Nestled in the picturesque town of East Haddam, Connecticut, lies the ghostly remains of Sunrise Resort, a once-thriving vacation spot that resonated with laughter and joy for nearly a century. Created in the 1930s by Ted Hilton, a Hartford taxi driver, the resort spanned 146 acres and was a beacon of family fun until its closure in 2008.

During its prime, Sunrise Resort, also known as the Frank Davis Resort, was a hub of endless activities and themed celebrations, from Christmas in July to summer Halloween. The sound of music and the cheer of vacationers filled the air as guests indulged in horseback riding, sailing, swimming, tennis, basketball, and arcade games. Accommodation options varied from rustic cottages and motel rooms to apartments and resort lodgings, catering to every visitor's preference.

The resort's spirit was embodied by its mascot, Cukoo, a vaudeville clown who orchestrated contests and theme weeks. Cukoo's morning marches from cottage to cottage, leading children in a musical wake-up call, became a cherished tradition for many.

However, the vibrancy of Sunrise Resort dimmed over time, and in 2008 it shuttered its doors. The property was sold to the Connecticut Government for $3.2 million, and instead of reviving the once-bustling resort, the decision was made to let nature reclaim the land. By 2013, over 80 dilapidated buildings had been demolished by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, leaving only traces of the resort's former glory.

Today, the site, known as Sunrise State Park, shares an entrance with the adjacent Machimoodus State Park. The park, sprawling over 143 acres on the east shore of Salmon River, is open to the public for daytime exploration. Visitors can wander through the remnants of the resort, with only three buildings still standing at the entrance, along with the remnants of tiled floors, basketball, and tennis courts. However, caution is advised as the abandoned buildings are off-limits and considered state property, trespassing into which is illegal. Additionally, visitors should be wary of venturing into grassy areas due to the presence of large snakes.

Sunrise State Park offers a haunting yet fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of Connecticut's recreational history. Its quiet, overgrown paths and the skeletal remains of a once-thriving vacation spot serve as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of human endeavors against the relentless march of time. For those intrigued by the allure of abandoned places, Sunrise State Park presents a unique opportunity to step back in time and ponder the ephemeral nature of such grand ventures.