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Wednesday, March 5, 2025


Bradley J. Zimmer

(1945-2022)

Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Inductee 1986

Category:  Roller Skating

An avid and accomplished roller skater, Brad was a national skating champion.


Bradley J. Zimmer

Circa 1958



Skate Magazine Photo
Circa 1959



Bradley J. Zimmer
1964


Bradley was not only one of the top local roller skaters in the 1950s and 1960s, but also one of the top competitors in the nation.  Zimmer's father, the late Oscar Zimmer, owned the roller rink at Celoron Park and taught him to skate at the age of one.  Zimmer was  one of the youngest skaters and eventually became one of the youngest in each age group as he entered competition.  

His list of titles was impressive when he was became the Junior Men's Singles National Champion in 1959 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He was only 14 at the time. In 1958, he and Darlene Edwards won the Eastern Regionals Junior Pairs Championship in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 1959, he also won the Junior Freestyle National Championship in Boston, Massachusetts. The previous year he had begun training with Edward "Fuzzy" Bossart who was coaching in Pittsburgh.  Zimmer would go to Pittsburgh once a week and was pleased later when Bossart moved to Erie, Pennsylvania.  He was responsible for training numerous national skating champions. 

In  1960, when Zimmer was 15 and a ninth-grader at Southwestern Central School, he teamed with Darlene Edwards of Erie to win the Junior National Pairs Championship in Little Rock, Arkansas.  To reach the Nationals they won the Junior Regional Pairs Championship at Norfolk, Virginia and Pennsylvania Junior Pairs Championship.  They won the latter three times in Reading, PA and in Philadelphia, PA.  

Zimmer won the Pennsylvania State Senior Men's Singles title three times, the first time was when he was only 13. He also won the Eastern Regional Junior Singles three times.  He claimed the Eastern Regional Intermediate Men's Singles and was a runner-up in the National Intermediate Singles.  The intermediate division was a new group added between junior and senior competition.

Zimmer's last solo competition was in 1963 at Lincoln, Nebraska when he finished third in the National Senior Men's Singles.  Zimmer's last competitive action was in 1965 in Fort Worth, Texas when he and Edwards finished fourth in the National Senior Pairs Championships.  At that time, Edwards was one of the youngest competitors in the Senior Pairs.  Edwards, who is now Darlene Edwards Walters, went on to win a title at the 1975 world skating meet in Rome, Italy.  

In 1965, Zimmer graduated from Jamestown Community College and began working for the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.  When he was a youngster he always wanted to be a teaching pro and that became his occupation in his spare time, both in Jamestown and in Erie.  He became part owner of Westlake Rink which became known as Evan's Skateland West in Erie.  Westlake Rink is where he won his first meet at the age of 12.  




Jamestown Post Journal
May 13, 1958




When interviewed by the Jamestown Post Journal in 2019 Brad recalls day of being a competitive roller skater on a national level and of spending hours at his parents' Celoron Park and Evans Skateland Roller Rink. Celoron Park was an amusement attraction attracting thrill-seekers and Brad was lucky enough to get to enjoy the park for free with his parents having owned the park. Brad recalled the Phoenix ferris wheel which used to be the largest ferris wheel and the ride on the island.  He got to enjoy them all plus sell French fries at his mother's park.  These days, couples can get married on the island which is now located behind the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron, NewYork.  Brad told the Post Journal that he "always knew a hotel would spring up along the waterfront eventually".  To spruce up the hotel's Carousel Bar, he delivered the picture of Lucille Ball riding one of the ceramic horses during her mid-1950s visit.  



The First Lady of Comedy riding 
the
Lead Carousel Horse 
at 
Celoron Park 








Tuesday, March 4, 2025

 


Circa 1939





Circa 1950




A Shoe Shine Boy at the Rink




Circa 1950s

The Skateland Roller Skating Rink was built in 1939.

Russell Zimmer and Barbara J. Zimmer Cusimano

with 

Lucille Ball, the First Lady of Comedy

at

Skateland

Photo Source:  Bradley J.  Zimmer

Oscar Zimmer managed Skateland

Dorothy Zimmer managed Celeron Park 




Lucille Ball with Harry A. Illions
Circa Mid-1950s


 
"Thank you, Harry"
Lucille Ball




Celoron Park
(1894-1962)



Celoron Park Entrance


The "People's Park in Celoron" was quickly deemed the "Coney Island of Chautauqua" and became a major draw. Some referred to the park as the "Coney Island of the West". The park was modeled after Coney Island and Atlantic City.  Featuring impressive rides, sporting venues and concert halls. Summer crowds would take the railroad from Jamestown to the park and explore the offerings all of which sat against the scenic backdrop of Chautauqua Lake.  

Originally purchased in 1874, the 67 acre tract passed through several hands before being purchased by Almet N. Broadhead, President of the Celoron Amusement Company which opened the park 20 years later.  One of the main atttractions was the 125 foot or 10-story ferris wheel, "The Phoenix" seen in the black and white photo below was one of the main attractions at the amusement park. Sadly, The Phoenix was dismantled and sold in 1952.  Ten years later, the park closed in 1962.  The Phoenix (1896-1952) was purchased from the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta, Georg9ia.  When it was dismantled and sold it was shipped to the Los Angeles County Fair Grounds in Pomona, California. 





Circa May 3, 1947







Double Panel Postcards
Circa 1908





Celoron Amusement Park had the Pier Ballroom built in 1895 though it was destroyed by fire between 1895 and 1920.

Celoron Park
Circa 1898



Circa 1911




Babe Ruth's Visit to Celoron Park
Circa 1921



Celoron Park Baseball Diamond


Perhaps Celoron Park's most cherished story with the exception of the career of ride ticket-seller and future actress, Lucille Ball was the 1921 exhibition baseball game featuring famed American slugger, Babe Ruth.  Known for his legendary hitting ability, Ruth took the 1921 off season to participate in a number of exhibition games across the Northeast.  Joined by pitcher, Bob Muesel, the "Babe Ruth All-Stars" took on the semi-pro Jamestown team beating them 14-10 in a game that saw Babe Ruth get two hits during his visits to the plate.  Exciting as the game was it was the warm-up that Ruth's famed hitting power was best demonstrated.  According to the Buffalo Times article on October 19, 1921:

In giving an exhibition of long-distance hitting, Ruth knocked a ball into the lake, a distance of over 500 feet! 


The amusement park at Celoron remained a popular tourist destination throughout the early 20th century, surviving both the impact of WWI and the Great Depression.  However, following WWII the park saw a sharp decline in attendance.  With the introduction of interstate highways and as automobiles became more popular, vacationing families began to flock to other locations and regional gems like Celoron Park began to close.  Making matters worse, in 1959, a tornado tore through the amusement park destroying many rides.  Among the rides destroyed by the tornado were a roller coaster and a toboggan water slide. There was also a theatre, a bandstand and a baseball diamond which saw the appearance of baseball legend, Babe Ruth. The all-wooden roller coaster was called the Greyhound.







In 1962, the park was purchased by a Pittsburgh-based businessman who began scrapping many of the rides and structures, ending a 68-year run for the amusement park.  Though the amusement park is no longer, the "Lucille Ball Memorial Park" commemorating one of the area's premier citizens and former park employee, now occupies the spot nearby once filled with rides and games which drew visitors.  This William G. Pomeroy Foundation marker commemorates the amusement park's history and Babe Ruth's historic visit to Celoron Park.  





Harry A. Illions Celoron Park Fair 12x18 Poster
Circa 1947

Found on ebay 
$110.00


This rare original promo poster ad for Harry A. Illions' Celoron Park Fair showcases a piece of historial memorabilia from county and state fairs in the United States.  The theme of the poster ad reflects the nostaliga and charm of fairs and expositions in the mid-20th century.  The poster ad also captures a snapshot of the entertainment and attractions featured at the fair during that time period. 



Advertisement in The Billboard
Circa November 30, 1946

Harry A. Ilions
(July 4, 1892-May 14, 1962)









Sunday, March 2, 2025

 



Proposed Design
Circa 1886


1500 Orange Avenue

Coronado, California


Circa 1888


A living legend for more than 130 years, The Del celebrates its rich history as the proud host to celebrities, royalty, U.S. Presidents and beach loving guests for generations.  Built in 1888 by Elisha Babcock, Jr. and Hampton L. Story was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, this historic beach resort is a San Diego icon. 


A Decided Place

Circa 1886

Hotel founders, Babcock and Story along with San Diego developer, Alonzo Horton surveyed Coronado Beach.  Although neither Babcock nor Story had experience in the hotel business, they were so inspired by the natural beauty of Coronado they decided to buy the island and build a magnificent hotel, one that would be "the talk of the western world" .. an iconic California destination where "people will continue to come long after we are gone."


Development of Coronado Island


Once the town of Coronado was established, it was time to attract residents so Babcock and Story held a very well-publicized land auction which attracted a reported 6,000 people.  350 lots were sold during the auction raising about $100,000.  By June 10, 1887, Coronado lot sales had reached the $41.5 million mark.  The grand total would eventually reach $2.25 million.

With lot sales to fund the hotel's construction, a stenographer was summoned to the beach on a beautiful December day in 1896.  Babcock, Story, Herbert Ingle (one of the hotel's original investors) and James Reid (architect) conceived the resort's basic layout.  The design included a courtyard, pavilion tower and dining wing.  Reid would later recall that "preliminary sketches were quickly prepared and because of the lack of time remained the unchanged basis of construction."  This depiction of the proposed hotel showcased its less prominent sides, those facing Orange Avenue and downtown Coronado. 


Groundbreaking Ceremony


Although digging the foundation had begun in January 1887, construction on The Del did not begin until after the historic groundbreaking ceremony.  Visitors turned out in droves to watch.  The architects hired were the Reid Brothers of Evansville, Indiana.  Construction began along the northern face, which was simpler in design, in the hopes that the mostly inexperienced workforce would gain skills for building the more complicated sections at the pioneering San Diego resort. 



By May 1887, approximately 250 men were employed in the construction of the exciting new destination beach resort and The San Diego Union reported: "A million feet of lumber is scattered about the yard and more is coming all the time."  The all-wooden Hotel del Coronado used a variety of lumber:  Douglas fir for framing and California redwood for exterior siding (as it was thought to be termite resistant). Hemlock and cedar were also on order.  The lobby featured Illinois white oak and the Crown Room ceiling would be done in Oregon sugar pine which was chosen for its lack of knotholes.  By November 1887, much of the exterior construction was complete. The highest point of the soon-to-be famous San Diego hotel was 120 feet which was the iconic, red-roofed Ballroom tower. An ice machine producing 15 tons per day was installed.  A "furniture parade" conveyed freight loads of furniture down Orange Avenue from the ferry landing on the bay.  John B. Seghers, manager was back East hiring employees.


The Del Debuts

Although guests began arriving as early as late January 1888, the Hotel del Coronado's birthday has generally been celebrated on February 19 which was the day the historic Southern hotel served its first meal in the main dining room (today's Crown Room). An early promotional brochure described the many amenities of the new destination, including its interior court with a fountain and exotic fruit trees, luxury guestrooms overlooking the garden patio or exterior vistas, private parlors, reception rooms, music and billiard rooms, expansive verandas.  The hotel was also promoted as a health resort for its abundant sunshine and restorative ocean air. Room rates which included three meals a day started at about $2.50 per day. The hotel was built at a cost of $600,000 and was furnished at a cost of $400,000.


The Lobby 


An 1888 brochure for the new Southern California destination spoke of the comfort ot the lobby:  This is a handsome space, large and lofty.  It had wide balcony above it which commanded views of the lobby below.  Women of the day would gather for friendly chat and to watch newcomers enter below and register their names at the front desk.  Although the hotel's historic lobby has changed over the years, its main configuration has remained the same including its second-floor balcony.  The lobby's elevator was also a hotel amenity.  During a trial run, a reported 2,500 pounds was easily performed.


New Technologies


When Hotel del Coronado debuted it was considered a technological marvel.  Electricity was still a novelty in 1888 and The Del was thought to be one of the largest buildings in the country to have been "electrified". Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Edison did not install the Del's electrical system.  The Del supplied electricity to the city of Coronado.  Other technological assets of the newly constructed California resort included steam-powered hydraulic elevators which were among the first in the country, a state-of-art fire sprinkler system and telephone service which had reached San Diego only seven years earlier. 



The Woman in the Window


Hotel del Coronado's most prominent stained-glass window located on the front facade creates a great deal of attention from visitors.  Original to the hotel, the window was first mounted in the massive lobby chimney, visible from the front exterior as well as the lobby interior.  After the fireplace was removed in the 1920s, the famous stained glass was displayed in a variety of interior locations.  In 1995, it was moved to the fourth floor exterior, above the lobby entrance.  In 2020, the piece was carefully removed for a complete restoration and was returned to its original second story location in the 2021.  Architect, James Reid described the stained-glass scene as an "symbolic representation of Coronado" with a landscape background "representing mountains, valleys and a bay". 


The Crown Room, Then


The Crown Room, Now


The Crown Room was considered an architectural achievement spanning 160 feet by 60 feet without any pillars to interrupt the view.  This iconic San Diego venue is also famous for its 33 foot high ceiling, paneled in beautiful Oregon sugar pine.  Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum is credited for designing the famous crown chandeliers which were installed in 1911.  In 1920s, an enormous banquet was held for England's Prince of Wales and in 1927 Charles Lindbergh was honored with his own celebration after his successful solo trans-Altantic flight.  Today, the Crown Room's tradition of elegance continues as it plays host to a spectacular Sunday Brunch.  


L. Frank Baum, Wizard of Oz Author

Circa 1904


Baum traveled to Coronado Island repeatedly between 1904 and 1910 where he usually resided at Hotel del Coronado for month at a time.  He wrote at least three books in the Oz series during that period .. "Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz" in 1908, "The Road to Oz" in 1909 and "The Emerald City" in 1910.  In a 1905 poem about Coronado, Baum wrote:  "And every day her loveliness shines pure without a flaw.  New charms entrance our every glance and fill our souls with awe!"


Hotel del Coronado featured more than 400 guestrooms.  According to an early brochure for the San Diego destination resort the rooms were described as all large, well-ventilated and lighted with the sun reaching every room at some hour of the day with rug carpets, the wood furniture and windows shaded with Venetian blinds.  "The suites of rooms are grouped around sitting rooms, giving every suite of four or five rooms a special reception sitting room" all with fireplaces and "richly carved mantels with large French bevel-plated mirrors".   


The Bridal Chamber was considered the "handsomest guestroom in the hotel furnished in sold natural mahogany with upholstery and tapestry of pale blue and cream".  




First Wedding at the Hotel


May Barnes and Harold Scott, the daughter and son of two building supervisors, were married during the San Diego resort's construction in a beachside ceremony on June 9, 1887.  According to a Coronado newspaper the couple repeated their vows beneath a "beautiful arch of evergreens" in the company of "nearly every man, woman and child on Coronado Beach.  Serenaded by "the lively music of two violins", May and Harold were rewarded with a "ripple of applause" after the ceremony followed by refreshments and "dancing til a late hour".  The bride was the height of Victorian fashion, outfitted in a white wedding dress.  



World's First
 Circa 1904

The Del, already considered a technological marvel made history when it unveiled the world's first electrically lit, outdoor, living Christmas tree.  Holidays lights were strung from the hotel to a nearby Norfolk Island Pine.  Although indoor tree were popular in America by this time, electric Christmas lights were a rarity as candles were still commonplace.  









The Ballroom


The ballroom is housed beneath the San Diego resort's signature red-roofed turret.  In th early days, the underside of the roof formed the interior ceiling of the ballroom and the turret windows provided light and ventilation for visitors below.  Originally called the "theatre" the ballroom also featured a raised oceanfront seating area for those guests who wanted to spend time in restful wicker rockers. 


John D. Spreckels
(1890-1926)


When the resort was under construction, an economic downturn sent many investors out of San Diego and The Del's founders were concerned.  John D. Spreckels, son of wealthy "Sugar King" Claus Spreckels, fell in love with Hotel del Coronado and provided generous loans and other assistance to the resort's founders, Babcock and Story in order tokeep the dream alive.  Ultimately, the two businessmen chose to transfer complete ownership to Spreckels.  Spreckels remained owner until his death in 1926 and the hotel remained in the family until 1948.




Noel

Circa 1982

Between January 20 and April 20, 1892, a little girl named Noel wrote a series of remarkable letters to her cousins back East, describing all of the wonderful things she saw and did while spending the season at Hotel del Coronado in Southern Califo contains a lively watercolor by the family's "Nurse", a governess who gave Noel and her brother daily instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic.  She wrote in a letter dated February 14, 1892:  This is the loveliest, biggest hotel you can imagine.  It has ever and ever so many funny little windows and balconies like the big dovecote at Grandma's.  The hotel is white and has red roofs everywhere.  The red and the white between the bluest sky and the bluest water is like a beautiful dream in a fairy story. 



Charlie Chaplin


Aside from its movie making celebrity roster, Hotel del Coronado has been a storied SoCal vacation destination for Hollywood stars since its earliest days with esteemed visitors such as W.C. Fields, Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin.  Chaplin played polo while staying at The Del.  


Charles Lindbergh


Aviator Charles Lindbergh was honored at the Del on September 21, 1927 following his solo trans-Atlantic flight from New York to France.  




Filmed at Hotel del Coronado in 1958, this film showcased the talents of Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon while also highlighting the hotel's asset, a spectacular sun-drenched silhouette of Victorian architecture whih was the perfect backdrop for the film's 1929 setting.  Named the #1 comedy of all time by the American film Institute the movie has an honored place in film and Del history.


Billy Wilder, Director with Maryilyn Monroe who worked for 10 percent of the gross in excess of $2 million.  The film was made in California during the summer and autumn of 1958.  Many scenes were shot at the Hotel del Coronado which appeared in the film as the "Seminole Ritz" in Miami as it fit into the era of the 1920s and was near Hollywood.  During filming, Monroe lacked concentration and suffered from an addiction to pills. She was constantly late to set and could not memorize many of her lines averaging 34-40 takes for a single line according to Tony Curtis. The line "It's me, Sugar" took 47 takes to get correct because Monroe kept getting the word order wrong saying either "Sugar, it's me or It's Sugar, me".  Curtis and Lemmon made bets during the filming on how many takes she would need to get it right.  Three days were scheduled for shooting the scene with Shell Oil, Jr. (played by Tony Curtis) and Sugar Kane (played by Marilyn Monroe) at the beach as Monroe had many complicated lines, but the scene was finished in only 20 minutes. Monroe's acting coach, Paula Strasberg and Monroe's husband, at the time, Arthur Miller both tried to influence the production which Wilder and other crew members found annoying.