Ah, roller coasters… a modern staple of amusement parks worldwide that always seem to be pushing the boundaries to create the newest and most thrilling ride experience possible. From long climbs up a lift hill and the stomach-churning first drop, to the rush of the wind in your face and the relief of steady ground as you step off of the train, it’s no wonder park-goers worldwide are clambering to experience these impressive feats of machinery and technology.
But with all the bright and shiny new offerings available, some of the classic coasters tend to fall by the wayside. No longer are these coasters record-holders for the fastest or tallest, but at the time of their creation, these too were incredible engineering marvels. For this list, we’ll be stepping back in time to take a closer look at some of the oldest and most historic coasters still in operation around the United States.
6. Wildcat, Lake Compounce, Cyclone, Luna Park at Coney Island, and Racer, Kennywood.
All boasting an opening in 1927, these three coasters share a spot at 6th place.
The Wildcat, a double out and back wooden coaster, is the oldest operating roller coaster in the state of Connecticut and the 14th oldest in the world. The ride lasts 1 minute and 15 seconds and features a 78-foot drop. This ride has undergone numerous refurbishments and retrackings over the years but remains in tact at Lake Compounce, Connecticut.
The Racer at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania holds the final spot in this triple tie. This is a racing coaster, featuring both a green and blue train to chase each other around the track. In 1927 Brady McSwigan, the park manager of Kennywood at the time, requested a “snappy ride that wasn’t too much for mothers and children to ride”. With family fun in mind, the Racer reaches a top speed of 40 miles per hour with a drop of 50 feet.
The Coney Island Cyclone is an easily recognizable coaster due to its historic significance and impact on pop culture. The coaster reaches a max speed of 60 miles per hour and a height of 85 feet. In 1988, the Cyclone was made a designated landmark for the state of New York and remains on the National Register of Historic Places. The coaster is no stranger to the silver screen, either. In 1978’s The Wiz, the Cyclone was used as the Tin Man’s home. More recently, this coaster has been utilized in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in both Captain America: The First Avenger and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
5. Giant Dipper, Belmont Park
The Giant Dipper at Belmont Park, California, opened on July 4, 1925, making it less than a year (at the time of this article’s publication) until this national, Californian, and San Diegan landmark’s 100th birthday. The Giant Dipper has a track length of 2,800 feet and a height of 75 feet. In 1997 and 1998, two coaster-riding marathons were held by a local radio station, challenging participants to ride and re-ride the Giant Dipper. The first of these events lasted 11 days, and the second in 1998 was eventually brought to a close on the 70th day after participants agreed to split the $50,000 cash prize.
4. Thunderhawk, Dorney Park
The Thunderhawk at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, opened in 1924 as “The Coaster” and didn’t receive its new name until 1989. Originally designed as an out-and-back coaster, the track was adjusted in 1930 to add a new twister figure eight element. To celebrate this historic coaster’s 100th birthday this year, the Thunderhawk received a newly refurbished train promoting the special day. The ride lasts a minute and eighteen seconds, reaches a top speed of 45 mph, and features a drop of 65 feet.
3. Giant Dipper, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
This historic coaster has been a staple of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California since 1924. The Giant Dipper also celebrated its 100th year of operation in the park in May this year. Many people consider this attraction to be the icon of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and the coaster itself has featured in a handful of movies including The Lost Boys (1987), Sudden Impact (1983), and Bumblebee (2018). In 2012, the Giant Dipper celebrated its 60 millionth rider. Commemorative hoodies and other gifts were distributed to the lucky riders on board the train when the milestone was achieved.
2. Roller Coaster, Lagoon
Roller Coaster, located at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, Utah, was constructed in 1921 making it the third oldest operating coaster in the United States and the seventh oldest operating in the world. The track is a simple double out and back with a top speed of 45 mph and a total track length of 2,500 feet. In 2005, Roller Coaster became an American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) Roller Coaster Landmark and in 2012, it was added to the National Register of Historic places.
1. Jack Rabbit, Kennywood and Jack Rabbit, Seabreeze Park
That’s right. The two oldest operating coasters in the USA share the same name. The Jack Rabbit at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit, New York, takes the title with an opening date of May 31, 1920. At the time of the ride’s opening, it was the fastest roller coaster in the world, reaching a top speed of 42 mph. The ride also features a 75 foot drop, an impressive achievement for the time.
Kennywood’s Jack Rabbit resides in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and opened June 18, 1920. The ride reaches a top speed of 45 mph and a drop of 70 feet. In 2019, a video uploaded by Kennywood on YouTube boasts the “World’s Oldest Coaster POV!” taken from the Jack Rabbit sometime in the early 1920s. Jack Rabbit is also a part of the Kennywood Park historic district and maintains a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Have you gotten to ride on any of these historic roller coasters across the United States? If so, which stands the test of time the best in your opinion?