The Beach Park Railway museum came to life when Tomie and Tom purchased the Avon Lake shopping center 21 years ago. At the time, neither of them knew why Electric Boulevard was called “Electric,” despite living in Avon Lake since 1976. Upon further investigation, they discovered that the Lake Shore Electric Railway (LSE) had a stop in the town. In fact, the main building of the shopping center they had purchased was the main station for the railway. Once Tomie and Tom learned this fact, they decided to learn more about the LSE and spread awareness by way of a museum.

The LSE started coming through Avon Lake in 1901 and continued to run until May 15, 1938. During this time, the LSE was the quintessential interurban railway of the time. The railway was known for its big, luxurious cars and fast service that could transport people and goods between Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit. The interurban railway was an essential part of the growth that many towns saw in Ohio. In fact, Ohio was the nation’s leader for the electric railway, boasting more companies and miles of track than any other state in the U.S. These trains were perfect for traveling businessmen, as well as farmers who wanted to sell their produce to different states. Unfortunately, the increasing popularity of the automobile and harsh economic times led to the demise of interurban railways.

The history of the LSE and of how this railway helped the city of Avon Lake grow inspired the founders of Beach Park Railway. The goal of this museum is to help others understand more about the railway and get to know the exciting history that shaped the town of Avon Lake. Beach Park Railway is proud to be a part of the Avon Lake Historical Society. As a member, Beach Park Railway works to encourage preservation, celebrate artifacts, and enjoy the historic sites and structures throughout Avon Lake, as well as educate the public on the unique history of the town.

As part of our vision, our team at Beach Park Railway wants to encourage you to explore our museum, learn about the history, and envision what artifacts or information may help support the foundation we’ve built. We want our museum to be the best it can be, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without help from the residents of this town, so your feedback is always appreciated.

Ready to see the museum for yourself? There’s never a wrong time to visit, and our team would love to show you around. Explore our website to learn more about what we have to offer the residents of Avon Lake, and when you’re ready, visit our museum in the Avon Lake shopping center to step into the history of our town!

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