Euclid Beach Park, Cleveland, Ohio

The Main Gate at Euclid Beach Park

This article is from The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.

Euclid Beach Park, one of the nation's best-known amusement centers, was located on the southern shore of Lake Erie at E. 156th St. and Nottingham Rd., about 8 mi. from Public Square. The park, incorporated on 23 Oct. 1894 by a group of Cleveland investors, was originally managed by Wm. R. Ryan, Sr., a local businessman and politician. Ryan patterned the park after New York's Coney Island, offering a beer garden, freak shows, and gambling operations. Ryan severed his connection with the park in 1897 and opened a competing park, White City, nearby. Lee Holtzman became the new director of Euclid Beach, but the enterprise failed and was offered for sale in 1901.

Dudley S. Humphrey II and 6 members of his family took over management of the park in 1901 after obtaining a 5-year lease. They had previously operated popcorn-vending machines and a concession at the facility, but they left in 1899 because they were dissatisfied with behavior at Euclid Beach. The Humphreys completely changed the character of the park in keeping with their own personal philosophy, which was embodied in the slogan "Nothing to depress or demoralize." They added many entertainment features to the facility, expanded beach and bathing facilities, and instituted a policy of "one fare, free gate and no beer." That allowed patrons to reach the park with only one street railway fare, and to enter free (paying only for whatever rides or facilities were used). This policy was maintained until the park closed. The Humphreys' policies attracted many families, as well as company and community groups, to the facility.

The park was the scene of political gatherings, such as the local Democratic party "steer roast," and in 1910 the site of an important exhibition flight by aviator Glen Curtis. Euclid Beach remained extremely popular into the 1960s, when changing lifestyles, lake pollution, rising operational costs, and racial incidents caused its attendance and receipts to decline. The park closed on 28 Sept. 1969. The carved archway entrance, declared a historic Cleveland landmark in 1973, is the only restored feature that remains at the site.

Aero Dips (1909)

This small roller coaster was first called the New Velvet Coaster. It was later known as the New Velvet Ride, the Velvet Coaster, and finally the Aero Dips. It was operational until 1965.

Racing Coaster (1913)

Miller contracted to build this innovative ride, originally called the "Derby Racer," for the Ingersoll Engineering and Construction Company of Pittsburgh. Because the coaster had only a single track, the train starting on the east side of the station would finish on the west, and vice versa. Miller incorporated this design in other racing coasters, including the still-operational Racer at Kennywood. The Cleveland ride, shown below, was built at a cost of $45,000. It was torn down after the park closed in 1969.

Miller's Racing Coaster at Euclid Beach Park

Flying Turns (1930)

Click here for the Flying Turns.

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