Flashback to 2013!!!

It’s 2013 and just in 129 more days Cedar Point will open it’s new gates for the season!

In our first inaugural year of “Flashback to ____!” We will do our best to post flashback photos of Cedar Point from a few collections of saved photos and photos we have came across over the past few years.

Some photos are not our personal photos and we do not claim them to be our own. If they are not our photos, we will try to cite them, the best we can. If we use your photo and you wish for it to be removed or to be re-cited, please leave a comment below and we will be in contact with you.

If you have photos of your own that you’d like to see here for a flashback, comment below with contact information and we will be in touch to place the photo and citation.

Day 129: 01/01/2013
Figure-Eight Roller Toboggan, later renamed Racer
“Racer.” Photo. Vintagethemeparks.tumblr.com. 01 Jan. 2013. <http://vintagethemeparks.tumblr.com>

Day 128: 01/02/2013
Main Midway, Featuring Mill Race, note that Calypso was located next to it, right off the main midway instead of tucked back by Blue Streak!
Personal Collection. July. 1992.

Day 127: 01/03/2013
Yankee Bullet. Little is know about this ride to date. It opened in 1941 but no official year of it’s last season can be found.Yankee Bullet. Photo. Sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com. 03 Jan. 2013. Sandusky History.
<http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/06/vintage-views-of-cedar-point.html>

Day 126: 01/04/2013

Earthquake, the ride. Earthquake the ride opened in 1965. This ride was a dark ride based off of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. It was in operation before moving to Cedar Point at Freedomland U.S.A. The ride was in operation through the 1984 season.
Earthquake The Ride. Photo. Creeva.com. 04 Jan. 2013. Creeva’s World 2.0.
<http://creeva.com/2012/06/09/cedar-point-memories-part-16-is-the-ground-shaking-earthquake/>

Day 125: 01/05/2013

This is the first version of Wildcat located at Cedar Point. Wildcat opened in 1970 and operated until 1978. It was designed by Schwarzkopf.
Wildcat 1970. Photo. TheLostCoaster.com. 05 Jan. 2013. The Lost Coaster.
<http://thelostcoaster.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/cedar-points-original-wildcat/>

Day 124: 01/06/2013

Maverick Construction in 2006. Maverick is placed on the site of the former attraction White Water Landing. Maverick is themed to the Wild West. The ride originally was designed to have a heartline roll, but testing proved that the element was to strenuous to the trains. The opening of Maverick in 2007 was delayed due to the removal and replacement of the heartline roll.
Maverick Construction 2006. Photo. Flickr.com. 06 Jan. 2013. NxExRxDisME Flickr.
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdmorgan/517757667/>

Day 123: 01/07/2013

Power Tower opened in 1998 at Cedar Point. Power Tower was manufactured by S&S Sports Power, Inc. Power Tower is the only four-towered drop tower ride in the world. It stands 300 feet in the air. In the picture below, you see a construction worker standing on the very top of the arch structure that tops the ride off.
Power Tower Construction. Photo. www.architecture.uwaterloo.ca. 07 Jan 2013. “The Power Tower Experience. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio.
<http://www.architecture.uwaterloo.ca/faculty_projects/terri/boake_sti/projects/power_tower.html>

Day 122: 01/08/2013

Nik Wallenda walking across the Sky Ride cable with Raptor and Demon Drop behind him. Nik walked the Sky Ride in 2009.
Wallenda at Cedar Point. Screenshot. Article.WN.com. 08 Jan. 2013. Nick Wallenda at Cedar Point.
<http://article.wn.com/view/2012/06/12/Wallendas_steel_cable_readied_for_border_crossing/>

Day 121: 01/09/2013

Chaos was moved from it’s original location across from the Magnum XL-200 entrance in 2002 to make way for Top Thrill Dragster. It was moved near the Giant Wheel and Wicked Twister. Chaos opened in 1997 and closed in the 2010 season.
Chaos at Cedar Point. Photo. Ride-Extravaganza.com. 09 Jan. 2013. Cedar Point’s Chaos.
<http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/thrill/chaos/chaos-cedar-point/>

Day 120: 01/10/13

The Eastland Steamboat is pictured below in 1909.  The Eastland Steamboat arrived in 1907 to Cedar Point. The Eastland Steamboat provided service to Cedar Point from Cleveland, Ohio. It operated that line from 1907 to 1914 when a company in Chicago bought the boat.
Eastland Steamboat 1909. Photo. Cedar Point Collection. 10 Jan. 13. The Eastland Steamboat in 1909.

Day 119: 01/11/13

Hotel Breakers pictured in 1905, when the Hotel opened to the public. Hotel Breakers offered 600 rooms, making it one of the biggest hotels in the Midwest!
Hotel Breakers 1905. Photo. Cedar Point Collection. 11 Jan 13. Hotel Breakers in 1905 at Cedar Point.

Day 118: 01/12/13

Demon Drop pictured in 2009 during it’s final year at Cedar Point. Demon Drop opened in 1983 at the very front of the park. Manufactured by Intamin, Demon Drop took riders from the ground level in a 4 person car up 10 stories only to drop them down 10 stories. The ride closed in 2009 to be relocated at Dorney Park in Allentown, PA.
Demon Drop 2009. Photo. Clevelandleader.com. 12 Jan. 13. Iconic Cedar Point Thrill Ride Demon Drop Heading Out West.
<http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/11701>

Day 117: 01/13/13

Paddlewheel Excursions, formerly known as Western Cruise opened in 1964. Paddlewheel Excursions was a boat ride that took guests on a relaxing voyage around the Cedar Point lagoons that featured scenes from Americana and various humorous scenes. The captains of each boat were known to entertain with puns while they piloted the boat throughout the lagoons. The Paddlewheel Excursions closed in 2011 to make way for Dinosaurs Alive!
Paddlewheel Excursions Boat. Photo. Toledoblade.com. 13 Jan. 13. Final Paddleboat ride up for bid at Cedar Point.
<http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2011/09/01/Final-paddleboat-ride-up-for-bid-at-Cedar-Point.html>

Day 116: 01/14/13

Leap the Dips roller coaster opened in 1912 near the front of the park where Blue Streak now sits. It was built by Andy Vettel. It was an out and back roller coaster. It operated until 1935. Leap the Dips is pictured below in the 1920s.
Leap the Dips 1920s. Photo. Cedar Point Collection. 14 Jan 13. Leap the Dips roller coaster in the 1920s at Cedar Point.

Day 115: 01/15/13

In 1957 the Cedar Point Causeway opened (now named Richard L. Kinzel Causeway). The Causeway was originally planned in 1928 and was approved to build, but finances were not there and halted the project. The Causeway replaced the Chaussee, a rural highway, path toward Cedar Point.
Cedar Point Causeway 1957. Photo. DanielBrady.Blogspot.com. 15 Jan. 13. The Cedar Point Chaussee vs. Causeway Part 2.
<http://danielebrady.blogspot.com/2010/07/cedar-point-chaussee-vs-causeway-part-2.html>

Day 114: 01/16/13

Shoot the Rapids opened in 1967 and ran until 1981. Shoot the Rapids was a long log flume that had twin tracks. It was located in Frontiertown near the train station. The ride was built by Cedar Point while the hardware and lift system were supplied by Arrow Development. The name was recycled in 2010 for a new water ride.
Shoot The Rapids. Photo. Amusement Park Madness. 16 Jan. 13. Amusementparkmadness.blogspot.com.
<http://amusementparkmadness.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html>

Day 113: 01/17/2013

Pirate Ride pictured in 1966. Pirate Ride was a pirate themed dark ride close to the Blue Streak queue. It formerly operated at Freedomland U.S.A but was relocated to Cedar Point in 1966. The ride transportation system was provided by Arrow Development Company. The ride closed in 1996. The building that housed Pirate Ride still stands with remnants still able to seen.
Pirate Ride 1966. Photo. Cedar Point Collection. 17 Jan 13. Pirate Ride in 1966 at Cedar Point.

Day 112: 01/18/13

Hideho in the Dark pictured in the 1940s. Not much is known about this ride other than it was around during World War 2.
Hideho In The Dark 1940s.  Photo. Cedar Point Collection. 18 Jan 13. Hideho In The Dark 1940s at Cedar Point.

Day 111: 01/19/13

Jungle Larry’s  opened in 1964. Jungle Larry’s was an attraction at Cedar Point that originally opened as a baby animal farm around the site of the current Snoopy Boutique. The attraction in 1965 opened as Jungle Larry’s Safari Island as it became placed on a true island. The first season of the updated attraction, the animals had to be rafted across the lagoon. Guests originally had to walk on a bridge over a lagoon but the midway was extended in 1976 and that area of the lagoon was filled in. You can read more information about Jungle Larry’s Safari Island here: http://www.junglelarry.com/cedar-point-jungle-larry.html
Jungle Larry’s Safari Island. Photo. Junglelarry.com. 19 Jan. 13. Jungle Larry’s Safari at Cedar Point.
<http://www.junglelarry.com/cedar-point-jungle-larry.html>

Day 110: 01/20/13

Wild Mouse opened in 1959 and operated until 1962. It was manufactured by B. A. Schiff & Associates. Not much is known about the traction at this time. From conversations with multiple people the general consensus of location was around the old Mill Race site toward the front of the park.
Wild Mouse 1950s.  Photo. Cedar Point Collection. 20 Jan 13. Wild Mouse in the 1950s at Cedar Point.

Day 109: 01/21/13

The Corkscrew roller coaster pictured below, opened in 1976. It opened as the first roller coaster with 3 inversions. The coaster was built by Arrow Dynamics. Corkscrew was the first coaster to span a midway.
Corkscrew 2011. Photo. Personal Collection. 21 Jan. 2013. Corkscrew 2011.

Day 108: 01/22/13

maXair opened in 2005. It takes 50 riders up 140 feet in the air while reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour. maXair is known to disorient it’s riders as it swings them back and forth while rotating the ring they are sitting on. This attraction is manufactured from Huss Park Attractions. It is an extremely popular ride near the front of the park!
maXair 2012. Photo. Personal Collection. 22 Jan. 2013. maXair 2012.

Day 107: 01/23/13

Space Spiral opened at Cedar Point in 1965.  Space Spiral, a gyro tower, was built by Von Roll. Space Spiral gave riders a 360-degree view of the surround area. Riders sat on one of two levels of the cabin. The second level was not used in the later years of the ride due to lack of air conditioning and low ridership. The tower reached 330 feet in the air but riders only reached the height of 285 feet. Space Spiral was the first amusement ride in the world to top 300 feet and was the tallest in the park until 2003 when Top Thrill Dragster opened. Space Spiral only suffered one incident when the ride stranded riders for seven hours in 1985. The cabin was raised to the top of the tower by maintenance where the riders were evacuated through the inner core and walked down the ladder steps on the inside. Space Spiral was closed in August 2012 and demolished in September 2012 to make way for the new roller coaster, Gatekeeper.
Space Spiral 2012. Photo. Personal Collection. 23 Jan. 2013. Space Spiral 2012.

Day 106: 01/24/13

Vertigo consisted of 265-foot-tall towers in a triangle arrangement. High strength cables ran from the towers to the ride vehicle. The riders would be strapped into the triangular car, two people on each side. The riders would rise slowly off the ground and then  pneumatic air pressure would send the riders upwards at 50 miles per hour, to over the top of the towers, almost to 300 feet in the air. The ride allowed for riders to experience the ride in three different ways, either upright the entire time, starting upright at the beginning with the seats flipping forward 150 degrees to give a nose-dive feel as the ride descenede, or after the ride launched the riders would flip forward 150 degrees and travel through the apex and most of the return to the ground, upside-down. This ride was an up-charge attraction in Challenge Park. The ride only operated on season, in 2001. On Janurary 14, 2002, one of the towers collapsed about 60 feet above the ground. The park decided to remove the ride, citing there may be a lack of popularity after the incident.
Vertigo Ride.  Photo. Fanpop.com. 24 Jan 13. Vertigo Ride at Cedar Point.
<http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/whatever-happened-to/images/31156701/title/cedar-point-vertigo-ride-photo>

Day 105: 01/25/2013

Pictured below is J.F. Short’s Portrait Studio at Cedar Point in 1910. Not much is known about it at this point, however we know that it was very popular and many stopped by to have their pictures taken!
J.F. Short’s Portrait Studio 1910.  Photo. Cedar Point Collection. 25 Jan 13.  J.F. Short’s Portrait Studio in 1910 at Cedar Point.

Day 104: 01/26/2013

Pictured below is the Cedar Point Peninsula mid 2002.  You can note that Top Thrill Dragster hasn’t been built yet.
Cedar Point Peninsula 2002. Photo. WithFriendship.com. 26 Jan. 13. Cedar Point Peninsula in 2002.
<http://withfriendship.com/user/sathvi/cedar-point.php>

Day 103: 01/27/2013

In the photo below, Top Thrill Dragster is in the process of being topped off. Construction started in 2002 and was finished in 2003. Top Thrill Dragster stands 420 feet in the air and sends riders 120 miles per hour down the track, up at an angle then they plummet right back down before the finish line! Top Thrill Dragster’s trains were designed to look like drag racing cars with tail fins, large tires and a engine. These later were taking off to increase capacity.
Top Thrill Dragster Construction. Photo. RCDB.com. 27 Jan. 13. Top Thrill Dragster Construction in 2003.
<http://rcdb.com/1896.htm?p=5785>

Day 102: 01/28/2013

Pictured below is the Cedar Point beach in the early 1900s. The beach brought people to Cedar Point. It was a destination to escape the heat during the summers. All of Cedar Point’s guests were brought by steam boat. The popularity brought things like bathhouses, the Grand Pavilion, a water toboggan and more.
Cedar Point Beach Circa 1900s. Photo. Cedar Point Collection. 28 Jan. 2013. Cedar Point Beach Circa 1900s.

Day 101: 01/29/2013

Wicked Twister is pictured below under construction. Wicked Twister opened in 2002. Wicked Twister sits on the former area of the Stadium Games. Parts of the steel were erected in December. Additional supports were added to the structure in 2003. Wicked Twister is a 2nd Generation Impulse Coaster. The coaster consists of two 215 foot tall spikes, both are designed with 450-degreed vertical twists.
Wicked Twister Construction. Photo. OrangeToad. 29 Jan. 2013. Wicked Twister Construction 2001. OrangeToad.com
<http://www.geocities.ws/orangetoadsw/cedarpoint/wickedtwister.html>

Day 100: 01/30.13

Pictured below is a portion of Skyhawk being put into place for it’s home near Snake River Falls.  Skyhawk is a screamin’ swing that was built by S&S Worldwide. Skyhawk opened on May 6, 2006. Skyhawk’s structer is 103 feet tall at the highest point. Skyhawk is the world’s largest swinging thrill ride. It consists of two swinging arms, both 84 feet tall, with a capacity of 40 people per cycle. At the full swing, the ends of the arms reach 125 feet high off of the ground. The swings reach a speed of 65 miles per hour. The ride lasts about one minute but has an hourly capacity of 800 passengers. Riders are restrained by a lap bar.

Skyhawk Construction. Photo. Coaster-net. 30 Jan. 13. Skyhawk Construction 2007.
<http://www.coaster-net.com/park-gallery/6-cedar-point/photos/457-construction/1830>

Day 99: 01/31/13

Pictured below is a former Cedar Point ride named, Schwabinchen which opened in 1970. Schwabinchen was built by Mack Rides in which the riders sat on the outside of the round disc. The ride had a tilted loading platform and featured a beautiful German dancer in the center of the ride. The ride was removed in 2002 to make room for Chaos to take it’s place after Top Thrill Dragster construction started. On-lookers could picture the ride cycle acting like a coin being spun on it’s edge.

Schwabinchen. Photo. Ridezone.com. 31 Jan. 13. Schwabinchen 1999 at Cedar Point.
<http://www.ridezone.com/parks/oh/cedarpoint/cp60.htm>