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What is CLP?
CLP - A Valuable Asset
That Indescribable Feeling
Location, Location, Location
WE the Owners? Who owns CLP?
3.6 Acres of CLP Lakefront Property
Fences, Gates, Admission Fees and Carousel Horses...Oh my!
A Future?
If they can do it, why can't we? If they can do it, so can we!
Historical Timeline
Some CLP Links
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Historical Timeline of CLP
• 1892 - Exposition Park opens
• 1902 - Figure Eight roller coaster opens
• 1903 - Hotel Conneaut opens
• 1908 - A large portion of the midway, many hotels, a bowling alley and the park's ballroom are destroyed in a fire
• 1909 - Dreamland Ballroom opens replacing the original ballroom lost in the 1908 fire, Scenic Railway roller coaster opens
• 1920 - Park is renamed to Conneaut Lake Park
• 1925 - Tumble Bug ride is installed.
• 1925 - Temple of Music opens
• 1935 - Beach Club bar opens
• 1936 - Scenic Railway roller coaster closes
• 1937 - Figure Eight roller coaster closes
• 1937 - Blue Streak roller coaster opens
• 1943 - Fire destroys half of Hotel Conneaut
• 1944 - Hotel Conneaut remains closed
• 1945 - Hotel Conneaut reopens with 150 of the 300 original rooms
• 1946 - Temple of Music is destroyed by fire
• 1961 - Fun House opens in former bowling alley
• 1968 - Devil's Den opens
• 1973 - Dracula's Cave (Pit of Death) opens
• 1975 - Fun House closes
• 1985 - Dracula's Cave (Pit of Death) closes. Fairyland Forest closes and its contents are auctioned off.
• 1986 - Camperland opens on the site of the former Fairyland Forest.
• 1990 - Due to rising insurance costs and safety concerns, a new front gate is constructed, a fence is built around the park, and a first ever for CLP entrance fee is introduced.
• 1991 - Local businesses reported that season was one of the busiest they had experienced in recent years.
• 1992 - Conneaut Lake Park celebrates its 100th anniversary. Throughout the summer, 10 concerts featuring nationaly known entertainment were held and it rainded 13 out of 16 weekends the park was open. At the end of the season it was announced that many rides would be removed and the Blue Streak roller coaster would be mothballed. A section of midway buildings near the lake are demolished. Flynn family sells the park. Devil's Den renamed Dr. Moriarity's Wild Ride. October 8 local businessmen purchase many of the rides at auction to keep CLP as an amusement park. The group later purchases the entire park and operates as CLP Management, Inc.
• 1993 - The operating loss that year amounted to $125,000.
• 1994 - Under same management, the operating losses that year amounted to an excess $800,000.
• 1995 - In January, CLP Management, Inc. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the park stays closed for the entire season.
• 1996 - On April 8th, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Erie, PA, has a hearing to move the case to Chapter 7 and liquidation of assets. On June 21, CLP is purchased by Property on the Lake with Gary Harris as the principal owner for nearly $2.1 million. The down payment of $200,000 was in Krugerrands (African gold coins) Property on the Lake spent large amounts of money on maintenance. CLP reopens on July 4, however the Blue Streak did not reopen with the rest of the park. At this time, Gary Harris was regarded as the "savior of CLP" by both patrons and local business owners. Introduced the concept of using tokens in place of ride tickets and cash. This created confusion among customers.
• 1997 - Gary Harris continues to operate CLP in 1997. On its 60th anniversary, the Blue Streak roller coaster is renovated and opens and the park purchases 5 rides from the now closed Old Indiana Fun Park. The rides were the Super Round-Up, Flying Scooters, Ranger (Sky Thriller), Rollo-Plane, and a Chance Turbo. The Turbo was never installed due to a dispute over ownership. Gary Harris knew the IRS was invstigating his tax reporting practices. While Gary Harris was know as "Dr. Death" for taking over struggling businesses, depleating their assets, thus creating the situation which would lead to a forced sale of the business, he professed to "love CLP. He chose to deed the property and its assets to the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, Inc. as a means of preserving CLP so it wouldn't have been seized by the IRS and possibly liquidated. CLICK HERE for the Deed, the Indenture, and the Incorporation of the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, Inc.
• 1998 - To open for the season, the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, Inc. get money from Gary Harris for signing saying Gary Harris owned rides and a 99 year lease on the land on which the rides were situated. CLP continues to be managed by the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, Inc.
• 1999 - Former trustee, Dana Watson files suit against Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, Inc. and their agreement with Gary Harris. By this time, the Board of Trustees dwindled to one member, Gene Rumsey. As the sole remaining trustee, acting as general manager, Gene Rumsey was overwhelmed and on the advise of legal council sought help from Crawford County Courts. On January 29, Crawford County Judge Anthony Vardaro appoints William Jordan as the court appointed custodian and overseer of CLP. On March 1, William Jordan contracts with Conneaut Lake Park Mgt. Group Inc., Youngstown, Ohio. (David Mangie, president and Carl Severino, vice-president) who takes over management from Antonette Perkio.
• 2000 - On March 27, William Jordan, terminated the lease of Conneaut Lake Park Mgt. Group, Inc. for failure to pay its annual $100,000 lease. On March 28, Conneaut Lake Park Mgt. Group, Inc. files bankruptcy and William Jordan forms two new non-profit organizations, the Conneaut Lake Park Institute (to plan cultural events) and the Conneaut Lake Exposition Co. (to operate the park). Stoney Jordan, William Jordan's son, assumes director of the Instute and superintendant of CLP. Stoney Jordan obtains a Kellogg Foundation grant for a heritage festival in August. On June 19, Youngstown U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge William T. Bodoh appointed Andrew Suhar to run CLP on behalf of Conneaut Lake Park Mgt. Group, Inc. On June 28 CLP closed for 4 days. On June 30, Judge Bohoh returns CLP management to William Jordan who appoints Gene Rumsey as general manager. By November, the leins against CLP total $811,000 including $174,000 for property taxes (none were paid since 1996).
• 2001 - On January 4, Judge Anthony Vardaro approves the sale of $250,000 in debt certificates. An audit reveals that unpaid bills of previous park operators stands at $718,890 (sewage fees, real estate and amusement taxes and legal fees). On January 30, Asset Management (a Gary Harris Trust) files suit over ownership of CLP rides and land on which they were situated. On February 3, William Jordan resigns to run for Crawford County Judge and is replaced by Herbert Brill as the court appointed custodian of CLP. Gene Rumsey and Mary Ellen Rebrassier manage CLP. The park property assessment is lowerd from $3,058,374 to $1,250,000. Dr. Moriarity's Wild Ride renamed to Devil's Den.
• 2002 - CLP opens for its 110th year on May 25th. Blue Streak rollercoaster is operated with original 1937 trains, putting the NAD Century Flyer trains from the 1960s into retirement. Joe Prischak, Erie businessman purchases five rides including Toboggan roller coaster, a kiddie Carousel (that was auctioned off in 1992), the Musik Express, Tempest, and CLimbing Walls.
• 2003 - On January 24, Herb Brill reports that a Gary Harris lawsuit prevents CLP from borrowing money and there is not enough money to open CLP for the summer. On April 29, Crawford County Commissioners state that CLP's proposed request for a $150,000 loan will be turned down if requested. CLP was approved to open the day before Memorial Day (May 23) when Lake View Ford loaned CLP $150,000. CLP also received a $25,000 loan from the Meadville Area Industrial Commission, and a CLP-owned billboard was sold for $50,000. On June 15, a new Board of Trustees is formed. The park is still operated by Herbert Brill, Gene Rumsey, and Mary Ellen Rebrassier. CLP hosts first annual "Holiday in the Park" event in December in honor of Hotel Conneaut's centennial celebration. Volunteers are invited to redecorate rooms at the Hotel, uniquely personalizing each room. A book, The Ghosts of Hotel Conneaut and Conneaut Lake Park, is written by Hotel employee Carrie Pavlik, sparking ghost hunts, television coverage, and events such as the annual Spiritual Expo.
• 2004 - On January 3, the State budget contains a $3 million capital line item for Hotel Conneaut renovations and amusement park elecrical upgrades. On March 26, Pennsylvania Supreme Court refuses to hear an appeal by Gary Harris in his case involving ownership of CLP rides. On April 9 Griffin Motors Co. of Meadville, PA loans CLP $100,000 and the Conneaut Lake Institute, Inc. launches a fund drive to save the park. On May 26, a $100,000 loan from Mercer County State Bank, in addition to Griffin Motor's loan, allows CLP to open on May 28. On June 16 Don Kaltenbaugh is hired by board of trustees as CEO. On June 25, Gary Harris asks for one more appeal in his suit over ownership of CLP rides. Upon Herbert Brill's resignation of custodian of CLP in August, H. LeRoy Stearns resigns as Vice-Chairman of the CLP Board of Trustees and is appointed as custodian (overseer) of CLP. In the second weekend in October, 25,000 guests attend Fall Pumpkin Fest and raised $16,000 for CLP. On November 18, Judge Anthony Vardaro gives CLP Trustees until December 31 to come up witha plan to address CLP's debt. On December 30, CLP Board of Trustees submits Judge Vardaro a plan to pay off the debt. Tim Kaider resigns as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Abe Finton assumes the position.
• 2005 - On January 1 it is reported that the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court denied a request for appeal of Gary Harris lawsuit over ownership of CLP rides. Board of Trustees is ordered by Judge Anthony Vardaro to open for the season without borrowing any money. February 16, Judge Anthony Vardao approves a new CLP business plan whereby CLP leases Beach Club, Camperland and games and gift sop in order to get money to open CLP for the season. CLP attempts to find investors to create a tiger animal attraction, but it is withdrawn later in the season. April 24 Don Kaltenbaugh resigns as CEO. Abe Finton resigns as Chariman of the CLP Board of Trustees and Terry Deitz assumes that position. Tom Cholak and Harold Thornton are hired as consulting operators (managers) of CLP by CLP Board of Trustees for a temporary seasonal operating position. May 27, CLP opens for 113th year. More board members are added, including George Deshner, Dick Williams, David Gordan. A new book, Images of American: Conneaut Lake Park, is published by Michael E. Costello. CLP Board of Trustees appoints George Deshner as interim manager from September 15 through December 31. In September the entire twelve member CLP Board of Trustees resigns. Following the CLP Board's resignation, H. LeRoy Stearns decided to stay as custodian and asked George Deshner to remain as the general manager. On September 30, the Flynn House, where the Flynn Family lived when they owned the park, is partially damaged in a fire of unknown origin after CLP administrative offices are moved out and it cleaned and converted to a rental property. In October, the annual Fall Pumpkin Fest draws nearly 25,000 guests to CLP.
• - 2006 - February 21, H. LeRoy Stearns reports debt not as high as previosuly reported and stands at $2.1 million with the two largest leins being a $426,000 30-year low-interest PENNVEST loan to upgrade the sewer system and $384,000 for back real eastate property and amusement taxes. On April 6, Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll tours CLP and reveals that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania awarded $175,000 grant to develop a plan for CLP's future. The Flynn House was demolished in a controlled burn. Conneaut Lake Institute begins its "Brick-by-Brick" fundraising campaign to raise funds to repair CLP miniature train ride. The YoYo is dismantled after sitting idle for 3 years and is sold. Witch's Stew (Tempest) is reintroduced. May 12, Judge Anthony Vardaro approves a $250,000 loan from First National Bank of Pennsylvania for the opening of CLP. The loan was guaranteed by Joe Prischak, pending the proposed sale of 3.3 acres of CLP lakefront. May 14, Gov. Ed Rendell states he will consider what financial assistance he can offer after completion of the CLP Master Plan. May 26, CLP opens for its 114th season. May 27 the new Kaylee Belle Paddlewheel Boat is christened and begins a tour schedule (this rekindles a long history of commercial navigation on Conneaut Lake that began in the 1840s). July 3 after being shut down for three years, CLP's miniature train ride reopens with the help of $56,000 being raised by the Brick-by-Brick campaign. On July 8, the Tumble Bug ride reopens after being closed for three years, utilizing funds from local businesses and private individuals. July 19 the 16th annual Water Ski Clinic for physically challenged participants is sponsored by CLP and Three Rivers Adaptive Sports. July 22, Jeffrey Davenport of Lake Properties Holdings, LLC. announces a $50,000 million condominium development featuring the old Park Golf Course with a marina and restaurant adjacent to CLP.
• 2007 - Fabruary 28 the Economic Progress Alliance releases its master plan for CLP. March 15, H. LeRoy Stearns enter a sales agreement with developer Gregory Sutterlin for $1.7 million. April 23, Judge Anthony Vardaro rejects the sale of the Flynn property and Stearns says he will resubmit the proposal with changes. April 25 Deshner launches a sale of tokens from when Gary Harris owned the park in an attempt to raise $300,000 to open CLP for the season. As of May 7, 3,290 tokens have been sold, raising $16,250
If somebody would like to contribute a complete 2007 recap to this website, please email to truthaboutclp@yahoo.com. Thanks!
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