Undocumented/forgotten coasters

[Kennyweird]

Post any information or pictures you may know or have regarding existing or defunct roller coasters that aren't documented on RCDB.

 

Here's a panoramic view of 1902 Pittsburgh that appears to feature an undocumented figure-eight side-friction coaster near the present day location of Point State Park: history.sandiego.edu/gen/maps/1900s/1902pittsburgh3200.jpg

[VGplay]

There was a park called High Bridge Park in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. It had a very early and primitive coaster during the late 1800s. Here's the patent drawing for it. Somewhere I have a picture of the fire map from the city that shows it in the park, but no pictures of the coaster itself. I'll have to take a look.

 

www.summitmemory.org/cdm4...

[Vid_w]

Gardaland had 2 coasters, that not many people know about:

 

Prezzemolo Tour - a some kind of powered coaster

 

Zyclone - a Schwarzkopf City Jet III

 

I wish the Cyclone was never taken out, and I could have a ride on that one... I love how Schwarzkopfs look...

 

 

Oh, also

Zyclone:

http://www.gardalandtamtam.com/Attrazione_pag.asp?id_attrazione=77

 

Prezzemolo Tour:

http://www.gardalandtamtam.com/Attrazione_pag.asp?id_attrazione=124

[Astat]

There's a generic FEC called Swings N' Things just up the street from me that had a kiddie coaster for many years, it was taken out probably around 2000. It was your typical Dragon Wagon-ish ride, but I seem to remember it being slightly larger and having a mine train theme.

[megamatt]

At my home park Canobie Lake no one seems to remember its 1st or 3rd coaster. Even park historians cant decide weather it was a Scenic Railway before the figure 8 side friction coaster, or a large side friction coaster.

[Simon Baynham]

Hi TPR Members

 

RCDB is a great resource, but by no means complete, YET!

 

For example: Coney Island NY has had some 50 roller coasters in its turbulent history. And Blackpool (UK) had many Switchback Railways dotted about the town in the 1890s+.

 

I have other examples... but won't bore you... [snore]

 

Simon

[coasterdude5]

There's alot of mystery surrounding East End Park here in Memphis. I've heard stories that the first version of Zippin Pippin, which opened c. 1912 was erected at East End, but burned down and then version 2.0 was built at Libertyland where it still stands today.

 

Wikipedia also states this but you know how reliable they can be: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zippin_Pippin

 

This website also speaks on the subject: http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~howardlake/amusement14/midsouth.html

 

The Zippin' Pippin' is the oldest operating wooden roller coaster in North America. The date of manufacture is disputed, but information from the Memphis Landmarks Commission shows it was built in 1902. It was brought to Memphis in 1923 and installed in Overton Park before being moved to the fairgrounds at a later date.

 

Another source says the Roller Coaster was built in East End Park, Memphis in 1912.

 

But then I've seen pictures of a different version of Zippin Pippin at its current location, so that might debunk the first story.

 

http://rcdb.com/pd1235.htm

 

I've also heard that Zippin Pippin came from a New York boardwalk that closed.

 

So whether these are all one coaster or different ones, it's always interesting to try to dig up more information on it.

[Ccron10]

Even though it's more like an undocumented park, Reading used to have it's own amusement park called Carsonia Park.

 

Carsonia Park was similar to Hershey park back in the 1960's with a pool, lake, a coaster or two, Pretzel dark ride, and a lot more. In 1950 the park closed up and became home to a housing development. All that's left is the Beer garden building which is now a restaurant.

 

The park's coaster was the Thunderbolt which was built by John Miller in 1932.

Photo by Historical Society of Berks County.

 

The coaster was redone in some year similar to the one at Kennywood and had a different name when the coaster first opened.

 

There was also formerly 2 or 3 other coasters, a switchback railway, shoot-the-chutes, and Roller Coaster.

[Simon Baynham]

Even though it's more like an undocumented park, Reading used to have it's own amusement park called Carsonia Park...

 

Just did a search on the RC Media Library website and found this DVD featuring snippets of Carsonia Park:

 

[DVD 87] PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK: A CAROUSEL OF MEMORIES [DVD-R / 2005 / 60 MINS] Visit the Pennsylvanian amusement parks that created some of the best times for generations. See the beloved parks with a mix of old photographs, never-before-seen film and heartfelt interviews. We’ll revisit the exciting Castle Garden, where the big bands played. The often forgotten Central Park in Allentown, that rivalled Dorney with its thrilling wooden coaster, The Skyclone. **In Reading, folks flocked to Carsonia Park.** Life was a Lark at Willow Grove Park - the once crown jewel of Pennsylvania amusements. In Easton, the Hay trolley line led locals to Bushkill Park, which still maintains its nostalgic family charm after more than a century. And in the 1940s, we take the small train through the exquisite gardens of Willow Park. Whether you visited these parks or not, this film will leave you yearning for the golden age of Pennsylvanian amusement parks.

 

Simon

[Ccron10]

But I can say that it's not known a lot in the enthusiest community despite it's size and attraction count.

I have visited the park's old site before and maybe if I get around to it, I might post pics of what's left.

[YoshiFan]

Not exactly a big deal but Playland's Castaway Cove in Ocean City, NJ had a Zamperla Dragon in the early 90's. It's not on RCDB but I know it existed because I remember riding it and can still picture it's location (with the old layout before the redid the whole park layout, it was right near the antique cars).

[OldJJman]

A great source for information on location of various parks/coasters is postcards!!

 

Mark's Postcard thread opens up quite a world of info. You can find it here.

 

Also, check Ebay for postcards of parks and coasters. You'll find quite a few that you've never heard of! (At least I did!)

 

 

JJ