While the modern day theme park industry is largely built on successful film franchises and high-technology thrills, its beginnings were far more lo-fi. Turn-of-the-century amusement parks were often somewhat cobbled together groupings of whichever en vogue attractions the owner could afford – a Dodge ‘Ems here, a whip there, etc. These simple thrills were a far cry from Harry Potter and the Escape from Hogwarts at Islands of Adventure or Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
And yet, even with all of this complicated technology, one type of ride is still king: the roller coaster.
From the amusement park boom of the early ’20s until now, if you wanted thrills, you knew you needed to seek out one of those wooden or steel mountains. With so many classic roller coasters still in existence today, they offer amusement and theme park visitors a unique treasure – the opportunity to take a step back in time and experience something as it would have felt to people decades ago.
And so, if you call yourself a history buff, and if you’re a bit of a thrill seeker, make sure to check out these six attractions – all of which are historic and fascinating in their own way.
1. Leap-the-Dips – Lakemont Park
Image: Bhakta Dano, Wikipedia (license)
If you visit Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and if you happen to check out Leap-the-Dips during your stay, you will be riding the oldest roller coaster in the world. Think about that for a second: in riding Leap-the-Dips, you’re experiencing the same thrilling journey enjoyed by people in 1902, when the coaster first opened. For a little perspective, Jules Verne was still alive when this ride was constructed.
Leap-the-Dips is certainly not the world’s most thrilling coaster nowadays, clocking in at just roughly 10 mph and standing only 40 ft high, but none of that matters much with the ride. The quaint side-friction-style coaster is a piece of history to itself, making it something like the most fun museum on Earth.
2. Matterhorn Bobsleds – Disneyland
Image: Disney
It might surprise you to see a Disney roller coaster on this list, considering the park is not particularly well-known for having remarkably thrilling roller coasters. But the ones they do have are very special, and none are more so than the Matterhorn Bobsleds out at Disneyland.
Not only was it Disneyland’s first roller coaster, and not only does it still continue to dole out thrills even today, but it also has a very important place in roller coaster history.
Before Matterhorn, the most thrilling roller coasters of the day were constructed out of wood. But Walt Disney, innovator that he was, wasn’t particularly interested in building a wooden roller coaster at his theme park. He wanted a ride that would give guests the experience of tobogganing down a snowy hill, even though that technology didn’t quite exist. Over time, that idea morphed into a bobsledding-style ride, and from there, the Matterhorn Bobsleds were built … using steel.
In order to create the feel of bobsledding, the ride was built using a tubular steel track, and it was the first roller coaster in the world to be built using this technology. Pretty much every steel roller coaster built today uses tubular steel, and all of them owe a debt to the Matterhorn Bobsleds, who did it first.
3. Revolution – Six Flags Magic Mountain
Image: Jeremy Thompson, Wikipedia (license)
Of course, the truly great innovation of tubular steel was not that it simulated a bobsled ride. Rather, the widespread appeal of tubular steel was due to its strength and smoothness – two factors that led to the single most important development in modern roller coaster design: the vertical loop.
Early roller coaster design was littered with attempts at constructing a loop. Some used circular loops that inflicted such high G-forces on passengers that they often disembarked complaining of neck injuries. Others were simply seen as too thrilling for the day, with more guests opting to watch the roller coaster than ride it. And so, from the early 1900s until the mid 1970s, no one ever really attempted it.
Enter: Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain. At the time it was built, it was called Great American Revolution – a fitting name considering what happened once it was completed. Opening in 1976 – America’s Bicentennial – Revolution featured a vertical loop – the first on a modern roller coaster. It instantly became iconic, even being featured in National Lampoon’s Vacation as a stand in for the “Whipper Snapper” roller coaster at Wally World. Its opening began the obsession with inversions that roller coaster design still experiences today, and while most amusement parks nowadays feature a looping coaster, they all draw a lineage back to Revolution.
4. Blue Streak – Cedar Point
Image: Cedar Point
But, if we talk about a roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, we also have to take a look at the other great coaster capital of the United States: Cedar Point.
Opened in the 19th century in Sandusky, Ohio as a lakeside vacation destination, Cedar Point has grown over time to include an insane 16 roller coasters – tied for second most in North America (only Magic Mountain has more).
It stands to reason that one of those 16 has to be older than all the others and, sure enough, 1964’s Blue Streak is that coaster. It wasn’t the first roller coaster to be built at Cedar Point – that honor goes to the since-demolished Switchback Railway of 1892. However, Blue Streak is the oldest currently in operation at Cedar Point, and in a park that seemingly opens a new roller coaster every other year, that’s an important distinction.
Ultimately, Blue Streak’s place on this list is due to the park it hails from. Blue Streak gives Cedar Point a baseline to operate from, helping showcase what makes each of the 15 other coasters in the park so special and unique. They all exist in relation to Blue Streak, and keeping it in operation at Cedar Point simply shows how amazing it is that you can soar 300 feet in the air on Millenium Force, or fly 120 mph down the stretch at Top Thrill Dragster. Blue Streak is the ride that makes Cedar Point feel complete, and as any history buff would love a day at Cedar Point, that’s an important role worth filling.
5. Thunderbolt – Kennywood
Image: Larry Pieniazek, Wikipedia (license)
Kennywood, located outside Pittsburgh, is one of the most historic amusement parks in North America. In fact, it is one of only two to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and given the sheer number of classic and vintage attractions within it, it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
One of those attractions, Thunderbolt, stands out among all the others.
Originally built in 1924 as “Pippin”, Thunderbolt earned its modern moniker in 1968, when the ride was updated and refurbished. But, while the ride was updated, it still maintains its classic charm, as evidenced by the fact that it still uses its original 1958 trains, known as the “Century Flyers.”
Interestingly, in 2001, Kennywood constructed a new thrill ride alongside Thunderbolt called “Phantom’s Revenge,” which includes a steep drop that passes right through the structure of Thunderbolt – a unique ride element that helps connect the history of Thunderbolt to the more modern coaster experience.
But, much like the others on this list, Thunderbolt’s thrills are of a more vintage variety. Its height is listed as just 70 ft, although due to its layout along a natural ravine, its maximum drop if 95 ft. Even still, Thunderbolt has earned classic status among roller coaster enthusiasts, and it’s a must-ride experience for anyone who loves a bit of a historical flavor to their thrills.
6. Coney Island Cyclone
Image: Luna Park
There are roller coasters that are faster. There are roller coasters that are taller. There are roller coasters that are older. There are roller coasters that are newer. All of that is true. And yet, if you were trying to pick one of the most iconic roller coasters on the planet, you could do a lot worse than to choose the Coney Island Cyclone. Despite the lack of any true coaster superlatives, it has held and continues to hold a unique spot in roller coaster lore.
Built in 1927 in Coney Island, New York, the Cyclone has since inspired half a dozen replica coasters across the globe, made an appearance in a Beyonce music video, and even had a Minor League baseball team named after it. If you’ve ever lived in New York, you’ve ridden it. If you haven’t ridden it personally, you likely know someone who has.
Everything about it, from its too-small classic cars to its manual-release break system, feels simultaneously classic and modern, retro and current. It’s from another time, sure, but it’s as important a part of New York City culture today as it was in the 1920s. For something to have that kind of staying power in a city so of-the-moment is impressive. And that it can still dole out thrills with the best of them is just icing on the cake.
Roller coasters are unique in that they’ve been thrilling people for close to a century now. Thankfully, some of those early coasters are still around, and we can still ride them and experience something that people generations ago enjoyed. But, those six about are just some of the hundreds of classic and iconic coasters across the country.
What about you? Do you have a favorite old-time roller coaster? Which is coaster do you think is the most iconic? Let us know in the comments below.
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