More Cedar Point Vintage Postcards

It's summertime, so for a lot of people in Northern Ohio that means it's time for a trip to Cedar Point. 

Actually, I know a few people that don't just go once a year, like my family did when I was a kid. The trend now is to get a season pass.

It's a pretty good reflection of how times change. 

A day at Cedar Point was a big deal when I was growing up. We went once a year; going there twice would have been unthinkable. Some years we didn't even make it there at all, because we were doing a lot of camping. So when we did go to Cedar Point, the night before our visit was like Christmas Eve.

The park is so different now. In the 1960s, Cedar Point was in the process of adding a lot of new rides and family attractions in an attempt to be a 'Disneyland of the Midwest.' There was a sense of nostalgia about the place, with calliope music playing and a lot of old-time atmosphere. 

Nowadays, Cedar Point is strictly about thrills and excitement. It evolves with each generation. It has to, if it wants to stay in business. 

But many of my readers enjoy rekindling old memories of the park, so when I find some vintage postcards that are new to me, I post them. Here's the latest collection.

Otto Graham at Cedar Point – June 17, 1955

Remember when famous professional athletes from your favorite local team used to make personal appearances at shopping centers and fast food drive-ins? You actually had a chance to meet them and get an autographed photo.

I've written about a few of these events, including this promotion for Casey's Drive-in that featured several Cleveland Indian ballplayers, and this one at Sears that featured several Cleveland Browns players.

Otto Graham and Cleveland Browns
Head Coach Paul Brown

Well, at the top of this post is an ad that appeared in the Lorain Journal seventy years ago today on June 17, 1955. It was announcing an appearance the next day at Cedar Point by Cleveland Browns quarterback Otto Graham, sponsored by Esmond Dairy. As the ad notes, you could shake hands with him and get an "ottograph" from Otto.

As his Wiki entry notes, "Otto Everett Graham Jr. (December 6, 1921 – December 17, 2003) was an American professional football quarterback who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. 

"Graham is regarded by critics as one of the most dominant players of his era and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, having taken the Browns to league championship games every year between 1946 and 1955, making ten championship appearances, and winning seven of them. With Graham at quarterback, the Browns posted a record of 105 wins, 17 losses, and 4 ties, including a 9–3 win–loss record in the AAFC and NFL playoffs. He holds the NFL record for career average yards gained per pass attempt, with 8.63. He also holds the record for the highest career winning percentage for an NFL starting quarterback, at 81.0%."

Also on the bill that day at Cedar Point was Casey, the Homer Hitting Hen. Here's a promotional ad for the the plucky pullet from the March 7, 1955 issue of the Food Field Reporter.

So how did it work? According to another article in the same issue, there were four trained Caseys. "The birds are taught to peck at a rubber loop which operates an electric switch. The switch swings a small baseball bat that backs a small rubber ball through what looks like a pinball machine. If the ball bounces around the rubber baseballl figures and hits the fence at the back of the field, it creates another electrical contact. This causes lights to go on, a buzzer to sound, and a few grains of chicken feed to drop in a cup at the end of a runway.

"As soon as the ball hits the homerun contact, the chicken knows it will receive food and rushes down the runway to get it. If then comes back to pluck at the rubber loop again. If the ball does not reach the back fence, the chicken knows it. If the lights do not go on and the buzzer does not sound, the chicken knows there will be no food, and so pulls on the loop again to try for a homer.

Casey's owner, Keller Breland Associates, distributed a list of rental rates for their various attractions. One found online and dated 10/1/55 noted that to rent Casey for a week cost $400, with a 20% discount for each additional week.

That ain't chicken feed.

New Blue Streak Roller Coaster at Cedar Point – June 12, 1964

Sixty years ago, Blue Streak rollercoaster at Cedar Point – so-named to honor the Sandusky High School athletic teams – was brand new. Above is the Journal page from June 12, 1964 making the announcement.

As the article notes, "The new $250,000 Blue Streak roller coaster is one of hate new 1964 attractions which is helping make fun the keynote for this year's season at the Point.

"The roller coaster which was built by Cedar Point construction and maintenance crews is 72 feet high, 2,400 feet long, and travels at a maximum speed of 25 miles an hour. Each train of cars carries 24 persons on a two-minute ride.

"From the top of the Blue Streak's high hill, Cedar Point unfolds with a view to the left of the runway, the mile-long beach, the 1,000-room Hotel Breakers, the Sky Ride and the Sky Wheel.

"The updating of Cedar Point began after its purchase by Toledo real estate developer George A. Roose, and Cleveland financier Emile A. Negros.

"At that time plans were announced to convert Cedar Point into an exclusive residential area. The announcement loosed a storm of public protest. Private citizens and public officials did not want to lost [sic] Cedar Point.

"The new owners then assured the public that the resort would not close and plans were disclosed to rebuild Cedar Point into one of the finest recreation areas in the country."

Here's a vintage postcard of the beloved ride.

This April 2024 blog post explored the same 'new for 1964' theme, with an emphasis on the Mill Race.

I remember Brady family trips to Cedar Point in the 1960s in which the Blue Streak was seen as rather scary, with a few of us reluctant to ride it. The last time I rode it (about 8 years ago), I still thought it was a pretty good roller coaster.

Anyway, the page above includes ads for many restaurants, night clubs and businesses previously covered on this blog, including The Note, Manners, Colony Bar, Vian's, Lincoln Park, Maple Inn, Lorain Arena and the Sands.

Cedar Point's New Rides – April 1964

Vintage postcard of Cedar Point Millrace

Cedar Point may not be the top-ranked amusement park today when it comes to attendance or public polls, but it will always be No. 1 in the hearts of those who visited it during the 1960s and 70s. It was during that time period that the park introduced many beloved rides that helped transform Cedar Point from the rundown resort of the 1950s to the popular thrill center it is today.

The 1964 season was a big one for Cedar Point, as noted in the article below, which appeared in the Journal back on April 9, 1964. 

Vintage postcard of Millrace with Blue Streak
in background

It notes, "At least five new rides, representing an investment of more than $600,000 will greet visitors on opening day.

"Heading the list will be a $200,000 roller coaster named the "Blue Streak" which will be 2,400 feet in length and starts out with an 80-foot climb. It replaces the Cyclone which was dismantled 12 years ago.

"Other new rides are the Calypso, a circulating and tilting sensation, the Broadway Trip, which takes passengers on a ride through a three-level dark enclosure, and a French Frolic a swinging ride, which is also being installed at the New York World's Fair.

"Among the rides which has proved a favorite and installed 10 days prior to last year's closing was the Millrace.

The article also notes that "a number of new animated features have been added to the route of the narrow-gauge Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad which operates two trains with four cars each, including a caboose added for the new season."

In case you're wondering what the Calypso was like, here's a nice YouTube video to dizzily remind you.

It's hard not to get overwhelmed with nostalgia thinking about the Cedar Point of the 1960s and 70s. I have many memories about our visits to the park as a family: going to the Millrace first (and getting wet to start the day, much to Mom's annoyance); visiting Jungle Larry's Safari Island; the (long-gone) Pirate and Earthquake Rides; dinner at the Silver Dollar; riding in the Cadillac Cars (a decade before getting a real driver's license); an evening ride on the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad; and a nighttime view of the park from the Space Spiral.

Happy Days.

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Cedar Point has been a topic on this blog many times. In fact, my 3-part post on "Visions of Cedar Point 1966" is my sixth most visited post of all time.

Cedar Point Frontier Trail Article– July 29, 1973

It's been a while since I've been to Cedar Point.

Why? Besides the fact that I'm getting a little long in the tooth to be riding roller coasters, the last time I was there, I just felt that the park had changed too much for my taste. I missed the Cedar Point of my youth, when my family's annual visit there was often the highlight of summer during the 1960s and early 70s.

But my disappointment is to be expected. Cedar Point is constantly evolving, striving to provide the kind of modern thrills and excitement that the younger guests enjoy. So the park isn't going to maintain an older ride or attraction strictly out of nostalgia to make the over-60s crowd happy. It's out with the old and in with the new – both rides and guests.

And with the park admission price reaching astronomical highs, it's more economical for families to purchase a season pass and go several times during the summer. I know several people at work who do just that.

Anyway, fifty years ago, the Frontier Trail (connecting the main park and Frontier Town) was still relatively new, and the subject of the article below. It appeared in the Sunday Journal back on July 29, 1973 and pointed out the (ugh) educational aspects of the Trail.

I remember walking the trail to get to Frontier Town as sort of a breather from the rides, not very exciting but a chance to cool off in the shade. I'd probably enjoy it a lot more now, and I'm glad it's still part of the Cedar Point experience.

Vintage souvenir currently on eBay

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To read a really well-written history and description of the Frontier Trail circa 2014, with excellent photos, follow this link to James Koehl's article on the Theme Park Insider website. And this link leads to some past and current photos of the Trail on ThemeParkArchive.com.

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Cedar Point remains one of the most visited topics on this blog.

Cedar Point Ad – July 2, 1971

An annual trip to Cedar Point was often the high point of the summer for many of us that grew up in Lorain County. Consequently, the amusement park's various TV and radio advertising campaigns over the years only whetted our appetites for the visit.

One campaign that has been stuck in my head for decades dates from the years that the amusement park's ads designated every day of the week as Funday. The radio commercial backed up this concept with a chorus that went something like, "Monday, Funday.... Tuesday, Funday..." I don't remember if it did the whole week.

Well, here's a print ad for Cedar Point apparently from that same campaign. It ran in the Journal back on July 2, 1971.

The ad is rather quaint, with its use of cartoon illustrations rather than photos. Also, it mentions attractions such as the Blue Streak roller coaster and the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad, rather than stressing thrills and excitement. 

The Frontier Trail (which I wrote about here) had just opened that year, making it possible to walk to Frontier Town instead of taking the Frontier Lift (Sky Ride) or the train.

Cedar Point Space Spiral Ad – May 1965

When Cedar Point opened for its 1965 season, in many ways it must have seemed like an all-new park to parkgoers who hadn't been there for a while.

New attractions that year included the San Francisco Earthquake ride, Turnpike Cars, Jungle Larry's Safari Island and the Space Spiral.

Here's the article from the August 1, 1964 Journal announcing the construction of the Space Spiral (here called the Space Tower) for the 1965 season.

The ad at the top of this post, touting $2,200,000 in improvements at the park, ran in the Lorain Journal on May 17, 1965. It also mentions the Cedar Point Playhouse and 'Fascinating Building," which I suspect is the one housing the Fascination game.

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Visit this website to read an article about some of the rides (including all of the ones mentioned above as new in 1965) that are no longer at Cedar Point.

And don't forget to visit some of my old posts about Cedar Point. (There's thirty of them!)

Cedar Point Sky Ride Artist’s Conception – March 1962

Despite the snow this past weekend, it’s always nice to know that Cedar Point will soon be open, even if I don’t go there very often. Opening Day this year is Saturday, May 7, 2022.

Although almost every ride that I ever enjoyed has been replaced by something else or just removed entirely, it’s good to know that the Sky Ride will always be there. It’s one of the few iconic rides left from the 1960s.

And that’s the subject of today’s post. The artist’s rendering below of the new Sky Ride appeared in the Journal on March 21, 1962.

The caption notes, “An artist’s conception of the new Sky Ride that will open at Cedar Point on May 26. Passengers ride at a height of 90 feet for a distance of 1,300 feet. Cost of the ride, now being completed in Switzerland, is $300,000. Foundations for the steel work are now being prepared at a cost of $48,000. 

“Cedar Point will be one of the very few recreation areas in American with such a ride. There are similar rides in Disneyland and Freedomland.”

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Click here to read the Wiki entry on Freedomland. The postcard below (Courtesy eBay) shows its version of the Sky Ride.

And follow this link to read my past posts on Cedar Point. There’s thirty of them!

Cedar Point 100th Anniversary Article – March 1970

Despite the disruption of life as we know it by the Coronavirus, Cedar Point is still hoping to open in May for its big 150th Anniversary season. I’m hoping they’re right. (Here’s the story as covered in the Sandusky Register.)

Back in March 1970, Cedar Point was getting ready to open for its – what else? – 100th Anniversary season. That’s the subject of the article above, which appeared in the Journal on March 13th.

As part of the celebration that year, Cedar Point unveiled ten new amusement rides, including the original Wildcat, which was a pretty nifty little steel roller coaster. It made for a memorable ride because each car only accommodated four riders.

The original Wildcat
(Courtesy www.cpamericasrollercoast.com)

Click here to read about the two Cedar Point rides with the Wildcat name on the great www.cpamericasrollercoast.com website. The page includes some great vintage photos, such as the one above.

Cedar Point Postcards Revisited

Last Friday’s post about Berardi’s and their famous French Fries brought up many memories of going to Cedar Point as a kid in the 60s and 70s.

Today I’m posting some Cedar Point postcards from that era, since that's the time frame for the park that I and many of the people who read this blog feel most nostalgic about. Most of the postcards are ones I haven’t seen or posted before.

It was an exciting time for the park, as it was on the comeback trail from a time in the 1950s when it appeared that it was going to close. Patterning itself after Disneyland, it added bigger and better rides until it evolved into the world-class amusement park it is today.

That’s the beauty of Cedar Point. Everyone has their own special memories of it, from going there with their families as a kid; with their friends in high school; with dates; or with the spouse and/or families and friends as an adult. The park is always changing; we may not always like the current version of the park the best, but someone else inevitably does.

But even though I’ve been there many times over the decades, the Cedar Point I like best is the one that my parents took us to, when it was the high point of the summer. I’m getting teary-eyed as I write this – so I’d better post those vintage postcards.

The great Card Cow website always has a nice selection of Cedar Point postcards for sale. Here are a few of them to start this shindig. There’s even one featuring Jungle Larry himself.

And here are some postcards, culled mainly from Ebay.

This “Greetings” postcard from 1962 caught my eye, because of the tiny piece of clip art of a gal on an inflatable beach toy. We have that same piece of Harry Volk clip art in our art files at work, from 1956.

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I’ve written about Cedar Point many times in the last ten years. In fact, my 3-part series on “Visions of Cedar Point 1966” is one of the most visited on this blog. Click here to visit all the posts about Cedar Point, and when you scroll down to the bottom, be sure to click on the Older Posts link in the lower right hand corner to see the rest of them.