I grew up in Dayton Ohio and went to Forest Park Amusement Park on North Main Street as a young kid. My parents wouldn’t let me ride the roller coaster, and then the park was torn down. When I was in 7th grade, my class went to LeSourdsville Lake (1959) and I rode the Cyclone (space rocket screechin’ eagle, ect and I knew I would go through life craving Roller Coasters. I rode plenty of them in my life, but none brought me more joy than the Coaster at LeSourdsville lake, no matter what the name!
I remember the haunted house the doors at the end reminded me of Jaws . My dad used to say look Jaws is going to eat us. I was so scared. Funny today i came across this page cause i was thinking of my parents taking me there 32 years ago and that haunted house. I loved the roller coaster though.
My grandad would take my brother and I to LeSourdsville when we visited Middletown. The haunted house scared me so bad when I was about 4 years old it made me cry out to my brohter “Jimmy, come back, come back, don’t leave me…” He thought it was great fun. There was a tilting room inside and a statue of a woman, the park piped the sounds outside to a loudspeaker system. My grandpa, Marty Coffey, was laughing when I came out. A time gone by.
My best memory was going to Americana with church and throwing up my biscuits and gravy after riding the tilt a whirl!! Oh what fun!! Years later I went back there with my mom and kids on my oldest daughters fifth birthday (shes now 20) and we picnicked and fed the huge carp whole chicken bones from KFC. GRoss!! But I miss it too!!
My favorite thing was the bumper cars. I still have a mug from Tombstone Territory! I don’t know how many times I visited the park (and Fantasy Farms) even after I was married. I know the small parks could not compete with parks like Kings Island but they sure made it possible to have a day of fun on a budget. LeSourdsville Lake encouraged picnic lunchs, unlike Kings Island. You paid admission and then could by tickets for a few rides or the arm band for all day. If you had toddlers, you could just pay for them to ride in the area for them. No price gouging like the larger parks.
The year was 1972-being an 8th grader at Allen Elementry-Old North Dayton, we were treated to a day at LeSourdesville. It was wonderful - No parents to tell us what we could and couldn’t ride. The roller coaster, the sky ride, Tombstome Territroy-everyone had to have one of the saloon’s mugs and just walking around with your friends. It was geat. All the teen heart throb stars visited- David Cassidy. Its ashame those days are gone but the wonderful memories are still there.
Oh how sad the old park will never be open again? I worked there as a teenager for 2 summers and as a kid we spent alot of time there! I mean like evryone has said it was fun, affordable and local to us, hell it was like 5 minutes dwn the rd. from Lemontownship so were always there in the summer! My brother worked there when he was a teenager too it was like the place we all worked and played! SO many memories there its unreal! I would have to say my all time favorite is the Screechin Eagle!
Oh how sad the old park will never be open again? I worked there as a teenager for 2 summers and as a kid we spent alot of time there! I mean like evryone has said it was fun, affordable and local to us, hell it was like 5 minutes dwn the rd. from Lemontownship so were always there in the summer! My brother worked there when he was a teenager too it was like the place we all worked and played! SO many memories there its unreal! I would have to say my all time favorite is the Screechin Eagle!
To the people that don’t like the owner of the land that once was LeSourdsville.If you wanted to save the park why didn’t you buy the park? Could it be money and the fact the park did not make money?
Nobody has mentioned the octopus ride, which was there in the 50’s and early 60’s. Great ride. Another favorite was the whip. The fun houses were cool too - one you walked through and the other you rode. Great memories were made at that park.
As a pre-teen in Hamilton during the 1930s, I remember that Hamilton and Middletown city buses used to make hourly trips to LeSourdesville. Not many people had or could afford cars in those days. We would prepare picnic lunches and take the bus in the morning and come home in the night. Rides only cost 5 cents, and you could rent a canoe and spend a hour or two on the lake for 50 cents.
My favorite rides were the little motor boats and the scenic train ride and playing miniature golf.
I went there quite a bit in the late 70’s to mid 80’s. Had a lot of good times there. My favorite ride was a tie between the The Screamin Eagle and the haunted house.
I actually got to go back there in 2002. My wife and I took our son (who was 3 at the time). We all had a really good time, especially on the water log ride. It is a shame the the park is gone.
The Screamin’ Eagle, of course. One year, we went with a church group. I remember my dad telling us DO NOT RIDE THAT DA*M ROLLERCOASTER! Did we listen? Of course not! We sat in the back car. My little sister was so scrawney, she almost flew out of her seat! Oh those were the days!
My family has friends that live in Celina, OH and they purchased the big metal slide out of the lake. It is in their pond and is used every summer. What a great slide.
We grew up on a farm and the only time we could afford away was one day a summer to Lesourdesville. We’d pack coolers and a lunch and load up on the back of a truck with a camper top on the back. My favorite rides were the flying scooters, the boat ride, the giant slide (I cry when I think of racing my mother down the slide and how much fun it was). Really my best memories come from the once a year trip to lesourdesville.
The closing of this part sicken’s me so. Couch is a jerk.
I don’t know if it was Lesourdsville Lake or Fantasy Farm, but I loved the “pillow house” - it was an old barn where you could actually jump out of the loft into foam or something… Probably quite dangerous, but so fun for my brother and I! I think it was back in area that they had named for Tom Sawyer…
MY HUSBAND AND I SPENT ALOT OF TIME THERE WHILE DATING.
WE COULD SEE DIFFERENT FRIENDS THERE AND I HAD FRIENDS THAT WORKED THERE.
IT WAS CLEAN, SAFE FUN AND ONE YEAR THE AFTERPROM WAS THERE.
GOOD MEMORIES!
I have some very fond memories of that place. We went there every year for my dads work picnic. Do any of you remember some of the Globe Industries picnics? We spent alot of time in the arcade. Tombstone territory was a must.The rollercoaster was awsome. A childhood friend of mine always bragged how his grandpa helped dig the lake. The carp in the lake were huge. My fondest memory was holding Dads hand and playing games with him. He is gone now forever along with the park.I sure miss those days.
FAVORITE RIDE—THE ELECTRIC RAINBOW,ALONG WITH ALOT OF OTHER,THE TRAIN RIDE TO TOMBSTONE TERRITORY,GETTING A COKE IN THE GLASS,ENJOYING THE SHOWS,GRABBING A BITE TO EAT. IT WAS GOOD AND INEXPENSIVE FUN. I HAD A PARTY FOR MY DAUGHTER THERE WHEN YOU GET A CARLOAD IN FOR ONE PRICE. LAST TIME I WENT MY YOUNGEST WAS ABT. 5 AND MY GRANDSON 1YR. OLD. THOSE WERE SOME GREAT TIMES..FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD,I CAN NEVER FORGET AMERICANA!!!
I liked the wooden roller coaster, the whip, the kangaroo, tombstone territory (when they had the cowboys and indians and pioneers) and the huge cotton candy cones. I liked the antique car track and the racing car track , the serpent, and the not waiting all day to ride a ride. The log flume in tombstone territory was probably my favorite. my dad liked the car shows and swimming and mom liked the dancing in the dark and the band music.
I liked the wooden roller coaster, the whip, the kangaroo, tombstone territory (when they had the cowboys and indians and pioneers) and the huge cotton candy cones. I liked the antique car track and the racing car track , the serpent, and the not waiting all day to ride a ride. The log flume in tombstone territory was probably my favorite. my dad liked the car shows and swimming and mom liked the dancing in the dark and the band music.
Alright, does anyone remember the cow that was in front of either Fantasy Farm or Americana. There was a hole in the bottom and when I was little I used to climb up inside of the cow and sit in it with my brother. It was really hot and hard to breathe in there, but I still liked it. I also liked the dumbo rides at Fantasy Farm. They had a joystick that you could go up or down. It was the best.
What you talkin bout? The campground at Kings Island sucked balls. It was a parasite for the park and all the nasties hung out there and smoked dope and got smashed. The security gaurds are underpaid little pubic folicles and didn’t do their jobs. Dumb Barney Fifes. Word to your mom all you all. Peace out home dog.
I also remember going to Fantasy Farm with my elementary school and sneaking through the hole in the fence (there was always one-you just had to find it) to go to LeSourdsville Lake-until we got caught and were returned! :-) I not only have an original Lesourdsville lake tombstone mug- I also have a lesourdsville lake salt and pepper shaker set on a little wooden stand, found it when my Grandmother passed- it’s in perfect condition! I keep saying I’m going to put on eBay! :-)
The screeching eagle of course!!! I love wooden roller coasters. I went in 2002 when it was open for one year, it was almost just like I remembered it. I loved the train ride over to tombstone territory when they would have the indians and cowboys “fight” and try to board the train! the absolute best. And feeding the carp, those were the biggest fish I’ve ever seen. Riding the sky ride……all so many memories! I went every year with both RTA and Good Sam days with my aunt and uncle.
When I was little, it was the umbrella chairs (my mom’s favorite, so it became one of my favorites by default), the tilt-a-whirl, and the train…I wasn’t hard to please, it was a few trips before I ever had the courage to try the roller coaster!
I used to love that race car track they had there. It was a little cross country course. The cars were really fast.I would get off and get right back in line. We also loved to spit in the water and watch the carp gobble it up.
I think it is sad that it is gone. I wish there was a place like that to take my children too. Kings Island is much too crowded and every thing is so expensive. They even removed the campground.
Well as a kid I enjoyed the park every year our Family would meet there for Ford Motor Co. Picnic.The Indy 500 was the best ride of all.One summer me and my cousin got thrown out of the park by security for riding the speedway cars,as my cousin showed me how to reach behind you and open the cover to the motor and make them go faster wow what a ride.then we went into the game room next door and security came got us and ejected us from the park.But we had a blast that day and so many other times.
How can you only name one ride as a favorite. There were so many that I enjoyed. My family spend many afternoons there each year. My Grandfathers employer held their annual company picnic there also. I remember enjoying the Screeeeechin Eagle, The Flying Scooters, and the Electric Raibow. Also, I love to get my older sister in the caged ferris wheel and locked into an upside down position. I’d promise not to do, but you know little brothers. I did it everytime.
We would go there on DR Pepper day and pepsi day and ride and liked to listen to the music and watch people dance.this was in the late 40s and my sister worked in the dinning room,iwould go with daddy to pick her up and i would hang out and watch people scream on the roller coaster ay that time it was owned by Steithaus in Middletown,that was the first place around that sold creamy whip icecrean and if you wanted it you had to stand in line for what seemed like an hour. had a lot of memories.
I remember the Bendix family picnics there every year in the 50’s.
In 1953 the only two rides I could go on were the Ferris Wheel and the Merry-go-round because I had a broken shoulder and was in a body cast. So boring for a 5th grader.
You could rent cabins at the park and that was a fun experience.
Also enjoyed the teen dances there when I was in high school.
I used to go every year with my Grandma and her friend and granddaughter. We would buy the package where you could ride all of the rides and we would ride them all day! It was so much fun! My kids will never to know what they are missing by not going to LeSourdesville Lake/Americana.
Hey folks, there is an excellent article by some photographers who were permitted into the park last year and documented it in it’s current state. It’s courtesy of www.queencitydisco.com
I live in southern Ky now and at a friends party other day noticed he had one of those Tombstone Junction clear glass mugs with the red cowboy holding a rifle on it they used to serve “Sasparilla” root beer in at the LeSourdsville Lake saloon. Hadn’t seen one of those since I was last at the park in 1966 as a kid. Some things you never forget.
Seems like I grew up at Lesourdsville, too sad for words that it is gone!! I loved the Whip and the Scrambler! Never rode the Roller Coaster! My favorite memory will always be of the Flying Coaster, I have always been afraid of heights but my grandpa could talk me into anything! We would go up then over my screaming protests, he would cut those wings and we would hit the tree tops with our feet!
I live in Florida now, but, thank goodness I was able to make it there before it shut down in ‘02
What great memories I have of LeSourdsville! My family went often. Mom and I would ride the Merry Go Round - the only ride for her. Then she would go into Fascination and play that game for hours while Dad would take us around all the rides. I loved the whip and going back to Tombstone! It provided a great place for a family to have all day fun, with a picnic, and not spend lots of money.
I was deathly afraid of the roller coaster and only rode it one time and that was on kids day and Middletown policeman was with me. My very favorite one was the whip. I loved it when it whpped you around. Our family also had picnics there for the sandy beach and water.
I used to love to go there and Fantasy Farm as a child. My parents didnt have much money but they would save so we could go about every other year. It was always fun with great rides and good food. I wish it was still around to take my children to. They would have loved it.
I started working for LeSourdsville Lake when I was 14 yers old. My Dad would drop me off in th morning, and I would work till closing time. I would even go there on my days off for free since I was an employee,just riding the rides, or swimming in the pool. I took my own boys there when they were little. Now they are 16 & 18, but my 10 year old will never know that kind of fun. My faverite was the skyride, I was so afraid of falling out, but I kept riding it.
I loved the coaster, but my favorite thing was to ride the train to Tombstone Territory, visit the Red Dog saloon and watch the “gunfights” Those were great summer days. The food was great also.
has to be the wooden roller coaster. in the late sixties i begged my older sister to ride it with me, which she finally did to shut me up. before it stopped i told of everything i had ever done, told my sister how much i loved her, i knew i was dying. she loved it, and to this day, i will NOT get on a roller coaster, anywhere
The Indy 800 was a blast. It had really fast bumper cars on a kidney shaped track. But the twist was that the power was provided by thin strips of copper in-between the wooden boards that made for a much smoother and quieter ride. I wish they still had something like that today.
I think this is soooooooooo sad. This was our family’s favorite place and we could actually afford to go there. What a shame for the people who can’t afford the over priced Kings Island. The fun places are definitely for the people who don’t live paycheck to paycheck.
They even took Surf Cincinnati which was somewhat affordable now we have the over priced Beach and Coney Island.
I always liked the flying scooters and you could let it go slack and the whip the steering rudder and when it snapped the car you always wondered if the cable might break and let you car and all go soaring off onto the railroad tracks. Also enjoyed the Senior Prom night there to.
I always liked the flying scooters and you could let it go slack and the whip the steering rudder and when it snapped the car you always wondered if the cable might break and let you car and all go soaring off onto the railroad tracks. Also enjoyed the Senior Prom night there to.
The wooden roller coaster. In 1949 I had an endless pass to the rides and rode the wooden coaster continously one day from about noon until the ride closed that evening.
The wooden roller coaster. In 1949 I had an endless pass to the rides and rode the wooden coaster continously one day from about noon until the ride closed that evening.
The wooden roller coaster. It got the best of my older brother. He was about 22 or 23 at the time and challenged our dad that he could ride it, no problem. This was probably about 1967. They rode it twice. My dad then proceeded to take my sick brother home because the ride was too much for him. We waited at the park until my dad came back and we all enjoyed the rest of the day. I also loved Tombstone Territory. Those sasparilla’s were great.
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Comments
By Barry Kiefaber
July 19, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
I grew up in Dayton Ohio and went to Forest Park Amusement Park on North Main Street as a young kid. My parents wouldn’t let me ride the roller coaster, and then the park was torn down. When I was in 7th grade, my class went to LeSourdsville Lake (1959) and I rode the Cyclone (space rocket screechin’ eagle, ect and I knew I would go through life craving Roller Coasters. I rode plenty of them in my life, but none brought me more joy than the Coaster at LeSourdsville lake, no matter what the name!
By Tira
July 17, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
I remember the haunted house the doors at the end reminded me of Jaws . My dad used to say look Jaws is going to eat us. I was so scared. Funny today i came across this page cause i was thinking of my parents taking me there 32 years ago and that haunted house. I loved the roller coaster though.
By John
June 27, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
My grandad would take my brother and I to LeSourdsville when we visited Middletown. The haunted house scared me so bad when I was about 4 years old it made me cry out to my brohter “Jimmy, come back, come back, don’t leave me…” He thought it was great fun. There was a tilting room inside and a statue of a woman, the park piped the sounds outside to a loudspeaker system. My grandpa, Marty Coffey, was laughing when I came out. A time gone by.
By Carla
March 4, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
My best memory was going to Americana with church and throwing up my biscuits and gravy after riding the tilt a whirl!! Oh what fun!! Years later I went back there with my mom and kids on my oldest daughters fifth birthday (shes now 20) and we picnicked and fed the huge carp whole chicken bones from KFC. GRoss!! But I miss it too!!
By TFOL61
March 3, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
My favorite thing was the bumper cars. I still have a mug from Tombstone Territory! I don’t know how many times I visited the park (and Fantasy Farms) even after I was married. I know the small parks could not compete with parks like Kings Island but they sure made it possible to have a day of fun on a budget. LeSourdsville Lake encouraged picnic lunchs, unlike Kings Island. You paid admission and then could by tickets for a few rides or the arm band for all day. If you had toddlers, you could just pay for them to ride in the area for them. No price gouging like the larger parks.
By Paula
March 3, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
The year was 1972-being an 8th grader at Allen Elementry-Old North Dayton, we were treated to a day at LeSourdesville. It was wonderful - No parents to tell us what we could and couldn’t ride. The roller coaster, the sky ride, Tombstome Territroy-everyone had to have one of the saloon’s mugs and just walking around with your friends. It was geat. All the teen heart throb stars visited- David Cassidy. Its ashame those days are gone but the wonderful memories are still there.
By Tammy I.
March 3, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Oh how sad the old park will never be open again? I worked there as a teenager for 2 summers and as a kid we spent alot of time there! I mean like evryone has said it was fun, affordable and local to us, hell it was like 5 minutes dwn the rd. from Lemontownship so were always there in the summer! My brother worked there when he was a teenager too it was like the place we all worked and played! SO many memories there its unreal! I would have to say my all time favorite is the Screechin Eagle!
By Tammy I.
March 3, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Oh how sad the old park will never be open again? I worked there as a teenager for 2 summers and as a kid we spent alot of time there! I mean like evryone has said it was fun, affordable and local to us, hell it was like 5 minutes dwn the rd. from Lemontownship so were always there in the summer! My brother worked there when he was a teenager too it was like the place we all worked and played! SO many memories there its unreal! I would have to say my all time favorite is the Screechin Eagle!
By Larry
March 3, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
To the people that don’t like the owner of the land that once was LeSourdsville.If you wanted to save the park why didn’t you buy the park? Could it be money and the fact the park did not make money?
By Penny
March 3, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Nobody has mentioned the octopus ride, which was there in the 50’s and early 60’s. Great ride. Another favorite was the whip. The fun houses were cool too - one you walked through and the other you rode. Great memories were made at that park.
By Oldtimer
March 3, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
As a pre-teen in Hamilton during the 1930s, I remember that Hamilton and Middletown city buses used to make hourly trips to LeSourdesville. Not many people had or could afford cars in those days. We would prepare picnic lunches and take the bus in the morning and come home in the night. Rides only cost 5 cents, and you could rent a canoe and spend a hour or two on the lake for 50 cents. My favorite rides were the little motor boats and the scenic train ride and playing miniature golf.
By Greg
March 3, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
I went there quite a bit in the late 70’s to mid 80’s. Had a lot of good times there. My favorite ride was a tie between the The Screamin Eagle and the haunted house.
I actually got to go back there in 2002. My wife and I took our son (who was 3 at the time). We all had a really good time, especially on the water log ride. It is a shame the the park is gone.
By suzy
March 3, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
The Screamin’ Eagle, of course. One year, we went with a church group. I remember my dad telling us DO NOT RIDE THAT DA*M ROLLERCOASTER! Did we listen? Of course not! We sat in the back car. My little sister was so scrawney, she almost flew out of her seat! Oh those were the days!
By Tom
March 3, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
My family has friends that live in Celina, OH and they purchased the big metal slide out of the lake. It is in their pond and is used every summer. What a great slide.
By $140,000
March 3, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
I LOVED SPITTING IN THE LAKE AND WATCHING THE FISH EAT IT
By Brian
March 3, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
We grew up on a farm and the only time we could afford away was one day a summer to Lesourdesville. We’d pack coolers and a lunch and load up on the back of a truck with a camper top on the back. My favorite rides were the flying scooters, the boat ride, the giant slide (I cry when I think of racing my mother down the slide and how much fun it was). Really my best memories come from the once a year trip to lesourdesville.
The closing of this part sicken’s me so. Couch is a jerk.
By Mike
March 3, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
I don’t know if it was Lesourdsville Lake or Fantasy Farm, but I loved the “pillow house” - it was an old barn where you could actually jump out of the loft into foam or something… Probably quite dangerous, but so fun for my brother and I! I think it was back in area that they had named for Tom Sawyer…
By CINDI
March 3, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
MY HUSBAND AND I SPENT ALOT OF TIME THERE WHILE DATING. WE COULD SEE DIFFERENT FRIENDS THERE AND I HAD FRIENDS THAT WORKED THERE. IT WAS CLEAN, SAFE FUN AND ONE YEAR THE AFTERPROM WAS THERE. GOOD MEMORIES!
By tom
March 3, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
I have some very fond memories of that place. We went there every year for my dads work picnic. Do any of you remember some of the Globe Industries picnics? We spent alot of time in the arcade. Tombstone territory was a must.The rollercoaster was awsome. A childhood friend of mine always bragged how his grandpa helped dig the lake. The carp in the lake were huge. My fondest memory was holding Dads hand and playing games with him. He is gone now forever along with the park.I sure miss those days.
By JANET
March 3, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
FAVORITE RIDE—THE ELECTRIC RAINBOW,ALONG WITH ALOT OF OTHER,THE TRAIN RIDE TO TOMBSTONE TERRITORY,GETTING A COKE IN THE GLASS,ENJOYING THE SHOWS,GRABBING A BITE TO EAT. IT WAS GOOD AND INEXPENSIVE FUN. I HAD A PARTY FOR MY DAUGHTER THERE WHEN YOU GET A CARLOAD IN FOR ONE PRICE. LAST TIME I WENT MY YOUNGEST WAS ABT. 5 AND MY GRANDSON 1YR. OLD. THOSE WERE SOME GREAT TIMES..FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD,I CAN NEVER FORGET AMERICANA!!!
By CAT
March 3, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
I liked the wooden roller coaster, the whip, the kangaroo, tombstone territory (when they had the cowboys and indians and pioneers) and the huge cotton candy cones. I liked the antique car track and the racing car track , the serpent, and the not waiting all day to ride a ride. The log flume in tombstone territory was probably my favorite. my dad liked the car shows and swimming and mom liked the dancing in the dark and the band music.
By CAT
March 3, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I liked the wooden roller coaster, the whip, the kangaroo, tombstone territory (when they had the cowboys and indians and pioneers) and the huge cotton candy cones. I liked the antique car track and the racing car track , the serpent, and the not waiting all day to ride a ride. The log flume in tombstone territory was probably my favorite. my dad liked the car shows and swimming and mom liked the dancing in the dark and the band music.
By cletus
March 3, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Crystal I am in love with you. We need to feed the carp togather someday. Marry me please….
By billis
March 3, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Alright, does anyone remember the cow that was in front of either Fantasy Farm or Americana. There was a hole in the bottom and when I was little I used to climb up inside of the cow and sit in it with my brother. It was really hot and hard to breathe in there, but I still liked it. I also liked the dumbo rides at Fantasy Farm. They had a joystick that you could go up or down. It was the best.
By poo poo bear
March 3, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
What you talkin bout? The campground at Kings Island sucked balls. It was a parasite for the park and all the nasties hung out there and smoked dope and got smashed. The security gaurds are underpaid little pubic folicles and didn’t do their jobs. Dumb Barney Fifes. Word to your mom all you all. Peace out home dog.
By Crystal
March 3, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
I also remember going to Fantasy Farm with my elementary school and sneaking through the hole in the fence (there was always one-you just had to find it) to go to LeSourdsville Lake-until we got caught and were returned! :-) I not only have an original Lesourdsville lake tombstone mug- I also have a lesourdsville lake salt and pepper shaker set on a little wooden stand, found it when my Grandmother passed- it’s in perfect condition! I keep saying I’m going to put on eBay! :-)
By Crystal
March 3, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
The screeching eagle of course!!! I love wooden roller coasters. I went in 2002 when it was open for one year, it was almost just like I remembered it. I loved the train ride over to tombstone territory when they would have the indians and cowboys “fight” and try to board the train! the absolute best. And feeding the carp, those were the biggest fish I’ve ever seen. Riding the sky ride……all so many memories! I went every year with both RTA and Good Sam days with my aunt and uncle.
By Sharon
March 3, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
When I was little, it was the umbrella chairs (my mom’s favorite, so it became one of my favorites by default), the tilt-a-whirl, and the train…I wasn’t hard to please, it was a few trips before I ever had the courage to try the roller coaster!
By Gluss
March 3, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
I used to love that race car track they had there. It was a little cross country course. The cars were really fast.I would get off and get right back in line. We also loved to spit in the water and watch the carp gobble it up.
By Keith
March 3, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
I think it is sad that it is gone. I wish there was a place like that to take my children too. Kings Island is much too crowded and every thing is so expensive. They even removed the campground.
By Ron H.
March 3, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Well as a kid I enjoyed the park every year our Family would meet there for Ford Motor Co. Picnic.The Indy 500 was the best ride of all.One summer me and my cousin got thrown out of the park by security for riding the speedway cars,as my cousin showed me how to reach behind you and open the cover to the motor and make them go faster wow what a ride.then we went into the game room next door and security came got us and ejected us from the park.But we had a blast that day and so many other times.
By Keith
March 3, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
How can you only name one ride as a favorite. There were so many that I enjoyed. My family spend many afternoons there each year. My Grandfathers employer held their annual company picnic there also. I remember enjoying the Screeeeechin Eagle, The Flying Scooters, and the Electric Raibow. Also, I love to get my older sister in the caged ferris wheel and locked into an upside down position. I’d promise not to do, but you know little brothers. I did it everytime.
By Maynard Woods
March 3, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
We would go there on DR Pepper day and pepsi day and ride and liked to listen to the music and watch people dance.this was in the late 40s and my sister worked in the dinning room,iwould go with daddy to pick her up and i would hang out and watch people scream on the roller coaster ay that time it was owned by Steithaus in Middletown,that was the first place around that sold creamy whip icecrean and if you wanted it you had to stand in line for what seemed like an hour. had a lot of memories.
By Aldrene
March 3, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
I remember the Bendix family picnics there every year in the 50’s. In 1953 the only two rides I could go on were the Ferris Wheel and the Merry-go-round because I had a broken shoulder and was in a body cast. So boring for a 5th grader. You could rent cabins at the park and that was a fun experience. Also enjoyed the teen dances there when I was in high school.
By Tammie
March 3, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I used to go every year with my Grandma and her friend and granddaughter. We would buy the package where you could ride all of the rides and we would ride them all day! It was so much fun! My kids will never to know what they are missing by not going to LeSourdesville Lake/Americana.
By Gordon Bombay
March 3, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Hey folks, there is an excellent article by some photographers who were permitted into the park last year and documented it in it’s current state. It’s courtesy of www.queencitydisco.com
Link to the article: http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2007/10/lesourdsville-lakeamericana-revisited_29.html
By Bob
March 3, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
I live in southern Ky now and at a friends party other day noticed he had one of those Tombstone Junction clear glass mugs with the red cowboy holding a rifle on it they used to serve “Sasparilla” root beer in at the LeSourdsville Lake saloon. Hadn’t seen one of those since I was last at the park in 1966 as a kid. Some things you never forget.
By Bonnie
March 3, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Seems like I grew up at Lesourdsville, too sad for words that it is gone!! I loved the Whip and the Scrambler! Never rode the Roller Coaster! My favorite memory will always be of the Flying Coaster, I have always been afraid of heights but my grandpa could talk me into anything! We would go up then over my screaming protests, he would cut those wings and we would hit the tree tops with our feet! I live in Florida now, but, thank goodness I was able to make it there before it shut down in ‘02
By jo
March 3, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
my parents (who are now great grand parents) meet there. what a memory for them so sad the place is gone.
By Debi
March 3, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
What great memories I have of LeSourdsville! My family went often. Mom and I would ride the Merry Go Round - the only ride for her. Then she would go into Fascination and play that game for hours while Dad would take us around all the rides. I loved the whip and going back to Tombstone! It provided a great place for a family to have all day fun, with a picnic, and not spend lots of money.
By Pauline Johnston
March 3, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
I was deathly afraid of the roller coaster and only rode it one time and that was on kids day and Middletown policeman was with me. My very favorite one was the whip. I loved it when it whpped you around. Our family also had picnics there for the sandy beach and water.
By mom
March 3, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
I used to love to go there and Fantasy Farm as a child. My parents didnt have much money but they would save so we could go about every other year. It was always fun with great rides and good food. I wish it was still around to take my children to. They would have loved it.
By Katherine Wilder
March 3, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I started working for LeSourdsville Lake when I was 14 yers old. My Dad would drop me off in th morning, and I would work till closing time. I would even go there on my days off for free since I was an employee,just riding the rides, or swimming in the pool. I took my own boys there when they were little. Now they are 16 & 18, but my 10 year old will never know that kind of fun. My faverite was the skyride, I was so afraid of falling out, but I kept riding it.
By pete logan
March 3, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
I loved the coaster, but my favorite thing was to ride the train to Tombstone Territory, visit the Red Dog saloon and watch the “gunfights” Those were great summer days. The food was great also.
By Mike
March 3, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
The Flying Scooters, until they put the limiters on the wing and took the “danger”out of them.
By Beth
March 3, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
has to be the wooden roller coaster. in the late sixties i begged my older sister to ride it with me, which she finally did to shut me up. before it stopped i told of everything i had ever done, told my sister how much i loved her, i knew i was dying. she loved it, and to this day, i will NOT get on a roller coaster, anywhere
By brian
March 3, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
The Indy 800 was a blast. It had really fast bumper cars on a kidney shaped track. But the twist was that the power was provided by thin strips of copper in-between the wooden boards that made for a much smoother and quieter ride. I wish they still had something like that today.
By aharddaysnight
March 3, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Americana was great, cheap, family entertainment. Spent many summer days down there with my family.
By Jo
March 3, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
I think this is soooooooooo sad. This was our family’s favorite place and we could actually afford to go there. What a shame for the people who can’t afford the over priced Kings Island. The fun places are definitely for the people who don’t live paycheck to paycheck.
They even took Surf Cincinnati which was somewhat affordable now we have the over priced Beach and Coney Island.
What a shame
By Ben
March 3, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
I always liked the flying scooters and you could let it go slack and the whip the steering rudder and when it snapped the car you always wondered if the cable might break and let you car and all go soaring off onto the railroad tracks. Also enjoyed the Senior Prom night there to.
By Ben
March 3, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
I always liked the flying scooters and you could let it go slack and the whip the steering rudder and when it snapped the car you always wondered if the cable might break and let you car and all go soaring off onto the railroad tracks. Also enjoyed the Senior Prom night there to.
By Chuck
March 3, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
The wooden roller coaster. In 1949 I had an endless pass to the rides and rode the wooden coaster continously one day from about noon until the ride closed that evening.
By Chuck
March 3, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
The wooden roller coaster. In 1949 I had an endless pass to the rides and rode the wooden coaster continously one day from about noon until the ride closed that evening.
By Roberta
March 3, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
The wooden roller coaster. It got the best of my older brother. He was about 22 or 23 at the time and challenged our dad that he could ride it, no problem. This was probably about 1967. They rode it twice. My dad then proceeded to take my sick brother home because the ride was too much for him. We waited at the park until my dad came back and we all enjoyed the rest of the day. I also loved Tombstone Territory. Those sasparilla’s were great.