Charles Wood (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Charles R. "Charley" Wood (1914 – September 30, 2004) was an American
businessman.
, New York
, in 1914.
After seeing the amusement park
Knott's Berry Farm
in southern California he was inspired in 1954 to open his own park in Queensbury, New York
, which he named Storytown USA
. In order to do this, he needed some loans from local banks. With $500 in his pocket at the time, he walked into a bank, applied for the necessary loans, and was denied. To this, he replied to the bank manager "One day sir, I will be able to buy and sell you." Success followed this Mother Goose
themed park and in 1959 he opened a second amusement park in the village of Lake George, New York
, this one named Gaslight Village, which eventually closed in the 1980s. Storytown USA changed its name to The Great Escape in 1983 and was eventually sold to new owners, finally winding up under the Six Flags
park umbrella. Wood purchased Martin's Fantasy Island
in 1983 and owned it until 1989. He would later own the park again from 1992 through 1994.
Wood became a philanthropist
for northern New York
state through his Charles R. Wood Foundation, donating money to libraries, hospitals and providing seed money for a theater in downtown Glens Falls, New York
, which was later named for him.
In 1993, Wood co-founded, with actor Paul Newman
, the Double "H" Ranch
, a Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
for critically ill children.
Wood died at age 90 in 2004.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman.
Biography
Wood was born in LockportLockport
- Places :In Canada:* Lockport, Manitoba* Lockeport, Nova ScotiaIn the United States of America:* Lockport, Illinois* Lockport, Indiana* Lockport, Kentucky in Henry County, Kentucky* Lockport, Louisiana* Lockport , New York...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, in 1914.
After seeing the amusement park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm is a theme park in Buena Park, California, now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and a line of jams, jellies, preserves, and other specialty food, now part of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Placentia, California....
in southern California he was inspired in 1954 to open his own park in Queensbury, New York
Queensbury, New York
Queensbury is a town in and the county seat of Warren County, New York, United States. The town is located in the southeastern part of the county. The population was 25,441 at the 2000 census. The town is named in honor of Queen Charlotte, the consort of George III of Great Britain and Ireland. It...
, which he named Storytown USA
The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom
The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom is an amusement and waterpark located in Queensbury, New York. It is advertised as being located in Lake George, New York...
. In order to do this, he needed some loans from local banks. With $500 in his pocket at the time, he walked into a bank, applied for the necessary loans, and was denied. To this, he replied to the bank manager "One day sir, I will be able to buy and sell you." Success followed this Mother Goose
Mother Goose
The familiar figure of Mother Goose is an imaginary author of a collection of fairy tales and nursery rhymes which are often published as Mother Goose Rhymes. As a character, she appears in one "nursery rhyme". A Christmas pantomime called Mother Goose is often performed in the United Kingdom...
themed park and in 1959 he opened a second amusement park in the village of Lake George, New York
Lake George (village), New York
The Village of Lake George is a village within the town of Lake George in Warren County, New York, United States. The population was 985 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, this one named Gaslight Village, which eventually closed in the 1980s. Storytown USA changed its name to The Great Escape in 1983 and was eventually sold to new owners, finally winding up under the Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
park umbrella. Wood purchased Martin's Fantasy Island
Martin's Fantasy Island
Martin's Fantasy Island is an amusement park located in Grand Island, New York.- History :Fantasy Island opened in 1961 and went bankrupt in 1982. It was acquired out of bankruptcy by Charles Wood, the original owner of Storytown USA. He sold the park to International Broadcasting Corporation in...
in 1983 and owned it until 1989. He would later own the park again from 1992 through 1994.
Wood became a philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
for northern New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
state through his Charles R. Wood Foundation, donating money to libraries, hospitals and providing seed money for a theater in downtown Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls is a city in Warren County, New York, United States. Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,700 at the 2010 census...
, which was later named for him.
In 1993, Wood co-founded, with actor Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
, the Double "H" Ranch
Double "H" Ranch
The Double H Ranch, co-founded in 1992 by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. The Ranch's purpose is to enrich their lives and provide camp experiences that are memorable,...
, a Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut is a non-profit, residential summer camp and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions.-History:...
for critically ill children.
Wood died at age 90 in 2004.