Cedar Point history timeline updated

Walt's avatar

Over the past several weeks, I've been making updates to the Cedar Point history timeline. I have many holes to fill and details to add (I'm still combing through source material), but at least it is finally updated through the present day.

There are a number of items listed under a year without a specific date. These are items for which a specific date doesn't make sense or for which I haven't yet verified a specific date. After learning Mine Ride did not debut on opening day, I tried not to make any assumptions. :)

http://www.pointbuzz.com/Content/History

If you see any errors, feel free to point them out. :)

We'll probably add a "This Day In Cedar Point History" feature on the sidebar at some point. I'm also considering the idea of a 2016 Cedar Point calendar with historical events listed on dates. And I still have townhallmuseum.com that's just begging to be the home of an insanely detailed history site.

Last edited by Walt,

Walt Schmidt - Co-Publisher, PointBuzz
PointBuzz on Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Home to the Biggest Fans of the World's Best Amusement Park

Thabto's avatar

Actually, November 2nd was the final day of the 2014 season. It's November 1st for the 2015 season.


Brian
Valravn Rides: 24| Steel Vengeance Rides: 27| Dragster Rollbacks: 1

What's a "Hollywood Was Museum? (1967) ;)

Looks great Walt.


June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82
R.I.P. Fright Zone, and Cyrus along with it.

Chuck Wagon's avatar

A couple things I saw:

1974

Gazebo removed from main midday flower bed and tradition of floral logo design beings with the CP star logo.

"midway" and "begins" need correction.

May 8, 1999

Triple Challenge Racepark opens in Challange Park, replacing Cedar Point Grand Prix.

"Challenge"


-- Chuck Wagon --
aka Pagoda Gift Shop

Thabto's avatar

Just a suggestion, I think there should be a way to click links to go to different eras, like maybe decades. I don't know if you were already planning something like that, but I think it would be easier if we could click a link then it would scroll down to that decade. Other than that, keep adding to this. PointBuzz is becoming a great one-stop shop for all Cedar Point info.


Brian
Valravn Rides: 24| Steel Vengeance Rides: 27| Dragster Rollbacks: 1

Walt's avatar

Yeah, I thought about doing something along those lines. That's a good idea.

Thanks for the corrections so far. Like I said, I know there are missing events, but I'll be adding as we go along. In fact, I've already made some additions this morning to 1929 and the early 1950s.

Turns out, the 1950s was a really interesting decade. The story has always been that George Roose and Emile Legros wanted to turn Cedar Point into a private housing development, but changed their minds as the result of public outcry and a takeover threat by the state. In reality, that's oversimplified and not entirely true. I'm working on an article on that subject that I hope to have ready in time for next week's March 28 anniversary of the "Disney" project announcement.

Last edited by Walt,

Walt Schmidt - Co-Publisher, PointBuzz
PointBuzz on Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Home to the Biggest Fans of the World's Best Amusement Park

Chuck Wagon's avatar

I really enjoy looking at the timeline. It makes me think of other interesting things that could be added. For example, during our Winter Chill Out tour, our tour guide (Old Timer Tim) asked some good trivia questions related to which IMAX films were shown more than once at the IMAX theater.

Then again, the timeline could probably get pretty overloaded with all kinds of trivia-type stuff.


-- Chuck Wagon --
aka Pagoda Gift Shop

Walt's avatar

I definitely have to use some editorial discretion when deciding what to add, because it could quickly become unwieldily. But I do plan to add the IMAX movies for each year at some point.


Walt Schmidt - Co-Publisher, PointBuzz
PointBuzz on Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Home to the Biggest Fans of the World's Best Amusement Park

Thanks for doing this update. Your 1967/1970 dates for Sealand and Tiki Twirl are now more accurate than the official CP history page, haha. I will help you out with a few items. Any verification needed, you can PM me. I'm a big stickler for CP history.

Anyhow,

1960 (not 1962) was the official opening of Western Cruise (it was actually renamed that in 1964) after originally opening as the Riverboat Cruise (Jungle Ride), four years previous. This is widely misquoted date in a few publications. It's pictured here: http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com/CP_Brochures/1961_b_outside.jpg

in the 1961 CP brochure (check out Jason Hammond's rollercoasterfreak.com site). There was also just a completed Press Photo from the Plain Dealer that ended on Ebay last week showing one of the boats in its debut year. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40|R40&ghostText=&_sacat=0&_n...e=1&rt=nc.

1965 (not 1966) for the Monorail final season. Yes, it's pictured on a map in the 1966 CP brochure (which was printed up months ahead of time and has 4 mistakes) but the station, along with tracks, was torn down before the 66' season to make way for the Calypso relocation and Silver Dollar/ Pirate Ride buildings for the following year (1966). Hope these help. I'll look over more later, but again much praise for the updates!!

Walt's avatar

Some of the items are from timelines I originally compiled in the 1990s, so there are still some accuracy issues to work through. I appreciate the input!


Walt Schmidt - Co-Publisher, PointBuzz
PointBuzz on Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Home to the Biggest Fans of the World's Best Amusement Park

Jeff's avatar

April, 1998 - Guide To The Point, the predecessor to PointBuzz, is first published online. :)


Jeff - Advocate of Great Great Tunnels™ - Co-Publisher - PointBuzz - CoasterBuzz - Blog - Music

Walt's avatar

Already there. :)


Walt Schmidt - Co-Publisher, PointBuzz
PointBuzz on Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Home to the Biggest Fans of the World's Best Amusement Park

Don't forget about the Wicked Twister midway reformation announced last month.

Are there any historical park maps? For instance, as I was reading about the transformations of the corkscrew/gemini midway, I was wishing I had a visual to how it was actually laid out. In particular, I was curious how the hotel guest entrance to the park changed over the years.

Perhaps a link to any maps or aerial views available at the appropriate point in the timeline?


1.Raptor 2.Maverick 3.SV 3.MF 4.Rougarou 5.GK 6.Valravn 7.BS 8.WT 9.Gemini 10.CCMR 11.Magnum 12.TTD 13.CS 15.WE 16.ID

This is the most complete set of maps I've ever seen for CP: http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com/Brochures.html

Jason Hammond's avatar

That list will grow if I ever get any free time again. I have years of accumulated brochures I have yet to scan. I keep buying, I just don't have time for the processing. Something cool from this collection will be displayed at Cedar Point this year too! Once the park has opened, I will point it out to everyone. :-)


884 Coasters, 35 States, 7 Countries
http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com My YouTube

Chuck Wagon's avatar

Bump.

I just wanted to say that I love this page:

http://pointbuzz.com/content/cedar-point-2015

Seems like a great way to keep a nice history for each operating year. In the future, maybe the timeline would just hyperlink to these pages or something. Hopefully additional info and Halloweekends info can be added throughout the season this year.


-- Chuck Wagon --
aka Pagoda Gift Shop

^^ Jason, can you point us on what to look for at the park, now that Opening day has past? I didn't notice anything at the park last time but might not have known where to look. Thanks!!

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