1950's-1970's Stratford Manor & Eastwood Village (pitbull, to move) - Cincinnati - Ohio (OH) - Page 42 - City-Data Forum

NightBazaar · 03-03-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soozycue520

Fantasy Farm was located right next door to LeSourdsville Lake. It was geared toward younger children, with smaller rides & animals. After you went to LeSourdsville Lake, Fantasy Farm was no fun anymore.

Soozycue, thank you for clarifying where Fantasy Farm is/was located. I've been to LeSourdsville Lake numerous times. I didn't know (or just don't remember) there was a kiddy park next door.

RHONDA W1954 · 03-03-2009, 04:55 PM

I just remembered Rinks was China Town (store) at one point. I don't know which of the stores had the ferris wheel but it was the same building and site for both.

NightBazaar · 03-03-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHONDA W1954

I just remembered Rinks was China Town (store) at one point. I don't know which of the stores had the ferris wheel but it was the same building and site for both.

Okay, then that's a different place than I was thinking about. Sounds pretty small. The places I mentioned were more the size of an amusement carnival that are often at county or state fairs. I don't remember there were any stores by the one near Coney Island. It was open all summer and was located on a bare lot. The rides weren't exactly whoppers, but it was still fun going there. And they had the usual concession stands and midway games.

northwoodsman · 03-03-2009, 06:10 PM

is fantasy farm still around and LeSourdsville Lake?

NightBazaar · 03-03-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwoodsman

is fantasy farm still around and LeSourdsville Lake?

From what I can find on the Internet, it looks like Jerry Couch bought it in May, 1999, and still owns it as of early 2009. But the park has had a pretty rocky financial road opening and closing. I'm not sure if it's been reopened, but I sort of gather that it's probably been closed since 2002.

Americana/Lesourdesville Lake Amusement Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.rcdb.com/pd82.htm (broken link)

RHONDA W1954 · 03-04-2009, 01:37 AM

My mom and I were up past Fantasy Farms and LeSourdsville about a month ago. Both sites still standing though deserted. You can still see the roller coaster from the road. It was either called the Screeching Eagle or Flying eagle and it was one of the old wooden roller coasters.

The place near Coney is probably the same one I was thinking about. The rides were in a big lot but they were next to a store. I am trying to remember the progression of the names, I think it was China Town then Rinks then Van Leunens all of which are gone.

northwoodsman · 03-04-2009, 07:04 AM

i remember americana.. i don't know if i've been there or not

NightBazaar · 03-04-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwoodsman

i remember americana.. i don't know if i've been there or not

It's the same place. LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park went through some name changes. In 1977 the name was changed to Americana Amusement Park; the Great American Amusement Park. The name changes were probably an effort to compete with parks like Cedar Point and Kings Island. Unfortunately, it didn't help. In 2006, it was announced that most of the rides at the park would be sold and it would not reopen again as a traditional amusement park.

northwoodsman · 03-04-2009, 02:29 PM

that's sad. wonder what will come of it

NightBazaar · 03-04-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwoodsman

that's sad. wonder what will come of it

I agree. It is sad. It's hard to guess what will eventually happen to the land. Evidently there was an attempt to turn it into Couch's RV Super Center combined with the amusement park. In 2004, former Peony Park (whatever that is) owner Carl Jennings, was interested in buying the property from Jerry Couch, but the deal fell through because Couch wouldn't agree to it.

I suspect someone will eventually buy it. Maybe it'll be turned into condos with a lakeside view or something.