Wednesday, July 26, 2023

A Smarter-than-the-Average Investment – July 1973

For many years, the Journal published a page of business ads once a week under the banner, "Business & Industry Review" or something similar. It was some sort of package deal, with certain advertisers receiving a short, promotional article (often with a photo) masquerading as regular content of the newspaper. I've featured one or two of these pages over the years. They're fun to look at.

And here's another one (above) from the July 16, 1973 Journal. This one is of special interest to me because it includes a short article extolling the benefits of investing in a Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp - Resort franchise in Ohio. Of course, there's an ad (below) accompanying the article.
What's really interesting to me is that there was a Jellystone Park resort planned for my current town of Vermilion! As the article notes, "The first of the nationally developed camp-resorts will begin operation around April 1, 1974 along the Vermilion River.
"Heated swimming pools, a mini-golf course, large playground sites, markets, larger-than-life replicas of Yogi and his pals and outdoor sports are featured at the resorts.
"The Vermilion development of 50 acres will cost $500,000 to construct and will provide an abundance of return for investors who don't want to be left out in the woods.
"Vacationers can avoid boo-boos and phone ahead toll free to already rollicking camp resorts coast-to-coast at 800-558-2954."
I'm sure trying to convince investors to buy into this campground caper was no pic-a-nic. But today, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts are still thriving and growing. Hey-hey-hey! 
I've camped at Jellystone Parks all over Canada, as well as in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Interestingly, the 1319 West Erie Avenue address for Recreational Investment Co. is today the home of the Council of Lorain County Veterans, the little building next to "Big V" park. 
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I did a whole post on the early days of Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts back here.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I looked that Swiss American Jewelers up and now it's listed as 800 Broadway.My grandfather took a pocket watch to the 800 Broadway location and somehow it got "lost".Well naturally Swiss American paid fair value for it as it wasn't a very valuable watch,but that's beside the point.I've always heard that the owner of Swiss American has a huge collection of watches and pocket watches.The biggest in Lorain County.My grandfather found out how the hard way how the Swiss American owner built his collection up over time.I guarantee my grandfather's pocketwatch is still in this collection.

Mark said...

Wonder where it was planned for in vermilion area?

Harrison Baumbaugh said...

1319 w. erie interesting property. was a SHELL gas station ,unoccupied I guess for about 20 years ,40s-50s,Earl Gault parked his antique cars there.He lived across on fifth. in 60s remodeled to real estate office, then chamber of commerce,then investment company, then DR'S office.Lost track in 86 as we moved from Lorain. As a kid played baseball on the open gravel lot when it was a closed shell station. Fun times.....

Don Hilton said...

I find the firefighter article interesting.

The boat covers, too. A good custom cover is a pain in the butt to make. I have a buddy over in Pennsyltucky who earned a good living for much of her life building them.

I see by their website that Elyria Concrete Step has been in business for over 50 years. We bought a set from them for our first Ohio house in Berea 'way back in the '90s.

Rae said...

I think there was a Jellystone camping out on Colorado east of Abbe closer to 90 on S side. Prior to it becoming Jellystone was a property they dug the ponds out to build up ramps etc for 90. We rode our horses down to swim in the ponds. Best time ever. At some point became Jellystone I can remember Yogi on the sign, and we were no longer permitted to ride there. Can't find anything on Google about it though.

Rae said...

Addendum my friend Cheryl said was also Camp Wahoo for a time we can't remember which was first.

Boilerplant said...

Remember going to the farm auction where the Jelly stone camp ground was going to be built. It would have been about a mile South of Vermilion on West River Road on the East side between the river. I don't know if it ever opened or not.