Vermilion in Erie County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Thriller ⎯⎯⎯ The Tumble Bug ⎯⎯⎯ The Miniature Train
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 6, 2026
1. The Thriller - The Tumble Bug - The Miniature Train Marker
Inscription.
The Thriller, also, The Tumble Bug, also, The Miniature Train. .
The Thriller. The Thriller was completed and ready for the 1926 season opening of the park on May 30th. It was located between the Erie County line and the Stagecoach House. At the time of its construction there were only two types of roller coasters, the under slung and the channel. George Blanchat chose the more expensive channel ride because it was safer. The "rust removing crew", pictured on the right, was comprised of park manager Jimmy Ryan, Paul Reis, and Henry Rust. These brave souls would use one car and two oil cans as they completed numerous trips each spring on this gravity-powered ride to remove any rust accumulated from the winter.,
The Tumble Bug. This white pylon was the main support for the ride called the Bug. It was located in the center of the amusement park's lakefront property. The "sweeps" or arms of the ride held the cars securely to the pylon. The cars traveled around a single rail track over a series of three hills. Daughters Marlene and Sandra share some fun together on the Bug with co-owner Thelma Blanchat Calvert.,
The Miniature Train. The first train was fueled by coal followed by trains using steam gasoline, and finally diesel fuel. The engineer urged park visitors to come along for a ride by announcing on a microphone "Down around the lakefront, through the park and back again. Great big ride on a little train only fifteen cents". Co-owner Eleanor Blanchat Ryan and son Tom are seen enjoying a ride on the little train.
The Thriller
The Thriller was completed and ready for the 1926 season opening of the park on May 30th. It was located between the Erie County line and the Stagecoach House. At the time of its construction there were only two types of roller coasters, the under slung and the channel. George Blanchat chose the more expensive channel ride because it was safer. The "rust removing crew", pictured on the right, was comprised of park manager Jimmy Ryan, Paul Reis, and Henry Rust. These brave souls would use one car and two oil cans as they completed numerous trips each spring on this gravity-powered ride to remove any rust accumulated from the winter.
The Tumble Bug
This white pylon was the main support for the ride called the Bug. It was located in the center of the amusement park's lakefront property. The "sweeps" or arms of the ride held the cars securely to the pylon. The cars traveled around a single rail track over a series of three hills. Daughters Marlene and Sandra share some fun together on the Bug with co-owner Thelma Blanchat Calvert.
The Miniature Train
The first train was fueled by coal followed by trains using steam gasoline, and finally diesel fuel. The engineer urged park visitors to come along for a ride by announcing on a microphone
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"Down around the lakefront, through the park and back again. Great big ride on a little train only fifteen cents". Co-owner Eleanor Blanchat Ryan and son Tom are seen enjoying a ride on the little train.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1926.
Location. 41° 25.595′ N, 82° 21.007′ W. Marker is in Vermilion, Ohio, in Erie County. It is at the intersection of Nantucket Place and U.S. 6, on the right when traveling north on Nantucket Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 608 Perry St, Vermilion OH 44089, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
2. The Thriller - The Tumble Bug - The Miniature Train Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
