At Celeron Park

 

Do you ever come across a picture that is so far back in the past that it evokes strong memories for you? We have a local Facebook page called I grew up in Bradford, PA. It's a way for folks who no longer live in Bradford to keep up with what is happening here. Locals post current pictures of the area or pictures from the Landmark Society.

Yesterday someone posted this one of Celeron Park. It was located on the shore of Chautauqua Lake in Jamestown, NY which is about an hour north of us. Jamestown is famous for being the home of Lucille Ball.

PARK OVERVIEW

This overview is not a picture; rather an artist's drawing. Please note the structure in the upper-right with the Turkish style spires and long Annex ending in a bandstand -- this is the Auditorium. Also in the right of the drawing at the water's edge is the three-story Bathhouse with three toboggan slides; one of which is the camel-back slide. The Phoenix Ferris Wheel is to the left with Hotel de Celoron barely visible behind the right side of the Wheel with a flag banner protruding from its top. The baseball grounds are beyond the Auditorium. The Celoron Theater and the Greyhound rollercoaster were not yet in the park.

PHOENIX WHEEL

First operated in the 1896 season. This was the world's largest - - ten stories tall with 12 cages and a capacity of 168. 125 feet in diameter and took six men to operate. Lit by 350 colored lights. Dismantled in 1952.

BATHHOUSE

One of the original structures in 1894, it was three stories tall with three toboggan slides, one being a camel-back slide. Inside the bathhouse was a barber shop, 150 dressing rooms, bowling alley, billiards room, shooting gallery, ice-cream parlor, and a large open recreation area. Damaged by fire a fire in 1900, the bathhouse, when repaired, was three stories only in the middle and the signature camel-back slide was gone.

Don and I remember this park well. We were dating in 1962 and my parents took us up to the park. It was a big event back then to go to a special place like this. I distinctly remember he and I sitiing in a swan boat and going through the Tunnel of Love and stealing a kiss in the dark.

 

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