There is something about storybook parks that has always fascinated me. Maybe it has something to do with Storyland in Schellsburg being my first love along the Lincoln Highway, or maybe because they have all but disappeared. Regardless, when I found out about Conneaut Lake Park’s Fairyland Forest I was intrigued.
Some of the attractions that can be seen in this photo are Noahs Ark as well as Jonah and the Whale.
I saw some old pictures of nursery rhyme-type characters in the gift shop but I wasn’t sure what they were from or where they were located. We had seen remains of what seemed like an old attraction back in the woods but I weren’t sure if that had something to do with it. Then while having dinner at the Hotel Conneaut I saw some old pennants from the park on the wall and there was one for the Fairyland Forest.
Conneaut Lake Park’s Fairyland Forest
Animals were a major part of the Fairyland Forest attraction. The letters to the sign are visible in the background.
Fairyland Forest was actually located across the street from the main entrance of Conneaut Lake Park on the ground which is now Camperland. It was opened in the 1960s as a walk-through attraction featuring storybook houses and figures as well as animal attractions and a petting zoo.
The Noah’s Ark attraction was very popular, often attracting large lines.
The old lady in the shoe seemed to be a staple at many of the story book parks of the time.
The cow jumped over the moon featured a small farm and characters.
In fact, these sort of storybook parks were very popular all across the country in those days. In fact, there were two additional ones located here in Western Pennsylvania.
Humpty Dumpty was another staple at manny of the story book parks.
Ali Baba’s Cave held mysteries for those who dared to enter.
A giant rabbit was also part of the displays.
The 1980s weren’t good to many of the story lands with the majority closing their gates for good. The exception to this is Storybook Forest at Idlewild Park which is still operating today.
By 1985, Fairyland Forest was falling into disrepair and the decision was made to close the attraction. Many of the fiberglass figures and buildings were auctioned, sold, or destroyed. The area was pretty much entirely cleared in order to make way for Camperland, Conneaut’s campground.
In doing “research” over our dinner I discovered that despite closing 33 years ago, some revenants of Fairyland Forest survived. This meant I HAD to check it out. We all hopped in the car and headed across the street.
The Remains of Fairyland Forest
The Bavarian-style buildings once served as the gift shops for the Fairyland Forest.
The two most obvious buildings that once were part of Fairyland Forest are a Bavarian-style cottage and what appears to have once been a windmill. The cottage once served as Fairyland Forest’s gift shop and the windmill was the ticket booth. Now, both serve as part of the camp store.
I knew there was one more piece hiding in the campground. We slowly drove around the grounds until there it was.
Now in pretty rough shape and in desperate need of a paint job, one of the last remaining remnants of Fairyland Forest can be found in a swampy pond.
Tucked into a swampy pond was the fiberglass figure of a whale’s head and right behind it, sticking out of the water, was the tail — although the tail is in pretty rough shape these days. Now painted black and white, the whale was originally blue and was part of a Jonah and the Whale display. You could look down the whale’s mouth and see Jonah in its belly.
The original Jonah and the Whale Display. Note the head and the tail are the same as what remains today.
Although overgrown, we were definitely able to tell that there was a remnant of the old park hiding behind the trees.
While the area that you used to be able to look into to see Jonah is now boarded up and covered with a bench I can’t help by wonder if Jonah is still in there and what he originally looked like!
I can’t help but wonder if the Jonah figure is still in the whale’s boarded up belly?
It’s finding the revenants of these things that once were that are so fascinating to me. While I wish more remained of Fairyland Forest, just finding what I did was exciting. What is even better is that Conneaut Lake Park itself has a ton of amusement park treasures and last-of-its-kind rides that are an amusement park lovers dream!
Plus, if you want to see ruins of the former Storyland fairytale park check out this blog post about Storyland in Schellsburg.
If you want to check out a fairytale park that is still in operation and is currently part of the oldest operating amusement park in the world, check out this blog post about Storybook Forest located at Idlewild Park in Ligonier.
Be sure to check out more amusement park history
Jane
Friday 8th of September 2023
We went there just a few times, when I was very young, and all I really remember wsa the woman in the pumpkin shell. And the old woman who lived in a shoe with her children.
It was a sweet park, I always wished we went there more often.
Michael Silver
Tuesday 5th of September 2023
My family lived in Meadville from 1963,until 1968. I was born in 1960, and have memories of Fairyland Forest, and Conneaut Lake, and the causeway, where you could purchase loaves of bread to feed to the fish (And the seagulls that would land on the fishes backs to eat the bread) I remember Ali Baba's Cave, the Whale, the Bavarian Cottage, and the Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe! I have a vague memory of a witch? Am I misremembering? I have told my wife and sons about Fairyland Forest, and Conneaut Lake, but as they never visited, it means little to them. However, when I was a child, it was magical!
Debbie Shirley
Friday 7th of January 2022
There used to be some kind of similar Fairyland on Conneaut Lake Rd across from Hank's. Years ago you could see pieces of remains from 322. Do you have any info on that one?
Wendi Goetz
Monday 20th of December 2021
My Grandparents Bernie and Jane Hohl managed Fairy Land Forest from the time it opened until the time it closed. I spent most of time there helping my grandparents. Weather I worked in the gift shop as a helper with my grandmother. Or helping my grandfather feed and care for the animals. It was a large part of my childhood. Many great memories for my family. I have 1 piece of the rose garden in my possession, it is the sign that greeted you as you came into the garden gate. I was able to take my first son to the park the year it closed. He was only 10 months old, has no memory , however we have some great phots to remind us of the time he spent there. I love to hear the stories others have to tell about the time they visited Fairy Land Forest.
Ken Scheetz
Sunday 7th of November 2021
Places like this built exclusively for children are no longer available. I loved Fairyland Forest. My parents took my sister and I every summer, and we really enjoyed it. It’s a shame that there aren’t more places like this for kids. Kids loved it because they knew it was a place designed just for them.