Waldameer Park & Water World
Waldameer would like to acknowledge & thank Jim Futrell for his work. This history summary was helped greatly from Mr. Futrell's article "Waldameer Park, 100 Years of Memories" published in Volume. 18 Number. 6 of the NAPHA News. If you have any pictures of Waldameer's yesteryear's or any other great pictures of the park, post them on Waldameer's Facebook Wall and your photo could be featured on our website!
"Waldameer's origins began in the late 1800's as Hoffman's grove, an Erie area popular picnic spot overlooking the lake. This serene destination caught the attention of the Erie Electric Motor Co., the city's main trolley company. They leased Hoffman's grove and renamed the land Waldameer, German for "woods by the sea" - in 1896 Waldameer Park was born."
1900-1919
Trolley company building up park. A $1000 dance hall and carousel were added. Three roller coasters were built, the first being Dip the Dips in 1907 and the last was the Scenic Railway in 1915 at a cost of $30,000. Prohibition in 1919 caused Waldameer to close one of its most popular attractions, the Hofbrau German Beer Garden complete with singing waiters.
1920-1939
The 1920's were the golden age of the amusement park industry. The largest roller coaster - the Ravine Flyer was opened in 1922, then came the Old Mill. Many other attractions were added in the 1920's under the general management of Alex Moeller. The Depression of the 1930's brought on the most challenging decade of the Park's existence. Talking movies and the repeal of prohibiton helped attendance, but tough times continued, including a tragedy on the Ravine Flyer resulting in the removal of the ride.
1940-1959
With an improving economy, more rides were added and new dance hall was built (replacing the one that burned down in '37). A local contest was held for a name and Rainbow Gardens was selected. World War II limited park expansion. In 1945, Alex Moeller became owner of the Park and an 11-year-old Paul Nelson (a family friend) began working. 1951 saw the addition of the Comet roller coaster and in the mid 50's, Monkey Island closed - reportedly the government bought all the monkeys for the space program.
1960-1979
The early to mid 60's were a quiet period. In 1965 Alex Moeller died, and Paul Nelson (since adopted by the Moellers, working up to GM) took over. He immediately began upgrading the Park's aging infrastructure. 1970 saw the addition of the Whacky Shack and kicked off a long period of expansion. Current attractions that were built then included the Pirate's Cove, L. Ruth Express Train (named after Alex Moeller's widow), Paratrooper & Spider. In1978 Paul Nelson assumed full ownership and added the Sky Ride.
1980's
Expansion slowed in the early 80's. In 1985, Paul Nelson made a major business choice: deciding to go into debt and significantly expand. Water World debuted in 1986. Following the '88 season, the old carousel & Blue Goose ride were auctioned off. The $1 million in proceeds were used for further expansion of the water park and additional picnic shelters were built, helping the Park to register record seasons to close out the decade.
1990's
Ride expansion resumed all thru the 90's, with the Sea Dragon opening in 1992, the 100' tall Chance Giant Ferris wheel debuting in 1994 and the Wipeout in 1995. Waldameer's 100th Anniversary in 1996 (making Waldameer the 10th oldest amusement park in the Country) saw the most ambitious expansion ever - the addition of Thunder River, and OD Hopkins log flume, replacing the Old Mill. Steve Gorman, Paul Nelson's son-in law, came on as GM this same year, ensuring continuity of ownership. The decade closed with major renovations to the midway Games, Concessions and opening of the high flying Ali Baba.
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