Chippewa Lake Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chippewa Lake Park | |
|---|---|
 The Park's Ferris wheel in 2007, left standing like many rides, but overgrown with foliage |
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| Location | Chippewa Lake, Ohio, United States  |
| Owner | Edward Andrews (1878 - 1898) Mac Beach (1898 - 1937) Parker Beach (1937 - 1969) Continental Business Enterprises (1969 - 1978) |
| Opened | 1878 |
| Closed | 1978 |
| Previous names | Andrew's Pleasure Grounds |
| Rides | 12 (1937) total |
Chippewa Lake Park is a defunct amusement park once located in Chippewa Lake, Ohio, Medina County. It operated from 1878 through 1978, after the final owner, Continental Business Enterprises closed it due to lack of attendance.
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[edit] History
In 1875, Edward Andrews organized a picnic ground and beach under the name Andrew's Pleasure Grounds. The park operated with some success, but its condition deteriorated, partly accountable to alcohol sales within park grounds. The following owner, Mac Beach, acquired Chippewa Lake in 1898 and improved the park immensely, beginning with a ban on liquor sales. Mac's son, Parker Beach, managed the park during its boom years, the roaring '20s, and would purchase it in 1937. He kept the park running successfully into the 1960s. Chippewa Lake closed in 1978 while under the ownership of Continental Business Enterprises.
About 5:00 PM on Thursday, June 13, 2002, the Chippewa Lake Park Ballroom burnt down.
The land the amusement park stood on was offered up for sale with an asking price of $3,500,000, and, according to the realtor's website, was sold. The page which indicated this was last updated on March 26, 2008[1].
[edit] The Park
In the beginning, the area was just a picnic ground and beach operated by Edward Andrews. With the addition of a steam boat and the park's first rollercoaster, the amusement park was brought to life. The initial rollercoaster had to be manually pushed up the track following each ride. In the 1920s, the first modern coaster was designed by Fred Pearce. Originally named the Big Dipper, it became better known as simply 'the coaster'. The park also featured a live band-stand seven nights a week. Eventually Chippewa Lake would feature three roller coasters, flying cages, a Ferris wheel, carousel, Tumble Bug, ballroom and many other rides.[2]
List of Rides and Attractions Still Standing as of May, 2008:
- Big Dipper (Coaster)- most of tunnel has collapsed
- Concessions next to coaster (Frozen Whip, Hat Stand, Fish Pond, etc.)- roofs have collapsed
- Wild Mouse
- Little Dipper
- Tumble Bug
- Ferris Wheel- frame only
- Flying Cages- frame only
- Rocket Ships- just the loading/unloading structure remains.
- Fun House a.k.a. Scare, Zombie- 97% collapsed/ burned.
- Dodgem a.k.a. Auto Skooters- building has since collapsed
- Bathhouse- structure has collapsed inwards
- Hamburger Factory a.k.a. Stand A
- Ticket Booths- 3 recently removed, plus one concession stand has been removed.
- "Tom Sawyer" Park Boat
- Park pier
- Waffle Stand- cement block structure
- Pee-Wee Golf- cement block booth is still standing, all holes are over-grown
- Open Air Stage
- Restrooms near stage- cement block structure
- Carousel building- collapsed
- Miniature Train Tracks- some pieces are left
- Train Caboose
- Consession stand near lake
- Two cottages
- Fred Beach House
- Pavillion on lake by Gloria Glens Village
- Burned Buildings: Ballroom, Hotel, Pavillion, Arcade, Fun House, Peanut Stand, Maintenance building.
[edit] More Info
- Chippewa Lake is said to be Ohio's largest natural spring-fed lake.
- There are now only two full size tumble bug rides left in the world.
