100 years of family fun at Lake Winnie

The amusement and water park in Rossville, GA is celebrating its centennial year — let’s take a look back + see what this season has in store.

A lively amusement park scene with people of all ages walking and chatting. Colorful rides, like a carousel and "Space Spin," are in the background. Trees surround the area. — Jump on in this thrilling ride through time of the Chattanooga area’s local attraction.

Lake Winnepesaukah, or more lovingly known as Lake Winnie, has now been giving families and friends a place for thrills and laughs for a century.

To pay homage to the local amusement and water park in Rossville, GA’s centennial year, we’re taking a look back at the peaks of this rollercoaster ride through time.

Indoor amusement park ride with smiling riders in colorful bumper cars on a wooden track under a vibrant yellow and orange tent. Excited, joyful atmosphere. — Take a look at Lake Winnie’s Indy 500 race car ride circa the late 1970s/early 1980s.

A story that begins in the 1920s

Back in 1924, Carl O. and Minette Dixon bought the property with the vision of a swimming and picnicking park + named the lake Winnepesaukah (which translates to “bountiful waters”). In June of 1925, the park opened with 5,000 guests in attendance.

Let’s play the highlight reel:

1947 | The park installed the “Fly-O-Plane” ride.
1956 | On June 3, the Lake Winnepesaukah Showboat debuted, a replica of the Mississippi River boats + now serves as an ice cream stand.
1967 | The Cannon Ball Rollercoaster debuted + became world famous as a coaster landmark.
1968 | The park installed the Antique Carousel, originally operating in Atlanta in 1916 with 68 hand-carved wooden horses.
1996-2002 | Lake Winnie was making headlines, from being named Travel and Leisure’s America’s top 10 favorite family attraction to being featured twice by Southern Living.
2012 | The Fire Ball, a looping/ reversing rollercoaster, was added.
2013 | The largest expansion in Lake Winnie brought the opening of the SOAKya Water Park.
2018 | The Genie made its return after popular demand.

Colorful swing ride at an amusement park with people enjoying the ride on a sunny day. Lush trees and a serene pond in the background. — Here’s to 100 more years of memories in the making.

2025: Ringing in a century

Paying tribute to the park, Lake Winnie has launched a Digital Mosaic — where you can upload your favorite memories through time. There will also be special offerings throughout this year’s season like:

New signage throughout the park depicting its history
Senior Sundays — $10 rides for those 65+
Park history trivia to win a commemorative souvenir cup
Fireworks on Friday, July 4, the biggest in the park’s history
Special edition merchandise, including “Lake Winnepesaukah,” a book covering a century of fun

Bonus: Plan the whole season now through October by checking out other special offers + pricing.

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