Geography of Geauga Lake Park

Once known as the largest theme park in the world, housing three different parks under a single name, Geauga Lake Park came to a tumultuous end officially in 20161. The now ghost town features abandoned structures and slabs of concrete that once was the literal foundation of rides and attractions for people of all ages. As heartbreaking as the closure of the park was to the public, it undermines the rich history that contributed to the initial rise of the historical site. Navigate through the menu to understand the geography of the site, and to understand the historical importance to settlers, locals, and travelers.

Geauga Lake Circa 20102

Geauga Lake Present Day3

Main Entrance Before4

Main Entrance Now5

Basic Information

General Location6

Bainbridge Township & Aurora, Ohio

Brief Timeline of Events

  • 1887: Recreational Area1,7,9

  • 1889: 1st amusement park ride added1,9,10

  • 1925: 1st rollercoaster, Big Dipper1,9,10

  • 1969: Expansion of the Amusement Park1,7,9

  • 2000s: Abandoned parks & Redevelopment1,9,10

    • Amusement Park: 1887-2007

    • Sea World: 1970-2000

    • Wildwater Kingdom: 2005-2016

*NOTE: For a detailed timeline, please visit the Environment section

References

  1. SHANE. 2019. Geauga Lake: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of the World’s Largest Amusement Park. 28 October. https://www.coaster101.com/2019/10/28/geauga-lake-the-meteoric-rise-and-tragic-fall-of-the-worlds-largest-amusement-park/.

  2. Glaser, Susan. 2016. Geauga Lake's final chapter: Closing of Wildwater Kingdom sets up future development. 29 August. https://www.cleveland.com/travel/2016/08/geauga_lakes_final_chapter_clo.html.

  3. Ohio Drone. 2019. Geauga Lake. October. https://jeffholbury.smugmug.com/LANDMARKS-TOWNS/GEAUGA-LAKE-AMUSEMENT-PARK-ABANDONED/GEAUGA-LAKE-OCTOBER-2019/i-Svwqs7Z.

  4. Goszka, Gavin. 2020. The Last Days of Geauga Lake Park. 23 September.

  5. Wiley, Chelsea. n.d. This Video Of Abandoned Ruins At Geauga Lake Will Hit You Right In The Feels. https://www.columbusnavigator.com/geauga-lake-abandoned/.

  6. Brian. 2015. DEFUNCT AMUSEMENT PARKS: Geauga Lake Park - Aurora, Ohio (1887-2007). 15 July.

  7. Micklewright, John. n.d. Geauga Lake: An Environmental History. https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/795.

  8. n.d. Geauga Lake-Sea World History. http://aurorahistorical.org/archives/geauga-lake-sea-world-history/#:~:text=1888%3A%20Alexander%20G.,a%20primitive%20steam%2Dpowered%20carousel.&text=This%2064%2Dhorse%2C%20hand%2D,Illions%20carousels%20in%20the%20world.

  9. Bright Sun Films. 2020. Geauga Lake 2020 Update. YouTube. 28 February. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6k35ZpF8rU.