Conneaut Lake Park
Encyclopedia
Conneaut Lake Park is a summer amusement resort, located in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania
, USA. It has long served as a regional tourist destination, and is loved by roller coaster
enthusiasts for its classic Blue Streak
coaster, which was recently classified as "historic" by the group American Coaster Enthusiasts
. Conneaut Lake
is Pennsylvania's largest natural (glacier) lake and is a popular summer resort for recreational boaters due to there being no horsepower limit on the lake. The lake is lined with vacation homes and condos.
in 1892 to take advantage of the adjacent Conneaut Lake. It began as a picnic area like many other parks at that time. The first ride, a carousel
, opened several years later, and was soon joined by other rides and a midway. In its early years, the park primarily served as a resort, with several hotels and a grand dancing pavilion. Unfortunately, many of the park's buildings were lost in a 1908 fire. In 1909 the buildings lost in the fire were replaced with new concrete block structures to decrease the fire risk. One of the new buildings was the Dreamland Ballroom which hosted concert and dance events.
The park was renamed "Conneaut Lake Park" in 1920 to reflect a move toward more amusements and rides. In the mid-20th century the park featured many of the same rides as other parks of the time.
In 1943, a large portion of the Hotel Conneaut was destroyed in a fire. The ghost of Elizabeth, a bride who supposedly died in the fire, is said to now haunt the hotel.
In the 1960s, the park opened "Fairyland Forest", using a combination of fairy tale characters and animals to help attract families and appeal to young children. Many similar attractions existed across the country at that time. Although popular, the area eventually fell into neglect and closed in 1985 and was replaced with Camperland in 1986.
By the 1990s, the park had fallen on hard times due to declining attendance and increased competition from nearby parks and closed for a year in 1995. In 1996, Ohio businessman Gary Harris bought the park and reopened it on July 4, but new problems arose the following year when he was convicted of tax evasion. To help extricate himself from his legal difficulties, Harris gave the debt-ridden park to the Conneaut Lake community in 1997, but later filed a lawsuit claiming that he held a 99–year lease on the park grounds and retained ownership of several rides. When that lawsuit was lost in 2001, ownership reverted to a court-appointed trustee.
Other attractions at the park include:
The following rides are in kiddeland:
Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania
Conneaut Lake is a borough in Crawford County, Pennsylvania at the southern end of a lake with the same name. The population was 708 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, USA. It has long served as a regional tourist destination, and is loved by roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
enthusiasts for its classic Blue Streak
Blue Streak (Conneaut Lake)
Blue Streak is a wooden roller coaster built in 1937 at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. It is the only wooden coaster operating in the park. Blue Streak follows the out and back design...
coaster, which was recently classified as "historic" by the group American Coaster Enthusiasts
American Coaster Enthusiasts
The American Coaster Enthusiasts is an organization dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of roller coasters. Membership is open to anyone with payment of yearly dues, and membership benefits may include discounted admission to certain amusement parks...
. Conneaut Lake
Conneaut Lake
Conneaut Lake is the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania. It is located in western Crawford County near a town with the same name. During the summer season, it is heavily populated with people vacationing to the lake area, some from the area spending time in their houses on the lake, and many...
is Pennsylvania's largest natural (glacier) lake and is a popular summer resort for recreational boaters due to there being no horsepower limit on the lake. The lake is lined with vacation homes and condos.
History
It opened as Exposition ParkExposition Park
Exposition Park is the name of more than one place:*Exposition Park - a neighborhood in south Dallas, Texas*Exposition Park - A former baseball park in Kansas City...
in 1892 to take advantage of the adjacent Conneaut Lake. It began as a picnic area like many other parks at that time. The first ride, a carousel
Carousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
, opened several years later, and was soon joined by other rides and a midway. In its early years, the park primarily served as a resort, with several hotels and a grand dancing pavilion. Unfortunately, many of the park's buildings were lost in a 1908 fire. In 1909 the buildings lost in the fire were replaced with new concrete block structures to decrease the fire risk. One of the new buildings was the Dreamland Ballroom which hosted concert and dance events.
The park was renamed "Conneaut Lake Park" in 1920 to reflect a move toward more amusements and rides. In the mid-20th century the park featured many of the same rides as other parks of the time.
In 1943, a large portion of the Hotel Conneaut was destroyed in a fire. The ghost of Elizabeth, a bride who supposedly died in the fire, is said to now haunt the hotel.
In the 1960s, the park opened "Fairyland Forest", using a combination of fairy tale characters and animals to help attract families and appeal to young children. Many similar attractions existed across the country at that time. Although popular, the area eventually fell into neglect and closed in 1985 and was replaced with Camperland in 1986.
By the 1990s, the park had fallen on hard times due to declining attendance and increased competition from nearby parks and closed for a year in 1995. In 1996, Ohio businessman Gary Harris bought the park and reopened it on July 4, but new problems arose the following year when he was convicted of tax evasion. To help extricate himself from his legal difficulties, Harris gave the debt-ridden park to the Conneaut Lake community in 1997, but later filed a lawsuit claiming that he held a 99–year lease on the park grounds and retained ownership of several rides. When that lawsuit was lost in 2001, ownership reverted to a court-appointed trustee.
Current Roller Coasters & Attractions
| Roller Coaster | Year Installed | Description | Height Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Streak Blue Streak (Conneaut Lake) Blue Streak is a wooden roller coaster built in 1937 at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. It is the only wooden coaster operating in the park. Blue Streak follows the out and back design... |
1938 | An Edward Vettel wooden coaster that still utilizes its original rolling stock and braking system. It is the only Vettel shallow track design still standing, and is the sixth oldest wooden coaster in the country. The park replaced the coaster's original trains with new Century Flyer built by National Amusements Devices in 1966. The original lighter trains were rebuilt and placed back in the ride in 2002 to reduce maintenance costs. The park is currently running the NAD trains due to insurance demands and costs to retrofit the original trains with modern restraints. | 48 inches |
| Little Dipper Little Dipper (Conneaut Lake Park) The Little Dipper is a junior steel roller coaster located at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania.The coaster was built by The Allan Herschell Company and began operating in the 1950s. The coaster has one three-car train... |
1950s | An Allan Herschell kiddie coaster that still has its original cars. | Under 54 inches |
| Toboggan Toboggan (Conneaut Lake Park) Toboggan is the name of a steel roller coaster located at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania.... |
2002 | A Chance portable roller coaster type ride (No longer in operation, to be removed.) |
48 inches |
| Go Gator | 2011 | A portable kiddie coaster | Under 54 inches |
Other attractions at the park include:
| Name | Type | Year Installed | Height Limit |
| Paratrooper Paratrooper (ride) A Paratrooper also known as an "Umbrella Ride" is a type of fairground ride based on cars suspended below a wheel which rotates at an oblique angle. The cars are free to rock sideways and swing out under centrifugal force and the wheel rotates. Invariably, the cars on a paratrooper have an umbrella... |
Frank Hrubetz & Co., Inc. | 1960s | 46 inches |
| Flying Scooters Flying Scooters Flying Scooters, also known simply as Flyers, is an amusement ride consisting of a center post with ride vehicles suspended from arms attached to the center post.... |
Bish-Rocco flying ride | 1997 | 46 inches |
| Dodgems | Reverchon Bumper Cars | 1937 | 48 inches |
| Tilt-A-Whirl Tilt-A-Whirl Tilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known flat rides, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing of Faribault, Minnesota... |
Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl | 1949 | 40 inches |
| Tumble Bug Tumble Bug A Tumble Bug is an amusement park ride with a circular track.Only two full-sized Tumble Bugs remain operating today in the United States—one at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and one at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, PA. All full-size instances were made by Traver... |
Harry Traver and Co. | 1925 | 36 inches |
| Bessemer Railway System Train ride A train ride in an amusement park, or a municipal park setting, is a small ride consisting of a miniature train, often running on a permanent or portable track, but sometimes without any track whatsoever. In the latter case, the "trains" are simulated by connecting railroad-like cars behind an... |
Allan Herschell, Miniature Train ride | 1923 | None |
| Musik Express Music Express A Music Express is an amusement park and carnival ride based on the original Caterpillar rides of Germany. Several near-identical ride designs are also produced by other companies; Musik Express by Italian company Bertazzon and US Majestic Rides, Himalaya by American company Wisdom Rides,German... |
Majestic Manufacturing | 1996 | 42 inches |
| Carousel Carousel A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders... |
Mueller merry-go-round | 1910 | None |
| Trabant | Chance-Morgan | 1997 | 42 inches |
| Witch's Stew | Watkins | 2001 | 36 inches |
| Devil's Den Dark ride A dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects.... |
Pretzel Manufacturing | 1968 | None |
| Waterslide | Water Ride | 1990s | 46 inches |
| Yo-Yo Jitterbug | Unknown | 2011 | 48 inches |
| Fun Slide | Frederiksen Industries, Inc. | 2011 | 48 inches |
| Mini Water Slide | Water Ride | 1990s | None |
| Lazy River | Water Ride | 1990s | None |
| Jumpin' Star | Moser Rides | 2011 | Unknown |
Kiddieland
There are 13 rides in Kiddieland. You must be under 54 inches to ride rides in Kiddieland.The following rides are in kiddeland:
| Ride Name |
| Boats |
| Kiddie Carousel |
| Dune Buggy |
| Jeeps |
| Little Dipper |
| Pony Parade |
| Saturn Shuttle |
| Tot-Gun |
| Tubs of Fun |
| Turtle |
| Kiddieland Pony Rides |
| Jolly Catapillar |
| Go-Gator |
Partial Historical Timeline
- 1892 Exposition ParkExposition ParkExposition Park is the name of more than one place:*Exposition Park - a neighborhood in south Dallas, Texas*Exposition Park - A former baseball park in Kansas City...
opens - 1902 Figure Eight roller coaster opens
- 1903 Hotel Conneaut opens
- 1908 A large portion of the midway, many hotels, a bowling alley and the park's ballroom are destroyed in a fire
- 1909 Dreamland Ballroom opens replacing the original ballroom lost in the 1908 fire, Scenic Railway roller coaster opens
- 1920 Park is renamed Conneaut Lake Park
- 1925 Tumble BugTumble BugA Tumble Bug is an amusement park ride with a circular track.Only two full-sized Tumble Bugs remain operating today in the United States—one at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and one at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, PA. All full-size instances were made by Traver...
ride is installed. - 1925 Temple of Music opens
- 1935 Beach Club bar opens
- 1936 Figure Eight roller coaster closes
- 1937 Scenic Railway roller coaster closes
- 1938 Blue Streak roller coaster opens
- 1943 Fire destroys half of Hotel Conneaut
- 1944 Hotel Conneaut remains closed; an investor group led by the local surgeon Dr. Harry Winslow purchases the park out of bankruptcy
- 1945 Hotel Conneaut reopens with 150 of the 300 original rooms
- 1946 Temple of Music is destroyed by fire
- 1949 Installs Tilt-A-WhirlTilt-A-WhirlTilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known flat rides, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing of Faribault, Minnesota...
which is still in use at the Park today - 1961 Fun House opens in former bowling alley. Wild Mouse roller coaster opens.
- 1968 Devil's Den opens
- 1973 Dracula's Cave (Pit of Death) opens
- 1974 Dr. John Flynn and Mrs. Mary Gene Winslow Flynn, son-in-law and daughter of Dr. Winslow, buy out the other partners, saddling the park with $750,000 in debt
- 1975 Fun House closes
- 1981 Charles Winslow FlynnCharles W. FlynnCharles Winslow Flynn is executive director of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area in Yuma, Arizona. In this capacity, Flynn oversees environmental restoration, economic revitalization of Yuma’s Colorado River waterfront, and preservation of cultural and natural resources in the Yuma area.-...
, son of Dr. and Mrs. Flynn, takes over operation of the park. - 1985 Dracula's Cave (Pit of Death) closes
- 1986 Camperland opens
- 1990 New front gate constructed. Wild Mouse roller coaster closes.
- 1992 Devil's Den renamed Dr. Moriarity's Wild Ride. Conneaut Lake Park celebrates its 100th anniversary . At the end of the season it was announced that many rides would be removed and the Blue Streak roller coaster would be mothballed. Also section of midway buildings near the lake are demolished in an attempt to expand the festival grounds to allow for much larger festivals and concerts. At the end of the season, the Flynn family sells the park.
- 1993 Local businessmen purchase some of the rides at auction to keep Conneaut Lake Park as an amusement park. Management lost $125,000 in operations that season.
- 1994 Lost $800,000.
- 1995 Conneaut Lake Park fails to open due to bankruptcy.
- 1996 Conneaut Lake Park is purchased by Gary Harris. Conneaut Lake Park reopens on July 4, however the Blue Streak did not reopen with the rest of the park
- 1997 Conneaut Lake Park is deeded the people of northwestern Pennsylvania as a not-for-profit, public trust. The Blue StreakBlue Streak-Entertainment:* Blue Streak , a 1995 album by American blues guitarist Luther Allison* Blue Streak , a secret identity used by three separate Marvel Comics supervillains...
roller coaster is renovated and the park purchases 5 rides from the now closed Old Indiana Fun ParkOld Indiana Fun ParkThe Old Indiana Fun Park was an amusement park located near Thorntown, Indiana off I-65 at 7230N 350W. It is now a privately owned property that has been transformed into the state's largest private wildlife restoration project.-Early years :...
. The rides were the Super Round-Up, Flying ScootersFlying ScootersFlying Scooters, also known simply as Flyers, is an amusement ride consisting of a center post with ride vehicles suspended from arms attached to the center post....
, Bumper cars, Ranger (Sky Thriller) and a Chance Turbo. The Turbo was never installed due to a dispute over ownership. Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park get money from Gary Harris for signing saying Harris owned rides 99 year lease for land under rides. - 1999 Board of Trustees dwindled to one member, Gene Rumsey and Bill Jordan becomes the court appointed custodian of Conneaut Lake Park. Mangees operate Conneaut Lake Park. Conneaut Lake's annual Fall Pumpkin Fest which began in 1990 is moved to the park. The event is an Oktoberfest type celebration featuring craft and food booths.
- 2000 On June 28 the Mangees were ousted and the park was closed for 4 days before the trustees assumed control.
- 2001 Bill Jordan is replaced by Herbert Brill as the court appointed custodian of Conneaut Lake Park. Gene Rumsey and Mary Ellen Rebrassier manage Conneaut Lake Park. Dr. Moriarity's Wild Ride renamed to Devil's Den
- 2002 Blue Streak rollercoaster is operated with original 1937 trains, putting the NAD Century Flyer trains from the 1960s into retirement. Park purchases and opens the Toboggan rollercoaster
- 2003 Park was approved to open the day before labor day when Lake View Ford loaned Conneaut Lake Park the money it needed to open. The park is still operated by Herbert Brill, Gene Rumsey, and Mary Ellen Rebrassier. New Board of Trustees is formed on July 15. Park hosts first annual "Holiday in the Park" event in December. 100 year celebration for Hotel Conneaut. Volunteers are invited to redecorate rooms at the Hotel, uniquely personalizing each room. A book, The Ghosts of Hotel Conneaut and Conneaut Lake Park, is written by Hotel employee Carrie Pavlik, sparking ghost hunts, television coverage, and events such as the annual Spiritual Expo. Gene Rumsey resigns as park manager at the end of the season.
- 2004 Griffin Motors loans Conneaut Lake Park the money it needs to open. Mary Ellen Rebrassier, CEO, is replaced with Don Kaltenbaugh on June 16. Herbert Brill, court appointed custodian, is replaced by Leroy Stearns who takes over mid summer. Tim Kaider resigns as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Abe Finton assumes the position.
- 2005 The park attempts to introduce a tiger animal attraction, but after a lengthy public protest from a Pittsburgh-based animal rights group, Voices For Animals, and including several thousand petition signatures from the Park's patrons, it is withdrawn later in the season. Board of Trustees is ordered by Judge Vardaro to open for the season without borrowing any money. Don. Kaltenbaugh resigns and more Board Members are added, including George Deshner, Dick Williams, David Gordan, and Terry Deitz as chairman. Tom Cholak and Harold Thornton are hired as managers of Conneaut Lake Park. The Park leases the Beach Club, Camperland, and games in order to get money to open Park for the season. A new book, "Images of America: Conneaut Lake Park", is published by Michael E. Costello and Arcadia Publishing. In August, the park, still under custody of the Crawford CountyCrawford County, PennsylvaniaCrawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford...
court, has its 12 member operating board dissolved for failure to file the required financial report two months earlier. The park management is awarded to a former school principal George Deshner and local humane society operator LeRoy Stearns. - 2006 The Flynn House, where the Flynn Family lived when they owned the park, was demolished in a controlled burn. Conneaut Lake Institute begins its "Brick-by-Brick" fundraising campaign to raise funds to repair the park's miniature train ride. In order to open Conneaut Lake Park in 2006, the Park borrows $250,000 against the sale of the Flynn House and 3.3 acres (13,354.6 m²) of valuable lakefront property. The Yoyo is finally dismantled after sitting idle for 3 years and is sold. Witch's Stew (Tempest) is reintroduced. The Bessemer Railway System reopened to the public at noon on July 2. The park's historic Tumble BugTumble BugA Tumble Bug is an amusement park ride with a circular track.Only two full-sized Tumble Bugs remain operating today in the United States—one at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and one at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, PA. All full-size instances were made by Traver...
ride reopens to the public on July 8. Conneaut Lake Park continues to operate without a board of trustees. Deshner and Stearns announce that the park lost approximately $400,000 dollars that season. In an attempt to pay off a large portion of the park's debt, Stearns tries to sell 3.6 acres (14,568.7 m²) of lakefront property. Also, the Ferris Wheel closes. - 2007 On May 22, 2007, it was announced that the resort would not open for the 2007 season due to lack of funds. The Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, Inc. had earlier attempted to raise sufficient funds through the sale of tokens but were unsuccessful. The Trustees then sought a six-figure gift to open the park, but finding no donors, announced the park would not open. Heavily in debt ($2 million), the park was unable to borrow the funds needed to open. On August 3, 2007, the Beach Club and the Down Under Bar & Restaurant opened to 5 days a week operations, with the possibility of the Hotel Conneaut being open at a later time. The amusement rides remained closed for the 2007 season.
- 2008 On February 1 the Dreamland Ballroom was destroyed in a massive fire. On April 6 the old bowling alley collapsed. On April 8, 2008. Filmmakers of the 2008 production of The Road, filmed several scenes of the park for the movie. Included in the movie was the rubble left from the Dreamland Ballroom and bowling alley, the Hotel Conneaut, and Boardwalk.
- 2009 - The resort reopened on Memorial Day weekends with the Hotel Conneaut, Beach Club, Camperland, and amusement park. The amusement park opened with its entire roster of Kiddieland rides and adult rides including Paratrooper, Flying Scooters, Tilt-A-Whirl, Tumble Bug, Carousel, Skydiver (a ride the Lisko brothers brought in), Devils Den, Bumper Cars, Witches Stew, Trabant, Bessemer Railway System, and Music Express. Splash City opened later in the summer.
- 2010 - The park reopens again with all but 4 rides: The Blue Streak (which opened the Thursday before Labor Day Weekend 2010 [riders paid an additional $3 for the privilege to supplement the costs of repairs along with a Pepsi Refresh Grant]), the Salt and Pepper Shakers,The Toboggan and the Super Round-Up. The hotel and the beach club opened as well. The coaster convention from ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) was held there on June 23. Arson Fire destroys Kiddieland restrooms. Believed to have been started by lighting toilet paper on fire and placing in the corners of the woman's side. Thursday, September 2, the Blue Streak reopened through Monday, September 6 (Labor Day Weekend.) The cost of each ride was $3.00 (not included in the wristband) or unlimited rides if you donated $100 to the park.
- 2011 - The YOYO-Jitterbug and Giant Slide open. Sky Diver closes. Go-Gator and Jumpin Star Opens.
External links
- Official Site
- Conneaut Lake Institute
- Mike's Historic Amusement Park's Conneaut Lake Park Page
- CLP Junction