Cedar Point's Western Cruise

The canals and lagoons dug by George Boeckling in 1905 were put to a new use in 1964 when the Western Cruise opened at Cedar Point. Guests were taken on a boat ride through the early history of Ohio, complete with animated Indians, snarling cougars, and frontier settlers. The ride operated at the park through the 2011 season. The area was then used for the Dinosaurs Alive attraction.

The Stagecoach Ride at Cedar Point

The Stagecoach Ride at Cedar Point featured simulated attacks by desperadoes. The ride existed for only two season, closing in 1968. The Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad, which opened in 1963, is the most popular ride in the history of Cedar Point. It features authentic steam-powered, coal-driven burning locomotives. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013.

Cedar Point Lagoon

In this image, guests are readying for a boat trip in the Cedar Point lagoon circa 1910. The statue at right was one of a number of statues owner George a Boeckling purchased at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. He installed them throughout the Cedar Point grounds. Some are still on display in the park. Note the electric transmission poles to the left in the picture.

Cedar Point Circle Swing

The centerpiece of Cedar Point's Amusement Circle was the Circle Swing, manufactured by the Ingersoll Company. The ride was popular with resort visitors. To make the resort successful, ownder George Boeckling understood that rides and other attractions were necessary.

The Racer

Constructed by owner George Boeckling along the Cedar Point beach in 1902, the Racer was his first roller coaster. It was manufactured by the Ingersoll Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The coaster reached a height of 46 feet. In 1906, when this picture was taken, a ride on the Racer cost five cents.

G. A. Boeckling Steamer

The "G. A. Boeckling" carried visitors to and from Cedar Point from 1909 to 1952. After her service ended, she became a floating warehouse in Wisconsin. In 1983, a group of Sandusky, Ohio residents purchased her. While undergoing restoration at Toledo, Ohio in 1989, she was destroyed by fire.

Cedar Point Rathskellar Staff

The men featured here are members of the serving staff at the Rathskellar at the Cedar Point Coliseum. Owner George Boeckling required formal dress, reflecting his ambition to compete with the best resorts in the United States.

Chevrolet Convention at Cedar Point

Cedar Point was a popular location for business groups and conventions. In 1933, the resort hosted a Chevrolet convention which included a formal dinner for hundreds of conventioneers. The event took place on the second floor of the Grand Pavilion.

Outing to Kelleys Island

4-H Club members are exiting the Lake Shore Electric in Sandusky, Ohio and were about to board the "Chippewa" and the "G. A. Boeckling" at the Sandusky, Ohio dock. The lake steamers were heading to the campgrounds at Kelleys Island.

Gibraltar at a Distance

This image shows Gibraltar Island on the horizon. This seven-acres island was owned for many years by Jay Cooke, who spent weeks each summer and fall fishing. It lies just across the bay from South Bass Island.

Put-in-Bay Harbor

This photograph shows Put-in-Bay Harbor with Gibraltar Island across the bay in the background. This image was made from a stereoview card created by A. C. Platt in the 1880s. South Bass Island was a popular destination in the 1880s for residents of Toledo, Cleveland, and Detroit.

East Harbor State Park

East Harbor State Park attracted huge crowds on warm summer weekends, as this 1950s lineup of vehicles attests. Automobile travel expanded quickly in the 1950s as the economy grew and roads improved. The cities that provided the region with many of its visitors, like Cleveland, Detroit, and Toledo were at their peak in the 1950s and 1960s.

Blue Streak

The Blue Streak, named for the Sandusky, Ohio athletic teams, opened in 1964. It was the first new wooden roller coaster at the park since the Cyclone in 1929. A classic out-and-back coaster with a fast and hilly ride, the 78-foot-high Blue Streak is a long time guest favorite. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014.

Checker Convention

In the summer of 1936, Cedar Point hosted a convention and competition of the nation's premier checker players. Note the formal dress of the checker players.

Wine Cask Cottages

Builders competed with each other in constructing cottages with visual appeal. Vacation rentals designed to look like wine casks, seen here in the 1930s and 1940s were available on the shoreline between Vermilion and Huron, Ohio and on South Bass Island in Lake Erie.