In the Buffalo Night-Life article above, it mentions the closing of the 97th season of Crystal Beach Park, Labor Day 1985. Exactly three-years later in 1989 the park shut its doors for good.
I well remember this magical place called Crystal Beach. It gave me such amazing memories and experiences that will never leave my heart.
Crystal Beach was not just a beach and a park, but a state of mind.
Although it’s been many years now since the park closed I wanted to create a brief memorial here for all of us who remember the park and enjoyed it. So grab a “Halls Sucker” and get ready to take a walk down Hot Dog Alley with me through one of the greatest traditional amusement parks of all time.
During the 1980s Crystal Beach was starting to decline. The carousel was sold off in pieces to pay for other park improvements and new rides for the 1985 season. However, despite these and other new additions, the park would not survive past the 1989 season, and on October 17th, 1989, Norton Auctioneers were on site to sell off the remaining rides and attractions.
Most of the rides survived to find new owners, like the Comet, which has been rebuilt at Lake George New York. However, even though the very rare Giant Coaster, one of only a handful of side friction roller coasters left in the world, was purchased at the auction, it was destroyed on site. The park is now home to condos in a gated community named the Crystal Beach Tennis & Yacht Club.
When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, Crystal Beach was a wonderful place to visit, and quite affordable too. One of the most popular items, other than the great attractions were the Crystal Beach Sugar Waffles, and Halls Suckers, both of which are available online at the Crystal Beach Candy Company. There are still made with the original Hall recipes. >slur-r-r-r-p<
I lived with my Grandparents in Buffalo and they had a cottage in Crystal Beach on Elm St…so I spent every summer during 1960’s and some of 1970’s at the most special place in the world.. I‘ll always remember the bumps of the Scajaquada, the Peace Bridge, the glory of arriving in Crystal Beach, the park, the beach, loganberry, vinegar fries, the suckers, Grandpa’s O’Keefe Ale….thanks so much for your pics and words
As a kid, my family took me there alot! I remember it had tons of rides and attractions! I’m 62 now, but do remember the place!
Where can I purchase a picture of the ode to Chrystal Beach art print showing all the rides together on the page? My email is [email protected], our phone number is 716 328 6552.
Hi Christine, I do not know where you can purchase a map, but if you Google ‘Crystal Beach Amusement Park’ you will find vendors out there that sell Crystal Beach memorabilia. Good Luck and thank-you for visiting our page.