Visitors Are ‘Not Supposed to Find’ This Abandoned Ohio Theme Park, But They Do

Human nature has always seemed to dictate that if we are told we cannot do something, we'll feverishly contemplate a way to do it, regardless. And there's nothing as attractive, in this respect, as an abandoned property. Sometimes, though, the urge is too great and one has to investigate. Of course, before you proceed, you should make sure you are not trespassing on private property. That could turn a fun adventure very sour very fast.

Abandoned Properties

Whoever it is that maintains YouTube's "The Yester Zone" page has yet to have a sour experience. His investigations into our fascinating past include close examinations of abandoned places like, for example, an entire town in New York's Catskill Mountains.

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I like his approach, framing his investigations like a documentarian looking to create a mysterious and disturbing vibe. I think he has accomplished his mission with this close look at Chippewa Lake Park, once a thriving theme park in northeast Ohio that's now an eerie shadow of its former self. Its title indicates we're "not supposed to find" this place, but this guy did.

Chippewa Lake Park

It was just a beach and picnic ground when it opened in 1878 near Cleveland, but attractions like you saw in the video (roller coaster, Ferris wheel, etc) were gradually added. More coasters, a Tumblebug ride, and a ballroom came later. Sadly, as the popularity of larger theme parks like nearby Cedar Point began eclipsing the smaller ones like Chippewa Lake Park, the time came to shut it down. That happened a century after its debut, in 1978.

There are still old-school attractions like the ones we saw decades ago that are still thriving and entertaining new audiences. Unfortunately, Chippewa Lake Park is no longer one of them.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Townsquare Media discourages the investigation of abandoned properties without the express permission of the owner.