Old parks are fascinating. Many of the places our parents and grandparents grew up at no longer exist, and we’re lucky to have a few books and YouTube videos that show how these places survived (or didn’t) through unforgiving times. While I didn't grow up in Ohio, the Buckeye State has had over 50 parks that at one time had at least one coaster. Those that lasted midway through the 20th century succumbed in the 60's and 70's from dwindling crowds, mainly due to people driving further on (then) new highways. Race riots were another problem of the time. Places like Chippewa Lake in Medina, Idora Park in Youngstown and Euclid Beach in Cleveland Ohio, are among several locations where traces of old rides can be found. In the midwest, most parks survived two world wars but couldn’t make it into the ‘70s.

Here's a brief look at some of Ohio's amusement parks that I have visited. If anyone has photos or maps of old parks they would like to share, please e-mail me. Thanks!

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See many of these great parks on DVD from Amusement Park Memories

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AMERICANA/LESOURDSVILLE LAKE Middletown, OH

BUCKEYE LAKE Hebron, OH

CHIPPEWA LAKE PARK Medina, OH

PURITAS SPRINGS PARK Cleveland, OH

EUCLID BEACH PARK Cleveland, OH

IDORA PARK Youngstown, OH

OLENTANGY PARK Columbus, OH

MILLBROOK PARK New Boston, OH

MINERVA PARK Columbus, OH

Find the full list at DEFUNCT PARKS.COM

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All images copyright Brad Sherman unless noted otherwise.