Pictured is a post card with a view of Celoron Park as it once was. Thomas Goodwill will talk about the Celoron Amusement Park.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will continue its fall 2022 Chautauqua County History Lecture Series on Thurday at 7 p.m., with Celeron Amusement Park, an illustrated presentation with author Thomas Goodwill.

Opened in 1894 as one of the many business interests of Jamestown’s well-known Broadhead family, and said to be modeled after parks at Coney Island and Atlantic City, the Celeron Amusement Park featured several rides including a large ferris wheel known as “The Phoenix,” a roller coaster and a toboggan water slide, as well as a theater, auditorium, bandstand and baseball diamond.

Goodwill will speak about the history of the Park, once a popular tourist attraction along the rail line serving Jamestown and Chautauqua Lake.

The Jamestown native is the author of several books including “Three Hundred Years in America, a History of the Goodwill Family,” which explores genealogical research he conducted into the Goodwill surname and close approximations, Centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the City of Jamestown, 1886 – 1986,” and “Celeron Park on Chautauqua Lake.” His books will be for sale in the Opera House lobby before and after the event.

Admission to the lecture is free, with donations gratefully accepted.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. A complete schedule of Opera House events is available at www.fredopera.org.