Maple Springs, New York

Midway State Park

🎠 

Carousel

Fun for All on Chautauqua Lake Since 1898

Originally opened as one of the thousands of "trolley parks" across the country that offered respite and recreation for families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Midway Park and its 44 acres has endured as a destination for family fun.  Midway Park ranks as the 16th oldest continually operating amusement park in the United States.  At the peak of its popularity in the 1920s, Midway Park hosted events that attracted thousands of visitors who enjoyed picnics, swimming, a roller skating rink which also served as a dance hall and rides that included a large wooden roller coaster in 1924.  It's name was the "Jack Rabbit", but it had a lifespan of fewer than 20 years before being demolished. 

Ownership of Midway Park was held by the JW & NW railroad until 1939, Thomas Carr of Rochester, New York until 1951 and the Walsh family until the park was purchased by the State of New York in 2007.  Carr was the former manager of Celoron Park which was another popular amusement park on Chautauqua Lake at the South end of the lake in Celoron, New York.  

Today, it continues 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.  These rides were soon supplemented by "Dodgem" cars, the "Tilt-a-Whirl", the 1946 Herschell carousel and the minature train are considered to be the anchors of ride activity at Midway.  The games arcade, located in the former trolly depot remains as a focal point of park activity with the popular Skeeball game.  Midway Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 2009.  

At the Midway Couples Reunion hosted by Friends of Midway State Park on August 20, 2011 many couples in attendance enjoyed telling their stories of meeting, dating and roller skating at Midway Park in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  Friends of Midway State Park is a nonprofit organization launched in 2010 whose mission is to work with the State of New York to promote, preserve, maintain and financially support this historic amusement park that had been enjoyed by children of all ages since 1898.  During the organization's first six years of operation, they planned and constructed the PAR (Putt-A-Round) Chautauqua minature golf course, restored the Chautauqua Choo-Choo MTC G-16 minature train, acquired and displayed a restored 1957 Pony Tractor ride, partnered in the full restoration of the 1946 Herschell carousel roundhouse and its horses plus created widespread interest in the long-term restoration and beautification of Midway State Park.  

At its origin, Midway Park offered a baseball field and tennis courts.  Today, the park uses the original and newer picnic pavilions for company picnics.  The concession building was built in 1915 with a spacious restaurant facing the lake.  Today, it houses the refreshment stands, as well as the Carousel Museum and Gift Shop. The second floor of the hippodrome houses the original roller rink which the park hopes to renovate and reopen, someday, for future generation of skaters.

In 1951, the park was purchased by Martin "Red" Walsh and was later operated by the next generation of the Walsh family, Michael and Janis Walsh affectionately known as Mr. and Mrs. Midway to the staff and "park regulars" of all ages.  Through the years, several notable people have visited the park since its opening.  Among the names are Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., Lucille Ball and Jack Paar, former host of NBC's The Tonight Show.  In 1960, the Glenn Miller Orchestra conducted by Ray McKinley played at the park.  McKinley (1910-1995) was an American jazz drummer.  McKinley began his musical journey by taking up the drums at the age of 9 which quickly showcased a natural talent that would define his future. In addition to playing the drums he became a singer and bandleader.  He led the Major Glenn Miller Army Forces Orchestra in Europe during the war years and later lead the new Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956 paying homeage to his earlier war years with the legendary group.  His stewardship of the orchestra continued the legacy of Miller's style of music, ensuring a new generation of listeners could experience the magic of the swing era.  Those listeners included the orchestra appearing at Midway Park. 

His rhythmic prowess left an indelible mark on the world of jazz and swing.  His career spanned several decades and his multifacted talents contributed significantly to the evolution of big band music.  The music of the late recording artist, Ray McKinley can be heard on Swing Street Radio (www.swingstreetradio.org)

You can also "Like" the Facebook page by going to www.facebook.com/SwingStreetRadio or search "Swing Street Radio" on the Facebook app.    

Mr. and Mrs. Midway Park

Michael and Janis Tinkham Walsh

 In October of 1984 Michael and Janis purchased the park from Martin Walsh. 

The name "Midway" originated when a new steamboat dock was built between existing docks at Point Whiteside and Maple Springs.  The other docks at both points were abandoned and the new dock became known as Midway.

The latest addition to Midway Park is the Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel and also to be added is a Herschell Twister.  In 2010, the park created an 18 hole minature golf course.  As golfers traverse the course the sights and sounds of the minature train can be seen and heard as it circles the front part of the park passing by Route 430 and returns to the restored train station. The park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

On July 1, 2016 the park officially opened their PAR (Putt-A-Round Chautauqua) minature golf course.  The local theme-inspired mini-golf course has 18 holes.  The course incorporates themes and structures inspired by Chautauqua Lake and local culture including a tribute to lake fishing the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry, the Chautauqua Institution Miller Bell Tower and the Lucille Ball comedy tradition.  

Midway Couples Reunion Hosted by Friends of Midway State Park

August 20, 2011

Audio Only by Robert Wooler 

Many couples in attendance that day enjoyed telling their stories about meeting, dating and roller skating at Midway Park in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

In 2010, articles of incorporation signed to create "Friends of Midway State Park".  A non-profit organization to support the long term mission of Midway State Park.

Midway State Park at Night

July 12, 2023

125th Anniversary

1898-2023

Photo Credit to Midway State Park Police

Princess Doraldina

At Midway State Park this gypsy woman has been handing out fortunes

for

  as long as I can remember.

GET A COMPLETE READING .. PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE

5 Cents

Princess Doraldina spent many years in the game arcade though in recent years she has been relocated to the gift shop/museum along with an original bumper car and other park memorabilia.

1948 Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel 

The Eli Bridge Company is located in Jacksonville, Illinois and was founded in 1893 by W.E. Sullivan.  When he visited the Columbian Exposition he marveled at the original Ferris Wheel.  As he took his first ride little did he know that his life was about to chage forever.  Sullivan collaborated with machinist, James H. Clements and together they began construction on their ferris wheel on March 23, 1900.  This first "Big Eli" Wheel debuted on May 23, 1900.  The ferris wheel was a great success and in 1906 Sullivan incorporated the Eli Bridge Company by taking on capital investors to mass produce his ferris wheels. The Jacksonville location included a room tall enough in which Sullivan could erect a #5 and #12 ferris wheel.  The building has had several additions since and now occupies a 76,000 square-foot facility.  Today, Eli Bridge remains a family-owned company.  Their rides can be found in amusement parks around the world, family entertainment centers, county fairs, festivals and carnivals throughout the United States.

At Midway State Park a discussion involving a project to purhase and install an Eli Bridge ferris wheel began in 2019 though was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.  Eventually, the park partnered with Friends of Midway State Park and Natural Heritage Trust to buy two more rides for the park, the Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel and a Twister ride.  The park also had help from the public to raise funds for the two rides. Midway State Park and its staff are appreciative of all the public support. 

This is the same model that used to be in the park in the 1970s.  The opportunity arose for us to acquire one, so we did. The fact that it appears to be the same model as the old wheel brings a bit of history back to the park  There will be a required height limit for the ride with children needing to be at least 48 inches tall.  It will be tall child/adult ride. As far as the Twister ride goes, the main reason there is so much more work to do is because the original manufacturer is no longer in business.  We have to have parts custom made. The Twister is an Allan Herschell ride and we believe that when the ride is up and running it will be the only one in operation in the country.

Marla Connelly, Park Manager for State Parks within Chautauqua County 

The park has never had a Twister before, but has had a collection of other Allan Herschell rides.  In the future, the park hopes to have several other rides installed including others that were historically present at the park.  The two current rides were purchased from Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania and that park has other rides believed to make wonderful additions to our park.

Midway State Park was voted the Best Travel Destination in Chautauqua County by the readers of the Dunkirk Observer.