Description: This photograph shows a group of sailboats cruising around Buckeye Lake in Licking County, ca. 1960s or 1970s. Buckeye Lake began as a small pond that Ohio's American Indians called “Big Swamp” or “Big Pond.” In the 1820s, the state of Ohio developed it as a water source for the Licking Summit of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and engineers dammed the north and west sides of the swamp. This part of the canal project was completed in 1830. After the summit level of the canal became inactive in the 1890s, the State developed Licking Summit Reservoir (Buckeye Lake) for recreation. The Columbus, Buckeye Lake, and Newark Traction Company developed an "electric park" here, bringing in excursionists on inter-urban cars between 1904 and 1929 and creating one of the region's most popular resorts. Hotels and summer cottages proliferated on leased ground. The Great Depression changed the environment of Buckeye Lake significantly. The rail line went out of business, which meant that many people could no longer afford to travel to the park. A number of families began to live in their summer cottages year-round because they could no longer afford their more expensive homes in the cities. The amusement park continued to operate during this era, constantly working to add features that would attract more visitors, such as a roller coaster, a roller skating rink, a nightclub, and the Crystal Ballroom and Pool. The ballroom attracted a number of famous performers, including Guy Lombardo, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington, among others. Grand entertainments continued throughout the 1940s, and the amusement park attracted as many as fifty thousand people each day. In 1949 the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as the first state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. The crowds that had once flocked to the park had disappeared, and buildings were torn down one by one. Visitors to Buckeye Lake today can find only one remaining remnant of the old Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, a fountain that is located at the Buckeye Lake State Park's North Shore. The lake has 3,800 acres of water, 35 miles of shoreline, and twenty islands. Today the lake area has become the water recreation center of central Ohio, providing boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, golfing, picnicking, and ice sports. The lake extends into three counties: Fairfield, Licking and Perry. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06653
Subjects: Sailboats; Sailing; Lakes & ponds; Buckeye Lake State Park (Ohio); Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; State parks & reserves; Amusement parks
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: A view of Buckeye Lake in Licking County. Buckeye Lake began as a small pond that Ohio's American Indians called "Big Swamp" or "Big Pond." In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. By the early 20th century, the reservoir had become an attractive location for recreational activities, including through the construction of Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, and the Columbus, Buckeye Lake and Newark Interurban Electric Railway, an electric trolley system, connected the park to nearby urban areas. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06705
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Recreation; Licking River (Ohio)
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: A view of Buckeye Lake in Licking County. Buckeye Lake began as a small pond that Ohio's American Indians called "Big Swamp" or "Big Pond." In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. By the early 20th century, the reservoir had become an attractive location for recreational activities, including through the construction of Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, and the Columbus, Buckeye Lake and Newark Interurban Electric Railway, an electric trolley system, connected the park to nearby urban areas. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06706
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Recreation; Licking River (Ohio)
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: Canal plat map showing a section of Buckeye Lake in Licking County, Ohio. Although this map is affixed in a volume of plat maps for the Miami and Erie Canal, Buckeye Lake (formerly known as Licking Reservoir) was a part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The map was created under the direction of the members of the Canal Commission of the state of Ohio and approved by the Chief Engineer of the Department of Public Works (variously referred to as the Board of Public Works and the Division of Public Works). In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: BV23165_017
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Ohio and Erie Canal (Ohio); Transportation; Canals -- Ohio; Reservoirs
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: Canal plat map showing Buckeye Lake in Licking, Perry and Fairfield Counties. Although this map is affixed in a volume of plat maps for the Miami and Erie Canal, Buckeye Lake (formerly known as Licking Reservoir) was a part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The map was created under the direction of the members of the Canal Commission of the state of Ohio and approved by the Chief Engineer of the Department of Public Works (variously referred to as the Board of Public Works and the Division of Public Works). In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: BV23165_018
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Ohio and Erie Canal (Ohio); Transportation; Canals -- Ohio; Reservoirs
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio); Perry County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "'Oops- Buckeye Lake State Park. Buckeye Lake, Ohio." This photograph shows a Loop-O-Plane ride at Buckeye Lake's amusement park. The ride has two cars which rotate around a central axis. The Loop-O-Plane was created by Lee Eyerly in 1933. The ride became incredibly popular, resulting in it appearing at many amusement parks and fairs. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B13F03_0015_001
Subjects: Amusement Parks--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Amusement rides; Midways; Buckeye Lake State Park (Ohio); Recreation; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project.
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: Plat map showing a portion of Buckeye Lake labeled NE Quarter, Section 28, T. 17, R. 18. Also shown on the map are adjacent properties and rail lines, as well as the south fork feeder of the Licking River and Lieb Island. Located at the intersection of Licking, Perry and Fairfield Counties, Buckeye Lake was a part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The map was drawn by A.H. Sawyer in 1920 from an 1891 survey, presumably under the direction of the Canal Commission of the state of Ohio. In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: BV23163_008
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Ohio and Erie Canal (Ohio); Transportation; Canals -- Ohio; Reservoirs; Railroads
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Plat map showing a portion of Buckeye Lake labeled NW Quarter, Section 24, T. 17, R. 18. Also shown on the map are adjacent properties and features of the lakeshore. Located at the intersection of Licking, Perry and Fairfield Counties, Buckeye Lake was a part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The map was drawn by A.H. Sawyer in 1920 from an 1891 survey, presumably under the direction of the Canal Commission of the state of Ohio. In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: BV23163_016
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Ohio and Erie Canal (Ohio); Transportation; Canals -- Ohio; Reservoirs
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Plat map showing a portion of Buckeye Lake labeled SW Quarter, Section 27, T. 17, R. 18. Also shown on the map are adjacent properties, as well as Castle Island. Located at the intersection of Licking, Perry and Fairfield Counties, Buckeye Lake was a part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The map was drawn by A.H. Sawyer in 1920 from an 1891 survey, presumably under the direction of the Canal Commission of the state of Ohio. In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: BV23163_010
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Ohio and Erie Canal (Ohio); Transportation; Canals -- Ohio; Reservoirs
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Plat map showing a portion of Buckeye Lake labeled SE Quarter, Section 21, T. 17, R. 18 and SW Quarter, Section 22, T. 17, R. 18. Also shown on the map are adjacent properties and rail lines. Located at the intersection of Licking, Perry and Fairfield Counties, Buckeye Lake was a part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The map was drawn by A.H. Sawyer in 1920 from an 1891 survey, presumably under the direction of the Canal Commission of the state of Ohio. In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: BV23163_007
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Ohio and Erie Canal (Ohio); Transportation; Canals -- Ohio; Reservoirs; Railroads
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Plat map showing a portion of Buckeye Lake labeled SE Quarter, Section 27, T. 17, R. 18. Also shown on the map are adjacent properties. Located at the intersection of Licking, Perry and Fairfield Counties, Buckeye Lake was a part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The map was drawn by A.H. Sawyer in 1920 from an 1891 survey, presumably under the direction of the Canal Commission of the state of Ohio. In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: BV23163_011
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Ohio and Erie Canal (Ohio); Transportation; Canals -- Ohio; Reservoirs
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Plat map showing a portion of Buckeye Lake labeled Section 7, T. 19, R. 17 (SW and SE quarters). Shown on the map are features of the lakeshore. Located at the intersection of Licking, Perry and Fairfield Counties, Buckeye Lake was a part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The map was drawn by Eugene Blake in 1922, presumably under the direction of the Canal Commission of the state of Ohio. In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: BV23163_033
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; Ohio and Erie Canal (Ohio); Transportation; Canals -- Ohio; Reservoirs
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)