Friday, May 22, 2015

Crystal Beach Park 40th Anniversary Ad – May 28, 1947

Crystal Beach Park in Vermilion first opened on Decoration Day (later renamed Memorial Day) 1907. Thus, the 40th Anniversary of the park was a big event, and was heralded in this ad, which appeared in the Lorain Journal on May 28, 1947.

The ad is a nice snapshot of all the rides and attractions that Crystal Beach offered at that time: Crystal Thriller, Tumblebug, Dodgem, Rocket Ship, Merry Go Round, Loop A Plane, Caterpillar, Miniature Railway, Kiddie Rides, Ponies and Miniature Golf.

Amusements listed in the ad included a Fun House, a Shooting Gallery, Bingo, Dart Game, Balloon Bust, and a Fish Pond.

Crystal Beach Park was well known for the popular Big Bands that performed there. Upcoming bands listed in the 1947 ad include Frankie Masters, Stan Kenton (one of my father's favorites), Carmen Cavallaro and Vaughn Monroe.

For a really terrific history of Crystal Beach Park that includes many wonderful photos and postcards, be sure to visit this link on Rich Tarrant's Vermilion Views website. Crystal Beach Park has been a regular topic on the Vermilion Views website over the years, so if you type in "Crystal Beach" in the search box at the bottom of the page, it will bring up the links of additional posts that mention it.

Courtesy Ebay
Drew Penfield has a nice history of Crystal Beach Park on the first page of the Vermilion section of his Lake Shore Rail Maps website, including some great photos.
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3 comments:

  1. -Alan D HopewellMay 23, 2015 at 1:00 PM

    I remember my mother telling me about the acts they came to see at the Ballroom, and I have my own childhood memories of the rides and attractions there, especially the miniature train and the penny arcade. I loved playing Skee-Ball and the claw machines, although I wasn't very good at either one.

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  2. Wireless.PhilMay 28, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    Can't remember if I ever went there or not?
    Few years ago I read up on it and I think the had a fire in one of the building.

    There was another park close to W 194th and north of Puritas, just before you went down into what is now metro parks, but I can't remember the name of it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wireless.PhilMay 28, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    Can't remember if I ever went there or not?
    Few years ago I read up on it and I think the had a fire in one of the building.

    There was another park close to W 194th and north of Puritas, just before you went down into what is now metro parks, but I can't remember the name of it.

    ReplyDelete