Cedar Point in 1964

operative_me's avatar

Short video my Dad found on Facebook of CP in 1964. Some rides such as Blue Streak, Calypso, CP&LE RR obviously still exist. Mill Race, Broadway Trip, Double Ferris wheel among the ones long gone. (My Dad actually told me about Broadway Trip, I wasn't alive for that.) Also different gondola on the Sky Ride which look like they hold 2 people.

https://www.facebook.com/david.crites.75/videos/1162440703896164/?fref=mentions

Last edited by operative_me,

-Craig
Lifetime Laps on Woodstock Express: 0

Thanks for posting. The 60s era at CP is the decade that fascinates me most, probably because it was before I starting going to the park. My family did go back then however and from their photos, slides,etc- I've done lots of research of this decade at the park. I know a few on here (Pete, RCMAC) did go during that time. That would have been fascinating to see the difference from then until now.

The 4 seat Sky Ride buckets didn't exist until a few years after this video, you're correct. I did ride the Double Ferris Wheel and Mill Race as a kid. Two of my favorites. The original CP/LE train station was where Valravn's first drop hill is today. I do find it weird you could just park wherever (by the Mill Race") for FREE back during that time. Don't think that would work today! Wonder if attendance during Halloweekends would be even greater w/ FREE parking now? Just a thought. LOL

Thank you for sharing! I have one question to throw out to the crowd though. A couple of times when watching these vintage videos, it has struck me the Sky RIde towers seem taller than they are now. Did they replace them at some point?

Nope. Always the same. And even back then my junior enthusiast mind noticed that one pole is shorter than the other two. That’s still a mystery to me. Unless they ran out of room for the far station. One of these days I’ll step it off.

I remember on our first family outing we had to split up to ride those two seaters. My dad took my baby brother and I was left to ride with Mom who, by the way, hated most rides and was petrified of heights. I worried the whole way while she screwed her eyes shut, put a death grip on the center pole, and screamed whenever we went over the rollers.
It’s funny to think that the ride was probably designed to carry riders from the front of the park to the back. Now it’s not much help.

Pete's avatar

The Frontier Lift had a shorter support tower at the West terminal end also. I'm not sure about this, but my theory is that it is necessary to have a shorter tower to give the ride the proper profile. Maybe something with the tensioning system requires that. These Von Roll gondolas were originally designed to go up mountains, it seems like having a shorter tower perhaps simulates a profile of going up a hill a little. Don't know, just a guess.

Last edited by Pete,

I'd rather be in my boat with a drink on the rocks,
than in the drink with a boat on the rocks.

Thanks! I remember most of those rides, I started going to The Point around 1968-70. Miss the Rotor and Skywheel, two of the best rides ever, alomg with many others. But I'm certainly not complaining - management for the most part has turned a good park into something great.

According to the newspaper articles, the Front Gate tower is 87 feet, the middle tower is 86 feet, and the back tower is 58.5 feet. The Frontier Lift front tower was 75 feet and the Frontiertown tower was 65 feet. No mention of the middle tower height

The frontier lift had 4 towers. The two centers towers were 93 feet I think.


yukonman

jimmyburke's avatar

It always seemed to me as though Frontier Lift was higher.

The ride was longer, maybe, but it was a tree-top kind of thing. Not as tall.

Edit to add: well, maybe not longer.

Last edited by RCMAC,
operative_me's avatar

I was 6 when Frontier Lift closed, so I only have vague memories of it. I do remember it seeming longer. I also remember it being cool to go through all of the trees. Frontier Town seemed a lot more remote back then. But progress.


-Craig
Lifetime Laps on Woodstock Express: 0

Pete's avatar

The Frontier Lift was longer and I also remember it being lower to the ground, perhaps 60' or so.


I'd rather be in my boat with a drink on the rocks,
than in the drink with a boat on the rocks.

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