Midway Park
Encyclopedia
Midway State Park, located in Maple Springs
, New York
, USA was established in 1898 by the Jamestown & Lake Erie Railway as a picnic ground. Today, it is recognized as the fifteenth-oldest continually operating amusement park
in the United States, and the fifth-oldest remaining trolley park
.
In 1951, the park was purchased by Martin "Red" Walsh, and was later operated by the next generation of the Walsh family, Michael and Janis Walsh, affectionately known as Mr. and Mrs. Midway to the staff and "park regulars." After the 2006 season the park was transferred into the New York State Parks system. The current administrators of the park are Andrew Hillman and Melissa Emhardt. Hillman, who began working at Midway during summer 2006, previously headed Lake Erie State Park
. Emhardt has been with the park since 1996 in a variety of positions.
Currently, Midway Park has 18 child-oriented rides, plus miniature golf
, Go-Karts, a climbing wall
, and water games. Many of the kiddie rides were manufactured by the Allan Herschell Company of North Tonawanda
, New York
.
Guests use the picnic shelters for their family reunions and company picnics. The family arcade, meanwhile, includes games such as skeeball, Pac-Man
and Galaga
.
Midway operates from Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day
, with a limited June schedule.
Several notable people have visited the park since its opening, including Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., Lucille Ball
, and Jack Paar
, former host of NBC’s Tonight Show. In 1960, the Glenn Miller Orchestra
conducted by Ray McKinley
played at the park.
Midway State Park has been voted the Best Travel Destination in Chautauqua County by the readers of the Dunkirk Observer.
Carousel
Climbing Wall
Dodge 'Ems
Dragon (roller coaster
)
Fun Slide
Go-Karts
Handcars
Helicopters
Kiddie Boats
Kiddie Coaster
Mini-Golf
Roadway
Roto-Whip
Skyfighter Jets
Tidal Wave
Tilt-a-Whirl
Tubs of Fun
Train
Tugboat Paddlers
Water Wars
Maple Springs, New York
Maple Springs is a hamlet located within the Town of Ellery in Chautauqua County, New York in the United States at an elevation of 1312 ft above sea level. It is situated along the east shore of Chautauqua Lake, between the villages of Mayville and Bemus Point. The postal code is 14756...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA was established in 1898 by the Jamestown & Lake Erie Railway as a picnic ground. Today, it is recognized as the fifteenth-oldest continually operating amusement park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
in the United States, and the fifth-oldest remaining trolley park
Trolley park
In the United States, trolley parks, which started in the 19th century, were picnic and recreation areas along or at the ends of streetcar lines in most of the larger cities. These were precursors to amusement parks. These trolley parks were created by the streetcar companies to give people a...
.
History
At its origin, Midway Park offered a baseball field, dance pavilion and dining hall, and a sandy beach for bathing. Today, the park uses the original picnic shelters with several more modern additions. The concession building was built in 1915 and still houses the refreshment stands, as well as the Carousel Museum and roller rink.In 1951, the park was purchased by Martin "Red" Walsh, and was later operated by the next generation of the Walsh family, Michael and Janis Walsh, affectionately known as Mr. and Mrs. Midway to the staff and "park regulars." After the 2006 season the park was transferred into the New York State Parks system. The current administrators of the park are Andrew Hillman and Melissa Emhardt. Hillman, who began working at Midway during summer 2006, previously headed Lake Erie State Park
Lake Erie State Park
Lake Erie State Park is located in the Town of Portland in Chautauqua County, New York, USA, northeast of the village of Brocton. Its major attraction is its Lake Erie beach, but it has camping and other recreational facilities.-Activities and services:...
. Emhardt has been with the park since 1996 in a variety of positions.
Currently, Midway Park has 18 child-oriented rides, plus miniature golf
Miniature golf
Miniature golf, or minigolf, is a miniature version of the sport of golf. While the international sports organization World Minigolf Sport Federation prefers to use the name "minigolf", the general public in different countries has also many other names for the game: miniature golf, mini-golf,...
, Go-Karts, a climbing wall
Climbing wall
A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors as well. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled...
, and water games. Many of the kiddie rides were manufactured by the Allan Herschell Company of North Tonawanda
North Tonawanda, New York
North Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Guests use the picnic shelters for their family reunions and company picnics. The family arcade, meanwhile, includes games such as skeeball, Pac-Man
Pac-Man
is an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
and Galaga
Galaga
is a fixed shooter arcade game developed and published by Namco in Japan and published by Midway in North America in 1981. It is the sequel to Galaxian, released in 1979. The gameplay of Galaga puts the player in control of a space ship which is situated on the bottom of the screen...
.
Midway operates from Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend through Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, with a limited June schedule.
Several notable people have visited the park since its opening, including Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
, and Jack Paar
Jack Paar
Jack Harold Paar was an author, American radio and television comedian and talk show host, best known for his stint as host of The Tonight Show from 1957 to 1962...
, former host of NBC’s Tonight Show. In 1960, the Glenn Miller Orchestra
Glenn Miller Orchestra
The Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
conducted by Ray McKinley
Ray McKinley
Ray McKinley was an American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader.McKinley got his start working with local bands in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, before joining Smith Ballew in 1929, when he met Glenn Miller. The two formed a friendship which lasted from 1929 until Miller's death in 1944....
played at the park.
Midway State Park has been voted the Best Travel Destination in Chautauqua County by the readers of the Dunkirk Observer.
Time Line
- 1894 - The name "Midway" originated when a new steamboat dock was built between existing docks at Point Whiteside and Maple Springs. The other docks at both points were abandoned, and the new dock became known as Midway.
- 1898 - Midway Park is the name chosen for the picnic grounds of the Jamestown & Lake Erie Railway. They leased 17 acres (68,796.6 m²) - twelve wooded and five cleared - above Whiteside and nearly opposite Chautauqua LakeChautauqua LakeChautauqua Lake is located entirely within Chautauqua County, New York, USA. The lake is approximately long and wide at its greatest width. The surface area is approximately 13,000 acres . The maximum depth is about 78 feet...
from Chautauqua InstitutionChautauqua InstitutionThe Chautauqua Institution is a non-profit adult education center and summer resort located on 750 acres in Chautauqua, New York, 17 miles northwest of Jamestown in the western part of New York State...
. The park has 500 feet (152.4 m) of lake front and a sandy beach for bathing. A dance pavilion and dining room were soon built. - July 12, 1898 - Formal opening of Midway Park. Music and dancing, baseball, tennis, croquet, bathing, and boating are offered to patrons.
- August 1898 - Round-trip tickets on the railway from JamestownJamestown, New YorkJamestown is a city in Chautauqua County, New York in the United States. The population was 31,146 at the 2010 census.The City of Jamestown is adjacent to Town of Ellicott and is at the southern tip of Chautauqua Lake...
or MayvilleMayville, New York-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,756 people, 686 households, and 399 families residing in the village. The population density was 875.0 people per square mile . There were 860 housing units at an average density of 428.5 per square mile...
to Midway Park cost 25 cents; from Dewittville or Bemus PointBemus Point, New YorkBemus Point is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The village is within the Town of Ellery and located along the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake. The population was 340 at the 2000 census...
, 20 cents. - January 3, 1899 - Jamestown & Chautauqua Railway Company is now incorporated. It was reorganized from the Jamestown & Lake Erie Railway.
- July 1904 - Neither the Whiteside Hotel nor Maple Springs House have been open for three years. Midway, with the exception of Midway Park, has been taken off the Chautauqua CountyChautauqua County, New York-Major highways:* Interstate 86/New York State Route 17 * Interstate 90 * U.S. Route 20* U.S. Route 62* New York State Route 5* New York State Route 39* New York State Route 60* New York State Route 394...
map. The dock and rail station are now called Maple Springs. - March 18, 1907 - The rail company secures control of the steamboats and leases Long Point for picnic grounds. Now the corporations decide one site is ample for picnics, so the lease with Long Point is not renewed. A new pier is planned at Midway Park.
- April 1907 - Herb Norton receives the contract to build the 450 feet (137.2 m)-long pier at Midway Park. The $5,000 project was completed for the summer picnic season of 1907.
- November 8, 1913 - The Jamestown and Chautauqua Railway Company is purchased by A.N. and S.B. Broadhead, scions of a prominent Jamestown business family. The sale includes the Chautauqua Steamboat Company, and the firm's new name is the Jamestown, Westfield & Northwestern Railroad Company, which became known simply as the "JW."
- 1914 - The tracks are electrified as far as Mayville and the "JW" started carrying passengers to Midway Park.
- April 10, 1915 - Midway Park is purchased by the Chautauqua Lake Navigation Company from Dan G. Wood, who owned the property and had leased it in the past.
- July 31, 1915 - A huge new pavilion is erected at the park. On the second floor are roller-skating and dancing. The ground floor serves as a bath house and also boasts amenities such as cane racks, concessions, and a spacious restaurant.
- 1924 - A large wooden roller coasterRoller coasterThe roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
called the Jack Rabbit is built at the park, but has a lifespan of fewer than 20 years before being demolished. - May 1934 - Thomas Carr of Rochester, New YorkRochester, New YorkRochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
leases the park from the railroad company. Mr. Carr was the former manager of CeloronCeloron, New YorkCeloron is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. It sits on the west boundary of the City of Jamestown, New York and is surrounded by the Town of Ellicott. The population was 1,295 at the 2000 census.- History :...
Park, another popular Chautauqua Lake amusement park. - March 1935 - The steamboat pier at the park is destroyed when huge ice blocks are blown ashore.
- April 17, 1939 - Mr. Carr, who takes up residence in Maple Springs, buys the park outright from the rail company.
- March 1, 1951 - Martin "Red" Walsh purchases the park from the estate of Thomas Carr.
- 1953 - Martin Walsh incorporates Midway Park when his brother Frank joins him in the business. The Walsh brothers begin to expand and develop the facility, adding new rides and attractions.
- October 1984 - Michael Walsh, Martin's son, and his wife Janis, purchase the park from Martin Walsh.
- July 12, 1998 - Midway Park celebrates its centennial with "The Birthday Party Of The Century." Free birthday cake is distributed, and a Big Band Ballroom Dance is held to mark the occasion.
- 2005 - An agreement is reached between the owners (Michael & Janis Walsh) and New York State for purchase of the park. Actual ownership transfers after the 2006 operation season.
- 2007 - Grand Opening Ceremony May 25, 2007.
- 2010 - Articles of incorporation signed to create "Friends of Midway State Park" - a non-profit organization to support the long term mission of Midway State Park.
Current Rides
Bumper BoatsCarousel
Carousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
Climbing Wall
Dodge 'Ems
Dragon (roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
)
Fun Slide
Go-Karts
Handcars
Helicopters
Kiddie Boats
Kiddie Coaster
Mini-Golf
Miniature golf
Miniature golf, or minigolf, is a miniature version of the sport of golf. While the international sports organization World Minigolf Sport Federation prefers to use the name "minigolf", the general public in different countries has also many other names for the game: miniature golf, mini-golf,...
Roadway
Roto-Whip
Skyfighter Jets
Tidal Wave
Tilt-a-Whirl
Tilt-A-Whirl
Tilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known flat rides, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing of Faribault, Minnesota...
Tubs of Fun
Train
Tugboat Paddlers
Water Wars