As many local enthusiasts are already aware, a watch party was held on July 17, 2025, for the relocation of the historic Euclid Beach Park Arch! The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and excitement, along with just a bit of nervousness.
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Historic Places
A Thrilling Acquisition!
I recently acquired a very special, one-of-a-kind item for my collection: the ride operator’s phone from the Thriller roller coaster at Euclid Beach Park!
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Happy 115th Birthday to the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel!
I spent most of today at the Cleveland History Center, celebrating the anniversary of the carousel’s debut at Euclid Beach Park in 1910! There was a steady flow of riders throughout the day for the occasion, and while I was not officially scheduled to participate in the event, I came prepared with several vintage items from my personal collection that have direct connections to the carousel! (Please see the photos below for more detailed descriptions.)
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Visiting TWO Former Kiddie Park Locations!
I took a couple of trips this past month to the locations where two of Northeast Ohio’s classic kiddie parks once operated! Westlake Kiddie Park and Kiddie Playland are among the parks I hear about least often, but they were undoubtedly fun for youngsters who lived nearby in the 1950s and 60s! Here’s what I’ve recently learned about these two parks, and seen at their original locations:
Read moreThank You, Geauga Lake – Jacqueline Vanni Gross
I spent my teenage years with my friends at Six Flags World’s of Adventure/ Geauga Lake. We all had season passes, and our moms took turns dropping us off between 2003-2006, when we could finally drive. We used to absolutely lap the coasters there and had no idea how incredible of a coaster lineup we had in our own backyard.
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My Final Geauga Lake Visit – Troy Parsh
When I was young, my family would go to Cedar Point and Geauga Lake a few times each year. I remember being fascinated by the way rides like Mr. Hyde’s Nasty Fall, Top Thrill Dragster, and many others functioned.
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Giant Penny Paperweight from Summit Beach Park
Summit Beach Park was a noteworthy attraction in Akron for over 40 years, quickly growing to absorb the neighboring Lakeside Park. I have personally seen very few surviving Summit Beach relics, but I’m excited to share that I’ve acquired a very nice souvenir paperweight from the park! Essentially an oversized penny, one side is nearly identical to a similar one I own from Euclid Beach, other than the park’s name. However, the other side of this one is completely different, featuring an embossed image of a Native American.
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“Why I Keep The Essence Of Euclid Beach Park Alive” (Poem)
I wrote this poem around 2011 to honor the legacy of Euclid Beach Park and everyone who was a part of its history. It also doubles as an expression of my commitment to keeping that legacy alive for current and future generations.
Read moreJulie Smith’s Euclid Beach Park Memories
Even though I was only 14 years old when Euclid Beach Park closed, I still have wonderful memories of that special place. It had its own unique sounds, smells, and “feel.” When I told my brother of my involvement as a board member of Euclid Beach Park Now (EBPN), even he said, “That was your favorite place in the whole world!”
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Surviving Euclid Beach Park Campground Structures
During a recent visit to Euclid Beach, I took a walk into the nearby Wildwood Park (both properties are part of the Cleveland Metroparks’ Euclid Creek Reservation today) to get a look through the fence at the 3 concrete cottages from the original Euclid Beach Park campground which still stand on the present-day trailer park property (currently under redevelopment). The cottages are not in good condition, but I’m cautiously optimistic that they could possibly be restored or at least preserved. I’ve heard it suggested that one or more of these buildings should eventually become a small museum about Euclid Beach Park’s history, and while I’m not currently aware of any official decisions or plans for the cottages, I personally think that a permanent historical display there would be wonderful!
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