Jackie Mayer Day at the Cedar Point Historical Museum

If there was ever any doubt that the city of Sandusky still loves its most famous daughter, that notion was quickly dispelled during Jackie Mayer Day at the Cedar Point Historical Museum on Saturday. 

The outpouring of affection for Jackie Mayer, Miss America 1963, was heartwarming. A crowd of people, young and old, were thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Jackie, to have their picture taken with her (while wearing her Miss America crown), to get a personally autographed photo, and to tell her just how much she meant to them. And Jackie in turn made sure everyone felt special and appreciated. 

David Kaman of the Cedar Point Historical Museum did a great job assisting Jackie and taking the soon-to-cherished photos of her and each fan. (By the way, most of the Cedar Point items in the museum are from his own collection.)

It was impossible not to get a little teary-eyed when Jackie made a brief presentation to the massive crowd, expressing her love for her hometown and her gratitude for the support over the years. The crowd responded with thunderous applause. 

All in all, the Cedar Point Historical Museum, located within the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Downtown Sandusky was the perfect venue for the event. The huge display of Cedar Point memorabilia from the park’s 150-year history, with each era represented, is incredible to see and not to be missed. 

And who doesn’t enjoy a ride on a vintage merry-go-round? The Merry-Go-Round Museum is great as well, where you can admire the craftsmanship involved in the carving of the various vintage carousel animals on display. (Be sure to pay a visit to both museums as they are under the same roof and you get to visit both with one admission price.)

Jackie Mayer Day was truly a day to remember.

Who doesn't remember this iconic sign?

Mighty Mouse was there too – and for sale!

A trip to Sandusky isn't complete without
a visit with the Boy With the Boot!

Meet Jackie Mayer – Sat., Aug. 9th at Sandusky's Cedar Point Historical Museum

Jacquelyn Mayer, Miss America 1963 has been featured on this blog many times. I think I've posted just about every article about her that appeared in the Lorain Journal, from when she won the pageant, all the way to the end of her year-long reign.

I've long wanted to contact Jackie. Unfortunately, I didn't have any success until I got some help from one of her friends, Laurel Lea Schaefer – Miss Ohio 1971 and Miss America 1972.

Well, I'm happy to say that I had the opportunity to meet Jackie this summer when I interviewed her at her residence for a feature article in the August issue of Leisure Living. It was a little surreal to be sitting with her, and I was rather nervous at first. But Jackie immediately put me at ease. She was funny, gracious, welcoming and still lovely. 

I had a great time talking to her, hearing her stories and getting the opportunity to see some of her Miss America memorabilia. Jackie also shared her thoughts about life, specifically how to live a life of significance.

You can read my interview with her here in the online issue of Leisure Living. And you too can meet Jackie when she makes a special appearance at the Cedar Point Historical Museum in Downtown Sandusky tomorrow, on Saturday, August 9th from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.

As noted on the Museum's Facebook page, "Join us to celebrate Jackie Mayer Day, Saturday, August 9, noon to 3 PM. Jackie will give a brief presentation highlighting her life at 1 PM. Bring your camera and Jackie will crown you or your children with her actual Miss America 1963 crown. See her gloves, gown, photos, and many more unique items on display in our museum. This celebration is included with regular admission to the Merry-Go-Round Museum. Come meet and celebrate with Sandusky‘s most famous citizen!"

It will be a lot of fun and a once-in-a-lifetime event. Don't miss it!

Revisiting Jackie Mayer as Miss America – Sept. 1963

Sixty years ago this month, Jacqueline Mayer of Sandusky wrapped up her year as Miss America 1963. The Lorain Journal covered the end of her reign with several articles. This one appeared on the front page of the September 6, 1963 edition. (I transcribed this article back on this 2014 post.)

And on the night of the Miss America pageant during which Jackie would crown her successor, Sept. 6, 1963, the front page of the Journal featured the article below. 

It humorously notes, "She traveled more than 200,000 air miles and only once went through the womanly agony of looking down to discover a run in her stocking creeping up her leg.

The TV page of that same edition of the Journal included this photograph above the program grids.

And the next day's Journal of Sept. 9, 1963 included this photo on the front page of Jackie crowning her successor.

Here's a photograph of the same scene from a different angle, found earlier this year on eBay.

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Well, to wrap up this blog's series of posts looking back at Jackie Mayer's selection as Miss America 1963, here are some photos of Jackie culled from eBay. Many of them still have their wire services caption attached. There's also the cover of the Miss America 1964 program in which she was preparing to crown the next winner.

Jackie inspecting the Marine Color Guard Aboard the
USS Independence in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

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A month after the end of her reign as Miss America, Jackie was back in school at Northwestern University, as noted in the photo below which ran in the Journal on October 24, 1963.

Jackie Snips a Ribbon – Feb. 28, 1963

Sixty years ago, Miss Jacqueline Mayer of Sandusky was reigning as Miss America of 1963. As part of wearing the crown, she had plenty of duties and special appearances. That included the ribbon cutting ceremony shown above for the dedication of the new Springs Mills Building in New York.

The photo appeared on the front page of the Journal on February 28, 1963 – sixty years ago today.

According to this Wiki entry, the Springs Mills Building is a 21-story office building in Manhattan, New York City. "The company was the United States' largest manufacturer of bedsheets and pillow cases when the Springs Mills Building was built," the Wiki article noted. "The Springs Mills Building opened in February 1963, coinciding with the company's 75th anniversary. A ten-day celebration with a fashion show and an art-and-photography exhibit was held."

With a fashion show as part of the celebration, it sounds like it was appropriate to have Miss America there to cut the ribbon.

During her reign as Miss America, Jacqueline Mayer was so beautiful and classy. It's a shame that times have changed so much in the last sixty years that it's somehow inappropriate or sexist to celebrate those qualities in the woman chosen to be a goodwill ambassador of our country. 

Jackie Mayer Opens Her Highway – Nov. 3, 1962

Yesterday's blog post highlighted newly crowned Miss America Jacqueline Mayer's return to her hometown of Sandusky. During that visit, she opened her namesake highway that we've all driven on so many times since then.

As the above story from the November 3, 1962 Journal notes, "Hundreds of Miss America fans jammed the area of the new Rt. 6 and 2 bypass Friday morning to get good views and "picture snapping" spots as Jackie Mayer, Miss America of 1963, was here to cut the ribbon on the new "Jackie Mayer Highway.

"Traveling with Miss America as she was whisked away to take the first ride on the Jackie Mayer highway were her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mayer."

Here's the other photo of Jackie from the same edition of the Journal.

Speaking of the Journal, it did a good job juggling the various elements on that front page. It covered Jackie Mayer's highway ribbon-cutting, but did not let it overshadow the bigger story, namely the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, or the murder of a 77-year old man in Oberlin.

Jackie Mayer Comes Home – Nov. 1 & 2, 1962

A little less than two months after being crowned Miss America 1963, Sandusky native Jackie Mayer returned home to Sandusky. The story of her homecoming is on the front page of the November 1, 1962 Lorain Journal above.

"Her childhood dream come true, Jacquelyn Jeanne Mayer today came home to the vacationland shores of Lake Erie as Miss America.

"She will be welcomed during her 3 1/2 day stay by school children, clubs, organizations and crowds of Sanduskians and Ohioans who have waited since August and her crowning for her return.

"Poised and beautiful at a press conference this morning at the Sandusky Yacht Club, Miss Mayer answered questions and posed for pictures. She wore a navy blue suit with navy bag and shoes. White kid gloves and a white fur pillbox hat completed her costume.

In the article, Jackie noted, "All three pageants, Miss Vacationland, Miss Ohio and Miss America, were great thrills. But, even if I could have not come home a winner, I would have gained so much from the experiences that I would be looking forward, as I am now, to seeing my friends here."

The rest of the article reveals her thoughts on being photographed and interviewed; what type of man she would like to marry; and her future plans, which involved a trip to London, England to participate in a fashion show."

In the article, Jackie comes across as classy and considerate, and having much affection for her hometown.

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Elsewhere on that front page, we see an article about a new J. C. Penney store coming to the O'Neil-Sheffield Center (I don't think that ever happened); news of a riff between Fidel Castro and Soviet Premier Khrushchev; a small blurb about a riot in New Delhi, India; a promotional piece about the upcoming Mary Lee Tucker annual Christmas Show; and most importantly, the much-missed front page "Today's Chuckle."

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On November 2, the Journal ran the follow-up story below about Jackie's stop at the Sandusky Yacht Club, and her appearance at the parade in her honor.

Jackie Mayer Crowned Miss America – Sept. 1962

It's hard to believe that it was sixty years ago this month that Jacquelyn (Jackie) Mayer of Sandusky was crowned Miss America 1963. 

Above is the front page of the Monday, September 10, 1962 edition of the Journal featuring the story of the beginning of her reign, after winning two days before on Saturday night.

It doesn't seem right that the story somewhat focuses on her weight, pointing out that the "auburn-haired beauty" was once a chubby little girl. The subhead on the story even refers to her as an ex-butterball!

In the article, Jackie notes, "I was always chubby until I was about 16 years old."

"Even today, she said, she must be careful of her diet.

"Jackie looked fresh and bright eyed as she met the press, although she'd had only four hours sleep.

"Crowned Miss America 1963 shortly before midnight Saturday by the 1962 queen, Maria Beale Fletcher of Asheville, N. C., Jackie didn't get back to her room until several hours later.

"After her year as Miss America, Jackie said she intends to complete her education at Northwestern. She hopes eventually to become an actress.

"Her title carries with it a $10,000 scholarship, and personal appearances during the year are expected to bring her about $75,000."

On September 11, 1962 the Journal continued its coverage of Jackie with the articles below. 

One story notes how two ex-Lorainites had a big hand in Jackie's quest for the Miss America crown. 

Miss Caryl Crane was the owner of a dress shop in Sandusky and a longtime friend of the Mayer family, knowing Jackie since she was a young girl. Miss Crane had encouraged Jackie to enter the Miss Vacationland contest (which became the first step towards becoming Miss America) and eventually became Jackie's wardrobe consultant, selecting her clothes for the pageant. Miss Crane also introduced Jackie to Gerald Freedman (a graduate of Lorain High School), a successful Broadway producer and director of many New York stage productions. Freedman became Jackie's special dramatic coach, working with her on the original sketch that was performed at the pageant. 

Elsewhere on the page in another article, Jackie revealed that she had never been in love and had no steady boyfriend. 

A third article noted that with Jackie's selection as Miss America, a new Miss Ohio was needed. Runner-up Miss Bonnie Ann Gawronski of Toledo, would take on the role, as well as all of the commitments that Jackie would be unable to fulfill.

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Many of us are familiar with the inspirational story of Jackie's recovery from a near-fatal stroke at the age of 28, and her work to help other stroke victims.

Today, signs on State Route 2 in Erie County have long proclaimed the road as Jackie Mayer Miss America Highway, insuring that her story will never be forgotten.

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I did a post in 2014 on Jackie Mayer (back here) about when her reign as Miss America 1963 was coming to an end.

Jackie Mayer's Reign as Miss America Ends – September 1963

Courtesy Sandusky Register

Everyone in Northern Ohio has heard of Jackie Mayer (at left), the Sandusky native who grew up to become Miss America 1963. It's hard not to think of her every time you travel on the "Jackie Mayer Miss America Highway" (Route 2) in Erie County.

Her post-pageant life and career is well-known as well. In 1970, she suffered a stroke at the age of 28, and spent the next seven years in rehabilitation, relearning how to walk and do simple tasks. After her recovery, she later became a successful spokesperson and is still a much sought-after motivational and inspirational speaker.

The big 50th Anniversary of her selection as Miss America took place back in November 2012. At the time, the Sandusky Register covered it with a great interview.

In the meantime, below is an article that ran in the Journal on September 6, 1963 – 51 years ago this month – as Jackie's reign as Miss America was winding down. It's a nice look at what she was thinking after spending an exciting and fulfilling year as Miss America.

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Jackie Sad To See Reign End

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. (AP) "It's quite sad to see it come to an end."

Thus spoke Jacqueline Jeanne (Jackie) Mayer, the reigning Miss America who will relinquish her title about midnight Saturday to one of 52 girls who has been vying in beauty and talent competition for the past two days.

“It’s been a marvelous experience,” Jackie said as she recalled the past year which saw her travel over 200,000 air miles throughout the United States and England. "I just hope that girl I crown will have as wonderful a time as I had."

Courtesy Ohio History Connection

The 21-year-old brown-haired beauty from Sandusky, Ohio who plans to return to her studies at Northwestern University, spoke as she watched the contestants of this year's contest rehearsing their roles Thursday.

"It's very nostalgic to be here she said. "I'm very envious of them. I would like to go through the whole thing again.

"It's been a busy year. Sometimes we would make five to seven personal appearances a week but I've learned a great deal.

"Coming in contact with the outside world and the people in its has given me an education I couldn't get in a year's time at school,” Jackie said. "I've also made so many wonderful friends. It will be very sad not to see them again."

The reigning beauty will return to Northwestern as a sophomore and will major in radio and television. She had completed one year at the school before being crowned.

"I don't think I will have much trouble getting back into the swing of things at college,” Jackie said. "Maybe the first month will be awkward. Perhaps some of the students will stare at me, but they will learn to accept me.

"I know I want an education and will study very hard for it,” she said. "A woman must have an education these days."

From the Lorain Journal of September 7, 1963

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By the way, I was a little confused during my research for this post when I read that Route 2 in Erie County was only officially named the "Jackie Mayer Miss America Highway" in August 2002. I remembered "Jackie Mayer" signs many years before that – going back to the 1960s.

A little online research revealed that the shorter name "Jackie Mayer Highway" did indeed precede the current highway designation, dating back to the early 1960s. Jackie Mayer herself cut the ribbon in a ceremony opening the new Route 2 bypass from Huron through Rt. 250 on November 2, 1962.

 Miss America 1963 Jackie Mayer cuts the ribbon
opening the "Jackie Mayer Highway." The man 
whose face is adjacent to Jackie's in the photo is
Ohio Governor Michael DiSalle.