P.O Box 19535, Cleveland, Ohio 44119-0535 United States
10th Anniversary of Grand Reopening, November 23/24, 2024
45 years after Euclid Beach Park closed, the Grand Carousel made its return to Cleveland. After the park closed the carousel found its way to the resort town of Old Orchard Beach, the seasonal amusement park Palace Playland until it returned to Cleveland in 1997. Restored by the former Carousel Works of Mansfield, Ohio it first opened on November 23, 2014 for the donors and then the next day, November 24 to the public.
Band Organ Has Returned
The band organ is back in the carousel pavilion sounding better than ever after a tune-up. More songs have been added to the play list. The band organ can be operated from the operator's booth by an iPad. The photo shows the façade of the band organ with crowd barriers made from mechanical parts returned with the carousel from Old Orcahrd Beach.
MISSION
Photo of Euclid Beach Park, courtesy of the Cleveland Memory Project
The mission of Euclid Beach Park Now is: To support the education of the public as to the history of Euclid Beach Park through lectures, exhibits, displays, memorabilia shows, television and radio appearances, and any other available form.
This website was launched to assist in meeting that part of the mission. It contains historical information on Euclid Beach Park and some of its rides and attractions. Euclid Beach Park opened on June 22, 1895, and closed on September 28, 1969, after 74 seasons.
The western portion of the old amusement park is occupied by a health service facility and two senior citizen high rise apartments. The old arched entrance to the amusement park stands at the entrance to these facilities on Lake Shore Boulevard at East 159 Street, Cleveland, OH 44110. The eastern portion of the old amusement park is now a public park under the management of Cleveland Metroparks. The entrance to the current park is at 16301 Lake Shore Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44110.
Cleveland Metroparks
The eastern portion of the original ninety acres the amusement park once occupied is a public park, Euclid Beach Park, Euclid Creek Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks. For specific information on he park, picnic area, pavilion rental, the pier, the beach, programs and events; contact Cleveland Metroparks at 216-635-3304 or point and click on the logo here on the left.
Amusement Preservation Museum
Our goal is to preserve and share history of childhoods and traditions gone by. We host and attend multiple events a year with our largest event being our open house. Check our "Upcoming Events" page to see a full list of where you can view and interact with amusement park history! If you are not able to attend any events please send us an email and we can set up an appointment. With enough support, a full time museum location will hopefully be on the horizon in the near future!
OPEN HOUSE
First weekend in June. The 7th & 8th, 10 PM - 5 PM each day. Registration required.
Site Content
Contact Us
An email form is at the top of this page which when sent will go to our in box. Also, learn about becoming a member (download our membership form), about sharing your Euclid Beach Park memories (download a "Memories" form) or book a presentation on the park for your group or organization.
Events
Euclid Beach Park Now participates in a number of events throughout the year, some relate specifically to Euclid Beach Park. At all events items on Cleveland's most beloved Amusement Park are displayed.
The Arch
Park History
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From its inception in 1989 as the Euclid Beach Park Nuts, the organization has published a quarterly newsletter for its members. Called "E.B.P.N. . . News" then "Euclid Beach Newsletter" in 1992 the name that stuck THE ARCH. Articles that are contained within the pages are authored by former park employees and park fans who have researched aspects of the park. Every quarter a new, reprinted reprinted article will appear at the top of The Arch page.
Park History
Euclid Beach Park Arch
Park History
Euclid Beach Park operated for 74 seasons, surviving the "Great Depression" and local competition before closing in 1969. Five books are referenced that will offer a more indepth look at Cleveland's most famous amusement park than this website. A timeline is included highlighting major events.
Competition
Euclid Beach Park Arch
Euclid Beach Park Arch
During the "Golden Age" of amusement parks who were Euclid Beach Park's competitors.
Euclid Beach Park Arch
Euclid Beach Park Arch
Euclid Beach Park Arch
An "Arch" has served as the entrance to Euclid Beach Park ever since the Humphrey Family took over management and then ownership. Severely damaged in 2007 it was restored. The Arch is a designated Cleveland landmark as authorized by the Cleveland Landmarks Commission.
Roller Coasters
Euclid Beach Park was possibly the original "Roller Coaster Capital" having four. A roller coaster was added the second year of the parks operation. Roller coasters are a part of the park's legacy.
Switchback Railway
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LaMarcus Adna Thompson obtained one of the first known patents for a roller coaster design in 1885, related to the Switchback Railway that opened a year earlier at Coney Island. Euclid Beach Park had one installed for its second year of operation, modeled after the one at Coney Island. This page presents the history of the Switchback Railroad.
Carousels
Euclid Beach Park's Grand Carousel's Journey Home
It has been said the roller coaster is the heart of an amusement park, its soul the carousel. In Euclid Beach Park's second year of operation a carousel was added. It would have four more during its history including a unique racing carousel.
Euclid Beach Park's Grand Carousel's Journey Home
Euclid Beach Park's Grand Carousel's Journey Home
Euclid Beach Park's Grand Carousel's Journey Home
The carousel pictured here called Euclid Beach Park home for 59 years. After the park closed in 1969 it found a new home in a small, resort, amusement park in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Its future unsure when that park was sold in 1976. Unbelievably it returned to its roots. This page covers that journey.
Racing Derby History
Euclid Beach Park's Grand Carousel's Journey Home
Racing Derby History
Patented in 1913 as a Merry-Go-Round. To say the least, it was a very unique Merry-Go-Round. Euclid Beach Park had one, installed in 1921. This page gives the history of this distinctive type of Merry-Go-Round.
Band Organs
Euclid Beach Park's Grand Carousel's Journey Home
Racing Derby History
The organs were constructed so as to be able to produce the popular music of the period. Organs were designed to mimic the musical capabilities of a typical human band. Euclid Beach Park had a few over the years. The one shown here provided music for roller skaters.
The Pier
Dark Rides
One of five original structures when Euclid Beach Park opened. It was used to dock ferries bringing guests from downtown Cleveland. Although not used for such with the advent of street cars and automobiles it was a popular free attraction to the end.
Dark Rides
Dark Rides
Laff In The Dark, Euclid Beach Park's classic dark ride.
Over The Falls. Before the climax of this ride, an outdoor slide down an incline into a channel, boats gently floated through a dark tunnel.
Surprise House. The parks walk through fun house and home to Laughing Sal®.
Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park
Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park
Euclid Beach Park Now's annual event held on the Sunday closest to September 28th, the date in 1969 which the park closed forever.
The link below will take you to a report on the event held in 2021.
Strip of "Humphrey Park Plan" Tickets
Cleveland History Center
This massive carousel was first installed at Euclid Beach Park in 1910. Then when the park closed forever in 1969 it found a new home in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. It returned to Cleveland in 1997. Not only did the carousel return but also the band organ that provided the music for the riders at Euclid Beach Park. Both are in a pavilion specially constructed for both.
The carousel now resides in the Cleveland History Center of the Western Resrve Historial Society. Founded in 1867, Western Reserve Historical Society is the oldest cultural institution in Northeast Ohio, the region’s largest American history research center, and one of the leading genealogical research centers in the nation.
10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works, 87 keyless band organ. It provided accompanying music for carousel riders for 59 years. The band organ is again with the carousel providing music for riders.
