Woodsdale Island Park was developed by The Cincinnati, Hamilton, Dayton Railroad Company between the Great Miami River and the Miami Erie Canal in the late 1800’s. It was Butler County’s first amusement park and the predecessor to LeSourdsville Lake. Attractions in 1892 included Swan boats, a toboggan slide, a razzle dazzle, pony/donkey rides, a dance hall, a carousel, picnic grove, bowling lanes and boat rides.

The park closed in 1908 with Frank Witte as the last manager.

Below is an excerpt from Madison Township; Bicentennial Sketches 1799-1999 by George C. Crout ? 1998 Middletown Historical Society

While much has been researched about Woodsdale, it became best known for its famous Woodsdale Island Park. It was located on a 34-acre island that lay between the Great Miami River and the Miami-Erie Canal along the east side of the river. By now time and floods and the closing of the canal erased what was once an island. According to a historian, "A large surviving Sycamore tree stands in an overgrown thicket that once echoed to the sounds of laughter and activity." The old railroad, once known as the "Pumpkin Vine Line" more properly the Cincinnati and Dayton Railroad, and now simply CSX, still carries freight past the site.

But around the turn of the century the same tracks carried passengers to the old depot. The Cincinnati & Dayton Railroad had connections at both ends with other railroads, and with them planned excursions, thus bringing in visitors from the whole tri-state area. Normal round-trip fares from either city was 50 cents, while those boarding at Middletown--the station was at its local depot, corner of First and the Big Four Railroad--paid only 25 cents.

Once there they walked from the ornate depot over a five-foot wide wooden bridge to the park's entrance. Page paints a picture of the vista which greeted them: "Lush green grass, beautiful flowers, tall shade trees, a small lake, with the waters of the Great Miami River and the canal surrounding the 33-acre island." She noted that the island had a dance pavilion, a carousel, swings, park rides, and even a log flume where "riders coasted on toboggans, splashing down into the river." There were picnic grounds and even areas for tents for overnight guests. Then there was that colorful boat crafted in the shape of a swan--Swan Boat--for rides on the lake. At this idyllic spot political rallies were held with famous speakers, company picnics were scheduled, and then there were the dance bands and dancers. For many, love began in this paradise.

Not all came by train. Some nearby arrived by horse and buggy, but thousands came by canal boat. As people began to change from packet travel to railroad cars, they became nostalgic for canal boat rides. So many canal boats were used for excursions, rented by groups who wanted to ride to Woodsdale the "old-fashioned" way. In an interview before his death, Ralph W. Sebald recalled that the family's boat, the "Gambrinus," made many such pleasure trips to Woodsdale Island on the weekend, taking relatives, friends and brewery workers.

An old newspaper article dated July 4, 1892 described the activities of the day at Woodsdale Island. A summary follows:

Special excursion boats on the canal transported chartered groups to Woodsdale Island Park. One such boat, the "Gambrinus" is owned by the local Sebald Brewing Company and carried family members and friends to the park free. The mules found it easier to pull the loaded boat downstream than the upstream trip home. The island can also be approached directly from the river by riverboats or canoes.

Woodsdale Island Park is located at the village of Woodsdale, which has a general store, tavern, blacksmith shop and other businesses. It has several well-kept homes with a population of about 100. The 33-1/2 acre island on which the popular park is located is a strip of land located between the Great Miami River and the canal.

Just about every activity was featured at the park this Fourth. On the river were boat races and swimming matches or one could just enjoy the water. There was swinging in the rope swings. The young enjoyed a ride on the imaginary horses of the Carousel. River tobogganing was popular with the riders on a log flume with the occupants splashing in the Great Miami's waters.

On land the greased pig race and climbing the greased pole attracted swarms of boys and young men. There were foot races, bowling and every imaginable outdoor sport. Medals and cash prizes were offered for several events, while the boat race, swimming match and foot race were for the Miami Valley championship. Official entries had to be made beforehand by letter to T.O. Goodwin of Cincinnati. Another championship event was the baseball game between the Mohawk Browns of Hamilton and the Miami baseball team of Dayton with $200 in prizes.

Dancing was at the dance hall all day and half the night with Weber's Orchestra providing the music. There were balloon ascensions and even fireworks.

The Woodsdale Island Park has been chosen by the Republicans for a rally this fall, when thousands of faithful party members will attend. Gov. William McKinley, a popular speaker and party leader, will deliver the main address. Later, the Democrats are planning a political rally with Adlai E. Stevenson as their speaker. He is running for the vice presidency on the Cleveland ticket."

Woodsdale Island had an ignoble end. The dance hall was destroyed by a flood in 1898. Woodsdale Island for a time lingered on as a gambling and drinking rendezvous. Then the canal was drained and the Island became a memory with LeSourdsville Lake replacing it as the area's recreational center.

The area where Woodsdale Island was located was between the Great Miami River and the Miami Erie Canal.	The area was centrally located between Hamilton and Middletown.
The canal was later filled in and railroad tracks took the place of boats