Continuing the Tradition

The Beloved Lionel train at Midway State Park 

Congratulations Midway State Park and 125 Years of Fun for the Entire Family

Located on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake Midway State Park in Maple Springs NY is  truly a family landmark treasure since 1898. The lakeside park encompasses 44 acres and was added to the National Registry of Historic Places on March 13, 2009.

Originally opened as one of the thousands of "trolley parks" across the country that offered respite and recreation. At the peak of its popularity in the 1920s, Midway Park hosted events that attracted thousands of visitors who enjoyed swimming, roller skating and rides that included the large scale "Jack Rabbit" roller coaster. 

Ownership of Midway Park was held by the JW & NW Railroad until 1939, Thomas Carr until 1951 and the Walsh family until the park was purchased by the State of New York in 2007.  It continues operations today as Midway State Park.  Under the Walsh family and through a growing relationship with the Allan Herschell Company in nearby North Tonawanda, a complete Herschell kiddyland of rides was installed in the 1950s.  It was soon joined by the "Dodgem" cars, the "Tilt-A-Whirl" and a 1940s Herschell carousel.  These rides are still the anchors for ride activity at Midway.  The original games arcade was in the former trolley depot. The first owners of the park constructed a dance hall to entice customers to ride the trolley on weekends.  The dance hall later became the popular roller rink with in-house organ. 

Midway State Park continues to offer the same family friendly atmosphere that visitors have come to love.  Patrons can take a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of miniature golf, take a spin on the tilt-a-whirl and ride the go-karts or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides.  

On August 20, 2011, there was an event called Midway Couples Reunion hosted by Friends of Midway. Many couples in attendance enjoyed telling their personal stories about meeting, dating and roller skating at Midway Park in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

If you go to your local PBS station, online, you can give a donation and watch a documentary about Midway State Park produced by Peter Daulton.  Eventually, the park will have DVDs available of this nostalgic 30 minute documentary.

On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 Midway Park celebrated its 125th anniversary with extended hours and fireworks.  Congratulations to our beloved Midway Park. 

Roller Skating in the Hippodrome