What happened to Heritage USA? Here's all you need to know about the Theme Park

Heritage USA was a gigantic me park that was open between 1978 and 1989. me park was located in Fort Mill, S.C. and was founded by Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker. y were popular due to ir show called “ P.T.L. (Praise Lord) Club.” As ir television program picked up ratings, y were obsessed with idea of building a “Christian Disneyland” and eventually came up with idea of Heritage USA.

Apart from being a giant me park, it also consisted of a water park, a big hotel, an indoor shopping complex and many more such luxuries. During its peak years, it became third most popular me park in world behind Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

What happened to Heritage USA?

Controversies began to start when Bakkers decided to charge an astronomical fee from frequent visitors to sign up for a lifetime partnership. idea was to make customer sign an agreement worth $1,000 and get free services upon visit, like getting three free nights every year at hotel. This was a popular move as memberships were sold in thousands. As money kept coming in, Bakkers did not put a stop to sale of memberships even after ir capacity was exceeded. re came a point when re wasn’t enough room for people with membership and that is when people started to back out.

While trying to keep his business afloat, Jessica Hahn, an American actress, accused Jim Bakker of rape in 1987 while she was employed as a church secretary. Two years later, Jim Bakker was found guilty on 24 accounts of mail and wire fraud. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison along with a hefty fine of half a million dollars. He went on to serve only five years and was out on parole in 1994.

Is Jim Bakker still alive?

Currently, Bakker hosts a television program with his second wife and talks about end of world. He also endorses products that help one prepare for an apocalypse. Heritage USA also sits abandoned and unused. A few of its buildings have been restructured for or purposes but me park has remained de for deces.