Conneaut Lake Park was founded in 1892 as Exposition Park by Col.
Frank Mantor as a permanent fairground and exposition for livestock, machinery, and industrial products from Western Pennsylvania.
 Prior to this time, 7 acres of land on which the park is located were purchased in 1877 by Aaron Lynce for use as a boat landing.
 Col.
Mantor's company, the Conneaut Lake Exposition Company, purchased an additional 175 acres of adjacent land, 75 of which were given to Mr. Lynce as payment for his parcel.

During its early years, buildings at Exposition Park included a dance hall, a convention hall (for lectures), and a bathhouse.
 Several of the structures from Lynce's landing were also retained as well as a farmhouse on the property that was converted to a hotel.
 The park's first mechanical ride, a carousel, opened in 1899, and was soon joined by other rides and a midway.

Ownership of the park transferred to the Pittsburgh & Shenango Valley Railroad in 1901, during which time several hotels were built on the property.
 Originally accessible only by boat or train, trolley service was extended to the park in 1907.
 With its lakefront presence, hotels, and remote location, the park became a popular resort destination.
 Although many of the park's original buildings were lost in a 1908 fire, new concrete block replacements were constructed, including the Dreamland Ballroom.
Conneaut Lake Park was founded in 1892 as Exposition Park by Col. Frank Mantor as a permanent fairground and exposition for livestock, machinery, and industrial products from Western Pennsylvania.  Prior to this time, 7 acres of land on which the park is located were purchased in 1877 by Aaron Lynce for use as a boat landing.  Col. Mantor's company, the Conneaut Lake Exposition Company, purchased an additional 175 acres of adjacent land, 75 of which were given to Mr. Lynce as payment for his parcel.
During its early years, buildings at Exposition Park included a dance hall, a convention hall (for lectures), and a bathhouse.  Several of the structures from Lynce's landing were also retained as well as a farmhouse on the property that was converted to a hotel.  The park's first mechanical ride, a carousel, opened in 1899, and was soon joined by other rides and a midway.
Ownership of the park transferred to the Pittsburgh & Shenango Valley Railroad in 1901, during which time several hotels were built on the property.  Originally accessible only by boat or train, trolley service was extended to the park in 1907.  With its lakefront presence, hotels, and remote location, the park became a popular resort destination.  Although many of the park's original buildings were lost in a 1908 fire, new concrete block replacements were constructed, including the Dreamland Ballroom.
Conneaut Lake Park