Historical Perspectives through collaboration
In
the
with
early
little
1900’s,
lake
front
Lorain
was
property
a
for
city
the
on
Lake
public
to
Erie
enjoy.
Corporations, railways, and private land owners were gobbling up any lake front property that was available. Afraid that the public would eventually be isolated from the lakeshore, Lorain City officials started looking into purchasing land. What they found was 42 acres on the north and south sides of West Erie Avenue, which is now known as Lakeview Park.
Photos provided by Lorain County Metro Parks
Leonard Miller Moore, the Mayor of Lorain from 1916 to 1917, was the energy behind purchasing Lakeview Park for the city. Three offers were placed before the Mayor and City Council from the Chamberlain Estates. The first was to purchase the 19 acres along the lake for $42,500.
The second included the land offered in the first proposal and 21.9 acres on the south side of West Erie Avenue for $52,900. Finally, Chamberlain offered all of the 119 acres along West Erie Ave. for $100,000, which Mayor Moore believed would be a “good buy” if the city could get the same price for portions of the property that they would not be able to use. After much discussion and some concern that the property was too far out of town for citizens to enjoy, councilmen decided to purchase 19 acres north of West Erie Ave and 21.9 acres south of West Erie Ave for $53,551.38. Following the purchase, the City looked into ways to improving the park so families could enjoy hot summer days there. The public bathhouse was constructed to house changing rooms, concessions, and a deck overlooking the beach. For the daredevils, park officials installed three diving boards between 10-15 feet over the water and a slide that you could go down head first, feet first, or sideways into the water. On a hot day, the park could accommodate 2,000 visitors.
In
1924,
a
storm
formed
over
Lake
Erie.
As it came across Sandusky Point, this storm spawned a tornado which devastated Lakeview Park as well as the city of Lorain. Eight individuals lost their lives in the park and the bathhouse was destroyed, with the exception of the concrete arched columns on the lower level. The beach house was rebuilt twice after that, always maintaining the concrete arched columns.
l a c ol ni a r ol e h t @ | m o c .l a c ol ni a r ol
The Lorain County Metro Parks leased the 19 acres of property on the north side of West Erie Avenue from the city of Lorain in 2006. Extensive renovations, including a new bathhouse were completed in 2007. The style of the bathhouse is reminiscent of the original 1919 building, including the use of the original concrete arched columns on the lower level.
For more information, please visit: https://www.loraincountymetroparks.com/lakeview-park-info
Lorain Local Magazine | page 42
