ghost Town alive for the benefit of the local economy, but at 93, she couldn’t do it alone and was running out of resources. Her ultimate goal was to turn part of the mountain into a replica of the Holy Land with a 150-foot cross.
The park was scheduled to open summer 2015, but it never happened. Presley made promises to rebrand the park at “Ghost Town Village” for the 2016 season by changing the Western Town into an Appalachian Village and switching out gunfighters for moonshiners to better fit with Maggie Valley’s marketing. The project never materialized though and Presley made an announcement on Facebook June 2 that Ghost Town wouldn’t be opening and would soon be for sale.
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“Ghost Town will not open this season. The property is in the process of being marketed for sale in whole or part. We are sorry for the delays in coming to this decision, but feel it is best for the future of the property.”
Anyone interested in purchasing the property should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
