Maple Springs in Ellery in Chautauqua County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Midway Park

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 24, 2022

1. Midway Park Marker

Picture taken on the day it was dedicated.

Inscription. Picnic and recreation area opened in 1898 by Jamestown & Lake Erie Rwy. Visitors came via steam train, then by electric interurbans 1914 - 1947.

Erected 2022 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation & Niagara Frontier Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. (Marker Number 865.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 42° 12.031′ N, 79° 25.45′ W. Marker is in Ellery, New York, in Chautauqua County. It is in Maple Springs. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Chautauqua Avenue (New York State Route 430) and Creek Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is within Midway State Park, away from Route NY 430, and next to the old Right-of-Way near Chautauqua Lake. The area is called Maple Springs. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4863 Chautauqua Avenue, Bemus Point NY 14712, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pier Building (approx. 2.1 miles away); This Tower (approx. 2.1 miles away); Palestine Park (approx. 2.1

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miles away); Miller Park (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lewis Miller Cottage (approx. 2.2 miles away); Pioneer Home (approx. 2.9 miles away); Bemus Point Library (approx. 3.1 miles away); Train Depot (approx. 3.1 miles away).

Regarding Midway Park. Visitors also came by steamboats on Lake Chautauqua, docking at the Midway pier from which the park derives its name.

The following exclusive is the markers dedication speech on 05/24/2022 by Karen Walsh, daughter of Frank & Marge Walsh and niece of Martin & Muriel Walsh, who co-owned Midway Park for 32 years, and cousin of Michael & Janis Walsh who owned Midway for 22 years.

"For more than half a century, 54 years to be exact, 2 generations of the Walsh families, worked, lived and breathed life into a memorable Midway Amusement Park, cementing a foundation of employment, enjoyment, leisure and memories for the times, for countless tens of thousands of people of all ages.

"The Walsh brothers, Martin & Frank grew up in rural Minnesota. Martin “Red” Walsh, made his way to Western New York, working under previous owner Thomas Carr. In 1951, Midway Park, up for sale, Martin invited brother Frank Walsh to

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 24, 2022

2. Midway Park Marker

Marker near the pavilion/hippodrome where the trains and interurbans stopped and could pass each other. Chautauqua Lake in background.

purchase as partners, Midway Park from the Estate of Tom Carr. Together, they expanded, promoted, embellished and further popularized the park among people of all ages, focusing on families, young children and teenagers, from 8 to 80+.

"Martin or “Red” managed the rides, grounds, rink & penny arcade. Frank managed the office, finances, general business, concession stands, restaurant, bar & Sunset Room.

"Originating with 2 rides, the Walsh brothers purchased numerous kiddie and larger amusement rides in the 1950’s & 1960’s, eventually expanding to more than a dozen amusement park rides.

"During their era, in addition to the amusement rides, popular were the main building, housing an open air roller rink with roller skating to live & recorded Hammond organ music, dances & sock-hops; a variety of concession stand food favorites- from freshly popped popcorn to soft drinks, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, French fries, ice cream, freshly spun cotton candy, candied apples & more - a restaurant, bar, Sunset room for special events, penny arcade, carousel, picnic grounds, pavilions, go-carts & mini golf. Standard events included 5 cent kiddie day Wednesdays, countless catered annual company picnics provided by local industries & businesses for their employees & their families, public school group days, family reunions, spectacular 4th

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 24, 2022

3. Midway Park Marker

Between the park offices building and the old Right-of Way, Chautauqua Avenue. View is southward. Patrons cannot enter the park by motor vehicle here, but a narrow gap in the fencing allows pedestrian entry.

of July firework displays attended by thousands and many, many other special events. Opening Memorial Day and closing Labor Day the park was open 7 days a week from 11am to 11 pm during the summer season, rain or shine.

"Through challenges and triumph, not only did the park provide work for two families, but also provided a good work ethic of summer employment for countless area teenagers, adults of all ages, including senior citizens & retirees from as far away as Florida, many who returned year after year, decade after decade. Midway Park was a playground, a social community for youth, families & people of all ages to gather share and enjoy, a safe, welcoming atmosphere of fun, friends and family; impeccably clean, freshly painted with well-maintained grounds, an iconic gathering place on the shores of beautiful Lake Chautauqua.

"In 1983, Frank & Marge Walsh retired, selling their share of Midway Park to Martin & Muriel Walsh, who thereafter sold the Park to Michael & Janis Walsh, their son & daughter-in-law, a long-standing presence there in the daily operation of the park. Known affectionately as “Mr. & Mrs. Midway” they carried the torch from 1983 to 2005, operating the entire park & further expanding with a museum, additional rides, adapting to the changing times, all while maintaining the long established friendly, family focus.

"Generations

Midway Park Marker - Original Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 24, 2022

4. Midway Park Marker - Original Location

Northward view (NY-430 west). The marker was relocated to be adjacent to the old Right-of-Way of the railroad within the park.

of area residents and visitors from both near and far, who spent time at the park themselves, with their friends, family, colleagues, children or grandchildren, couples who met here and later married, hold treasured memories of a wonderful, unique special place called Midway Amusement Park, in Maple Springs, New York at a special time in the 2nd half of the 20th Century.

"In 2005, Michael and Janis Walsh retired, selling the park to New York State, thus known for the past 17 years as Midway State Park.

Also see . . .
1. Friends of Midway State Park. (Submitted on May 24, 2022, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. Midway State Park - Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 24, 2022, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
3. Midway Park. National Register of Historic Places form, National Archives. (Submitted on September 19, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Midway Park National Register Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 24, 2022

5. Midway Park National Register Marker

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 24, 2022

6. Midway Park National Register Marker

At the entry/exit driveway split to/from Route 394.

Former R.O.W. in the Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 7, 2021

7. Former R.O.W. in the Park

View is southward.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 7, 2021

8. Former R.O.W. in the Park

View is Northward (aka: Chautauqua Avenue). The white building (pavilion/hippodrome) has restrooms, a museum, gift shop, and burgers, ice cream, and such. The second floor has a roller rink that has been closed for decades.

Interurban Car at Midway Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John D. Denney, Jr., 1942

9. Interurban Car at Midway Park

"Crews had their own way of securing the trolley rope to the baggage door grab iron of this 1914-Cincinati-built car. Two years later, No. 304 was destroyed in a fatal accident." From "Traction Distraction" by John D. Denney, Jr., in National Railway Bulletin, vol. 65, No. 4, 2000, copyright 2000 by the National Railway Historical Society.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2022, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 305 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on October 12, 2022, by Karen Walsh of Bemus Point, Ny 14712. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2022, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 3. submitted on August 27, 2022, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 4. submitted on May 24, 2022, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 5, 6. submitted on September 19, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 24, 2022, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.