Be a Part of History in the Making:
Help Preserve a Classic!

2/21/06

Be a part of saving a classic Conneaut Lake Park attraction – a ride that is not only symbolic of the history of Conneaut Lake Park, but of the entire region!

As you may know, our miniature railroad ride (the Bessemer Railway System) has been inoperable for the last two seasons.

The locomotive and coaches, installed in 1968, need new wheels and axles.  Even worse, many of the ties and much of the rail needs replaced.

Fortunately, a local company has donated its services and volunteered to repair its wheels and axles free of charge to the park.

The bad news is the cost of repairing the ties and rail to open the ride for the 2006 season will require roughly $56,000.  But there are sunny skies ahead! On Monday, February 20^th, 2006, our General Manager, George Deshner announced the kickoff of a buy-a-brick campaign to raise the needed funds to open our miniature train ride for the summer.

This bricks are available to be engraved and installed on the walkway that connects the midway to the ride’s boarding station.  This brick campaign could also serve as a way for families to commemorate members of their families who have historical ties to the railroading industry in the region.

Conneaut Lake Park will recognize the railroad industry and the people that supported it over the years.

Can anyone purchase bricks? Sure!  Although the campaign is a way to commemorate those with historical ties to the railroading industry, bricks may be purchased by anyone that would like to memorialize someone or support Conneaut Lake Park.

In addition to commemorating the families in the region that have historical ties to the railroad industry, this campaign commemorates the railroading history of Conneaut Lake Park.  Did you know Conneaut Lake Park once had a full size railroad that stopped right in the middle of the park?  Conneaut Lake Park was built by the Pittsburgh, Shenango, and Lake Erie Railroad in 1892 under the name of Exposition Park. 

Be a part of this cause! Stay tuned for more details!!!

See you at the Lake!

P.S. To order bricks visit:
http://savethetrain.conneautlakeinstitute.org/