Welcome to the twenty-first century, and to the third century that Cedar Point has operated in. We will explore the rich history and the exciting future that Cedar Point has. Come with The Point Online as we travel through time.

Cedar Point was a small, desolate peninsula sticking out into Lake Erie, a favorite fishing spot for many fishermen. The peninsula, which got its name from the abundance of cedar trees on the peninsula, had beaches that were long with white sand and clear water for swimming. The location was simply perfect.

In 1870, following the Civil War, boats were used by Louis Zistel to to transport guests to Cedar Point where had had built a bathhouse, a beer garden, and a dance floor. Sadly, the park was only open for one year, and then it was shut down until 1878 when James West opened more bathhouses and reopened the park.

In 1882, Benjamin Dwelle and William Stackfore took out a lease from the property's owners. They added more bathhouses, picnic tables, and a wooden walkway on the beach. Many more things were added by these men over the next few years, such as baseball diamonds, dance floors, restaurants, and fireworks displays. In 1888, the large Grand Pavilion was constructed. Standing two stories high, the building had a theatre, bowling alleys, a concert hall, and a photographer's studio.

In 1892, Cedar Point's first roller coaster, The Switchback Railway, opened. The trains were pulled up (by human power) a 25 ft. hill, and dropped. In 1902, Cedar Point's second coaster opened. The Three-Way Figure Eight Roller Toboggan was 46 ft. high.

In late 1897, Cedar Point had the luckiest thing happen to it, he was a man named George A. Boeckling. He bought the park, and added more bathhouses, a carousel, and made a profit his first season.

The large Hotel Breakers opened in 1905 on the Cedar Point beach. Because of this success, the 90,000 square foot Coliseum opened in 1906. The Coliseum served beverages on the first floor, and had a dance floor on the second floor.

The 53 ft. Dip the Dips Scenic Railway roller coaster opened in 1908. This coaster had 18 drops and supposedly reached a speed of 60 mph. In 1910, the Three-Way Figure Eight Roller Toboggan was taken out to be replaced by the Racer roller coaster. The Racer was Cedar Point's first well-known coaster and had a hill of 46 feet. In 1912, the Leap the Dips roller coaster opened. In 1918, the Dip the Dips Scenic Railway was converted into the Leap Frog and featured a 70 ft. hill.

In 1929 the 72 ft. Cyclone opened. The Depression took a toll on Cedar Point. Unlike many other parks, Cedar Point survived because of the locals loyalty to the park. In 1931, George Boeckling died. Even though Cedar Point did not have a lot of money, the Leap Frog was reconstructed into a coaster called High Frolics for 1934. In 1934, the Leap the Dips roller coaster was closed.

In 1938, Cedar Point was suffering financially as a result of the Depression. The second floor of the Coliseum, though, was modernized in an art deco style, saving the resort's future. This allowed Cedar Point to book many big bands of the era to be broadcast on the radio nationwide.

In 1946, the Midway Carousel opened. It is Cedar Point's oldest existing ride. Fascination, the classic ball rolling game, opened in 1955. When George Roose and Emile Legros acquired the peninsula in 1956, their plans were to change it into a residential community. The State of Ohio had a problem with this, and threatened to buy the property. Fortunately, this did not happen because of Dan Schneider, the previous owner of Cedar Point, did not have his lease expire until 1959.  During the time period between 1956 and 1959, Roose and Legros saw the potential for Cedar Point, and changed their minds about turning it into a housing development.

The Cedar Point Causeway opened in in 1957 at the cost of $600,000. In 1961, Cedar Point, Inc. was founded. From here, the modern period of Cedar Point history started. In 1962, the Sky Ride was added. In 1963, The Mill Race and the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad opened. The 80 ft. Blue Streak opened in 1964, which is still operating today, making it Cedar Point's oldest existing coaster. The Space Spiral and Jungle Larry's Safari opened in 1965.

In 1966, the famed Pirate Ride opened. Inherited from Freedomland in New York, the dark ride would take guests on a pirate themed ride. Also from Freedomland was the San Francisco Earthquake ride which was located in the building housing today's Snoopy Boutique. 

In 1968, Frontiertown opened with the Frontier Lift taking guests from the main midway to Frontiertown. Also, the Cedar Point and Lake Erie railroad added a station there for easy transportation. In 1969, the Cedar Creek Mine Ride roller coaster opened. The Antique Cars and Town Hall Museum also opened that year.

In 1972, the Giant Wheel opened. The Jumbo Jet roller coaster debuted in 1972. In 1975, the IMAX theatre (now Good Time Theater) was installed. The Corkscrew opened in 1976 as the first roller coaster to go upside down three times. The Gemini opened in 1978 as the world's tallest roller coaster. The Jr. Gemini opened in 1979. White Water Landing was added for 1982, and the Demon Drop was added for 1983. Avalanche Run (later to become Disaster Transport) was built in 1985. Thunder Canyon was added in 1986, and in 1987 Iron Dragon rose out of the lagoons.

The Soak City water park was built in 1988 under the direction of a new President, Richard Kinzel. In 1989, Cedar Point changed the coaster landscape forever by building the new Magnum XL-200. The 205 ft. coaster was the world's highest at the time, and even today ranks in the top five coasters in the world. Mean Streak was added in 1991, Snake River Falls was added in 1993, and Raptor was added in 1994. Jungle Larry's safari closed in 1995, and the Mantis roller coaster opened in 1996. 1997 brought the loss of the Pirate Ride and an expansion of Soak City. In 1998, Power Tower was built. 1999 brought Camp Snoopy and Woodstock Express. And in 2000 brought the mammoth Millennium Force.

 

In 2001, Wicked Twister was constructed and Lighthouse Point was added.  In 2003 Top Thrill Dragster was built as the World's Tallest and Fastest Roller Coaster.  The famed Top Thrill Dragster put to rest all coaster debate over whether Superman: The Escape at Six Flags Magic Mountain was the world's tallest and fastest.  In 2004, Lighthouse Point was expanded, Splash Zone added to Soak City, and Castaway Bay.

Now we look at the future. What does it hold for Cedar Point, a park that has survived a Great Depression and a war when other parks folded? We believe the future is bright under current President of Cedar Fair, L.P. Richard Kinzel.  Unfortunately, Mr. Kinzel will soon be leaving his roller coaster empire.  He recently announced that he will be retiring in 2007.  A major attraction is expected to be built at Cedar Point that will out-do Top Thrill Dragster and all other coasters.  This ride is expected to be taller than Dragster and last over three minutes long.  A dark ride is also expected to be built before Kinzel retires.

Some historical information provided by:
Cedar Point On Lake Erie