Crystal Beach Park ~ A Century of Screams
by William E. Kae
Inextricably woven into the summer fabric of Western New York and Southern Ontario, the midway at Crystal Beach Park provided thrills for untold millions from 1890 through 1989. Crystal Beach Park ~ A Century of Screams (Screams) explores the modest picnic grove beginnings of the park, its growth into a major amusement center, and its decline and demise.
Not a book of nostalgia, Screams explores the physical growth and development of the park and the rides that populated the midway throughout its 100 seasons marked by watershed events in the park’s history. Traditional aspects of Crystal Beach history are examined and compared to period research findings.
Crystal Beach Park ~ A Century of Screams is highlighted with...
. . . over 300 photographs and illustrations from museum archives and private collections
. . . original blueprints
. . . twenty full color pages
. . . unique site plans that illustrate the physical changes of the park and also provide frames of reference for select photographs
. . . over 500 references to newspapers, amusement industry periodicals and journals, census records, city directories, and books
262 8.5"x11" pages, soft cover, professionally printed on premium, heavy bond, gloss paper.
ISBN: 978-0-9796632-3-9
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011915282
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Subjects
Crystal Beach Park, Comet, Cyclone, Amusement Parks, Buffalo NY, Crystal Beach Amusement Park (Ont.), History, Amusement parksPlaces
Crystal Beach Ontario, Buffalo NYTimes
1890-1989| Edition | Availability |
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The sounds, scents and screams that emanated from the midway spanned many generations and eras. Crystal Beach Park: A Century of Screams presents the growth and development of Crystal Beach and the people behind the park from its start as a picnic grove in 1890 to a major amusement park through its 1989 demise.
All of the rides that populated the midway through the century are presented with more than 300 vintage photographs, including more than 30 color images and blueprints. The midway was known for offering a smorgasbord of rides that ranged from the sedate to the sadistic.
Printed on high quality stock, this 262-page book includes a comprehensive index and bibliography. Other features of this book include:
Vivid details about more than 100 of the park's major rides.
Original blueprints of the Comet, Magic Carpet, Laff in the Dark, Caterpillar and the famous dance hall.
Unique site plans that illustrate the many physical changes throughout the park over the decades.
Author William E. Kae has created a very user-friendly book. The wealth of information and vintage photographs are meticulously arranged in chronological eras. The presentation allows readers to explore the evolution of this magical place, from its modest beginning as a picnic grove to a major entertainment mecca.
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| October 17, 2020 | Edited by MARC Bot | import existing book |
| March 23, 2012 | Edited by LC Bot | import new book |
| November 18, 2011 | Edited by 71.186.239.51 | Edited without comment. |
| November 18, 2011 | Edited by 71.186.239.51 | Edited without comment. |
| November 18, 2011 | Created by 71.186.239.51 | Added new book. |