Early Cleveland Area Amusement Parks-Not Just Tents and Sawdust

Sections

Euclid Beach

 The park was built on the site of the Cobb family farm between Collamer Ave. and Ursuline Ave. It opened in 1895 and the 1,700' sand beach and 75 acres of woodland drew swimmers and picnickers.  Its early appeal to people was the dance hall and beer garden  It was located east of Cleveland and connected to the city by the steamships Duluth and Superior.  Included in the exhibit are ariel views, park views and park activities.

 The park was bought by the Humphrey family in 1901.  Under their supervision Euclid beach prospered. They ran the park under their own personal slogan "Nothing to depress or demoralize". Admission was free with a small charge for the use of the attraction such as the Flying Turns, the Suprise House, the pier, dance pavilion and skating rink.

Luna Park

Included in this section are photographs from Luna Park. It opened May 18, 1905 on the east side of Cleveland. On May 21, streetcars carried fifty-thousand people to visit the new park.

Puritas Springs Park

This section focuses on the first amusement park on the west side of Cleveland. Puritas Springs Park opened in 1898.  It stood along a deep ravine overlooking the Rocky River Valley.  It as a "trolley park" served by the Cleveland & Southwestern interurban.  Its main attraction was the Cyclone rollercoaster, higher and faster then any other coaster in the Cleveland area.  Its appeal began to fade after WWII.  A fire destroyed the dance hall in 1946.  Another fire forced the park to close for good in 1958.

White City Park

This section focuses on the short-lived White City Amusement park.  White City opened in 1902 on the east side of Cleveland. The park was in direct competition with Euclid Beach Park.  The park could not recover from a severe storm on July 24, 1907 and was forced to close.

The End of the Amusement Parks

This section contains various photographs from Cleveland area amusement parks that closed.