Ohio is well known for their share of amusement parks, but many may not know on a lake shore near Akron, sits a rarely seen piece of amusement park history. The once roaring Chippewa Lake Park now lies in ruins after being vacated in 1978. The park has a very interesting history behind it:
In 1875, a man by the name of Edward Andrews opened a picnic grounds and the beach to visitors. The area was called Andrews Pleasure Grounds. The only other entertainment at the time was small concerts and shows. He changed the name to Chippewa Lake Park in 1878 and the first attraction was added in the early 1880’s. Andrews then sold the park to Mac Beach in 1898.
An original Chippewa Lake Park sign
Mac Beach was exactly what the park needed. He began renovations and transformed the park into what we would call an amusement park today. He added a midway, rides, a hotel and ballroom. Later, his son Parker Beach, would take over. Parker oversaw the park during its most popular years, the 1920’s. During his reign as owner, he built the parks first modern roller coaster, the Big Dipper and was able to schedule entertainment for every day of the week.
The family was able to keep the park successful for many decades. Eventually the park featured several rides and a total of three roller coasters: the Big Dipper, a Kiddie Coaster and a Wild Mouse. The park was again sold, this time to Continental Business Enterprises, in 1968. The company planned on turning the land into a very large summer resort. After they became aware of the little public interest in the plan and lack of funds, they gave up on the idea.
Over the next decade, interest in the park diminished and no money was being brought in. Unannounced to the public, sadly the park’s 100th Anniversary year would be its last. The way the park closed was very strange; at the end of the parks final day, everything was left as it was. Nothing was touched, as if the people vanished and the park was left to fend for itself.
A cup commemorating the park’s 100th anniversary, said to be given out the same day the park closed.
The park remained like this for nearly 30 years. Over the last several years, many of the rides have been dismantled and taken out, the ballroom burned down, as well as a few other buildings, and many people have broken into the park to vandalize. Unfortunately all that is left today, are remnants of what used to be of this once roaring park. Even though it is gone, the memories live on in the minds of those who were fortunate enough to visit the park.
Be on the look out for Part II of this article coming soon! You will get a behind the scenes look at what remains of the park.
Chippewa Lake Park was a great park. Many good memories.