The Campground Massacre Haunted Attraction.....
was created in 1994 upon suggestion to the owner's wife, who is known to be a fanatic over sci-fi and horror movies and boasts being a die-hard haunted house hunter. She always enjoyed haunted houses, screamed and got a good rush, yet she was always looking for something more terrifying and intense.

Her goal was to make people feel they were experiencing a "Living" horror movie, OR THEIR WORST NIGHTMARE. So she created what she hoped to be THE SCARIEST, MOST HEART PUMPING, MOST GROTESQUE. RUSH AFTER RUSH, CLIMAX AFTER CLIMAX, HAUNTING EXPERIENCE in the history of the Carolinas.

Work began immediately, beginning with cleaning out the old farm house in the woods behind the campground. It was old, but in good shape. With the other surrounding sheds and barns, and of course, the natural woods, a complete setting for a good haunting was already in place, waiting to be "unearthed", so to speak.

The conception of the first Campground Massacre Haunted House show was complete.

Mannequins, red and black paint, webs, Styrofoam tombstones, and for lighting glow-sticks inside and tiki lamps outside. A typical first year, 4 night haunted house - a bit modest, although it was bloodier than any other. The ghouls had high energy and there was none of that kid-stuff story-telling; Victims were on their own.

Flyers and posters were passed out in the neighboring area and over 750 victims from Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Tega Cay witnessed the first Campground Massacre at $5 per person. Nearly all 750 victims screamed all the way through. Their reactions were so positive that plans for the next Campground Massacre were well underway before the year was out.

The Massacre has grown tremendously over the years. New additions and rearrangements are made annually, so it is never exactly the same as the year before. Except, of course, The Vampire/Witch Mina. She has always been there.…

A Brief "Over The Years'
The Campground Massacre has gone to new heights since its beginning in 1994. The back path was rerouted and lengthened, and an enclosed walkway was added. The inside of the house was improved. Mina became more involved. The owner, who had been managing construction of The Massacre, also grew passionate for the design and creation of new features in the haunt.. Since March of 1998, the owners have continued to attend the Annual National Halloween, Costume & Party Show in Chicago, where they attend the Haunted Attraction Seminars and are also members of The International Association Of Haunted Attractions (I.A.H.A.). These seminars are conducted by other experienced "haunters" who share their ideas, by make up artists who reveal their secrets, and varied special effects professionals. The Halloween & Costume Party Show includes multitudes of "prop" vendors, "theatrical quality" costumers and much, much more.

In 1998, the first pneumatic props where added to The Massacre. The 7 foot Ultimate Frankenstein who bears only a slight resemblance to the classic Frankenstein's Monster (our "Frankie" has much bigger muscles and could hardly be considered a gentle giant).
The corpse-o-lator replaced our live coffin lady in the
"Funeral Parlor" and gave a new meaning to "raising the dead".

In 1999, 7,455 victims entered a new cement cave that included a pool of bubbling water and water running down the side of the wall. While victims waited in line, the new big screen TV played the movies The Massacre was based on, Friday The 13th, Nightmare On Elm St., Evil Dead, Halloween and the like. Many other Pneumatic props and scenes were added. Each year, thousands of dollars are spent on improvements to The Massacre; adding more length, scenery, props, pneumatics and refining detail, so our victims will always get their money's worth.

In 2000, the big screen TV was replaced by a new and unnerving queue line to get your juicy blood flowing.

2001 brought more shocking props outdoors as well as in, and many scenes were rearranged. In 2002, more props as always, more rearrangement and that year's surprise was a guest haunt. The Campground Massacre offered MAYHEM MANOR which was located in Myrtle Beach, SC across from the pavilion from 1992 thru 1999. Owned and designed by Leonard and Jeanne Pickel who also own Haunted Attraction Magazine.
IN 2003, Mayhem Manor went to Texas and we replaced it with "Mina's Mansion", 2400 Sq.Ft. indoors.. The Mansion and The Massacre are separate and different, but you get to experience both at no additional cost.
The Mansion is a more traditional gothic haunt comprised of The Sitting Room, The Dining Room, The Bedroom, The Torture Chamber, The Crypt and some dark halls. Authentic antique furniture decorates the first 3 rooms. The Mansion is highly animated with over 20 mechanical special effect props that will blow your mind! Most of them added in 2004. Don't worry, there are still a lot of actors in The Campground Massacre itself as always!
IN 2004, We added over 25 new automated props including the Spinning Tunnel (between Mina's Mansion & The Campground Massacre) and our very special BRIDGE in the woods. We also had the pleasure of having Rex Hamilton with us during our opening weekend. He is a professional actor and does some of the wildest make up & costumes for his variety of character personalities. He helped our crew improve their acting abilities and some makeup techniques, especially with our walking dead.
IN 2005, among many other static and pneumatic props add that year, the Impaler was the most impressive addition to The Massacre to date. He is 8 feet tall in the crouching position and 13 feet tall when he stands up and walks forward. He is one of the largest animated props in the industry and this particular one was in the Playboy Mansion prior to our purchasing it during an IAHA auction in March. We had The Scarefactory modify him to walk forward. This giant demon had previously only stood up and shook the half ripped body in its hand by the leg while he raised his spear in his other hand, now he moves forward as well.
IN 2006, We're decreasing the light in the woods and the path goes through the graveyard instead of beside it. We have added more length and more skull walls with animated arms & skulls through it in Mina's Mansion. Instead of just music this year, we are using scene specific sounds that we expect will enhance the eerie mood as well many additions as always.
The Campground Massacre is a frighteningly fun haunted attraction that includes a 2400 sq.ft. indoor haunted house (Mina's Mansion), A spinning tunnel experience & The Campground Massacre itself, which is an indoor/outdoor, haunt in the woods (@ 3 acres). It includes high-energy startle scaremongers and over 50 Hi-Tech automated props. It was also featured on the cover of Haunted Attraction Magazine issue #37 in 2004.

Even though there were two more new large haunts added to the Charlotte area in October 2000, our attendance has increased tremendously year after year. So apparently you've shown us we're doing it right!

So! You keep coming and we'll keep doing our very best to give you what you're eager for.......FINALLY...…a haunt that WILL scare you to death! ...and for those few of you who think you're un-scare-able,
You WILL be startled and you WILL find our show highly impressive and enjoyable!

If you choose only 1 haunted attraction this season, you'll be glad you made it The Campground Massacre & Mina's Mansion!
There's no other one like it!