Geneva in Ashtabula County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Miniature Golf
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 19, 2021
1. Miniature Golf Marker
Top caption
A postcard shows the beautifully landscaped miniature golf course as it appeared before carpet turfs. Miniature golf spread rapidly across the U.S. after a suitable artificial green was invented by Thomas McCulloch Fairbairn. Top postcard: The course at a later date shows the evolution of the concession stand at the corner of the course.
Jack Sargent GOTL collection
Inset
PUTT-PUTT Erwin's Putt-Putt course was built on land purchased from Howard Warner by Jerry Laurie, who sold the course to Dave Ramsey in 1968. It stood in front of The Colonial, across from Mapleton Beach.
A postcard shows the beautifully landscaped miniature golf course as it appeared before carpet turfs. Miniature golf spread rapidly across the U.S. after a suitable artificial green was invented by Thomas McCulloch Fairbairn. Top postcard: The course at a later date shows the evolution of the concession stand at the corner of the course.
Jack Sargent GOTL collection
Inset
PUTT-PUTT Erwin's Putt-Putt course was built on land purchased from Howard Warner by Jerry Laurie, who sold the course to Dave Ramsey in 1968. It stood in front of The Colonial, across from Mapleton Beach.
Miniature Golf became popular in the United States during the 1920s. GOTL's course is based upon the design used by courses that New York City's millionaires had built on the rooftops of their penthouses when miniature golf was a faddish game for the rich.The village's oldest miniature golf course was built in 1924. Its owners claim that it is the oldest of its kind in continuous play- that is while other miniature golf courses pre-date this one, they no longer exist.
Owners have included Victor Goettel, Herb Thomas and his son Richard Thomas. Bill and Georgette Allison purchased the course in 1981. The Allisons revamped the course with artificial greens and removed the excess landscaping while preserving the layout and challenging features of the original design.
There were at least two other miniature courses on The Strip. The Pera family had its Pier Golf Gardens in front of the Pier Ballroom. The Olympic Midway had an “obstacle golf" course at the rear of the arcade.
Erected by Ashtabula County Civic Development Corporation, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Sponsored by the
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 41° 51.618′ N, 80° 57.113′ W. Marker is in Geneva, Ohio, in Ashtabula County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Lake Road East (Ohio Route 531) and Golf Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5456 Lake Rd E, Geneva OH 44041, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pier Ballroom (within shouting distance of this marker); The New Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Pera's Kiddieland (within shouting distance of this marker); Pergola Gardens (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gas Stations (about 700 feet away); The Popcorn Ball (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shady Beach (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ransom E. Olds-Birthplace (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Geneva.
Also see . . . Allison's Mini Golf. (Submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 19, 2021
2. Miniature Golf Marker
Photographed By Kim Anderson, June 19, 2021
3. Miniature Golf Marker
Welcome
The Oldest Miniature Golf Course in the United States in Continuous play Established 1924
The Allison Family
The Oldest Miniature Golf Course in the United States in Continuous play Established 1924
The Allison Family
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 110 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
