Mission Beach Roller Coaster
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| Mission Beach Roller Coaster | |
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| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Location: | San Diego, California |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Built/Founded: | 1925 |
| Architect: | Prior,Thomas Frank; Church,Frederick A. |
| Architectural style(s): | Other |
| Added to NRHP: | December 27, 1978 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 78000753[1] |
| Governing body: | Local |
The Giant Dipper is a wooden roller coaster, built in 1925. The Giant Dipper is in Belmont Park, right on Mission Beach in San Diego.
[edit] History
Originally the idea of John D. Spreckels, the original coaster was built by a crew of 100 to 150 people in two weeks. The coaster became very popular in the 1940s and '50s but by the late '60s, it had fallen into disrepair. It closed in 1976.
In the early 1980s, people began calling for the demolition of the coaster, as it had been in disrepair and became a home for local transients. A date for the demolition was set, but a group of citizens calling themselves the "Save the Coaster Committee" intervened and had the Giant Dipper designated as a National Historic Landmark.
A few years later, the San Diego Seaside company was officially formed to restore the coaster to operation. $2 million was spent on the restoration. The new coaster contained six four-person cars. On August 11th, 1990, the Giant Dipper was reopened to the public. The response was so strong that a second train was eventually added to the coaster.
[edit] References
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
[edit] External links
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