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Closed for the Season: 50 Years Without Euclid Beach Park
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2019
- For decades, when summer faded into autumn, it meant that Euclid Beach Park was ‘closed for the season,’ much to the dismay of children and families from Cleveland and the surrounding neighborhoods. When autumn fell in 1969, however, that phrase took on a different meaning. For 74 years, on about 75 acres in the far northeast corner of Cleveland along Lake Erie, the beloved amusement park brought joy to the hearts of millions. When it closed for good 50 years ago, its patrons were devastated. On this anniversary year of the closing, we take a look back through the history and the memories of Euclid Beach Park.
I went there often as a child . I’m over 60 and the park still haunts my dreams . The Euclid Beach park dream is a real thing
As a child and being black I remember when my family went to Euclid Beach we could not go into the park. I remember thinking one day I will be back, and I am going to ride every ride and I did.
I wonder why
Thank you Euclid Beach for reminding me of when I was a little boy here in Cleveland. Looking forward to every summer to see if was tall enough to ride the big ride. I was there when the awful experience of a riot took place at the park I was not hurt . As a young black child not even understanding what the heck was going on. .I was only 8 years old, I always hope that was not the reason Euclid Beach closing. As a young black child I never felt bad about my experience at the park. As a child when we went back to school we brag about going to Euclid Beach. Thank You for the great summers and great memories over 50 plus years ago. Thank You so much.
I believe it was from declining revenue, competition from Cedar Point, but mostly their insurance rates jumped way up around 1969.
Euclid Beach and Geauga Lake bring back such childhood Memories. Now sadly they are both gone. My dad's factory had it's summer picnics there.
Addressograph?
My grandmother took my mom her as a child, she had wonderful memories here, laughing Sal, unfortunately he closed before I was born but my mother to visit and we found the wading pool that was buried under sand on the beach. I was sad that I missed it.
I'm much too young to have experienced EBP, but I go there often to walk around and relax on the absolutely pristine beach there nowadays and wonder what it would have been like to experience the amusement park. Regardless, EBP as it is now is my FAVORITE place to relax in the greater Cleveland area, no matter what season it is!
I know all the old racists would say otherwise, but I love that neighborhood and I love the gem that still is EBP! We are so lucky to still have a space there to think about the memories and create new ones.
EBP forever!!!!
I spent a good part of my childhood there. Great memories! If you visit the Metro Park, you can still see remnants of the Turnpike ride.
Thank you for taking me back to a time when Things where Simple and a lot more fun when i was growing up. My Dad took me there when I got big enough to ride the rides. Now I can smile again remembering those Days. Thank's !
My most intense memory of Euclid Beach from the mid-sixties, between the ages of 4&7, had to be standing there transfixed by Laughing Sal, as other people have commented on. Simultaneously fascinated and horrified, I couldn’t take my eyes off her, but still not wanting to get TOO close either. I somehow remember there being a male version of her at the other end of the Laff House, where she was situated in front of, encased in glass, same as her. Might’ve been named Laughing Sam - does anyone else remember this? I wish the video had shown more of her, and peoples’ reaction, (esp. kids’) instead of just at the very end. Back in 1998, my husband and I were in a small arcade/museum on the west side of San Francisco, (next to the ruins of the old public baths) and happened to find Laughing Sal propped up in a corner of one of the rooms -to this day, don’t even remember if she was activated/laughing, or just still, but either way, such a cool surprise to see her again - conjured up a lot of memories of the whole park at the time.. I think that particular arcade might’ve moved to Pier 39 some years later, but don’t recall seeing her there when we went to that one - wonder what happened to her after that...
I remember her! The laughing man was gone by the time I came along
Ran to get my favorite horse on the carousel. Always got the black one, always!!! Loved the frozen custard, never tasted anything like it since !! Wow, remembered all the taffy and popcorn balls we took home !!!!
All the memories of the good times still linger in my heart.
So many of our towns and cities had beautiful playgrounds that meant everything to locals and this is one I would have visited in a heartbeat. Euclid wasn’t Cleveland’s only park, but it’s the one everyone went to. I’m glad it lives on through events on the grounds. It was great to see the entrance arch still standing.
I grew up in that Park. Loved it. They had the best frozen custard.
Yes! ...see my comment above! Always search for it!
The best memories of childhood still vivid....
Euclid Beach rides and games went to Shady Lake and Geauga Lake.
All of which closed…way to go Ohio 🙃
Yes…was so yummy!
Man I wish we still had this park
Yeah but you know, it's not exactly a good area now. Not at all.
@@1946lukethe park is still beautiful and safe. I spend many many days on the sand there! It's very private and well kept. Definitely my favorite place in Cleveland.
Grew up here and loved Euclid Beach! Besides my parents,my grandparents took us there frequently on Nickel Days! We enjoyed Cedar Point but it just wasn't the same. Missed it when it closed.
This is where I had the most fun in my whole life!
Me too!
My grandfather worked for Elwell Parker, which was the electricians of the park. They would have a yearly picnic for the retired employees and families. What a blast we had! Food, games, and rides! Loved every ride but fun house...Sal gave me the creeps. Miss the fun.
My parents went to Euclid Beach Park on their first date in the early 60's. They were married 45 years.
I was born way after this park closed but it's still sad. 😢
I as a kid remember that place...to me it was the best...the best fun house..coaster..what a cool place 😍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
MY FATHER WORKED FOR GOODYEAR TIRE. EVERY SUMMER
GOODYEAR HAD ANNUAL PICNIC AT THE PARK. IT WAS THE GREATEST DAY OF SUMMER. I TRUELY MISS ALL THOSE OLD DAYS.
I'm making these comments as I remember them. I am 82 years old (for reference).
The Park used to have Nickel Days. I went to parochial School in Cleveland, and I sort of remember they had these days in May before the Summer
months began. I had an incident where we went to EBP in late May on Nickel Days and as others have stated I slept little the night before in anticipation.
I had been in the Park awhile and it was probably late morning near noon. And while standing near the Rocket Ship I just suddenly lost consciousness, and fell over and cut my chin.
(I still have the noticeable scar) People came to help me, and took me to some kind of infirmary (clinic) the Park had, and patched me up, called my Mom at home as she was not there.
Asked me if I had eaten yet that day, of which I had not, and decided that was what caused me to faint.
If it was possible to go back in time and be in the Park as it was, I could take you to the very spot this incident happened.
I as all Clevelander's, Loved Euclid Beach Park.
Going on 79, and yes I remember. 😥 Excuse me, I think I've got something in my eye.
I was there only once in about 1962 with my uncle Steve and his family. They lived in Maple Heights. Since we lived in Strongsville, Chippewa Lake wAs closer. I still do remember my trip to Euclid Beach, and how I felt there at age seven.
Before we moved to Virginia, I went back to Euclid Beach several times, and like the man said, I could remember how it was.
The same feelings were there one time when after being closed for over ten years, I was able to walk through what was left of Chippewa Lake. The rides were still there minus the carousel. By the way, the same year I went to Euclid Beach, I almost fell out of “The Worlds Fastest Ferris Wheel” at Chippewa Lake while it was turning. To this day, I have a deep fear of Ferris wheels.
I lived a few blocks away. My best friend and I would go there every day in the summer when school was out. Free to get in and you only paid for what you wanted. 5 cents a ticket was not bad. The closing of the park broke my heart. It was like losing a good friend. I have the first editions of the books
"Euclid Beach Park Is Closed for the Season" & "A Second Look"
i have the first book, closed for the season , sooo sad, i also have a VCR tape, havent looked at in in some time, too sad., so many memories for sure ♥ Euclid Beach Park ♥
I lived on the west side of Cleveland but almost every year starting in the mid 1950’s we went to Euclid Beach. I got to see some of my first concerts at Euclid Beach, the Four Seasons, Jan and Dean among others. My dad worked at Warner & Swasey Company and they had their company picnic each year at Euclid Beach. The last time I went was after high school (West Tech) graduation in 1969. I didn’t have any idea that was the last year for the park.
i saw those concerts too!!! There was the Capitols, Mitch Ryder/Detroit wheels--u name it Future Pres Kennedy was there. The demise came from the riots of hough, glenville, e cleve--an i spilled over to the park. There was violence, burnt buildings, you name it. I left n 77 for what they calld WHITE FLIGHT
My grandparent might have been in this video, they went to Euclid Beach when they were dating, they lived in the Collinwood neighborhood, thanks for sharing
Some of my best childhood memories z The popcorn balls!
Euclid Beach was the park of my childhood. I'll never forget the feeling when my Grandma said we are going to Euclid Beach tomorrow. Oh the excitement! I'll never forget the sounds and the smells. And those popcorn balls! My first coaster was the Thriller, and then the Racing Coaster. Of course I loved Over the Falls, Laff-in-the-Dark, the Bug, the Whip, and The Rocket Ships too! The only thing I feared was the Laughing Lady! Once I got past her I was fine. And I will never forget the graciousness of the Humphreys and I am forever grateful to them for the fun they provided to all of us. My beloved park closed in 1969 and my family moved to Cincinnati in 1970 due to dad's job. There has never been another park like Euclid Beach. We have an appreciation for both Kennywood and Holiday World to which we have taken our kids, but I wish they could have experienced The Beach!
As a kid in the 60s, going to Euclid Beach was like going to heaven.
Back then we called her the laughing lady. She scared me, but I could not stop staring at her !!!!!!!!
All that is said here is true. The view of the lake from the first drop of the roller coaster was spectacular. I believe the park first started out as a swimming park on Lake Erie. The amusement park evolved from that. The park declined in the late 60’s and was unsafe. I loved going there as a child. Some of the rides are now at Cedar Point. Thank you for the upload.
I'll never forget going there as lil kid growing up. I can still smell the popcorn balls! And I'll never forget when mom finally took me on the old carosel in the center of the park as a lil guy. And then riding that strange rollercoaster like a bobsked shute. and candy kisses on the way home. went there with my parents, God parents, aunts and uncles. The park lives now...only in my memories.
My family used to got to Euclid Bch in the 50's and early 60's but like Chippewa lake park and Mars lake park none exist now. I worked at Chippewa Lake park in 69-71.
I remember going to the park with my family for picnics and to meet all kinds of people from the area and play with kids for the fun of being a kid. We'd stay all day and tried to get a ride on the Triller but we were too little. But the Dodge 'Ems cars were the greatest to get a ride on and always loved crashing into my sister and making her cry. Lol. Laughing Sal scared the crap out of us little kids too!
This was a TRUE "amusement park". The rides were thrilling enough and not deadly dangerous stupid. I also remember my Mom (my Daddy didn't grow up here) telling me all the stories and fun times. I have loved white not yellow popcorn ever since. Custard. Skee Ball. The big carousel horses scared me.
My family left Ohio in 1960 when I was 10 years old. We visited the Beach every year till we left. Years later, when I heard that the Beach had closed it was if my best friend had died.
I was born in Cleveland the year you left Ohio. I know what you mean- nothing will ever compare to that park- there was just something about it, wasn’t there… Was 9 when it closed down, and felt the same way. 😔
Here in Canton, Ohio, we had Myers Lake Park that closed in 1973. It had the scariest roller coaster ride built on a wooden structure. It also had several other rides one being a cage that you could get to swing back and forth and after enough swing get it to go over the top and keep going over the top constantly.
Yes, Euclid Beach had those during its final years. They were called the Swingin' Jims (Gyms?) at Euclid Beach.
The cage ride! I lived in Willowick and every year the carnival would come and it had that ride. I remember getting blisters on my hands from grabbing that bar and trying to get the cage to go over. Fun times!
Man I remember Geauga Lake more, too young to remember Euclid Beach but always heard stories of it and now both are gone. My dad used to have work picnics there where workers at his job could bring their families to Geauga Lake and have awesome time there in the summer. Crazy how time goes so fast and they are no longer here. Time goes on, but memories will always be here and thank God for pictures, Videos like this to keep memories going forever. Sad we live in society today where people just have no respect for others and for themselves at that, back in the good old days, sure there were little issues but I so wish I could be back in those days then be here today. Yeah technology is great. But just family traditions, things were simpler back then, so wish we had time travel today, I would love to go back in those days and see how Cleveland was growing from just grass lands to industrial to the railroads being built to seeing these parks being created, I love history. great video.
I was raised on the other end of Ohio. We used to go to LeSourdsville Lake. It was pretty nice, not very expensive. Then Kings Island opened (72?) and ate their lunch. Went to KI, mostly you just got to stand in line. By dint of hard work and good timing, I was able to ride 6 rides over an entire day. Went back to LL. It was nearly deserted, you just walked up to anything and got on. Was great while it lasted, but it closed a year later IIRC.
Flying Turns was my favorite.
I remember the Salt Water taffy!
Most of these amusement parks around the Cleveland are gone now. remember Geauga Lake Park ? Most fell in disrepair. A real shame.
I remember the ice cream there. I've never tasted anything quite like it since.
Fond memories from the '50s and '60s.
I remember walking by Laughing Sal wondering why she was in that glass box, and I took the widest path possible to get by her (to my father's amusement), but I was fixated and couldn't take my eyes off of her. An early 60's memory of being frightened to death.
I loved watching her. I never knew she had a name. I just called her the laughing lady.
I remember her too as a young child. I stared at her strange movements and laughter not knowing what to think.
Hello don't you just know it thank you very much for your reply and for the added information I really appreciate that. I went there as a kid and I had a lot of fun.. it was good memories and I was sad to see it go have a really nice day and evening.. thanks again for your reply.❤💙💚💜😁
THAT WAS AWESOME TO WATCH.
NOT FROM CLEVELAND, I'M FROM YOUNGSTOWN.
I FEEL YOUR PAIN THOUGH.
WE HAD A SIMILAR PARK.
IDORA PARK.
IT CLOSED ALSO.
YOU REALLY HAVE TO ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE AS NOTHING LAST FOREVER.
WISH I COULD OF EXPIERENCED THE CHARM OF EUCLID BEACH.
RIP.
I also am from Youngstown and I miss Idora Park like most Youngstown folks but have lived in the Cleveland area for the last 24 years work with the elderly the people here miss Euclid Beach more than anything even New Yorkers with the old Coney Island you even mention Euclid Beach they get so emotional.
I guess I'm lucky, I used to go to euclid beach and Idora park as a kid .
@@robertw4230 You sure were!
My dad used to talk about this. It took me there where the gates are now. I could feel something in their air. Truly sad that things like this who change lives, impact lives, create the best memories, are always the victim of either greed, change, or a neighborhood that goes down hill. This place is right next to the ghetto. Really disgusting now.
The Laughing Lady. I can see and hear her. I can still taste the salt water taffy.
I loved Euclid Beach.
Was a great place to have grown up in .Best toffee etc.
In the late fifties my brother and I would take two buses from the westside, #22 and then transfer to the lakeshore express downtown. We generally went on "𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙡 or 𝘾𝙤𝙘𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙖" days as money was tight in our family. Sadly, by the time I had kids 𝗘𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 had closed so they never got to realize the ambiance of the park and the thrill(er) and excitement of the various roller coasters and other rides in the park.....or the iconic miniture 𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆.
My Dad took me there got on the ride the rotor loved the taffy the laughing lady was a gas loved her wooden roller coaster was the best 50 years ago it's been since I been there was so close to home to go there those where the days
i used to ride my bike there and spend the day
Fireworks on the pier, wrapped in a blanket.
That was my favorite ride.
Everyone talks about euclid beach park, but know one brings it back, all of are amazement parks are disappearing ,we need to bring them back
I know that feeling of loss. I'm a Clevelander, but my park was Conneaut Lake Park in PA. Euclid was before my time. I chose CLP over Cedar Point any day. RIP CLP😢
My family loved Conneaut Lake Park, too. The Devil’s Den was so much fun. I got a concussion on the Hell Hole ride though. And just looking at that double Ferris ride they had would scare me silly.
My mom Jackie Lynn used to sing at Euclid Beach Park in the early 50’s she later went on to host her own show called Good Morning Bandwagon. I have a few photos of her on the stage there, I saw she is mentioned in the first book but no photo, I wonder if they would want a picture to add. If anyone has the contact info let me know. I grew up with her stories of singing there but never got to visit.
At least laughing Sal has a good home!❤❤❤
Our family was fortunate to know the managers of the restaurant: John & Leone Dissinger! We’d be able to get some free tickets which was a huge treat!My Father sold Roberts Coffee to this & many other restaurants in NE Ohio: Stouffers, Bowen’s, Manners, Kenny Kings among others.The frozen custard was THE Best! Soeder Milk Co recipe...I still search for it to this day!
It seems like everything in these cities gets WORSE not better.
I know. It's very sad..
Good memories going there as a kid from East Cleveland. They have destroyed that too. SAD. 👎
Like so many aspects of once great cities, people who didn't share family values, or saw the park as a place to squat, or commit crime, or vandalize too over and ruined the atmosphere of fun and family. It became a place of fear and violence too often....and the downward spiral began and continued until the pulling of the plug.
went as young child... hated laughing sal...but loved the park
I love sal
Nancy. . I'm sorry to read that you didn't like laughing Sal I liked her... but we can both agree that there was a lot of good memories from the park
As a kid I had nightmares after seeing Laughing Sal lol
My Grant Grandma use to come to this park.
Loved Euclid Beach Park. My father would takes us there on Nickel Day) all rides were 5 cents). My mother would pack lunch & we'd make a day of it. Also the Democrats would have a Steer Roast Day on the end of summer. It broker my heart when they closed the part. So many good memories.
Does anyone remember laughing Sal. Or was her name Sally?? Where is she now. ????
It was Laughing Sal, not sure where it is now but Google says that it was made by a company that also made a Laughing Sam. They made several of each and sold them to amusement parks across the country.
@14:20
Fortunate the be just old enough to enjoy. Found out inside info: due to wood rot damage from lakeside location, Euclid Beach couldn't get insurance a'more.
They should try to bring the park back.
Maybe do it with a re-imagining of the Racer by Rocky Mountain Construction or RMC for short.
Sad. Yes, good memories but little more than that remains. 🎢
I grew up literally around the corner and been living back around there for about 7 years… I was salty when they finally took the remainder of the stuff down like the McDonald’s that’s been there for years…. Doesn’t even look the same over there
Eucs used to haul behind the house in the 80s….tough trucks
My brother and I went there but I never went on flying turns or thriller
I went to ShadyLake.
After Euclid Beach park..it was chi pawl lake....maybe i spelled that wrong...not a bad place.....i need a time machine....????
Sometimes, I think I was born about 100 years to late..
They should call gravity group to make a new version of thriller
you never thought it was safe
Beautiful Park for all of us in Cleveland then the 1965 Civil Rights Act was enacted and the Blacks were allowed to enter into the park..later on stabbings in the parking lot and and gunshots victims in the parking and the park as well as riots.
not an amusement park anymore, just a rat hole down there. completely ruined
Totally false. Euclid Beach Park was taken over by the metroparks years ago. It is beautiful and safe. I spend as many days as I can there, often by myself. It's the most beautiful and underappreciated beach in the Cleveland area.
@@tessvavrek9565 wrong
@@clemclemson9259 I live here 😂
@@tessvavrek9565 I work there
You know who caused it to shut down don't you?😮😅😊
😂😂😂
It couldn’t compete with cedar point.
Unfortunately, yes I heard lots of stories. The reason this park is gone is the same reason Geauga Lake is gone (that 1 i witnessed firsthand).
Humphreys? Are they the same ones that lend their names to Humphreys popcorn balls?
Yep!
5:50 - Flying Turns - The inspiration for Knobel's Grove, Pennsylvania.
th-cam.com/video/7g-UO_ivToA/w-d-xo.html
And why did all this Happened? I'll tell you why,cause God dont like ugly this Park was everything people loved and care about,but they started with their Racist Bull Crap and fights and all that negativity and it all went down hill,so they did it to themselves
@@davey306 you explain it by seeing they evolved. JOE 2021
It was a different world back then. Not that it made excluding black citizens "ok" but it's just how things were, and I agree it's sad that society was like that then.
It’s a shame that people of color could not attend…racist people need to be retrained, just because that’s the way you were taught,doesn’t mean it was right
@@ychilds6972 Retrained? Would this happen in camps?
@@joekoz3815 Good point!
😸😸😸
Now you know who caused it to shut down. Right?
Or Riverview for that matter...right??
as a black man i had a lot on fun at that park in the early 60,s. but after reading how racist the park was towards blacks in the early years, i wished i never stepped foot in that park. and when they closed in 1969 ,i believed they closed because of black people , another racist move.
The Whites left because of the blacks. The Humpheries ran the park into the ground because of their racist idiology.Hate to say that but it was true.,very sad.
Yup!! Shame on them!’
There are places where whites go and places they used to go. Been to a mall at night lately?
Also, crime went up and families would no longer feel safe bringing their families there after '65.
#amrak
That is so sad that African Americans were not welcome in the park and when they were, they were only allowed in on certain days. That is no way to treat anyone!!
Pride train rides
/
Because the park had unfair conditions against black…. Selfishly !!!
Keep telling black people where we can't go. Bet.
I’ll bet everyone else quits going.
If only they wasn’t so racist sum prolly could’ve shaked 😂
Well it needed to be closed seeing how it didn’t benefit the community because of racial tensions.I’m actually Glad bigot land didn’t thrive .
Live racist you get closed.
Humphreys? Are they the same ones that lend their names to Humphreys popcorn balls?