EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: Roller Coaster

Opened: 1921

Location: South Midway

Built By: Colonial Construction Co.

Ride Model: Pippin' Dips

Original Rolling Stock Manufactured By: Dayton Fun House & Riding Device Co.

Current Rolling Stock Manufactured By: Philadelphia Toboggan Co.

Max Speed: 45 mph

Max Height: 60 feet

Max Drop: 55 feet

Track Length: 2598 feet

Ride Time: 1 min 56 sec

Train Capacity: 48 (24 rows of 2)

Number Of Trains: 2

Height Requirement: 46" minimum. 46"-50" must ride with an adult.

history & info

This is one of the oldest coasters still standing in the United States. It's a classic double out-and-back wooden coaster designed by one of the country's best, John A. Miller. There was one other Miller Pippin' Dips coaster at Riverview Park in Chicago which was slightly different.

The Roller Coaster was originally named Giant Coaster when it opened in 1921. The name changed to The Lagoon Dipper in 1929. At some point within the next 20 years or so, the name changed again to just plain Roller Coaster. The station and part of the track was destroyed in the Fire Of 1953, but it re-opened in 1954 with a brand new station, new cars and a rebuilt track. The entrance in this new station was on the south side. The ramp used for this can still be seen next to the queue. A new ramp for increased accessibilty was built out front in 1992. In the 1980s or 90s, Setpoint installed a computer safety system. For a long time, the area in the middle of the structure was home to a few goats, used to keep the weeds down. They were moved out in 2000 or 2001.

Since Roller Coaster is so old, each year different portions have to be replaced. In 2003, a sign was posted in the queue explaining that older portions would now be replaced with cured wood instead of being painted white and that eventually the entire coaster would be a natural brown as it was originally.

At age 19, John Miller began working for LaMarcus Thompson and soon became his chief engineer. He later worked for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and designed over a dozen roller coasters for them. He also became associated with the Dayton Fun House & Riding Device Company which later became National Amusement Devices. He designed many more coasters all over the country and died in Houston while designed a coaster for that city.

video & photos

Enjoy this on-ride video footage from the early 1970s. Get more video footage of Lagoon and other parks in the '70s on the DVD, Parks From The Past, Volume 1, available here.

Video: Sharpshooters Productions

Rolling down the first drop.

more photos

SOURCES

Lagoon

Website Visitors

Deseret News

Updated 17 Apr 2008