BuffaloStyle Episode 5 – Crystal Beach Memories
To finish up our Buffalostyle summer video series, we traveled to a long ago WNY entertainment destination for families and kids of all ages.
And although the only remaining elements of this magical locale are our individual, cherised memories…there are still people living along the crystal white sand on the Canadian side of Lake Erie who are doing their best to revere and resurrect the golden days of the fantasy land known as Crystal Beach.
Enjoy this first in a three part series in which we celebrate the park’s Crystal Ballroom.
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Fabulous!! Thank you, Christina! Would that this venerable locale were still standing.
What an insight! A lesson on what preservation of historic buildings is all about. Imagine if that beautiful ballroom was available now… in retrospect …at least the music can’t be taken away.
Does anyone know why this wonderful place was closed down? I doubt it was from lack of attendance. I mean the entire Crystal Beach experience, not just the ballroom.
Mary–actually it was competition that killed Crystal Beach….that and a lack of cash.
As parks like Canada’s Wonderland and Cedar Point came to be, Crystal Beach owner’s pockets were not deep enough to stay in step with the bigger, better, more thrilling rides and attractions that became amusement park trademarks. As for the Crystal Ballroom, as the big band craze faded, so too did the dancers who faithfully came to the ballroom. Eventually it was remodeled into a roller rink before its ultimate demolition….interestingly the last day of the park and the ballroom was Labor Day 1989…twenty years ago this week.
That was a shame to tear down a Musical Shrine: Loved Crystal Beach park as a child and adult. Remember going to the park as a child and begging my father to take my sister and I on the rides. He liked standing outside the Magic Carpet ride and waiting for the ladies skirts to get blown up. I took my girlfriends 7 yr old girl on the COMET, she was a timid but brave little thing and loved it. Miss hot dog alley and the french fries with vinegar
As a “boomer” I have wonderful memories along with my late parents’ photos of childhood visits to Crystal Beach. I remember taking the ferry boat to spend the day at the beach and park. Thank you for helping me recall those days. How sad the Ballroom couldn’t be saved.
Memories are all that is left but they are many and grand. Crystal Beach was a family get together and a time of no fear loosing site of the children for a few minutes. To tell it the way it was, the loss of the passengers on the Crystal Beach Boat due to a riot by a few was the demise of the park. A shame the youth of today have missed the opportunity.
This brought back alot of memories, my Family had a cottege in Thunder Bay and we spend alot of time at Crystal Beach…Does anyone remember Roller Skating in the Ballroom or the Famous Suckers ? those were the Days..Thank You Christina
Hi Sue. So glad you enjoyed. It was our pleasure to put together the three part series. The last segment is due out this weekend. Be sure and look for it on U-Tube or right here on my blog.
Take care, Christina
Wow, Just a whole lot of wonderful memories. As a teen I remember most vividly the wild mouse. I went on it but was so afraid, I would start to scream before it started…………Just bumping into all your friends from Buffalo on the week-ends. Lot’s of FUN !!!!!!!!!!
AS MY SISTER SHEILA SAID WHAT GREAT MEMORIES. AND HOW SAD WE DON’T HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JOAN DEGEORGE SHERBON
THANK GOD WE AT LEAST HAVE OUR MEMORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!