Leap-The-Dips

Leap-The-Dips -- America
Lakemont Park
Coordinates 40°28′15″N 78°23′48″W / 40.47083°N 78.39667°W / 40.47083; -78.39667
Status Operating
Opening date 1902
General statistics
Type Wood – Side friction
Manufacturer Edward Joy Morris Company
Designer Edward Joy Morris
Height 41 ft (12 m)
Drop 9 ft (2.7 m)
Length 1,452 ft (443 m)
Speed 10 mph (16 km/h)
Duration 1:00
Max vertical angle 25°
Leap-The-Dips -- America at RCDB
Pictures of Leap-The-Dips -- America at RCDB
Leap-the-Dips
Location Altoona, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 40°28′15″N 78°23′48″W / 40.47083°N 78.39667°W / 40.47083; -78.39667Coordinates: 40°28′15″N 78°23′48″W / 40.47083°N 78.39667°W / 40.47083; -78.39667
Built 1902
Architect Edward Joy Morris
NRHP Reference # 91000229
Significant dates
Added to NRHP March 15, 1991[1]
Designated NHL October 9, 1960[2]
Designated PHMC November 28, 2000[3]

Leap-The-Dips is the world's oldest operating roller coaster and North America's last surviving side friction roller coaster.[4] It is located at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania and was built in 1902 by the E. Joy Morris Company. Leap-the-Dips operated until 1985, when it closed due to disrepair. A fund-raising campaign led to a restoration starting in 1997 and a reopening on Memorial Day 1999.

Although the ride is quite tame by today's standards, being only 41 ft (12.5 m) in height and having an average speed of 10 mph (16 km/h), many people still ride it. Several riders report that the rear wheels of cars were once able to leave the track at the crest of some dips.

At one time there was a "twin" coaster called Leap the Dips at Mounds State Park in Anderson, Indiana. This ride was installed around the great mound in 1908 and visitors said at the top of the ride you could see all the way down to the river. Due to lack of business, the amusement park started selling its equipment in the early 1920s.[5][6]

The Leap-The-Dips is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1996 was designated a National Historic Landmark. It is also an American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark.[7][8]

External links

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leap-The-Dips.
  1. ↑ Staff (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ "Leap-The-Dips". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  3. ↑ "PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  4. ↑ Todd W. Fornwalt (2010). "Leap-the-Dips: A Thrill From the Past". Penn State University. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  5. ↑ Madison County Historical Society
  6. ↑ Leap the Dips Picture at Mounds State park
  7. ↑ ACE Coaster Classic Awards
  8. ↑ ACE Coaster Landmark Awards
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