By 1912, there were 54 amusement parks in Ohio. The parks came in all sizes, and featured such attractions as the Flying Ponies carousel, the Chute-the-Chutes water ride, and the Cyclone, Racer, and Dip-the-Dips roller coasters. Some, like Cleveland's White City, seemed to be courted by bad luck from the beginning, and folded after only a few disappointing seasons. Others, like Youngstown's Idora Park, enjoyed long lives and fostered beloved memories, but eventually closed down in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. A few, like Sandusky's Cedar Point, have grown to be considered among the greatest amusement parks in the world. But most are now forgotten.

Ohio's Amusement Parks in Vintage Postcards (OH) (Postcard History Series)

Arts & Photography

Francis, David W.

Francis, Diane DeMali

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

The Roller Coaster-the Cyclone at Coney Island, the Racer at Pittsburgh's Kenywood Park, the Blue Streak at Sandusky's Cedar Point-icon of the midway, capable of reducing even the strongest of grown men to screaming, white-knuckled hysterics. During the early decades of the 20th century, daring designers pushed the limits of these high-speed thrillers, reaching hundreds of feet in height and thousands of feet in length, with ever more miles of winding, twisting, lurching track dominating the landscapes of America's amusement parks. Most of the roller coasters from that golden age are gone today. Thankfully, they live on in memory, preserved in vintage postcards that provide a lasting record of the magnificent wooden structures that thrilled our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

Golden Age of Roller Coasters in Vintage Postcards, The (Postcard History Series)

Demali Francis, Diane

Best known as the "Rubber Capital of the World," Akron, Ohio, was a major player in many industries long before Benjamin F. Goodrich moved there in 1870. From humble canal town to global industry giant, Akron rode the economic roller coaster through the Depression, wars, strikes, and financial booms. As a major manufacturing center of everything from sewer pipe to matches to oatmeal, Akron lured prospective workers from other towns, states, and even countries. This lively mix of diverse cultures helped to create Akron's unique beauty and boundless spirit.
Akron, Ohio, examines this special blend of industry, culture, tight-knit neighborhoods, and high society through historic photographs and images-some seen here for the first time.

Akron (OH) (Images of America)

In 1870, Louis Zistel began ferrying passengers from Sandusky to the Cedar Point Peninsula's beer garden and sandy beaches. In 1888, the Grand Pavilion was built, housing a massive theatre, bowling alley, photographic studio, and kitchen, and shortly thereafter, the resort's first roller coaster was installed. George Boeckling transformed the resort into a self-sufficient city and amusement park, but the park suffered badly in the 1930s economic depression. However, after Cedar Point changed hands several times in the 1950s, it became one of America's leading amusement parks. Today, the park is best known as the world's largest amusement park and the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World."

Cedar Point (OH) (Images of America)

In the 1880s, Oscar Townsend and the Cleveland, Lorain, &amp; Wheeling Railroad developed a prosperous vacation resort, eventually called "Chippewa Lake Park," on the banks of Ohio's largest natural lake. The Great Depression and extinction of interurban service crippled the park, but in 1937, Parker Beach purchased the resort, and it enjoyed a swinging Golden Age through 1969, as he kept the park's ballroom filled with dancers and famous bands. In 1978, after more than 100 years of operation, Chippewa Lake Park joined the ghostly ranks of the last traditional amusement parks. Chippewa Lake Park keeps the memory of one of Ohio's longest-lived and best-loved amusement parks alive through vintage images and captivating history.

Chippewa Lake Park (OH) (Images of America)

History

Americas

Book by Francis, David W., Francis, Diane DeMali

Cedar Point: The Queen of American Watering Places

Humor & Entertainment

Amusement Park Books

Luna Park: Cleveland's Fairyland of Pleasure

Travel

Food, Lodging & Transportation

Book by Francis, David W., Francis, Diane DeMali, Scully, Robert J.

Wildwood by the Sea

Scully, Robert J.

If you love Cedar Point, this book will give you everything that you should know to be a first class fan of the park. Dating back to the times of the geological formation of CP, to it's present fame, "The Queen of American Watering Places" is an indepth look at the good, bad, and amazing facts of CP that most people probably never knew. There are also some things that happened at CP that may shock you, but you must read this book to find them out for yourself.

Cedar Point: The queen of American watering places

Daring Books

Best known as the "Rubber Capital of the World," Akron, Ohio, was a major player in many industries long before Benjamin F. Goodrich moved there in 1870. From humble canal town to global industry giant, Akron rode the economic roller coaster through the Depression, wars, strikes, and financial booms. As a major manufacturing center of everything from sewer pipe to matches to oatmeal, Akron lured prospective workers from other towns, states, and even countries. This lively mix of diverse cultures helped to create Akron's unique beauty and boundless spirit.Akron, Ohio, examines this special blend of industry, culture, tight-knit neighborhoods, and high society through historic photographs and images-some seen here for the first time.

Akron

Arcadia Publishing Library Editions

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Books by Francis, David W.