“Fritsch is appointed to beach post,” a headline on page 4 of the Feb. 10, 1955, Green Bay Press-Gazette stated, announcing Ted Fritsch as the new program director at Green Bay’s Bay Beach.
Back in 1893, the World’s Columbian Exposition and its “White City” had left its impression, and those who visited Chicago during the fair took home new ideas which helped usher in the “City Beautiful” movement.
In April 1900, work began on a hotel near the bay of Green Bay.
“Work on the summer hotel to be built by M.R. Nejedlo, at Bay Beach, was begun this morning,” the April 3, 1900, Press-Gazette stated. “The hotel is to be built on the west side of the boulevard, in the grove of willows between the small bridge and the shore.”
Work on the bathhouses began in May and was completed in June, along with a small pier.
In July 1901, work on an existing dance hall was completed, tearing out the rear portion to create a stage in order to host vaudeville performances.
During the same month, the first amusement rides were added to the resort — chutes — toboggan boats that would slide down a long ramp into the water.
That summer a pavilion was also completed.
In 1911, the Bay View Beach Amusement Park filed its articles of incorporation, and in 1920, the park was donated to the city with a stipulation that it remain a park.
The city later changed the name from Bay View Beach to Bay Beach.
During the spring of 1955, Fritsch was selected among three applicants for the beach program director position.
“Three applications were received originally for the position, but Russ Widoe, who served as director for the past several seasons, and Harvey Warren, director of Community Theater, had asked that theirs be withdrawn,” the Press-Gazette stated.
“In addition to supervising the various programs to be conducted at the beach during the summer season, he will have charge of the rides for the children and concessions.”
Fritsch would receive a salary of $345 per month for the first summer.
“So that’s his summer job. Now, he’s there again from 5:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night, and my mother, bless her heart, she was with three children,” Ted’s son, Tom, recalled.
“He took this job with the city to add to his income, because he’s got mouths to feed, he’s got bills to pay — had to buy a car, had bought a house.”
During his opening season, the park welcomed a new 12-seat “giant” Ferris wheel, which was installed just one week before the park opened.
To be continued
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