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Stricker's Grove - Ross, Ohio
Compton Apts
The Compton Groves Apartment complex sits on the original location of Stricker's Grove.[Photo credit: SOAPHS]
sign
The current site of Stricker's Grove opened in 1972. [Photo credit: SOAPHS]
midway
The midway provides plenty of shade. [Photo credit: SOAPHS]
midway
Sticker's Grove pavillion privides a great place to eat. [Photo credit: SOAPHS]

 

Stricker's Grove is located in a rural area of northwestern Hamilton County near Ross, Ohio. The park is a private facility and opens only to the public annually on the Fourth of July and the second Sunday in August. Other public dates may be announced throughout the year.

Stricker’s Grove was originally located on 55 acres of land in Mt. Healthy, Ohio on Compton Avenue near Daly Road. Henry Stricker developed the park in 1924 when his co-workers at Procter and Gamble asked it they could have picnics on his land on the weekends. Watching the success of Coney Island and LeSourdsville Lake prosper as picnic facilities, Henry upgraded his land and planted apple orchards and called his new domain, Stricker's Grove.

Henry added a dance hall soon afterwards. In the 1940's, a pony cart ride and a horse and pony track were added. In 1954, a boat ride, rocket ship ride and a Ferris wheel were added to the list of attractions and were the first mechanical rides in the park. Henry died in 1960, and the operation of the park was turned over to Henry’s sons, Harold, Elmer and Ralph. The park’s modest but steady growth continued through the 1960’s. By 1966, the park’s line-up included pony rides, a train ride, carousel, Ferris wheel, a steel roller coaster, a boat ride, Tilt-a-Whirl, the rocket ship ride and the pony track.

Urban sprawl was occurring throughout the north portion of Hamilton County and the Mt. Healthy area was no exception. In 1972, the land was sold for development and today is the location of the Compton Groves Apartment complex. Ralph Stricker purchased 25 acres of land on State Route 128 near Ross, Ohio and established a new location for Stricker’s Grove that permitted him plenty of space to expand. During the 1970’s, a new train ride was purchased and a miniature golf course was built.

In 1993, Stricker’s Grove entered the record books with the addition of the Tornado roller coaster. The park’s signature ride became known as the only wood coaster located within Hamilton County (Coney Island demolished their wood coasters in the 1960s and early 70’s). The coaster cars, motor and track were purchased from the defunct Petticoat Junction Amusement Park in Panama, Florida. The figure-eight coaster featured a 55-foot high lift hill and 2080 feet of track. Imprinted souvenir merchandise was purchased from Angela Amusement Park in Hazelton, Pennsylvania.

In 1994, the park purchased the Flying Scooters from Columbian Park and replaced the Giant Slide. Construction began on the Teddy Bear roller coaster that forced the removal of the Little Dipper roller coaster.

By 2002, Stricker’s Grove featured two wood roller coasters, a train ride, Flying Scooters, a children’s whip, carousel, Ferris wheel, child’s car ride, a boat ride, a rocket ship ride, Tilt-a-Whirl, a turtle ride, helicopters, the crazy daisy, a Scrambler, a topsy-turvy ride, an 18-hole miniature golf course, games arcade, five horseshoe pits and a baseball diamond. In May 2006, Stricker’s Grove purchased the Electric Rainbow round-up ride from LeSourdsville Lake.

Today, Stricker's Grove has 17 rides and attractions. The park is known for its shaded picnic area with numerous picnic tables and a large pavilion that can accommodate up to 768 people. The park also features a large air-conditioned hall for additional seating up to 650 people.

Rides and Attractions

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