![]() ![]() The first new ride under Funtime ownership was the Parkview Express in 1969, while the early 1970s brought the Himalaya, Spider, Wharf restaurant, Gold Rush log flume and Merrie Oldies antique cars. They leased 25 acres to Sea World to build a park across the lake. Perhaps the heyday of the park dawned in 1968, when four former managers at Cedar Point purchased Geauga Lake and formed Funtime Inc. In the 1960s, the Scrambler, Flying Cages, Giant Slide, Paratrooper, Round Up, skeeball alleys and food buildings were added. The 1950s saw many new kiddie rides added, as well as the current ballroom. In 1952 - the year I was born - the bowling alley, theater, dance hall and roller rink structure was hit by a fire, which caused an estimated $500,000 in damage. Damage was estimated at $50,000 six people were injured. In 1941, high winds leveled some buildings, knocked down trees and damaged a part of the coaster. But some tragic things happened during that time. The Schryer family assumed ownership of the park in the early 1940s and added more fun things such as a Ferris wheel. It is still there in storage, awaiting relocation to an unknown venue. The year the coaster was erected - 1926 - Johnny Weissmuller, who became famous for his Tarzan movie role, set a world record in the 220-yard freestyle in the park's 300-by-110-foot pool.Įleven years later, the beautiful Marcus Illions carousel came to the park. It later became the Clipper and eventually the Big Dipper.Īmong other attractions added were Dodgems, Tumble Bug, the Whip, an aerial swing, carousel, auto speedway - closed down when Sea World was built there - and swimming pool. ![]() ![]() Not long after William Kuhlman became the owner in 1925, a John Miller-designed "out and back" wooden roller coaster called the Skyrocket was built. Kent built a 75-room hotel - the Kent House - on the lake in 1888, and a steam-powered carousel was the site's first ride in 1889.Ī roller rink, photo gallery, billiard hall and bowling alley followed in the 1890s, and the park accommodated mostly local patrons in its first 35 to 40 years. It was used mostly for camping, fishing and picnicking.Īlexander G. In its early years - dating to the park's origin in 1887 - the area was known as Picnic Lake and Giles Pond. to Six Flags to Cedar Fair.īut many don't know much about the site's history in the late 1800s and first half of the 20th century, so I'll pass on a few highlights. Most people who have lived in or near Aurora in the last 20 to 30 years are familiar with the succession of the park from Funtime Inc. That 100-acre property was sold recently, and word is what's left there soon will be flattened just like all the old parks I mentioned previously. Some of its rides and buildings still stand, while others have collapsed or burned down. Just like Euclid Beach and Luna Park in Cleveland Brady Lake, Silver Lake and Summit Beach parks Meyer's Lake in Canton and Idora Park in Youngstown.Ĭhippewa Lake Park in Medina County closed 30 years ago. Glen Moore, a resident of Moneta Avenue not far from the Route 43 side of the park, said it was strange to hear the sound of destruction this summer rather than screams and happy voices.Īs I shot photos of a giant claw moving pieces of razed buildings near Geauga Lake Road, a women driving by stopped and told me, "I never thought I'd see this day."Īlthough it's still to be determined what will become of the park's 500 acres, it's not much of a secret that within five years we'll probably see stores and condos there. The 1926 Big Dipper and 1988 Raging Wolf Bobs coasters are still there, as is the Skyscraper (space needle) and ballroom, but who knows for how long. Many rides have been relocated or stored away, and some perhaps knocked down. Most of the buildings have been smashed by giant diggers' claws and bulldozers. The best I can describe what I saw inside the fences which shield the park from public view was it looked like a tornado had swept across the property. I hadn't paid much attention all summer and was really surprised at what I saw when I drove around the perimeter of the park the week of Aug. In the 2 1/2 months since Norton Auctioneers of Michigan conducted a sale of rides, memorabilia and building contents at Geauga Lake Park, crews have worked to level the landscape.Īrea residents who've paid attention to the work going on along Route 43 and Geauga Lake Road have seen the demise of many of the site's structures. The summer of 2008 has come and gone quickly, and out of sight to most eyes, a piece of Aurora's history has disappeared with it. ![]()
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