This place brings back so many good memories as a kid and even as an adult with company picnics being held here. After the park’s long history – opening in 1922, it ended it’s run after reopening one last time for a season in 2002. On May 17th, 2006, it was announced that most of the rides would be sold and the park would not reopen as a traditional amusement park in the future. As of today, all the rides are now gone and all that remains are some of the buildings. Sadly, graffiti covers most of the buildings and vandals have put their stamp on the park. After 16 years of neglect, the city of Monroe has purchased the property and have a 10 mil plan to redevelop the area and convert it to “Bicentennial Park.” The new park will include a bike trail, a new play ground, interactive fountain, picnic shelters, canoe/kayak launch, and a lookout plaza overlooking the Great Miami River, reconstructing a portion of the former LeSourdsville Lake with a 7.5-acre pond with bridges to an island as a gathering point. There will also be rental canoes and paddle boats, an amphitheater, and a large lawn for events. The goal is to utilize as many of the former amusement park buildings and other items as possible, including using some of the old ride cars as planters and benches.
Abandoned LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park – Monroe, OH
Inside main gate entrance
Main Food Court Building – Carousel Cafe and Bakery
Inside the Carousel Cafe and Bakery
Interior of the candy shop located at the main entrance
Site of the carousel – To the right of the carousel was the Electric Rainbow. The Electric Rainbow was sold to Stricker’s Grove in Ross where it still operates today
Behind the carousel was the site of the Indy 500 and later a picnic shelter. To the right was Kid’s World play area
Views of the Midway
Storage building
Games building on the Midway | The Ball Throw Horse Race Game
Ameritech Corporation, now today AT&T
Sky Ride
Sky Ride taken from the lake
Pizza and Fried Dough building
Screechin Eagle station – Built by John Miller for a park in Zanesville, Ohio. The coaster, then called the Cyclone, moved to LeSourdsville in 1940. The coaster was later called the Space Rocket, then the Screechin’ Eagle and was well-regarded by coaster fans. Because of all the changes in the laws, when you move a coaster, it has to be built to (new) specifications. It would have been cheaper just to take it down and build a new one. So the landmark of the park was torn down in 2011
Skippers Wharf – Paddle Boats. The lake was to the left
The Midway – The Screechin Eagle ran along in the open area on the left
The Lakeside Arcade
Country Bear Jubilee then later, the LeSourdsville Theater – In 1993, the animated Bear Country Jubilee show was sold to the Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, OH. Benches from an old theater may be reused in a future amphitheater.
Wrap It Up Cafe and “Bier Garden” building
The Iron Horse/Liberty Train station – Lake was on the right
View of the Food Court Building from the lake
The iconic Midway lamps
Site of the main dining floor in the restaurant. The building still standing was the green room for celebrities performing at the park
Kiddie water play area next to the swimming pool
Froggie slide in the kiddie water play area next to the swimming pool
The main Olympic size swimming pool
The swimming pool rest area
Restroom building near the main entrance
Picnic shelter #5. To be preserved and used in the new Bicentennial Park
Walking path going to Tombstone Territory/Logger’s Run. Lake was on the left
Raging Thunder Log Flume Station in Tombstone Territory/Logger’s Run
The only visible Iron Horse/Liberty Train rail road tracks I could find
Dry Gulch Saloon in Tombstone Territory/Logger’s Run
Last remaining building in Tombstone Territory/Logger’s Run
Americana| LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park
Abandoned American Amusement Parks – Americana Amusement Park | Lesourdsville Lake Amusement Park – Monroe, OH
