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Winter 2007 Issue III
Riding the Puritas Springs Cyclone — Fun or Folly? by Gary Swilik
THE CYCLONE roller coaster at Puritas Springs was built in 1928 and operated until a few years before the park closed forever in 1958. The ride took advantage of the steep hill at the edge of Cleveland Metropolitan Park, plunging down into the valley among the trees on a winding, twisting course variously described as frighteningly fun or just plain terrifying!
In 1942 a man was thrown from the coaster and nearly killed. In the course of one month during 1946 three women were injured, their spines reportedly fractured from the tremendous force of the first drop. At one time the Cleveland Police Department ordered the ride closed until the park promised to slow it down.
The author’s grandfather rode the Cyclone when he was in his 70s to prove it was “no big deal.” He exited the ride with bruised elbows and knees, swearing they ought to close the thing. Most riders, however, enjoyed the exhilarating experience.
Jim Raba grew up in West Park and first rode the Cyclone with his mother when he was five years old. “There were no height or weight requirements in those days,” he remembers. “You just had to have an adult with you. I loved it. It was not scary at all,” Jim assures us. “To me it was a fun, fast coaster. Compared to the Cyclone, the coasters at Euclid Beach were slow motion.”
Jim, a member of American Coaster Enthusiasts, went on to ride the Cyclone over fifty times in his life, as well as 500 coasters in the U.S. and several other countries.
If the Cyclone were in operation today he would still consider it a “world-class coaster.” (Visit the American Coaster Enthusiasts online at: www.aceonline.org).
Henry C. Kieffer, now of Lore City, Ohio, is another Cyclone veteran. “What I remember is not only the rugged terrain dipping into woods,” relates Henry,
“but the brief view looking out over the valley was spectacular. Most roller coaster rides have smaller hills as the ride progresses, but I recall the Cyclone ended with a dip almost as deep as the start because it plunged into the ravine at the end of the ride.”
So was the Cyclone really more dangerous than today’s coasters? Or would height and weight requirements, along with modern safety restraints, have eliminated any problems? We’ll never know, since apartment buildings replaced Puritas Springs Park years ago. Cyclone Drive, off Grayton Road,
is named in honor of the legendary coaster but is one-quarter mile southeast of the actual site.
There are rumors that parts of the Cyclone’s track lie hidden in the wooded ravine to this day. Be assured, segments of track do indeed survive. In fact, you can see remnants of the track from down in the valley during the winter, but the weathered wood is hard to distinguish from among the trees and deteriorates further with each passing year.
Remnants of Cyclone track on hillside above Puritas Avenue, 1979
Officers Peggy Cecora, President Ross E. Bassett, Vice President Elaine Staley, Secretary Deborah Schenk, Treasurer
Trustees Ralph A. Pfingsten James R. Foos, Jr. Steven D. Lorenz Thomas M. McGlynn Gary Swilik Ellie Mapson Gertie Cebulis John S. Papay Dar McGeady Christine M. Rafalke Mary E. Forrest
Newsletter Committee Dar McGeady, Editor
Graphic Designer
Gary Swilik, Historian
©20
07 W
PHS
Variety Theatre Restoration Set to Begin
Gretchen Moore, of Westown Community Development Corporation, tells us a contractor has been selected to restore the marquee on the Variety Theatre. Work could be completed by next summer.
She is looking for photos or memories of the original lighting of the marquee — did the letters flash all at once or sequentially? …in certain patterns?
If you have information to share, please contact Gretchen at (216) 941-9262, or e-mail: [email protected].
Won’t it be wonderful to see the restored Variety marquee lighting up Lorain Avenue once again?
Greetings from Our President — While the West Park Historical Society began 2006 with only trustees as members, we saw the year close with
83 individual and family memberships. One of our goals for this year is to obtain 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Once this is obtained, contributions to WPHS will become tax-deductible and we will be eligible to seek grants to help support our organization and produce excellent programs.
Last October several members, neighbors and their children enjoyed a brisk fall day touring the historic Alger Cemetery. Our 2007 Images of West Park calendar was a great success, appreciated by members and also by the West Park community and former residents. Our trustees’ vast knowledge of West Park’s history amazes me. Many of them have fascinating collections that we will be incorporating into future programs. We look forward to offering seasonal events and hope you will become
active in our plans by letting us know what you are interested in learning about West Park history. Please call me at 216-941-9730 or e-mail [email protected] with your suggestions on programming.
We look forward to this year proving as prosperous for us as last year and that you will be able to join us as we produce events and gather resources with a glimpse into the history of West Park.
President
Ruth M. Denson Edward J. & Susan McCabe Frederick & Dolores Ialacci Lawrence A. Strauss
Howard “Bugs” & Jean Williams
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members
If you have family members, friends, or coworkers who might like to join WPHS, let us know and we’ll forward membership forms to them right away.
Membership forms and information contact:
Christine M. Rafalke, Membership Chairperson 15616 Remora Blvd. • Brook Park, OH 44142-2317
Phone: (216) 267-5597 E-mail: [email protected]
We’ve awarded our initial FIRST FAMILIES OF WEST PARK certificate to Daniel R. Weber of Rancho Cordova, CA. Dan’s family arrived in Rockport Township in 1901 and settled in a farmhouse still standing on Triskett Road near the intersection of West 140th Street.
“I’ve been away from West Park for many years,” says Dan, “but still have emotional ties with the neighborhood. My mother was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy. She met my dad while working in a dentist’s office in the old Cleveland Trust building at the corner of Lorain and Rocky River Drive. We lived on Allien Avenue which now butts up against Kamm’s Plaza.”
Among the materials Dan submitted is a photograph of a Rockport Village Public Schools diploma issued to his father, Ralph M. Weber, in 1909. His father is also listed as a veteran of World War I on the West Park war memorial in front of the VFW hall on West 150th.
“Anyone interested in the First Families program should dig into their files and come up with the documentation,” recommends Dan. “You and your descendents will appreciate it. My framed certificate will soon be over my desk.”
The FIRST FAMILIES certificate, custom printed on parchment paper with images of Kamm’s Store, old John Marshall High School, and the John West house, is granted to members who document their descent from an ancestor who resided in West Park prior to January 1, 1923. Applications are free but require a ten-dollar fee upon submission. Request applications from WPHS President Peggy Cecora (216) 941-9730. E-mail: [email protected].
“First Families” Honor Goes to Dan Weber
Dan proudly displays his certificateThe Weber home at 14209 Triskett Road, early 1900s
May 28, 1910 Mr. Schipke, of Stop 10 on the Puritas Springs line, told us that after the comet passed through West Park an abundance of beer and whiskey rained down. He thinks also that the weather changed after the tail of the (Halley’s) comet passed through the earth.
June 11, 1910 A very exciting, as well as interesting game between the Rockport baseball team and the Puritas Campers was played last Sunday morning at Puritas Springs Park. The Puritas team, composed of some of the best amateur players in the state, defeated the Rockports by a score of 6 to 3.
June 18, 1910 Mrs. Seager, who lives at the end of the Puritas Springs line, is very good to her mother, Mrs. Marg. Fisher of Kamms Corners. She sends her each day butter which she makes herself.
June 18, 1910 The West Park Improvement Association held a meeting Tuesday evening in the town hall. Only six members were present and three guests. Among the members, Mr. Diederich, Wm. Dahm, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Sixt, and the president, mostly people who live in the neighborhood of the town hall. There was nothing done worth mentioning.
June 25, 1910 With about twelve stables in training at the Rockport half-mile track that plant presents a very busy appearance these days. Harvey Ernest, the Syracuse, NY reinsman, who is acting as manager of the Rockport track, has six head he is getting ready for the races including the two fast pacers, Oakland Sun and Locust Boy.
News in West Park from the pages of The Ohio Correspondent
West Park Gleanings — 1910
Historic Figures Collide In West Park Considered by many to be Cleveland’s greatest mayor, Tom L. Johnson definitely visited the village of West Park. The incident was covered in the Elyria Reporter on November 5th, 1903:
TOM L. RUNS OVER A BOY During his trip into Lorain County on Friday, Mayor Johnson in his “red devil” met with the first accident he has had during his campaign. While passing through West Park, near Cleveland, a little fellow about five years old ran into the middle of the road in front of the automobiles. The head machine, which contained the mayor, struck the boy inflicting a slight wound on his face. The second one nearly ran over the boy. Both machines were stopped, the boy picked up and taken to the home of his father, Charles West, postmaster of West Park. Where he was cared for and he was assured that he was but slightly hurt.
The “Red Devil,” built by Cleveland-based Winton Automobile Co., was Mayor Johnson’s trademark vehicle. Charles West, the postmaster, is son of John M. West, whose park-like front yard at Lorain and West 137th Street gave West Park its name.
The little fellow who escaped serious harm is almost certainly Charles Peyton West, Jr. who was five years old in 1903. The home he was taken to after the accident is, of course, the landmark West House which still stands at 3684 West 138th Street.
— Gary Swilik
Dar McGeady, Editor 14118 Viola Avenue Cleveland, OH 44111-4926
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
FIRST CLASS
