Welcome Back to Euclid Beach Park

     As a child growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, the high point of the summer was whenever the family would pack a picnic lunch into the car and head for EUCLID BEACH PARK (1895-1969). As we neared the park my heart would pound faster and I would almost get down on the floor of the car to catch the first glimpse of the famous Arch entrance to the parking lot and the tracks of the far turn of the THRILLER roller coaster. My childhood dream was to someday work at this famous amusement park. During my college years (1947-1951) I fulfilled that dream by working my summer vacations on various attractions in the park. Living in the western suburban city of Lakewood, getting to and from the park which was located on the eastern side of the city, was not an easy task.  I had a 20 minute walk to a streetcar line that would take me to Union Square where I transferred to another line for the final leg of the trip to EUCLID BEACH. It took me about 90 minutes each wat to complete the trip.

     I enjoyed working the ride (FLYING TURNS) so much that after my U.S. Air Force basic training in 1951, I asked Fred Greenway if I could work over the 4thof July for free during my leave, and that’s exactly what I did. That was also the last time I ever saw EUCLID BEACH PARK. Since I did help out several times collecting tickets on the remaining high ride, this writing would not be complete without including the park’s largest coaster the THRILLER. This coaster was designed and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. and opened in 1924. The rides construction was supervised by Howard Stoneback who spent the rest of his life at EUCLID BEACH PARK and was involved in many of its innovative attractions. The THRILLER was not high by today’s standards (71’ 5”), but it was a fast ride that could take your breath away and its last 90 degree turn and rabbit hop run for the station made you hold on for dear life.

     Fred Greenway and the EUCLID BEACH staff took loving care of this great ride. Many mornings after preparing the FLYING TURNS for the day’s operation, I’d go next door to the THRILLER to take the track oiling run with Fred Greenway and others. Under the last seat there was a tank containing track oil. Fred would sit backwards looking over the rear of the train and using a valve, he would control the flow of oil on to the steel rails of the track. There was an emergency brake on the first turn and the train would be stopped so that the rest of the ride was slower making it easier for Fred to apply the oil to the rails. This type of care and maintenance kept the coaster running fast and smooth until its closing in 1969.

     The slide brakes could be adjusted so that during rainy weather the train could usually be stopped without it continuing through the station on to the lift hill. The train consisted of three 4-seat sections. This was a high capacity ride when three trains were running. There were no lap bars, but rather a handrail you would slip under while entering the seat. There was a block signal light system that showed operators where the train was located out on the course.

     Green lights came on when the train was on the first 90 degree turn, white indicated the second 180 degree turnaround, and red (with a bell) showed that the train was coming around the last 90 degree turn heading for the station. On a two train operation, the train would be dispatched when the bell sounded as the other train passed the red turn. A three train operation required close teamwork and usually Fred was at the brake position. He would watch the signals and by using a floor switch we would signal the loader when to dispatch a train. As I recall, they would dispatch the train on the green signal thus giving them one out on the course, one dispatching, and one coming in. Fred really kept them moving and it was a beautiful operation to watch. Recently I was the second video that Chuck Russell made of EUCLID BEACH PARK entitled Euclid Beach II Gone Too Soon. It was hard to hold back the tears then I saw my beloved high rides come crashing down during the demolition of the park. Anyone interested in details of the rides including detailed drawings of the THRILLER and FLYING TURNS, should obtain a copy of Amusement Park Books excellent book entitled Euclid Beach Park Is Closed For The Season.

     The memories of the sights, sounds, and smells of this great park are fortunately preserved through videos, books, and even a club of enthusiasts called Euclid Beach Park Now. Thanks also go to the Humphrey Company for still making their famous popcorn, popcorn balls, and candy kisses. For those of us that had the privilege to work at the park, our special memories will be with us forever.