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Across the Fence:  Backroad Magic strikes again  |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 6:14:36 PM
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If I had a nickel for everytime I whined and complained about the fact that I in Ohio I'd be rich. The funny thing is, I AM RICH. Ohio is just a neat place to discover and for those of you that loved journeying with me to Bangs, Ohio to scope out that Poorhouse, come along with me for this:
I spent my very young years in a small village called Chippewa Lake. I lived with my Great Aunt Genevieve in a Depression era home. Chippewa Lake is I think the largest or only remaining lake in Ohio that was scooped out by a glacier zillions of years ago. In the late 1800's, the lake was a place for families to gather and picnic. It had the best of all worlds, water, shade and easy access. In 1878, it was primed and turned into an amusement park filled with concessions, rides, a wooden roller coaster and a dance hall. By the 20's it was THE place to vacation and cottages sprouted up all over the beach side of the lake.
By the 30's and 40's the ballroom was hosting dances 7 days a week with a live band every nite. My mom used to tell me that she loved dancing in that hall because the floor 'floated'. Which back then, meant the floor hosted something kinda like car suspension to accomodate all the hopping and dancing of that era.
My mom got caught with a boyfriend there smooching at the top of the ferris wheel. She was wearing his Letterman's jacket and I guess my Grandma ripped it off her and lead her home by her ear! hahaha!Anyhow, the park died a slow death and by 1978 was completely shut down.
I remember going to the Lake with my great aunt and staring at the dinasaur roller coaster that teetered over the lake. I always wanted to go exploring there but was forbidden. Now that I'm an adult (well, by age definition I am!), I did go back. I did not remember my camera on my trek but found some interesting shots online. Please visit this site and take a moment to go back in time with me!
http://www.forgottenoh.com/Chippewa/chippewa.html
old coaster
back in it's hay-day
the ballroom prior to fire...ha, that rhymed!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Maven
http://www.harvestthymefarm.vpweb.com
www.onefunkyfarmgirl.blogspot.com
~I'd rather be on my farm than Emperor of the World~George Washington |
Edited by - deeredawn on Jan 03 2010 9:07:27 PM |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 6:17:43 PM
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How lucky you were to have that enchanted childhood, thank you for sharing.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 6:21:01 PM
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No matter where you look in this great country of ours, there is beauty beyond compare. Thank you for this post, because it tells us of the beauty of Ohio!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 7:34:30 PM
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What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing with us. Beautiful pictures!
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 8:39:32 PM
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WOW! That reminds me soooo much of our Meyers Lake Park here in Canton, Ohio. It was built by Mr Timken of the Timken Roller Bearing Company for his employees. My dad was one of those employees and I went there for the Timken Picnic a couple of times. They had a beach and the "Moonlight Ballroom" for dances. Glen miller was one of the big bands to perform there. It had a rickety old wooden coaster too that everyone loved. It was a great park until Cedar Point was built. After it closed, Idora park hosted the Timken picnics, until they too gave up and closed down. Sad when you think back on all the fun that was shared in these first parks and now they are just ghostly memories. But, oh, the memories! I loved the Laughing Lady! I can still hear her and see her. It's haunting!
Farmgirl Sister# 905
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
Edited by - herblady55 on Jan 03 2010 8:48:22 PM |
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herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 8:46:06 PM
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oh...you can look up the story of "Myers Lake Amusement park, Canton, Ohio." 1920's-1974
Since 1994 it's Condominiums.
Farmgirl Sister# 905
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 9:05:57 PM
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Update: I was gonna go by the old park tomorrow and I found out they tore everything down last year to make way for a resort/hotel. Maybe that's why it's on my mind. I'm an out of work esthetician. HA! Could be the job opp I've been waiting for. I did however, score a book on Amazon about the park so I can scan pics and share more later! Judy, I will have to look that one up! Very cool!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Maven
http://www.harvestthymefarm.vpweb.com
www.onefunkyfarmgirl.blogspot.com
~I'd rather be on my farm than Emperor of the World~George Washington |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Backroad Magic strikes again |
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Backroad Magic strikes again
