Wild Cat (Hersheypark)

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Wild Cat
Location Hersheypark
Type Wood
Status Removed
Opened June 16, 1923
Closed September, 1945
Manufacturer Philadelphia Toboggan Company
Designer Herbert Paul Schmeck
Length 2,331 feet (710.5 m)
Cost US$50,000
Wild Cat at RCDB
Pictures of Wild Cat at RCDB
See also Defunct Hersheypark Attractions


The Wild Cat is the name of a wooden roller coaster previously located in Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania. It operated there under the name The Joy Ride during its first year, 1923, after which it was renamed to Wildcat. The ride stood where the Trailblazer and Storm Runner is currently, and the ride went through a tunnel near the present-day Country Grill.

The coaster itself was owned by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, not Hersheypark, and PTC had been given a 15-year lease on the land. This marks the only time in Hersheypark's history that an independent vendor has built a ride on park property. The coaster was Herbert Schmeck's first roller coaster design. He would go on to design the park's classic Comet coaster, still standing today.

According to the Hershey Community Archives, the first woman to ride the roller coaster is Miss Marion Murrie, the daughter of William Murrie.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hershey Community Archives
Roller coasters at Hersheypark

Current:   Comet - Great Bear - Lightning Racer - Roller Soaker - SooperDooperLooper
Sidewinder - Storm Runner - Trailblazer - Wild Mouse - Wildcat

Past:   Mini Comet/Little Comet - Twin Toboggans - Wild Cat

Cancelled:   Turbulence