Home l History l Post Cards l Features l Archives Then & Nowl Lost Rides l Coaster Index l About Us l Links

[1 I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 I7 I8 I9 I10 I11]
t the end of the decade, Cedar Point added a new roller coaster on the site of the recently razed Racer roller coaster. The intense Cedar Point Cyclone opened in 1929 and had a lift hill height of seventy-two feet. One of Harry Traver's legendary coasters, the Cyclone was the last great addition to the park from George A. Boeckling. Boeckling himself wasn't there to see his great roller coaster open to the public, due to severe illness.
On October 24th that year, about thirteen million shares of stock in the stock market were sold, which would cause the stock market to crash and take Cedar Point and the entire country into a depression. Like most resorts around the country, the park lost a great deal of money in the years of the Depression, which lasted until 1940. Most of the concessionaires that leased buildings in the Amusement circle lost business and struggled through the Depression. Also during the Depression, the Cedars Hotel closed due to poor hotel attendance and was used for employee dorms, like it is use today.
On July 24th, 1931, the great George A. Boeckling died of uremia. The entire resort mourned his death with all flags lowered to half-staff and he was buried in Sandusky, not far from his beloved Cedar Point. His legendary leadership was so great that it seemed impossible to fill his shoes. After some changes in park presidents, Edward Smith ran the resort for a number of years.
Despite all the recent hardships, the aging Leap Frog Railway was renovated, in 1933. The entire track from the Leap Frog was reconstructed except the original lift hill, which remained its height of seventy-four feet. The ride was then renamed the High Frolics and opened to the public for the 1934 season. Also that season the Tumble Bug was added to the midway. When in operation, the ride's train would glide on a circular, hilly track.
The following year, the Leap the Dips roller coaster closed. The decaying structure remained standing for a few seasons until it was razed. Also in 1935, the Hotel Breakers was modernized and the Tavern Terrace was added near the hotel. The outdoor stage area provided entertainment from bands and offered cocktail.
In the late 1930's, the resort looked as if it would be sold to the state of Ohio for $3,000,000. The profits that were seen in the Boeckling era seemed to be gone forever. Luckily, after the 1938 season, the directors had the second floor of the Coliseum modernized in the art deco style. The old exposed wooden beams were covered in plaster and new colored light fixtures were added. New tables and chairs filled one side of this massive room and the other with a new colorful stage. In the middle, the giant dance floor remained. Booking some of the top bands of the time to play in this new ballroom kept Cedar Point operating through the rest of the difficult Depression. The NBC radio network broadcast many of these performances nationally.
The next year, the six year old High Frolics was removed, leaving the park with the Cyclone as the only roller coaster. World War II broke out in 1942, which gave the public only a short moment of freedom from the Great Depression. Many restrictions arose from the war, including the restrictions of automobile use and certain foods. The depleted park managed to survive these troublesome years, but not without difficulty. The park showed its troubles with the poorly maintained buildings and boardwalks. The grand Hotel Breakers was also showing its age and was in great need of repair.
In 1946, the oldest existing ride opened on the Cedar Point midway. The Midway Carousel, purchased from Revere Beach in Massachusetts, was originally carved by Daniel Muller in 1912. The carousel contains sixty horses and four chariots, all of which were hand carved. Inside this beautiful carousel is a Wurlitzer #153 band organ, which plays classic tunes. Also that season, the Moon Rocket opened near the Cyclone roller coaster. This spinning ride only lasted a few seasons on the midway due to poor business. (Page 1 IPage 2 IPage 3 IPage 4 IPage 5 IPage 6 IPage 7 IPage 8 IPage 9 IPage 10 IPage 11)

Home l History l Post Cards l Features l Archives Then & Nowl Lost Rides l Coaster Index l About Us l Links

Copyright © Cedar Point-on-Lake Erie. Please view our Site Notice.
Problems? Questions? Email the Webmaster at webmaster@cedarpointonlakeerie.com