Eugene B. Ackley (1871-1957) was a popular musician and bandleader in Sandusky, Ohio. Born into a musical family in Illinois, Ackley took up the cornet at 12 becoming one of the best B-flat cornetists in the country. This allowed him to travel the country with different groups. He arrived in Sandusky at age 22 and worked as the director of music at the Cedar Point amusement park and as the instructor of the Sandusky Band and Orchestra. In 1902, he wrote the “Cedar Point March,” the first song dedicated to the park.
Other than music, Ackley also ran a successful billiard parlor, published postcards, and served as the chairman of the board of the Western Security Bank.
Vintage postcard (c. 1940) depicting the entrance to the Blue Hole in Castalia, Ohio.
Vintage white border linen postcard depicting visitors watching fish in the trout stream at the Blue Hole in Castalia, Ohio.
Vintage linen postcard (c. 1930s) depicting a scene at the Blue Hole in Castalia, Ohio.
Vintage linen postcard depicting a night scene at the Blue Hole in Castalia, Ohio.
Vintage linen postcard depicting the Mill Pond and Fish Hatchery at the Blue Hole in Castalia, Ohio.
Vintage linen postcard (c. 1952) depicting a part of the bathing beach and picnic grounds at East Harbor State Park, just east of Port Clinton, Ohio.
Vintage linen postcard depicting scenes from the Crystal Cave in Put-In-Bay, Ohio.