Embedded Files
Purpose: to appreciate historical, architectural and cultural changes in roller coaster history.
--------
- Images featured here represent postcards from my private collection, reasonable copies thereof or obtained from online resources to further fulfill this page.
- Images may include copyrighted material which are displayed for documentation and educational purposes.
- I do not claim any rights to any of these images nor is my site monetized.
The roller coaster originally known as The Bobs at Coney Island was a historic wooden coaster that operated from 1926 to 1978. It was renamed the Tornado in the 1930s. The ride no longer exists, as it was severely damaged by arson attacks in 1977 and subsequently demolished.
The historic Island Park in Easton, Pennsylvania, featured a Figure Eight wooden roller coaster. The park was a popular "trolley park" attraction from 1894 to 1919, and the roller coaster was present during that time, with postcards from 1911 confirming its existence.
The "Scenic Railway" in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, was a historic wooden rollercoaster, originally called the Mountain Scenic Railway, which operated at the now-closed Willow Grove Park (a trolley park that became an amusement park) until 1974, offering themed thrills like mountains and tunnels, but it's no longer running, with the area now a mall.
The "Rocket" at Ocean View Amusement Park in Norfolk, Virginia, was a famous wooden roller coaster, originally built in 1927 as The Skyrocket. It was rebuilt after a 1958 fire and featured in the 1977 movie Rollercoaster, before its dramatic demolition in 1979 for the movie The Death of Ocean View Park, which involved multiple failed dynamite attempts and required bulldozers to finish the job.
Derby Racer was a famous John A. Miller-designed wooden racing roller coaster, opening in 1913 as the Derby Racer, later renamed Racing Coaster in 1921. This ride featured a unique Möbius loop track where opposing trains raced side-by-side before merging and ending on opposite sides of the station, operating until the park closed in 1969.
The Virginia Reel at Conneaut Lake Park was a unique wooden roller coaster featuring spinning tubs on a flat track with many turns and switchbacks, operating from 1911 to 1920 before being dismantled. It was a type of spinning coaster where seats rotated freely as they traveled the zig-zagging path, designed by Henry Elmer Riehl, and was one of several coasters at the park.
The "Sunnyside Flyer" was a large wooden roller coaster that opened in 1923, a year after the amusement park itself opened. It was designed by A. J. Miller and was notably advertised as having the "dippiest-dips on the continent". The Flyer was a popular roller coaster at the Sunnyside Amusement Park in Toronto, which closed in 1955. The park was demolished to make way for the Gardiner Expressway.
The Beach Coaster (also known as the "Pippin"): This large wooden roller coaster was the first in Florida and operated from 1928 until it was dismantled in 1950 due to safety concerns and storm damage. It was a prominent local landmark, standing 93 feet tall and reaching speeds up to 50 mph.
The Coaster Dips was an iconic National Amusement Device wooden roller coaster at Glen Echo Park in Maryland, serving as the park's flagship attraction for nearly 50 years until it was demolished in 1969. The coaster featured a surprise 75-foot double-dip, with the lower 25 feet plunging below grade into a 30-foot deep ravine.
The Scenic Railway built by LaMarcus Adna Thompson was a wooden roller coaster at Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland, Ohio, that operated from 1907 to 1937. The ride was eventually deemed outdated and was dismantled and scrapped in 1937, to be replaced with the "Over the Falls" water ride.
The Giant Coaster at Paragon Park was a historic wooden roller coaster that operated from 1917 to 1984. Originally known as "The Giant", it was the tallest roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1917, standing 98 feet high. It was designed by John A. Miller and built by Herbert Paul Schmeck of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The ride was a staple of the park until its closure in 1984 to make way for a condominium development. After Paragon Park closed it relocated to Maryland, and reopened as The Wild One at Wild World in 1986.
The "Mountain Flyer" at Massachusetts' historic Mountain Park in Holyoke was a classic wooden roller coaster, designed by Herbert Schmeck, that operated until the park's closure in the early 1990s, with remnants of the park and coaster still visible on Mount Tom, though the ride itself is long gone, replaced by the park's eventual demolition, with the Flyer Comet at Whalom Park being another notable MA coaster around that time.
Opened as The Skyrocket in May 1926 The Wildcat roller coaster at Elitch Gardens was a popular wooden coaster at the park's original location (38th and Tennyson) that closed with the park in 1994. It did not move to the current downtown Denver location and has since been demolished.
The Blue Streak was a historic wooden roller coaster at Conneaut Lake Park in Pennsylvania, famous for its 1938 opening, unique design by Edward Vettel, and classic out-and-back layout through woods, beloved by fans for its charm despite its roughness, but it met its end in January 2022 when it was destroyed during demolition.
The Cyclone Racer was a famous, dual-track wooden roller coaster at built on pilings over the water at The Pike amusement park The Pike in Long Beach, California, operating from 1930 to 1968, known for its side-by-side racing and thrilling design over the water, with its legacy honored by a decorative track in the modern Pike development.
The Double-O or aka the Flying Daredevile, was a protoype launch roller coaster (or shuttle loop) by Arrow Dynamics at the former Boardwalk and Baseball theme park in Haines City, Florida, which operated from 1987 to 1990. The park, originally called Circus World operted under tyhat name from 1974-1986.
The "Dips" at Buckroe Beach was a classic wooden roller coaster, built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) in 1925 for the Buckroe Beach Amusement Park in Hampton, Virginia, which operated from 1897 to 1985.
The coaster Dips was a iconic wooden roller coaster at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. The ride opened in 1921 and was designed by Frank Moore. The ride offered views of the Potomac River from its highest peaks before plunging into deep wooded ravines. It served as the park's flagship attraction for nearly 50 years until it was demolished in 1969.
The "Comet" was a famous wooden roller coaster originally built in 1947 at Crystal Beach Park in Ontario, Canada. A Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) design by Herbert Paul Schmeck, featuring a double out-and-back layout with airtime hills. Thoough Crystal Beach Closed in 1989; the Comet was saved, dismantled, and rebuilt as The Comet at Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, New York, where it still operates today, celebrated for its classic design and airtime hills.
Rockaway's Playland, the former amusement park in Queens, NY, featured a famous wooden roller coaster called the Atom Smasher, a 3,000-foot long ride designed by Vernon Keenan that opened in 1938, offering a thrilling, bumpy wooden coaster experience before the park closed and was redeveloped into a housing development.
The Scenic Railway roller coaster (pictured as a side friction coaster) operated from 1913 until the 1930's at Easton's Beach in Newport, Rhode Island (sometimes referred to as Newport Beach on postcards).
The Switchback Railway roller coaster was installed in 1895 at the Courtland Beach Amusement Park, which operated from 1889 to around 1917. The coaster was notably designed by LeMarcus Thompson, the same person who built the very first roller coaster four years earlier at Coney Island in 1884.
The Pikes Peak Railway at Coney Island was a gravity-powered scenic railway, featuring tunnels and simulated scenery. The popular, man-made mountain attraction opererated from around 1906 to 1911, and built by LaMarcus Thompson.
Willow Grove Park was a popular trolley park and amusement destination in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, operating from 1896 to 1975. Known for hosting many popular roller coasters; namely, The Alps, Thunderbolt, Coal Mine and Scenic Railway. The park was also famous for its concerts (hosting John Philip Sousa), before being demolished for the Willow Grove Park Mall.
The Racer, opened at Kennywood Park in 1927; designed by John A. Miller, featuring a single track that loops back on itself, creating a continuous ride where trains race on red and blue sides for a unique experience.
The Wildcat at Rocky Springs Park in Lancaster, PA, was a legendary Herbert Schmeck-designed wooden roller coaster (1928-1965). Rembered for its terrain layout, tunnel and famous for its intense drops. It stood in operable until it was demolished in 1990.
Known for it's surprising terrain hugging ravine drops, the Thunderbolt at Kennywood Park originally opened as the Pippin in 1924. The original design was by John Miller. It was later expanded in 1968 by Andy Vettel with a new helix section mand is considered a landmark attractiion.
Opened as The Skyrocket in May 1926; the Wildcat roller coaster at Elitch Gardens was a popular out and back wooden coaster at the park's original location (38th and Tennyson) that closed with the park in 1994. It did not move to the current downtown Denver location and has since been demolished.
Mr. Twister at the Original Elitch Garden's in Denver was built in 1965 in such a way the Wildcat piecered it's structure. Designed by John Allen, Mr. Twister travelled at 50 mph, had some 3,000' of track and featured a notable double helix and speedy claustrophobic tunnel. Though visduallly quite similar, variations of this ride can be found at the new Elitch Gardens (2000 Elitch Circle) in Denver and at Knobel's Amusementy resort in Pennsylvania.
The roller coaster originally known as The Bobs at Coney Island was a historic wooden coaster that operated from 1926 to 1978. It was renamed the Tornado in the 1930s. The ride no longer exists, as it was severely damaged by arson attacks in 1977 and subsequently demolished.
Built by the L.A. Thompson Company, the Scenic Railway (1910-1919) at Venice Pier was known for extending over the Pacific Ocean.
Originally named the Southern Belle in 1911; Leap the Dips opened in 1914 after an extensive redesign. Ocean View Amusement Park in Norfolk, Virginia, was a beloved seaside destination from 1905 to 1979 and hosted a variety of wooden roller coaster attractions.
The Georgia Cyclone was a classic wooden roller coaster built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and designed by Curtis Summers at Six Flags Over Georgia. The ride opened in 1990 as a mirror image of Coney Island's Cyclone, offering intense wooden coaster thrills, ultimately being re-engineered by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) into the modern hybrid/steel coaster, Twisted Cyclone, which opened in 2018.
The Steamin' Demon at Six Flags Great Escape, built by Arrow Dynamics, is a classic steel coaster featuring a vertical loop and double corkscrew, originally opening at Pontchartrain Beach in New Orleans as the "Ragin' Cajun" in 1978 before moving to New York in 1984.
The Race Thru the Clouds was Venice, California's iconic first racing wooden roller coaster, opening July 4, 1911. Built by Prior and Church with twin 4,000-foot tracks, a 90-foot height and a unique racing design by John Miller. The ride was remodled in 1913 and 1921 each time to make the ride more thrilling until it closed in 1923.
The Mountain Speedway was a prominent wooden coaster in Galveston, Texas. Known to be possibly one of the largest side friction coasters ever built; it featured 12 drops operated from the early 1920s until it was damaged by Hurricane Carla in 1961, leading to its demolition.
The Comet at Lincoln Park (North Dartmouth, MA) was a twister-layout wooden roller coaster built by The National Amusement Device Company. It operated from 1946 until the park's closure in 1987. Designed by Vernon Keenan the ride stood idle for two decades before the area was redevloped into a housing community.
This generic view of Long Beach, CA pike amusement zone features the iconic structure of the Queens Park, Cyclone Racer; a large wooden dual-track "racing" roller coaster desgined by Frederick Church and built by Harry Traver that operated from 1930 through 1968. This twin track roller coaster was built on pilings directly over the ocean waves.
The Cyclone (also known as the "Mountain Railway") was a wooden roller coaster at the former Excelsior Amusement Park in Excelsior, Minnesota. It was an L-Shaped out and back built by Fred Pierce and designed by Vernon Keenan. The ride operated from 1925 until the park's closure in 1973. A shopping and residential area now occupies the space.
Designed by John A. Miller and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company The Wild One, operated at (Adventure World, Wild World, Six Flags America) in Maryland from 1986 to 2025. The ride was relocated from Paragon Park in Massachusetts (then named the Giant Coaster, originally built in 1917).
Kennywood Parks Thunderbolt roller coaster began as the Pippin in 1924, designed by John Miller, featuring classic ravine drops. In 1968, it was transformed into the Thunderbolt by Andy Vettel, who added a new station, lift hill, and intense double helixes (the "Spaghetti Bowl") while retaining the popular ravine section.
The Mountain Scenic Railway, later renamed The Alps, was a side-friction coaster that operated at Willow Grove Park from 1905 to 1974. The brakeman-style wooden roller coaster featured elaborate mountain-like theming waterfalls and multiple lift hills. It was the last surviving scenic railway of its type in North America and stood abandoned until its demolition in 1980.
The Figure Eight was Waldameer Park's very first roller coaster, from 1902 until 1937 as a relatively mild side-friction coaster designed by T.M. Harton. Serving as a cornerstone of the park's early transition from a picnic grove to a dedicated amusement park it featured a small drop and gentle speeds, representing the park's early history as a picnic spot by Lake Erie.
At appx 66' tall, The Derby Racer was a twin wooden racing roller coaster designed by John Miller; it was one of many iconic attractions located at Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois, operating from 1909 until 1932.
Designed by John Miller, The Greyhound Roller Coaster in Celoron, NY, was Located on Chautauqua Lake. Celoron Park was a major amusement spot, and the Greyhound was a cornerstone. Until it was destroyed in a storm in 1959.
Savin Rock amusement park in West Haven, CT, featured several roller coasters including the Giant Racer in the early 1900's. Previously called The White City and established in the 1870s, the park closed in 1966.
This image is a vintage postcard depicting the "Riesen-Achterbahn" or (Giant Roller Coaster) a large traveling or temporary roller coaster at a German fairground; likey in the early 1900's.
This vintage image is a postcard depicting riders on a roller coaster at Coney Island amusement park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Possibly the Dip the Dips coaster; variations of which operated from 1911 through 1925.
This vintage postcard view depicts a side friction roller coaster (likely the Scenic Railway) at Newport Beach, Rhode Island. This ride operated possibly at Easton's Beach Park from 1913-1930. Opening in 1902 much of the park was destroyed by a hurricane in 1938.
Hershey Park's famous Sooperdooperlooper; a Schwarzkopf roller coaster designed by Werner Stengel opened in 1977. It was the first modern looping coaster on the East Coast, following the Revolution at Magic Mountain. Known for it's terrain hugging design, vertical loop and tunnel.
The Mountain Flyer roller coaster was located at Mountain Park in Holyoke, Massachusetts. A Philadelphia Tobboggan Coaster designed by Herbert Schmeck operated from 1929 until the park closed in 1987 after an accident on the miniature train ride. The "Flyer" stood abandoned until it was torn down in 1991.
The Big Dipper roller coaster was at Springlake Amusement Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Designed by John A. Miller and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC). This out and back roller coaster operated from 1926 to 1981. A business complex currently occupies the site; where a few memory tree's from the park might remain along Metro Tech Drive.
The "Coaster Dips" roller coaster operated at the at the former Glen Echo Park in Maryland from 1921-1968. The park and some amusement left-overs remain in this public space and now a part of a National Park,
Designed by National Amusement Device and Vernon Keenan. The Atom Smasher roller coaster was a wooden coaster at Rockaways' Playland in Queens, NY, known for its starring role in the 1952 film "This Is Cinerama," which showcased its thrilling POV, and operated from 1938 until the park closed in 1985. The property is now occupied by a residentail community.
Perkins Park in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, had a roller coaster called the Blue Streak which opened on July 4, 1912, but the park was short-lived and closed in 1914. It was located appx. East of South Main street along the railroad tracks and French Creek. The park was notably designed by John Miller, a well-respected roller coaster designer.
The historical Grand Canyon Scenic Railroad was a (possibly a powered) wooden roller coaster that operated on the Fraser Million Dollar Pier in Ocean Park, California from 1911 to 1912. The ride had elaborate artificial canyons, caves and a volcano that appeared to erupt with "lava" (colored lights) at night.
The Carolina Goldrusher is a classic, original mine train steel roller coaster at Carowinds that opened with the park on March 31, 1973, and is known as the first coaster in the U.S. to cross a state line (NC/SC). Designed by Ron Toomer and built by Arrow Dynamics, it features two lift hills, drops, helixes, and a tunnel, offering a family-friendly adventure with hill-hugging turns through the park's Carolina foothills.
The Giant Flyer (likely pictured here) was a roller coaster that operated at the former Savin Rock Amusement Park in West Haven, Connecticut. It was previously known as the "Thunderbolt" (built in 1925, destroyed by a hurricane in 1938) and operated under the "Giant Flyer" name from 1939 until 1956. Today, the area is a scenic walk and bike path along the shoreline. The former park is bi-sected by the current Palace street.
The historical Reverser roller coaster (likely pictured here) operated at Saltair amusement park near Salt Lake City from 1915 until it was destroyed by fire in April 1925. The ride was a unique side friction coaster that used a special track section to reverse the direction of the car 180 degrees. The original Saltair amusement zone operated from 1893-1925 before being reimagined.
Joyland amusement park (1913-1927) in Oak Park, Sacramento, featured a the Scenic Railway a side friction figure-8 roller coaster (a very popular design for this era) built by Fred Ingersoll. After a major fire, Valentine McClatchy bought and donated the land; the park was located at the site of what is now McClatchy Public Park.
This post card view of Rock Springs Park in Chester W. Virginia; showing a Chutes type ride and seemingly two roller coasters, a "Figure 8" Leap the Dips (1906-1921) and the World's Great Scenic Railway (1907-1926). A park historical marker is at the intersection of Carolina Avenue (West Virginia Route 2) and Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30).
The Double Loop at Geaugua Lake operated from 1977-2007 and was designed by Arrow Dynamics; making history with the first two consecutive vertical loops when it opened. The park closed due to declining attendance, with its rides salvaged for other parks and the site eventually redeveloped.
Built in 1925 by legendary designer John A. Miller. Originally named the The Clipper, then The Skyrocket; the Big Dipper was 65 feet tall, reached speeds of 32–35 mph, and featured a 2,680-foot "out and back" layout. The ride closed with the park in 2007 and stood dormant until 2016 where the land was repurposed.
The Corkscrew, a clone of the original at Knott's Berry Farm was designed by Arrow Dynamics (the pioneer of modern inversions), the ride featured two sequential corkscrews. The ride was sold to another park and spot was filled with yet another coaster. The park today is now being reinvented into a residentail community.
The Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over Georgia is a classic wooden roller coaster, built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) in 1973, that opened as the world's tallest, longest, and fastest at the time, featuring an L-shaped out-and-back design with a 105-foot height and 57 mph top speed, becoming a landmark attraction known for its classic wooden coaster experience and even running backward for its 20th (1993) anniversary. Designed mianly by John Allen and built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters it continues to operate as one of the park's most beloved attractions.
Opening in 1998 and built by O.D. Hopkins at Ghost Town in TThe Dky, The Red Devil (aka Cliffhanger) was a ride built on a mountainside some 4,600 feet above a valley in North Carolina. Notable for a drop directly out of the station into a vertical loop and the mountain scenery. The park owners filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and as of 2026 the ride and park still stands dormant and inoperable.
Known for being a forcefull shuttle coaster that looped around the station. Originally built for Wiener Prater, Austria, as "Wiener Looping," in 1982 -but never opened-, in 1985 it was reassembled at Boardwalk and Baseball; Florida, United States until it's closure. The Bullet operated at Flamingoland in Malton, England from 1991-2005 then relocated again to Selva Magica in Jalisco, Mexico in 2013.
Rye Playland, a historic Art Deco amusement park in Rye, NY, opened in 1928 as America's "first planned" amusement park; and in 1987 deemed as a National Historic Landmark. This image depicts the historic and revered Aeroplane (1928-1957) a legendary wooden roller coaster designed by Frederick Church, operated from 1928 to 1957, known for its intense spiraling drops and bottlenecks. Also shown is is the Dragon, built in 1929 also by Frederick Church is a lesser thrilling ride featuring a smooth ride experience and a midcourse tunnel designed to look like a dragon.
Revere Beach had two sequentially built Derby Racers roller coasters. This version shown was the first of the two which operated from 1911-1936 and built by Fred Piecre. The ride featured side-by-side tracks in a figure-8 design where two trains would race each other. It was known for having a poor safety record and was involved in a number of accidents during its operation. After it was demolished in 1936, a replacement roller coaster was built in 1937 by Harry Baker.
Kennywood Parks Laser Loop (1980-1990) was a Schwarzkopf "flywheel launch shuttle" Coaster. With a top speed of 57 mph and a height of 137' it was a thrilling forward and backward experience. It is said this ride was sold to a Park in South America. This ride occupied land where Phantom's Revenge currently stands today.
Worlds of Fun hosted two seperate roller coasters called the Zambezi Zinger; the one pictured here was a Schwarzkopf "Speed Racer" model that operated from 1973-1997. Though only reaching a top speed of 41 mph it was celebrated for its visually impressive spiral lift, ground hugging terrain and tunnel. In 2023 the ride was reimaged into a wooden coaster; though featuring a different layout the new ride kept with the former rides celebrated aspects.
A significant piece of roller coaster history, the Knott's Berry Farm's Corkscrew, opened in 1975, was the world's first modern inverting roller coaster, featuring two corkscrew inversions and shoulder harnesses, a huge innovation and protoype Ron Toomer of Arrow Development Company. After making way for the boomerang on the same site. The boomerang was sold to Silverwood Theme Park in 1989.
Bembom Brothers Theme Park, which was the temporary name of the Dreamland amusement park in Margate, UK, during the 1980s and 1990s. The park was operated by the Bembom family from the Netherlands in 1981. The park featured several rides, including the "Looping Star" roller coaster and the "Scenic Railway" wooden roller coaster. The Bemboms operated the park until 1999, after which the park's condition declined. Dreamland has since been restored and reopened as a vintage amusement park.
Cedar Point's Gemini is prominent in this image rare classic postcard. A massive Arrow Dynamics racing coaster the Gemini opened in 1978 and instantly recognized as the "tallest, fastest, steepest" coaster at 125 feet and 60 mph, using a unique wood structure with steel track to re-create a popular racing experience that helped define Cedar Point's growth and paved the way for future growth. Cedar Point has been a host to some 30+ roller coasters subce opening in 1870.
The Sky Streek roller coaster began at Boblo Island Amusement Park (Canada) as the Thunderbolt in 1973. The only coaster in the U.S.A. built by Japanese company Sansei. Renamed Sky Streak in 1977, it was a unique steel coaster known for airtime until the park closed in 1993, when the ride was then moved to Selva Mágica in Mexico.
The Flyer at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) was a legendary 1953 wooden roller coaster designed by Joe McKee. The 62' tall ride offered "thrills galore" until 1992 when its wooden structure was dismantled. As a fairground, other rides would regularly be installed such as the Wild Mouse and Jumbo Jet; this image shows a Schwarrzkopf double loop in the background; dating this image possibly in the early 1980's.
After being relocated at one year 1996 at Grona Lund in Sweden, the Thriller roller coaster was a portable ride designed Werner Stengel, built by Anton Schwarzkopf and was a staple of German fair curcuit in the late 1980's and early 1990's. With a 70 degree first drop, four inversions and reportedly with forces as high as 6.5 G's. The ride would be transported to new locations three more times... to Texas, California then Mexico each time with slight alterations before being scrapped in 2021.
Early postcard of Nickelodeon Universe (at Mall of America); a large indoor amusement park showing the Ripsaw roller coaster which efficiently opertated with two 15 car trains that accomdated 30 guests. with some 2600' of track and a top speed of 30 mph it provided a sceinc ride through the park.
The Viper (1989-2005) at Six Flags AstroWorld was a Schwarzkopf looping steel coaster, originally Jet Scream at Six Flags St. Louis (1981-1988). Relocated to Houston, it was repainted green with a dragon-themed tunnel added for its single inversion. Following the closure of AstroWorld in 2005, the ride was demolished and sold for scrap in early 2006; whereas it's trains were utilized for spare parts elsewhere in the Six Flags chain.
Lightnin' Loops was a dual-shuttle roller coaster that operated at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, from 1978 to 1992. It was unique for being the world's only interlocking dual shuttle coaster, featuring two seprate tracks whose vertical loops crossed through each other. After being dismantled, each track was sold to different park; Adenture World and Frontier City.
This Six Flags Great Adventure postcard features general views that inlcude the Runaway Mine Train and notably Rolling Thunder (1979-2013), designed by Bill Cobb, it was a wooden racing roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. It served as the park's first and only wooden coaster for decades. The ride featured an out and back / figure eight layout and each side was appx 3,200' in length and offered a distinctly different experience.
Six Flags Magic Mountain's Ninja in Valencia, California, is a historic "suspended swinging" roller coaster; one of only ten rides of this style was designed by Arrow Dynamics. This version ride has a lift hill at the beginning and the end as the rides staion is atop a hill; the latter being the primary lift. The ride is built on a wooded hillside and upon opening in 1988 was the fastest suspended roller coaster in the world at 55 mph.
Shockwave (1986-1988) was an Intamin brand stand-up roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain; later moved to Six Flags Great Adventure as Shockwave, then to Six Flags Astroworld. It featured a vertical loop and some 2300' of track; afterward, this same space was later occupied by the the Psyclone, then the Apocalypse roller coasters. This ride has reportedly been scrapped.
Yet another legendary attraction from Schwarzkopf and Stengel... Montezooma’s Revenge opened in 1978 as the world's first flywheel-launched shuttle loop coaster. Using aircraft carrier technology, the ride launched guests to from 0-55 mph in 4.5 seconds; negotiating it's 800' of track forward and backward in just 36 seconds. This ride ceased operation in 2022.
Designed by the legendary John C. Allen and built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, this classic "junior" coaster debut in 1975. Thew Scooby Doo coasters naming convention changed several times throught the years based on management and intellectual properties of the ear. Nearly identical models of this ride can be found at Kings Dominion and Kings Island.
This postcard show an overview of Mountain Park in Holyoke, MA, began as a scenic trolley park in 1894 and evolved into an amusement park before closing permanently in the fall of 1987. The roller coaster shown is the Flyer, which opened in 1929 and closed withg the park.
The Thunderbolt a side friction roller coaster operated at Rockaway Beach at 102nd and Beach streets in Queens, NY. The foreground shows the "Waves Baths Pavillion" which dates the image to the 1930's (at the earliest). The ride was known for extending out over the ocean.
With the exception of the Texas Cyclone every coaster in this Six Flags Astroworld image was moved to or from somewhere else. Almost humorously to keep up with.. Greezed Lightnin' 1978-2005 was moved to Joyland in Lubbock Texas. Batman the Escape 1993-2005 was previously the Shockwave at Magic Mountain. Ultra Twister 1990-2005 was previously at Six Flags Great Adventure, and finally "Taz's" Texas Tornado came to Astroworld from Europe, the was transported to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, then again to a park in Mexico (from where it was disposed).
Though not pictured here, Excalibur (1972-1998) went to Frontier City, Mayan Mindbender (1995-2005) went to Wonderland Park, Serial Thriller (1999-2005) was moved to LaRonde. Also lost in the 2005 closure was the XLR8 suspended coaster and Serpent mini mine train.
Pictured here (before 1987) with wooden Philadelphia Tobboggan trains, the Texas Cyclone (1976-2005) operated at six Flags Astroworld in the Coney Island section. Designed by Bill Cobb as a mirrored image of the Coney Island Cyclone; yet, taller and faster. With a 53.0° first drop and known for it's negative G forces. It was a highly regarded thrill ride for it's time. It closed in 2005 and then demolished in 2006.
Pictured here (after 1987) with Morgan designed Fiberglass trains, the Texas Cyclone (1976-2005) operated at six Flags Astroworld in the Coney Island section. Designed by Bill Cobb as a mirrored image of the Coney Island Cyclone; yet, taller and faster. With a 53.0° first drop and known for it's negative G forces. It was a highly regarded thrill ride for it's time. It closed in 2005 and then demolished in 2006.
The Port Arthur Pleasure Pier opened in 1897. This post card image of the Roller Coaster a side friction coaster likely taken after 1913. Simply documented that a swimming pool and a dance hall accompanied the roller coaster on the small, man-made island.
The Port Arthur Pleasure Pier opened in 1897. This view features the Comet roller coaster (1941-1958), designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. It was once described as the largest wooden roller coaster in the South. The comet was destroyed and removed after being heavily damaged by a Hurricane.
Buckeye Lake Amusement Park operated from 1930 until its closure in 1970. It featured a large Crystal Pool, and the Crystal Ballroom welcomed famous big bands and musicians. The background shows the Dips roller coaster (1924-1958), designed by John Miller it was an out and back roller coaster that went over a portion of the lake. This ride suffered fatalities in the 1930's and was finally shuttered after 16 people were injured in another accident in 1958. Today, this area is part of Buckeye Lake State Park.
Buckeye Lake Amusement Park operated from 1930 until its closure in 1970. It featured a large Crystal Pool, and the Crystal Ballroom welcomed famous big bands and musicians. The background shows the Dips roller coaster (1924-1958), designed by John Miller it was an out and back roller coaster that went over a portion of the lake. This ride suffered fatalities in the 1930's and was finally shuttered after 16 people were injured in another accident in 1958. Today, this area is part of Buckeye Lake State Park.
The Big Bad Wolf was a beloved roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, running from 1984 to 2009, built by Arrow Dynamics, known for its unique swinging ride through a Bavarian village motif and speedy turns over the park's Rhine River. This coaster was the second to be built using the swinging suspended technology which followed on the heels of the Bat at Kings Island (1981-1983). This land mass was repurposed for the Verbolten Roller Coaster using the Big Bad Wolf's former station and some footers. Verboltens finale features a similar plunging drop over the river as a memorial to the Wolf.
The Shock Wave roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas opened in 1978. Another Schwarzkopf Stengel collaboration; it was the second double looping roller coaster built only following the Double Loop (1977) at Geauga Lake. The ride is some 3600' in length, reaches speeds of 60 mph and is believed it can generate Forces up to 5.9 Gs.
Known for it's spiral lift and intense, highly-banked turns. The Big Bend was the first of four "speed racer" models to be built by Schwarzkopf; it was a steel roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas, operating from 1971 to 1979. At opening, it was the park's tallest and fastest coaster; at a height of 81' and reaching reaching speeds of 52 mph on some 2800' of track.
The Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags Over Texas holds a legendary place in amusement park history as the world’s first mine train roller coaster. It was also the first coaster designed by Ron Toomer and the first of many mine train models. The ride featured three lift hills, two tunnels and appx. 2500' of track.
Page updated
Report abuse