For those of us that grew up in Northeast Ohio, the word ‘amusement park’ instantly brings to mind thoughts of Cedar Point, Geauga Lake and King’s Island. Our parents might even have talked about Crystal Beach in Vermilion, or Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland.
But did you know that for several years in the 1950s that was a tiny amusement park on the western outskirts of Huron? It was called
Huron Kiddieland and the small ad for it shown above, which ran in the
Lorain Journal on September 2, 1959 was the first I’d heard of it. It was located on what today would be considered the old 6&2 route out of town before the bypass was built.
Of course, Huron Kiddieland was just a small, neighborhood-type park compared to its gigantic competitors. But it probably brought just as much pleasure as the big parks to those families who spent a day enjoying the rides and ambiance.
The park was the brainchild of
Harry Suhren. According to the article below, which appeared in the
Sandusky Register on May 20, 1954, shortly before the park opened, Suhren “had long operated rides at fairs throughout the neighboring states, retired two years ago but found that doing nothing was not for him. Then and there, he decided on the Kiddieland.”
The park was unique in that there was no admission and parking was free. A miniature New York Central diesel train circled the park, which included a beautiful picnic grove.
Here is another publicity item and ad from when the park opened. They both ran in the
Register on June 11, 1954.
Here are some more ads from the Register between 1955 and 1956.
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May 6, 1955 ad |
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July 1, 1955 ad |
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August 10, 1956 ad |
Harry Suhren passed away in July 1957.
However, the park continued on for several more years.
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July 7, 1959 ad from the Register |
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July 11, 1959 ad from the Register |
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July 24, 1959 ad from the Register |
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August 10, 1960 ad |
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Sept. 3, 1960 ad |
The park eventually closed and was sold in 1962.
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From the Register of March 9, 1962 |
Here’s a list of the rides as described in an ad from when the property was listed for sale.
As noted on the Huron Historical Society
website, today the former Kiddieland property is the location of Carriage Square Apartment complex and the entrance to Colonial Colony Cleveland Road West.