AN URGENT APPEAL FROM THE EUCLID BEACH PARK NUTS !

Early Postcard of Euclid Beach Carrousel

"Mom, Dad, can I PLEEEASE ride it again?"

Don't you remember saying this, watching that wonderful Euclid Beach Park "Carrousel" turning merrily to the Band Organ's "Happiest Music On Earth"? Remember buying enough tickets to ride, then going thru the turnstile to race to your favorite steed of the 54 horses and 2 chariots on the ride? If you can also remember hearing an adult remarking "why do they spell it with two R's"? you were most likly standing at the hub of Euclid Beach Park waiting your turn to ride the "Carrousel".

The carousel faithfully performed at Euclid Beach for 59 seasons, but its story didn't end when the Euclid Beach Park closed at the end of the 1969 season. Under new ownership, the carousel was relocated to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and continued in service until the end of last year. It has since been disassembled and is currently in storage, as it is being offered for sale, thru an auction to be held here in Cleveland, Ohio.

Thanks to the cooperation of Trolleyville USA, Norton Auctioneers, and the Euclid Beach Park Nuts Club, we are extremely pleased to announce that the auction will be held in North Olmsted, Ohio, at Trolleyville USA, on July 19, 1997. All 54 original hand-carved horses, as well as the two chariots will be on display at that time.

This means we have a chance to bring our "Carrousel" home again!

Our organization, the Euclid Beach Park Nuts, is a fan and memorabilia club devoted to preserving the history, artifacts, memorabilia, and fond memories of one of America's greatest amusement parks. Over the past eight years we have grown to over 500 members in over 15 states. Our all-volunteer staff meets monthly, and publishes a quarterly newsletter containing many newly-researched facts about our favorite park. We sponsor an annual memorabilia show and our members regularly exhibit their combined collections of authentic park memorabilia for the public's enjoyment and the support of many worthy causes.

Being preservationist by nature, our organization would prefer to see the carousel remain intact and fully operational if at all possible, as this machine (serial # 19) is one of only 27 surviving examples of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company's (PTC) remarkable craftmanship. Realizing that this ambitious goal is far beyond our own resources, but also knowing that over 70 other communities nationwide have succeeded in retaining or reclaiming their local machines, we have contacted the National Carousel Association (NCA) for their advice, as they have been very instrumental in assisting many of these efforts.

As Mr. Brian Morgan, NCA presidint, advises, "A number of communities across the country have purchased back carousels. All it needs is a strong individual to start the ball rolling. All that is needed is some community spirit".

We definitely possess these two most crucial elements necessary for success, but unfortunately our community has only a few short months to accomplish what normally takes years to achieve. The task may be very karge, amd time very short, but as history shows, the Greater Cleveland community is more than capable of rising to such a challenge.

Our organization is blessed with not just one, but a number of strong individuals who have taken the initiative to start the ball rolling. Via this letter, we are asking State and Local governmental bodies, the business community, civic and historical organizatioins, our entire membership, and any other civic-minded individuals to work together so that our own, as well as future generations can contiue to enjoy this wonderful part of Cleveland's history.

We have no doubt about the amount of community spirit which exists in Greater Cleveland; just look at this area's rebirth in the last few years(or just ask the National Football League for their opinion). Euclid Beach Park would not have existed for 74 years without community support, and our own organization's continued existence is yet another testimonial to this same spirit.

Our research has found that assistance is necessary in the following areas:

Legal

Fund Rasing

Moving and Storage

Real Estate

Mechanical

Ongoing Operation and Maintenance

Insurance

As stated before, the Euclid Beach Park Nuts cannot accomplish this project on our own. We see our role as the initiator of and initial coordinator for a combined community effort, which will then proceed forward on its own with our ongoing support. We are willing to share our expertise and cooperation with any and all organizations and individuals who are willing to step forward and work together to assist our community in this worthy endeavor. We ask that interested parties contact us as soon as possible at:

                                        Euclid Beach Park Now
                                                PO Box 19535
                                      Cleveland, OH 44119-0535 Phone (216) 946-6539 (evenings)

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