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UER Mobile > US: Pacific Southwest > The Future is Blight (Viewed 8759 times)

post by NothingsPerfect   |  | 
The Future is Blight
< on 3/5/2014 5:57 PM >

Out in the Mojave, relentlessly dusted by the sands, mercilessly vandalized by taggers and teenagers, stands a monument to perseverance. Originally built in 1962, the Lake Dolores Waterpark has had many incarnations and gone by many names. It was purchased by Bob Byers and first conceived as a simple man-made lake named after his wife, Dolores. Over the years, as Motocross enthusiasts and wearied travelers of the interstate frequented the lake in increasing numbers, rides and attractions were added and the lake was transformed into a fully-fledged water park.

In its heyday, the park was host to waterslides, zip-lines, bumper boats, diving boards and a JetSki racetrack. With the passage of time, though, popularity waned and the park was closed. Over the decades, several entrepreneurs have attempted to rebrand and revitalize the site. In 1998, the park (now named Rock-A-Hoola) was reopened with a 50s theme, including classic cars and rockin’ oldies playing on speakers throughout the park. The park did not last two years before it filed for bankruptcy.

Once again an investor, with the dream of creating an oasis in the barren Mojave desert, purchased and renovated the waterpark. Once again, two years after opening, this venture went belly up as well. The park has been closed since 2004. In the time since it has been host to skate videos, served as venue for impromptu music concerts and used as canvas for guerrilla art. Its slides have been sold piecemeal to other parks, its buildings’ walls have been kicked in and tagged, and the pools which once held water now slowly fill with desert sand.

Even now, despite the desolation and ruin, another investor has announced plans to reopen the park. It stands as a testament to tenacity against the harsh sun and sandy winds of the desert. The dream of an oasis that will not die. Despite the bold guerrilla art proclamation that greets you as you enter the park, as long as there are those who attempt to create something better with what they are given, perhaps the future won’t be blight after all.

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Rock-A-Hoola TV Commercial: http://www.youtube...atch?v=Uuj6_SxlHZI

Guerrilla Art Group portfolio: http://www.trustocorp.com/street/



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post by Flashyfashionfraud   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 1 on 3/5/2014 7:19 PM >

Beautifully said with stunning photos. It's eerie to think that this park used to thrive as though it expected to live forever. Nicely done!


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post by Skye_Ann   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 2 on 3/7/2014 12:06 AM >

Cool!!


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post by Chris-Kicker   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 3 on 3/7/2014 12:12 AM >

you should post a larger version of 16. I'd like to see some of the detail.


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post by LostAmerica   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 4 on 3/7/2014 10:17 PM >

Man, the place is a real mess now. The idea that someone would try to make a go of it here, yet again . . . insane.

I like 14, with the over-lit coil. Weird, surprising.

My time there in 2010:
http://lostamerica...a-hoola-waterpark/


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post by PorkyMcCaw   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 5 on 3/7/2014 10:21 PM >

Sick location! I really like the building in shot 6.


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post by NothingsPerfect   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 6 on 3/8/2014 12:23 AM >

Posted by Chris-Kicker
you should post a larger version of 16. I'd like to see some of the detail.


Here you go!:
http://www.flickr..../o/in/photostream/

The whole album with extra pictures is here:
http://www.flickr....72157642021750723/

Posted by LostAmerica
My time there in 2010:
http://lostamerica...a-hoola-waterpark/


Looking at your photos make me sad for what it has become. Natural decay is beautiful, active destruction is not. Friggin' taggers and vandals, man...


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post by RescueMe1060   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 7 on 3/8/2014 1:23 AM >

Is 5:20pm when time stopped and Rock-A-Hoola died?


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post by seedy   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 8 on 3/8/2014 5:15 PM >

Nice set Nothings. When were you there?
Last time i stopped by, which was last summer, there was security living in a trailer on site.
I figured, it would only be a matter of time before the owner gave up on the place and the guard would leave.


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post by xxsonicblue   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 9 on 3/10/2014 6:46 AM >

I went there two years ago, and since, it's turned into a hot fucking mess. Way more tagging and what not.

Nice photos, though!


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post by Austtie   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 10 on 3/10/2014 7:43 AM >

Posted by seedy
Nice set Nothings. When were you there?
Last time i stopped by, which was last summer, there was security living in a trailer on site.
I figured, it would only be a matter of time before the owner gave up on the place and the guard would leave.


Don't forget his pet pitbull...

Looks like you were right on this one seedy.


Awesome write-up and pictures Nothings. The dark, cloudy skys are unique and abnormal, especially for this location. It adds a very interesting ambiance, which you captured quite nicely.


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post by JasonJacksonPhoto   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 11 on 3/10/2014 8:01 AM >

I really like these shots especially because of this skate video:
http://youtu.be/cbSbbY5ibas


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post by Sevtai   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 12 on 3/10/2014 10:28 AM >

Nice shots with fitting weather.
May I use the 1st photo for my facebook cover?


Posted by carverrva
I really like these shots especially because of this skate video:
http://youtu.be/cbSbbY5ibas

Not into skating but cool video nonetheless!


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post by NothingsPerfect   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 13 on 3/13/2014 9:42 PM >

Posted by Sevtai
May I use the 1st photo for my facebook cover?


Sure, thanks for asking first!


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post by PressingLeap   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 14 on 3/14/2014 1:40 AM >

Cool place and nice pics


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post by Guybrush   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 15 on 3/18/2014 6:25 AM >

#3: Oooh, I'm in the mood for some Mily Fun!

I've always wanted to go here for years, even before I urban ex'd regularly - even since my first trip to Vegas. Someday.


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post by Jimplicit   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 16 on 8/10/2014 10:54 PM >

I went there about a week ago and took a ton of pictures. Such an awesome and surreal experience.1.


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post by giffomancer   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 17 on 8/15/2014 4:41 PM >

It's crazy that someone would want to renovate that place. It would cost a fortune!

Did the lake dry up, of is it in a different location than the park?

Awesome pics btw.

[last edit 8/15/2014 4:42 PM by giffomancer - edited 1 times]

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post by azuro1125   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 18 on 8/15/2014 7:20 PM >

I agree, great pics.

What fascinates me is how everyone flocks to this place. There are other abandoned theme parks and tourist attractions that are about as accessible, but they don't seem to get as much attention. Perhaps this place just became sort of famous as a UE spot, and managed to live on a little longer in everyone's mind because of it.

Through everyone's pictures, you can document the slow descent of the place. Every time someone did a photo set here, it was missing more and more stuff each time.

Now, its just empty slabs and busted walls.


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post by giffomancer   |  | 
Re: The Future is Blight
<Reply # 19 on 8/16/2014 8:19 PM >

Posted by azuro1125
I agree, great pics.

What fascinates me is how everyone flocks to this place. There are other abandoned theme parks and tourist attractions that are about as accessible, but they don't seem to get as much attention. Perhaps this place just became sort of famous as a UE spot, and managed to live on a little longer in everyone's mind because of it.

Through everyone's pictures, you can document the slow descent of the place. Every time someone did a photo set here, it was missing more and more stuff each time.

Now, its just empty slabs and busted walls.


Have you've ever visited this spot?


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