LeSourdsville Lake/Americana subject of new book
Posted
LeSourdsville Lake may never reopen again, but memories of the amusement park will take new form in a book authored by a former park employee. Local historian Scott Fowler has compiled more than 200 photos and images from the local amusement park’s history in his book, “LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park.”
Read more from The Dayton Daily News.
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^I went to the park several times before 1993, and always knew it as Americana. The Screechin' Eagle was known to some enthusiasts as the best woodie in Ohio. 64 rides in one day was my record - I was crazy and 16. The drop off the back curve (and next one as well) were legendary.
"If you're looking for fun in the moonlight or sun, come out to LeSourdsville..."
LeSourdsville Lake holds a special place for me - we lived in Dayton in the late 50's and early 60's and the park was the destination for many family outings. LL was probably the first park I knew intimately, (in addition to Camden - my family was originally from Ironton Oh.) and even as a small kid I could recite the rides and attractions and direct anybody how to get there!
The Cyclone (later Shooting Sky Rocket then Screechin Eagle) was my first roller coaster and I remember the Whip, Flying Scooters, Mystic Maze, Fun Parade, Pretzel, Jack Rabbit, Wild Mouse, Rock o Plane, and my favorite as a kid, the Old Woman's Shoe which had a steep, shiny steel slide housed inside a giant shoe with stairs up the side. Sliders exited through a hole in the toe, and the Woman peered out the top over the giant laces. Well, it was giant to me.
I'm looking forward to seeing/purchasing this book and my hope is that photos from my fledgling days as a park enthusiast are included. Aside from the occasional old postcard, photographs of the times I remember seem rare.
CoasterDemon said:
The Screechin' Eagle was known to some enthusiasts as the best woodie in Ohio. 64 rides in one day was my record - I was crazy and 16. The drop off the back curve (and next one as well) were legendary.
I only rode it that one day when the park temporarily re-opened for that one season...but considering how Beast and Blue Streak were running at that time, the title "best woodie in Ohio" was virtually unquestionable.
Amazon has the book for $14.95 pre-order right now. Funny that, as earlier today it was listed for $21.99. I just ordered it.
I'm so glad I made it down those few times in '02 when it was open that season. Screechin' Eagle earned the title "Best Standup Woodie." And not because you wanted to standup on it, it MADE you.
Things looked so great the beginning of the season, but by the end of it the operations were falling apart.
~Rob
I visited once in 2002. I LOVED the Screechin' Eagle. I just wish it could of been saved. :(
It ranked near the top for me. It was one of the best (and highly underrated) little woodies of all time, at least in my book. They just don't make them like that anymore.
-Tina
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