Little Amerricka
A family-oriented amusement park in Marshall, Wisconsin, known for its miniature railway, classic rides, roller coasters, and miniature golf course.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Little Amerricka is a family amusement park in Marshall, Wisconsin, United States. Its central attraction is the Whiskey River Railway, a 16-inch-gauge, approximately one-third-scale railroad extending for more than three miles through and around the park. The park also offers a collection of traditional amusement rides and an 18-hole miniature golf course, giving it a distinctly regional and nostalgia-oriented character rather than the scale or positioning of a major destination theme park. The park developed from the railway hobby of Lee Merrick. In 1987, Merrick built a minimum-gauge railroad and invited visitors to ride it to his Christmas tree farm. The railway became sufficiently popular that he acquired the property where Little Amerricka now operates and added a concession stand. At the same time, he was collecting and restoring vintage children's rides, laying the groundwork for a broader amusement operation. Around 1989, Merrick met Darrell Klompmaker, who became his business partner in the park's expansion. Little Amerricka opened to the public in 1991 with a relatively compact set of attractions: the railway, miniature golf, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, a Tilt-A-Whirl, and a fire-truck ride. Its early offering emphasized accessible, familiar attractions suited to families and younger visitors. In 1993, the park added the Little Dipper, Mad Mouse, and Toboggan roller coasters. Those additions gave Little Amerricka a notable position in Wisconsin amusement-park history because it was, at the time, the state's only park with a permanent roller coaster. The park later broadened its roller-coaster collection with the acquisition of The Meteor, a wooden coaster purchased in 2003. Approximately three-quarters of the coaster's timber had to be replaced during the restoration and relocation process. After installation at Little Amerricka, The Meteor became notable for having been moved to a new park more than once, a distinction associated with the ride's unusual operating history and the park's willingness to preserve and reuse classic amusement equipment. Little Amerricka's identity is closely tied to restoration, small-scale railroading, and traditional midway entertainment. Rather than relying on a single large signature attraction, it combines the Whiskey River Railway, classic flat rides, family rides, roller coasters, and miniature golf. This mix supports a seasonal, local and regional leisure model centered on repeat family visits, heritage amusement, and hands-on attractions. Lee Merrick died in 2011, but the park continued as an operating amusement venue. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate corporate parent, current ownership structure, or a complete roster of present-day executives.
History
Little Amerricka originated with Lee Merrick's interest in miniature railroading. In 1987, Merrick constructed a minimum-gauge railway as a hobby and allowed guests to ride it to his Christmas tree farm. The railway attracted enough public interest to encourage a larger commercial project. Merrick subsequently purchased the land on which the present park stands, installed a concession stand, and began assembling and refurbishing vintage children's rides. By about 1989, Merrick was considering the development of a complete amusement park when he met Darrell Klompmaker, who became his business partner. Little Amerricka opened in 1991. Its initial attractions included the railway, miniature golf, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, a Tilt-A-Whirl, and a fire-truck ride. The opening lineup established the park's family-focused model, combining a railway experience with conventional carnival and amusement-park rides. The park expanded in 1993 with the addition of the Little Dipper, Mad Mouse, and Toboggan roller coasters. This expansion was historically notable because Little Amerricka was then the only Wisconsin amusement park with a permanent roller coaster. The park continued to rely on a mixture of classic rides and distinctive railway attractions rather than shifting toward a large-scale theme-park format. In 2003, Little Amerricka acquired The Meteor, a wooden roller coaster. The ride required substantial rehabilitation, including replacement of roughly 75 percent of its wood. Its relocation gave the park a major wooden-coaster attraction and contributed to The Meteor's unusual history as a coaster moved to a new park more than once. Lee Merrick died in 2011. The park nevertheless remained associated with the attractions and restoration-oriented approach established during his tenure. Its publicly documented offering includes more than twenty rides, the three-mile-plus Whiskey River Railway, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. Little Amerricka continues to be characterized as a regional family amusement park in Marshall, Wisconsin, with an emphasis on classic rides, miniature railroading, and nostalgic outdoor recreation. Public reference material does not provide a verified current ownership structure, financial profile, or comprehensive list of present executives.
- 2011
Founder Lee Merrick dies
[1]Lee Merrick died after establishing the railway-centered amusement park and developing its collection of classic rides.
- 2003
The Meteor is acquired and restored
[1]Little Amerricka purchased the wooden roller coaster The Meteor and replaced approximately 75 percent of its wood during restoration and relocation.
- 1993
Roller-coaster lineup expands
[1]The Little Dipper, Mad Mouse, and Toboggan were added, making the park a significant permanent roller-coaster venue in Wisconsin at that time.
- 1991
Little Amerricka opens
[1]The park opened with its railway, miniature golf, bumper cars, Ferris wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, and fire-truck ride.
- 1989
Merrick partners with Darrell Klompmaker
[1]Merrick met Darrell Klompmaker while planning to expand the railway and restored-ride project into a permanent amusement park.
- 1987
Miniature railway begins operating as a hobby attraction
[1]Lee Merrick built a minimum-gauge railway and used it to carry visitors toward his Christmas tree farm, creating the attraction that later became the foundation of Little Amerricka.
Products and positioning
A regional, family-oriented amusement park built around classic rides, restored attractions, miniature railroading, and nostalgic outdoor entertainment.
Miniature railway · 1987
Whiskey River Railway
The Whiskey River Railway is Little Amerricka's signature attraction. It uses a 16-inch-gauge track and approximately one-third-scale railway equipment to provide a ride of more than three miles. The railway originated in Lee Merrick's 1987 hobby project and remains central to the park's identity, distinguishing it from conventional amusement parks focused primarily on mechanical rides.
Wooden roller coaster · 2003
The Meteor
The Meteor is a wooden roller coaster acquired by Little Amerricka in 2003. The attraction required extensive rehabilitation, with approximately three-quarters of its wood replaced. Its history of relocation and restoration reflects the park's emphasis on preserving and operating classic amusement equipment.
Roller coaster · 1993
Little Dipper
The Little Dipper was among the roller coasters added to Little Amerricka in 1993. It formed part of the park's expansion beyond family rides and miniature railroading and contributed to the park's early status as a permanent roller-coaster destination in Wisconsin.
Roller coaster · 1993
Mad Mouse
Mad Mouse joined the park's attraction lineup in 1993 as part of the same expansion that introduced the Little Dipper and Toboggan. It represents the park's traditional steel-coaster offering alongside its wooden and family-oriented attractions.
Roller coaster · 1993
Toboggan
Toboggan was added in 1993 during Little Amerricka's early expansion. The attraction broadened the park's roller-coaster selection while maintaining its focus on compact, classic amusement rides.
Recreational attraction · 1991
Miniature golf course
Little Amerricka operates an 18-hole miniature golf course as a complementary, low-intensity family activity. Miniature golf was part of the park's original 1991 offering and helps diversify the experience beyond rides and railway travel.
Brand decisions
2003
Acquire and restore The MeteorOtherBackground
The park sought to expand its roller-coaster offering while preserving a traditional wooden attraction.
Action taken
Little Amerricka purchased The Meteor and replaced approximately 75 percent of its wood during the restoration and relocation process.
Aftermath
The Meteor became part of the park's attraction portfolio and was noted for having been moved to a new park more than once.
Recent events
- 2018
Life, death, and the timeless amusements of Little Amerricka[3]
Other
A Milwaukee Record feature examined the park's history, atmosphere, attractions, and enduring connection to traditional amusement culture.
- 2011
Lee Merrick dies[1]
Leadership change
Lee Merrick, the founder associated with the park's original railway and early development, died in 2011.
- 2003
Little Amerricka acquires The Meteor wooden roller coaster[1]
Product launch · Other
Little Amerricka purchased and relocated The Meteor, undertaking extensive timber replacement before putting the wooden coaster into service.
- 1993
Little Amerricka adds and restores classic amusement attractions[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The park expanded its attraction lineup with the Little Dipper, Mad Mouse, and Toboggan roller coasters, establishing a permanent roller-coaster presence in Wisconsin at the time.
Sources3 sources
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