EUCLID BEACH PARK - Is Closed For The Season

EUCLID BEACH PARK - A Second Look

By Bush, Chukayne, Hehr & Hershey

ISBN 0-913228-22-2 (1977)

Documenting this once great park near Cleveland, Ohio. This rare book and one of the earliest written on the great lost parks provides a nice history combined with rare photos of many of Euclids wonderful Coasters. Check out the second hand suppliers if you want to get a copy.

By Bush, Chukayne, Hehr & Hershey

ISBN 0-935408-01-0 (1979)

The authors found that they had far too much information and photos for just one book so a second edition was released to do Euclid Beach the justice it deserved. Further photos and articles pack out this edition and if you can get hold of a copy it makes a perfect partner to the original book

By Sharon Kraynek

ISBN 0-9619904-1-1

Hand made style book put together in a historical year by year format, using newspaper articles and documents to give an insight into the history of this closed park. 

By Sharon Kraynek

Second book again in the home made fashion of the original. This book again takes a look at the park in the form of articles and memories of visitors and locals who remember the park in its heyday. A nice supplement to the original publication.

By Sharon L.D. Kraynek & Eli R. Beachy

This is actually the 4th book from Sharon Kraynek and like the previous editions is presented in a lovely hand made style. This edition looks at the early history of the park from 1854 to 1899. Using newspaper articles and research, it gives the reader an good understanding of how the park developed and grew in its early days.

By David W. & Diane DeMali Francis

ISBN 0-7385-3258-4 (2004)

'Images of America' series. Provides a historic look at this Ohio lost park. Chippewa is a  ghost park to the past with the 'Big Dipper' coaster still standing as it was left when the park closed in 1978. The usual high quality of black and white images and information to the parks past. 

By Professor Soloman

ISBN 0-912509-08-2 (1999)

A nice journey to a once great resort. The author takes a trip to Coney to see what remains of Amercias once great playground. Looking at the history of the 'Island' and its development and comparing it with its run down state of the 90's.

By Ed McCullough

ISBN 0-8232-1997-6 (1957 & 2000)

This book was originally published in 1957 when Coney was still alive and entertaining its thousands. An in depth look at its history, this book has now been brought up to date with this 2000 release and demonstrates just how much Coney has changed.

CONEY ISLAND LOST AND FOUND

GRAVESEND - THE HOME OF CONEY ISLAND

By Charles Denson

ISBN 1-58008-455-9 (2002)

By far the best Coney publication ever issued. Its been a long time coming but this is a must have for anyone interested in the history of this amusement island. In depth information, pictures, articles and even maps bring the resort back to life. Buy it now

By Eric J Ierardi

ISBN 0-7385-2361-5 (1975 2001)

Gravesend is the area where the famous Coney Island existed, This book looks at the history of the area and the amusement parks that graced the boardwalk that made Coney the most famous resort in the world

By Vince Gargiulo

ISBN 0-8135-2224-2 (1995)

Palisades was one of the best known parks on Americas East Coast and was a popular destination for the people of New York and New Jersey. The book covers its fascinating history. Plenty of historic photos, some in colour help to bring to life the story of Palisades up to its close in 1971

By Rick Shale & Charles J Jacques Jr

ISBN 0-9614392-6-2 (1999)

Idora was quite simply a lovely park that closed in 1984 due to reduced admissions and several fires. The park has laid derelict ever since leaving its famed coasters to succumb to the elements. The coasters were finally razed in 2001 but this book reminds us of just how great this Ohio park once was.

By Derek Gee & Ralph Lopez

ISBN 0-9676045-1-6 (2000)

Fully researched and well written book on probably Americas greatest lost park. Riverview had almost 20 coasters, nearly all of them wood in its 70 year history. This book details nearly every ride, includes many rare photos and even has historic park maps, blue prints and a full list of its attractions. A truly superb publication.

By Chuck Wlodarczyk 

ISBN 0-911694-07-2 (1977)

Although a much older publication it has been reprinted on around 15 occasions. Although not as detailed in its text as 'Laugh Your Troubles Away' It is jammed packed with hundreds of photos. The book is written in a more tour of the park format and also includes a good histroy of the park.

By Dolores Haugh

ISBN 0-7385-3307-6 (2004)

Riverview is one of the great lost parks and one of the best loved. This 'Images of America' series book provides the usual array of black and white photos from the parks archives with information on its many amusements and its place in Chicago History

By Michael Perna Jr

ISBN 0-7385-3673-3 (2004)

To many New Englanders the White City amusement park in Massachusetts is still fondly remembered although it closed in 1960. 'Images of America' once again brings back to life this lost park and provides memories of the lake it resided on  

Various

ISBN 0-932027-490 (1999)

Very much a memoirs book on another of Americas lost parks. Lincoln Park still stands with its Big Dipper coaster rotting away but in its heyday this was a favourite park of its locals and the surrounding states. The book includes many peoples memories, photos and articles covering the full history.

By David Francis & Diane DeMali Francis

ISBN 0-935408-05-3 (1996)

Although this park only operated for 24 years (1905-1929) the park was one of the best of the Luna Parks that opened throughout the world. This nicely researched book looks at its short life and its importance to the City of Cleveland

By Rob Lewis & Ryan Young

ISBN 0-7524-1302-3 (1998)

Rhode Island may lack Amusement Parks today, but in its past has been home to many popular parks and this book takes a look at them in picture format. Each picture has a little text but is essentially a pictorial history only. 

By Donovan A Shilling

ISBN 0-7385-0163-8 (1999)

A book from the Images of America series. Rochester is a resort town on Lake Ontario in upstate New York and was home to many small parks (only Seabreeze remains) This pictorial book looks at the parks that graced the lakeside with limited text but great photos.

By Charles J Jacques Jr

ISBN 0-9614392-0-3 (1985)

Another book from Charles Jacques looks at another of Pittsburghs famous parks. Unfortunately this one closed in 1977 but its memory is kept alive with this publication. The parks history along with many photos details the parks popularity in the early days to its demise in the 70's

By Bennett Dorman

ISBN 0-9669159-0-9 (1998)

Savin Rock was a large and popular amusement park in Connecticut and this in depth book looks at its history in full detail. As with most of these types of book it contains many rare photos and a full history of the park from its early days to its close.

By Shirley Bailey & Jim Parkhurst

(1977)

This book looks mainly in photograph form 19 parks from the Southern part of New Jersey. Only one park (Clementon) remains as an amusement park today and this book maps out the locations of the parks and provides many rare photos

By David & Diane DeMali Francis

ISBN 0-7385-1997-9 (2002)

Picture based book based on postcards throughout the late 1890's to the 1960's. Small amount of text accompanies every postcard, which provides a lovely view of almost 50 of Ohio's lost and current parks

SENSATIONS MAGAZINE - The 100th Anniversary of Coney Islands Amusement Parks

REVERE BEACH 

Various Contributors

Issue 12 (1995)

Very strange publication from the non profit Sensations Magazine. Most pages contain poems from various contributors along with some great pictures and a few articles on the parks of Coney Island. Different but interesting for its uniqueness

By Leah A Schmidt

ISBN 0-7385-1030-0 (2002)

Another book from the 'Images of America' collection. This edition concentrates solely on one of Massachusetts best remembered beach and amusement resorts. As usual with these books contains many black and white pictures with descriptions

By Douglas W Seed & Katherine Khalife

ISBN 0-7524-0438-5 (1996)

Images of America collection book, which has a large section on the wonderful Canobie Lake Park, Also includes history of Salems Trolleys and another amusement park Rockingham. Good selection of Black & White photos

By David & Diane DeMali Francis

ISBN 0-7385-2338-0 (2003)

A lovely collection of roller coaster postcards from covering nearly a century of wooden coasters in America. For any collector of historic pictures on coasters this is a must have, with a short description of each picture.

By Bill Rauhauser & Martin Magid

ISBN 0-9723926-0-2 (2003)

Boblo Island was a crown jewel in Canadian Amusement Parks and bravely battled on until the early 1990s. The park is now gone but thanks to Bill Rauhauser and over 40 years of photos he has put together a visual history of this once great park and island. A short but well written history is also included.

By Rose Ann Jankowiak-Hirsch

(2004)

The first book to truly research and review this once great Canadian Park. Home to the feared Cyclone coaster and the much loved Comet (now at Great Escape) this book highlights the parks history, its coasters and memories from patrons who visited and loved this lost park

CONEY ISLAND - The Peoples Playground

GREETINGS FROM BERTRAND ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK

By Michael Immerso

ISBN 0-8135-3138-1 (2002)

Another great book on 'Americas Playground' This is another vital addition to anyone's collection if you are interested in the history of Coney Island. Well researched with many historic photos it provides another look at this wonderful resort

By Martin & Laura Kane

ISBN 0-7385-0468-8 (2000)

Another book from the 'images of America' series, this edition looks at another lost amusement park which was once home to one of New Jerseys best loved holiday locations. The photos and text show the history of this lakeside park up to its close in 1983

PALISADES AMUSEMENT PARK

CLEVELAND AMUSEMENT PARK MEMORIES

By Vince Gargiulo

ISBN 0-7385-3862-0 (2005)

The author previously wrote the book 'Palisades Amusement Park' in 1995. 10 years on he has put together book of postcard pictures from this famous lost park. The photos document the park from its foundation as a trolley park in 1898 to its closure in the 1970s 

By David & Diane Francis

ISBN 1-886228-89-2 (2004)

The Cleveland area was famous for its amusment parks, but now only one (Geauga Lake) still survives. This book looks at such great lost parks of Euclid Beach and Puritas Springs as well as some of its smaller parks and the history of Geauga Lake itself

SUMMIT BEACH PARK - Akrons Coney Island

OLD ROCKAWAY NEW YORK - In Early Photographs

By Diane DeMali Francis & David W Francis

ISBN 0-9621895-9-6 (1993)

Summit Beach Park was yet another popular Ohio park of the 30s and 40s that like so many of its rivals fell to falling crowds and the growth of Television. This book tells the story of this once much loved park with plenty of well researched text and some unseen photos.

By Vincent Seyfried & William Asadorian

ISBN 0-486-40668-7 (2000)

For roller coaster lovers, Old Rockaway is most famous for its 'Atom Smasher' coaster that was used for the famous 3D movie, however for 100 years Rockaway was a popular holiday resort and developed as a smaller Coney Island complete with its amusement area. This books brings to life the resort with over 170 rare photos.

VENICE CALIFORNIA - Coney Island Of The Pacific

MARYLANDS AMUSEMENT PARKS

By Jeffrey Stanton

ISBN 0-9619849-2-9 (1993)

After Coney Island, Venice has to be one of the most famous 'seaside' amusement parks of all time, several piers, hundreds of rides and dozens of coasters graced this man made Venice by the sea. Its rise and fall is a fascinating ride in itself and this is the only book to really look at the full history. If you can find a copy of this book put it at the top of your 'want' list

By Jason Rhodes

ISBN 0-7385-1795-X (2005)

Maryland has had its fair share of amusment parks and this 'Images Of America' series highlights some of the most loved parks. Onces again this series provides great historic photos with interesting text

WILLOW GROVE PARK

CRYSTAL BEACH - THE GOOD OLD DAYS

By Old York Road Historical Society

ISBN 0-7385-3913-9 (2005)

Willow Grove Park is one of the great 'lost' parks and one of the most famous 'Trolley Parks'. This 'Images of America' book provides a glimpse into this not forgotten amusement paradise. With hundreds of black and white photos and the usual text, the park is brought back to live.

By Erno Rossi M.A.

ISBN 0-920926-04-5 (2005)

Crystal Beach was one of Canada's most beloved amusement park and home to the legendary 'Cyclone' coaster. This book is a collection of memories from those who visited and loved this park. Included in the book is many new photos and a reprint of the Auction catalogue when the park was closed for good in 1989.

GOODBYE CONEY ISLAND, GOODBYE...

DENVERS ELITCH GARDENS - Spinning a Century of Dreams

By Paul Ilyinsky & Dick Perry

ISBN 0-13-360230-3 (1972)

Not the Coney Island in New York, but Cincinnati's Coney. This was the park which became Kings Island, but the history of the park is one worth remembering. This is a mainly photographic farewell to one of Americas greatest parks. Hard to get hold off book, but worth tracking down.

By Betty Lynne Hull

ISBN 1-55566-285-4 (2003)

The original Elitch Gardens in Denver closed and moved to its downtown location in 1995, but the original park catered for the locals of Denver for over 100 years. This book is the first to look at the history of this famous park from its opening in 1890 by the Elitch family to its acquisition by the Six Flags chain

GLEN ECHO PARK: A STORY OF SURVIVAL

 AMUSEMENT PARKS of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

By Richard Cook & Deborah Lange

ISBN 0-615-11340-0 (2000)

Maryland was home to many parks over the years but one park, Glen Echo leaves a lasting memory to many who came to this happy place. Like many great parks Glen Echo fell by the wayside in the 60s finally closing in 1966 just as the Theme Parks of North America were taking off. This book documents the history of this fondly remembered park.

By Robert J Wimberg

(2002)

The region around Cincinnati had many amusement parks over the years, Kings Island comes to mind but what about those lost parks. Chester Park, Coney Island, LeSourdsville Lake, Ludlow Lagoon are some of the parks covered in this well researched publication. 

SMILE - A Picture History Of Olympic Park 1887 - 1965

 THE LAST DANCE - Meyers Lake Park 1869 - 1979

By Alan A Siegel

ISBN 0-8135-2255-2 (1983) Revised (1995)

Olympic Park is one of New Jerseys many lost parks. Surviving almost 100 years it was one of the many parks in America to close its gates during the 1960s. For those who remember this park, this book will bring back many happy memories. Not just pictures this book gives the reader a full history of the park

By Jeffrey D Brown & Raymond D Fete

ISBN 0-9713554-5-2 (2004)

For over 100 years Meyers Park was a popular entertainment place for Ohions, This fantastic publication is the result of many years hard work and research for the authors. A fully comprehensive history of the park going back as far as 1812. Includes some lovely drawings and the deluxe edition comes with CDs including music from the ballroom eras. If you can track it down it is worth the price.

SAVIN ROCK AMUSEMENT PARK

I REMEMBER SUNNYSIDE - The Rise & Fall of a Magical Era

By Edith Reynolds

ISBN 0-7385-4476-0 (2006)

Another edition from the 'Postcard History Series'  Savin Rock for almost 100 years before decline brought and end to this popular New England seaside park. Now you can again see the rides and attractions of Savin Rock with 100s of reprinted postcards. The usual brief text accompanies each picture.

By Mike Filey

ISBN 1-55002-274-1 (1996 - Revised 1998)

Toronto is no longer home to a lakeside park but between 1922 - 1955 older locals may well remember the amusement park of Sunnyside. This book recalls this 'Disney World' of its day with a full history of the park and its rides. Contains 100s of rare photos to make this a must have for historians

FOREST PARK HIGHLANDS

DEAR OLD NAT... SPOKANES PLAYGROUND

By Doug Garner

ISBN 978-0-7385-5162-3 (2007)

Forest Park Highlands was once St Louis's largest and best known amusement park containing many wonderful rides and roller coasters. It came to life after the 1904 Worlds Fair and survived until the 1970s. 'Images of America' take a look at this much missed park and this book has a large collection of images of the parks many coasters. A fantastic new edition to the series.

By Marla L Hyder & Donald R Johnson

ISBN 0-9708227-5-8 (2003)

Natatorium Park in Spokane, Washigton is one of those parks you do not hear or know much about. This book corrects that and reminds us of another great lost American park. A great collection of pictures and well researched text accompany this publication and provide us with a glimpse of a park that has been ignored for too long. If you get a chance to purchase a copy of this book, do not hesitate its a great read.

MOUNTAIN PARK

MEMORIES OF CRYSTAL BEACH PARK, VERMILION, OHIO

By Jay Ducharne

ISBN 13-978-0-7385-5732-8 (2008)

Mountain Park was a jewel in the hills of Holyoke, Massachusetts, opening in 1894 and surviving for almost 100 years, closing its doors in 1987 this 'Images Of America' book highlights the history of the park through rarely seen images. The author worked in the park for over 10 years and his love of the park has never diminished.

By S C Mueller, M C Feldkamp & T Ryan

ISBN 978-1-58736-852-3 (2007)

Ohio is one of the homes of the Amusement Park, with most town having one or two parks at the turn of the 20th century. Crystal Beach Park is another park long forgotten by many but not the authors of this new book. Although closed in 1965 the park is brought back to life with this well researched book with many rare photos

JUST FOR FUN - Jimmy Johnsons Playland Park

By Ed Gaida

ISBN 978-0-9670438-1-4 (2007)

You may have taked a ride on the Phoenix at Knoebels but did you know the coaster originally operated at this long gone park. Jimmy Johnson founded this Texas park in the 1940s and Ed Gaida has done a terrific job of putting together a book on the history of this downtown San Antonio park. The park may be gone but the history and some of its rides live on.