By 1912, there were
54 amusement parks in Ohio. The parks came in all sizes, and
featured such attractions as the Flying Ponies carousel, the
Chute-the-Chutes water ride, and the Cyclone, Racer and
Dip-the-Dips roller coasters. Some, like Cleveland's White City,
seemed to be courted by bad luck from the beginning, and folded
after only a few disappointing seasons. Others, like Youngstown's
Idora Park, enjoyed long lives and fostered beloved memories, but
eventually closed down in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. A few, like
Sandusky's Cedar Point, have grown to be considered among the
greatest amusement parks in the world. But most are now forgotten.
With over 200 historic images,
Ohio's Amusement Parks in Vintage Postcards brings back many
delightful memories of this truly America phenomenon. David W. and
Diane DeMali Francis are members of the National Carousel
Association, the National Amusement Park Historical Association
and the Organization of American Historians. They have published
five previous books and dozens of articles on the history of
amusement parks. |
