Cleveland’s Fairylands of Pleasure
At the turn of the 20th century as Cleveland was growing in national prominence and enjoying international economic dominance, it needed (as most big cities do) a place or places to unwind from the everyday grind. Many people went to the numerous amusement parks scattered through-out the city. Did you catch that, my friends? Numerous amusement parks! At one time Cleveland had five amusement parks. And I am not talking about Cedar Point or Geauga Lake either. I am talking about amusement parks in the City!
There was the White City Amusement Park located on Lake Shore Boulevard and E. 140th. This amusement park probably had the shortest run of all the parks being operational for only six years (1901 to 1907). But it had a really cool entrance, as seen in this photograph.
It’s a fantastic photo. Can you imagine enjoying a few good moments here…I totally can imagine myself walking the boardwalk. Today it is the site of a sewage disposal plant. Anyway, White City was but a mile away from the more famous Euclid Beach Amusement Park. Many people still talk about the entrance to Euclid Beach, as seen below.
Then there was Puritas Springs Park which was built upon a famous natural water spring (bottled at one time for your pleasure) and featured the famous Cyclone Rollercoaster. I did happen to find a picture of the coaster, here:
Gordon Gardens, tucked away between E. 72nd the lake and the New York Central rail tracks, was the smallest amusement park in Cleveland with only eight acres of rides and amusements. Again, the central attraction was a rollercoaster called the Big Dipper as shown below.
And finally there was Luna Park often called Cleveland’s Fairyland of Pleasure. Luna Park was essentially copied from Coney Island in New York City, and was well known for its “oriental” architecture and massive use of lights. The park opened in 1906 and quickly became an able competitor to Euclid Beach. At the time, Luna Park was an “expansive” 35 acres of fun and was defined by Woodland Avenue, Woodhill, Mt. Carmel and E. 110th Avenue. Today it is part of the Woodhill Homes housing project. But then it was a very magical place. So take a breath, because I am about to blow your mind, man.
Welcome to Luna Park!
What a gorgeous entrance. Which led into a large promenade area, best viewed from this photograph.
Look at this place. Is this not surreal? I still cannot fathom a place like Luna Park existing in the City….but here it is in all its beauty. The amusement park had a famous merry-go-round with 72 hand-carved horses forever spinning in endless circles.
It even had a large dancing pavillon that was a center for all sorts of activities - big bands, vaudeville acts and of course dancing in the evening.
Check this out - Bob Hope (yes, Mr. Showbiz himself) at Luna Park when he was 11-years old.
There was a great concert garden where famous opera singer - Enrico Caruso once performed.
The park had everything. A pool. A rollercoaster. A ferris wheel. A fun house. A roller rink. Rides with funny names like the “Jack Rabbit,” the “Pippin,” “Chute the Shoots,” and a funky ride called the “Rainbow Dip” as seen below.
The park even offered a motordrome. A wood-planked motorcycle speedway. How deliciously dangerous!
The park enjoyed a large following for many, many years. During the Depression, however, the park began to endure many hardships. By the late 1930’s only the skating rink was open, the rest of the park falling into disrepair. In 1940, the City constructed a housing project on the site.
Good-night, Luna Park.
Luna Park Slideshow
http://www.slide.com/r/FLbhM62N6j_z_8HEsF3cjMcKR1etoJLP?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original
