Grand Pavilion of Cedar Point

This picture, taken from the lake side, shows the Grand Pavilion, the boardwalk, and the band shell. The Grand Pavilion was the center of activity on the peninsula for many seasons. Beautiful floral displays were located on the grounds.

Hotel Victory on South Bass Island

The Hotel Victory opened on South Bass Island in 1892. It was an enormous structure that accommodated 625 guests and had a capacity for 800 dinner guests. The owners believed the hotel, located on a bluff on the west side of the island, could compete with the prestigious summer retreats on the East Coast. Promotional materials boasted that the Hotel Victory was the largest seasonal hotel in the country. The hotel burned to the ground in a massive fire in 1919. Today the grounds are part of the South Bass Island State Park.

Strolling the Cedar Point Midway

Three women stroll the Cedar Point midway. The new Bath House is featured behind them. The facade atop the Bath House features the latest styles in swimwear for ladies.

Rotunda of the Breakers Hotel

The five-story Rotunda of the lobby of the Breakers Hotel provided a place for guests to relax and enjoy the hotel. Wicker furniture was imported from Europe. The Rotunda was also the scene of entertainment including impromptu concerts from Metropolitan Opera stars such as Enrico Caruso, who stopped at Cedar Point on their way to Chicago for the Met's summer season.

Lake Inaha 217971

This vessel was built at Lorain, Ohio in 1919 by the American Ship Building Company. Until 1930, she was owned by the U. S. Shipping Board of Washington, D. C. That year she was sold to the Ford Motor Company. In 1943, she once again was owned by the U.S. Shipping Board. In 1946, she was purchased by the Bright Star Steamship Company of Washington, Panama. Her name was changed to "Captain John." From 1951 to 1954, she was owned by Navebras of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her name was then changed to "Santa Martha." In 1954, she foundered off the coast of Brazil.

Lake Manitoba (Canada 29344)

The "Lake Manitoba" was built by Davie Shipbuilding, Ltd. in Lauzon, P. Q. in 1968. Until 1986, she was owned by Nipigon Transport, Ltd, of Montreal. That year she was purchased by Algoma Central Marine of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The following year, she was renamed the "Algomarne". In 1989, she was converted to a self unloader.

Lake Belnona 217230

"Lake Belnona" was built at Saginaw, Michigan in 1918 by the Saginaw Shipbuilding Company. She was owned by the U. S. Shipping Board of Washington, D. C. until 1928 when she was scrapped at River Rouge, Michigan by the Ford Motor Company

Charles W. Kotcher 204799

This vessel was built at Lorain, Ohio in 1907 by the American Ship Building Company. Until 1915, she was owned by the Detroit Steamship Company of Detroit, Michigan. From 1915 to 1950, she was owned by the Wilson Transit Company of Cleveland, Ohio. From 1950 to 1968, she was owned by the Gartland Steamship Company of Chicago and the U. S. From 1920 to 1969, she was known as the "Frank E. Taplin." In 1969, she was towed along with the "Howard M. Hanna, Jr." to Cartagena, Spain for scrapping.

S. R. Kirby 116235

This vessel was built at Wyandotte, Michigan by the Detroit Dry Dock Company in 1890. She was 2338 gross ton. Until 1916, when she foundered about 8 miles north of Eagle Harbor, Michigan in Lake Superior May 8, 1916 with a cargo of iron ore, she was owned by the North Western Transportation Company of Detroit, Michigan. Two of the twenty-two crew members were lost.

Kirkwood II (Canada 178908)

This vessel, weighing 35 gross ton, was built at Prince Edward Island by Summerside in 1944. She was owned by the Minister of Lands and Forests of Toronto, Ontario from 1947 to 1953. That year she was purchased by Arthur W. R. Hill of Hamilton, Ontario. In 1960, Rentronic Corporation, also of Toronto, bought and owned her for the next three years. It is believed she was scrapped in 1969.

Dalrymple (Canada138187)

This vessel, weighing 1711 gross ton, was built at Collingwood, Ontario in 1923 by the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company, Ltd. From that date until 1927 she was owned by the Main Transit Company, Ltd,, located in Collingwood, Ontario. In 1927 until 1960, when she scraped, she was owned by the Canada Steamship Lines, Ltd., of Montreal. During those years, she was known as the "Kinmount."

Kingdoc (Canada 149429)

The "Kingdoc" was built in 1927 by Swan, Hunter & Wighham Richardson, Ltd. of Wallsend-on-Tyne in Great Britain. She was of 1926 gross ton. Until 1950, she was owned by the Peterson Steamships, Ltd. of Fort William, Ontario. The following year and until 1961 when she was scrapped, she was owned by N. M. Peterson & Sons. Ltd. of Fort William, Ontario.

Beebe House

The Beebe House was one of the first hotels built on South Bass Island. Constructed in the 1860s, it was expanded by Henry Beebe in 1869. Situated on Main Street in Put-in-Bay, the hotel accommodated 400 guests. It housed a billiard room, bowling alley, and dance hall. Rates were $14,00 per week and $2.50 per day. Servants and children were half price.

The Round House

The Round House has been a prominent landmark at Put-in-Bay for more tthan a century. The building was built as a residence in Toledo, Ohio. It was dismantled and brought to South Bass Island and rebuilt at the corner of Delaware and Lorain Avenues, where it began operations in 1873 at the Columbia Restaurant. It remains one of the most popular bars on the island. At right is the Park Hotel.

Put-in-Bay House

The Put-in-Bay House was built in 1836 and opened as a rooming house in 1861. It featured a gymnasium, dance hall, and a 500-foot verandah. In 1878, the hotel burned. its successor, built in 1890, also was destroyed by fire in 1907.