EUCLID BEACH PARK
The red arrows indicate location and direction of photo. Still a few more to take!
1. These may not be golden arches, but they've stood the test of time!
2.The entrance as it looked in 2001.
3. Old pavement from the office/administration area.
5. A view looking out towards the fountain and pier. You can still see the concrete!
6. The arrow points to the pier's end 50 years ago.
7. Though hard to find, this is one of the pier's footings all crumpled up.
Euclid Beach is located just east of Cleveland along Lake Erie, and closed in 1969. It was the area's premier destination park until crowds started to disappear in the 60's. 1962 was the last year the park made a profit, and rising maintenance costs forced removal of rides just to keep the gates from closing. The park was famous for the very first Rocketship ride, and the tallest of the Flying Turns bobsled coasters. Knoebels in Elysburg PA is opening their own version in 2008, following plans from the original designer.
These photos are from June 2001. You can still visit the property, and much of it has been turned into a state park. You will notice the arch entrance is still standing and serves as the entrance for the apartments. If you go to the next road east of the arch, you'll be able to enter the park through the other original entrance. The main parking area is the former site of the western half of the rides, and the jungle gym play area occupies the former site of the Scooters, Bug, and Rocket Ships. You can even walk down to the pier, which is still somewhat intact, and see old railings and concrete steps along the shore. The fountain is nothing more than a foundation. Now, filled with sand and debris, you can actually walk inside it. Compare it with the DVD of Euclid Beach, and I guarantee you'll feel a ghostly presence when you walk down by the pier. Even better is one of the homes occupied by the Humphrey family (owners of Euclid Beach) which is still standing just east of the pavilions by the lakefront. It stands out because of its light pink and white paint as well as its deteriorating condition. The only other park that had me on edge was Chippewa Lake, which had several reasons to spook any souls that dare set foot within its boundaries.
If you have any of the Euclid Beach books, I highly recommend taking them along. DVDs are also available from Amusement Park Memories
Be sure to visit Euclid Beach Now for events.
Visit this great Euclid Beach site
All images copyright Brad Sherman unless noted otherwise.