History of Lakeside, Lakewood

Lakeside Park opened in 1880 with two dams and picnic grounds, and steady improvements followed. In 1891 bathing houses and cottages were built on the grounds. A merry-go-round was added in 1903, and in 1920, then-owner Harry Hart arranged the delivery of several railroad cars of sea sand for a beach. In 1923, he added a wooden roller coaster.

In 1924, Hart also purchased an open auditorium — now the Lakeside Ballroom — which was dismantled and moved to the park; in 1927 he added a newer merry-go-round and two amusement park rides. The ballroom, nearly 25,000 square feet, has a walk-in cooler, commercial kitchen, a stage and spacious dance area. Headliners such as Benny Goodman and the Jordan Brothers drew hundreds to performances.

Meanwhile, about a mile away, the 88-acre Lakewood Park opened in 1916. Both ventures thrived in their heydays. A train brought people to West Mahanoy Junction, where they could disembark and go to either Lakewood or Lakeside. Lakewood opened its Crystal Ballroom in 1925. At that time each venue had a huge dance floor, with Lakeside’s 144 feet by 80 feet and Lakewood’s 168 by 104 feet. Lakewood, former site of the Bavarian Festival, closed in 1984.

In recent years, Lakeside continued to operate, hosting musical entertainers, dances and civic functions such as the annual American Cancer Society’s Chinese Auction. The historic 8-acre Lakeside property is presently owned by Lakeside RE LLC; the property failed to sell at an auction in late June.

Lakewood got new owners late in 2017, when the property was purchased by Loren E. “Buck” Roth, Patty Roth and Andrew Roth, all of Nescopeck Township. The Roths plan a campground with entertainment venue; the venture has been approved by Ryan Township officials and is in development.