Buckeye Lake

Explore the fascinating history of Buckeye Lake, Ohio with more than 200 vintage photographs and anecdotes from the locals who experienced it.

On July 4, 1825, construction of the Ohio-Erie Canalbegan with the turning of the first shovel of earth in the Buckeye Lakearea. Completed in 1830, it formed the Licking Summit Reservoir, which became known as Buckeye Lake.

To increase weekend business on its streetcars, the Columbus, Buckeye Lakeand Newark Traction Companybought land at Buckeye Lakeand built an amusement park, advertising it as the Playground of Ohio. The Buckeye Lake Amusement Parkand the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club on Watkins Islandwere very popular, and during the big band era, many visitors came to dance at the Crystal Pavilionand the Lake Breeze Pier Ballroom, which featured the sounds of Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Lawrence Welk, and Louis Armstrong.

Chance Brockway grew up at Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, where his father managed the Lilac Roomrestaurant, and he discovered his love of photography there. His lens has followed the Ohio State Buckeyessince 1956, and many of his photographs have been published. An avid historian with an extensive photograph collection, he created the video Postcards of Buckeye Lakefor the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society.