Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach is located in the township of Fort Erie in the province of Ontario, Canada, along the shores of Lake Erie. Crystal Beach began in 1888 as a Chautauqua show area, or religious campground, with an auditorium, tents, and picnic grounds. It drew 150,000 guests per season. Entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to make money by having side show performances between sermons and to offer refreshments. A group of investors got together in 1890 and formed The Crystal Beach Company (CBC), as the beach was dubbed by one of the partners because of the sand quality there. The beach was a major attraction because of a gentle slope that ran for some distance underwater with no drop-offs or undertow. Crystal Beach continued to operate until 1989 when the park was closed permanently. It is now the site of a private gated community.
Collection owner: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society