Longweekends Magazine
Spring/Summer 2011
A Day at the Beach: Olcott
Enjoy a ride on a restored Herschell-Spillman carousel as you reminisce about a bygone era at OlcottBeachCarouselPark. Located on the shores of LakeOntario in the village of Olcott Beach, this unique attraction offers today’s visitors a glimpse into Olcott’s Golden Era.
Back in the early 1900’s, OlcottBeach was the place to be. The town had numerous hotels with grand ballrooms attracting the top musical acts of the day. The largest of these hotels was the 100-room Olcott Beach Hotel, located right on the water’s edge. The area also had two amusement parks and a miniature stem railroad.
Unfortunately, during the Great Depression, people stopped flocking to the area; the hotels and other attractions fell into disrepair and were demolished. OlcottBeach saw a brief revival in the 1940’s with two amusement parks opening for a short period. However, its current revival didn’t begin until 1999, when a group of area citizens restored the 1940’s-era carousel building from the OlcottAmusement Park.
The group was able to acquire and restore the vintage carousel, manufactured in 1928 in nearby North Tonawanda. Volunteers have also restored five other rides, including a 1940’s vintage kiddy car ride from Olcott’s NewRialtoAmusement Park. Rides are 25¢.
Other park attractions include a replica of the studio of early 1900’s photographer John Boeckmann, which houses a vintage arcade. There are four skee ball machines in the park, as well as an adjacent concession stand, antique store/OlcottBeach museum.
Contact info.
Olcott Beach Carousel Park, 5979 Main Street, Olcott Beach, NY 716-778-7066, www.olcottbeachcarouselpark.org
Spring/Summer 2011
A Day at the Beach: Olcott
Enjoy a ride on a restored Herschell-Spillman carousel as you reminisce about a bygone era at OlcottBeachCarouselPark. Located on the shores of LakeOntario in the village of Olcott Beach, this unique attraction offers today’s visitors a glimpse into Olcott’s Golden Era.
Back in the early 1900’s, OlcottBeach was the place to be. The town had numerous hotels with grand ballrooms attracting the top musical acts of the day. The largest of these hotels was the 100-room Olcott Beach Hotel, located right on the water’s edge. The area also had two amusement parks and a miniature stem railroad.
Unfortunately, during the Great Depression, people stopped flocking to the area; the hotels and other attractions fell into disrepair and were demolished. OlcottBeach saw a brief revival in the 1940’s with two amusement parks opening for a short period. However, its current revival didn’t begin until 1999, when a group of area citizens restored the 1940’s-era carousel building from the OlcottAmusement Park.
The group was able to acquire and restore the vintage carousel, manufactured in 1928 in nearby North Tonawanda. Volunteers have also restored five other rides, including a 1940’s vintage kiddy car ride from Olcott’s NewRialtoAmusement Park. Rides are 25¢.
Other park attractions include a replica of the studio of early 1900’s photographer John Boeckmann, which houses a vintage arcade. There are four skee ball machines in the park, as well as an adjacent concession stand, antique store/OlcottBeach museum.
Contact info.
Olcott Beach Carousel Park, 5979 Main Street, Olcott Beach, NY 716-778-7066, www.olcottbeachcarouselpark.org
