Middletown, Ohio: LeSourdville Lake, Americana, Fantasy Farm (Closed)

A vintage amusement park, LeSourdsville Lake (about 30 miles north of Cincinnati), has been re-opened and refurbished. Opened in 1922, the park has some new rides and some of the old favorites. Known as Americana from the mid-'70s until now, the park really plays up the nostalgia factor. They know that can't out-dazzle nearby Kings Island, so they offer a different, more intimate experience. Most parks like this are long gone.

Its star attraction I suppose is the Screechin' Eagle coaster. Previously called something else, this classic wooden coaster was originally built at another location (Ohio Park?) and was moved to LeSourdsville Lake in the 1930s.

And there are enough fiberglass animals to please the Roadside America team, I know how you guys love those. The animals snarl at you as you pass by overhead on the Sky Ride. One poor animal, missing a horn, appears to be losing quite a bit of blood. Another great Sky Ride tradition is to spit in the lake as you pass overhead and watch the giant carp go for it.

Oddly enough, there's another amusement park right next door, the long-shuttered Fantasy Farm. The FF Motel is still there, and some of the buildings and RR tracks. Various businesses now use the buildings.

LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park was built originally in the 1920s. It had cabins around the lake shore, a dancehall, and all kinds of rides. I was introduced to it in the 1950s as a young boy. My sister and I were taken there by our grandfather, who was a Shriner, for "Shrine Day". We went every year until high school and throroughly enjoyed it. When Kings Island Amusement Park opened up, it killed LeSourdsville. However, LeSourdsville recently re-opened and is supposedly back to its original self.