Big Dipper (Geauga Lake)
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| Big Dipper | |
 Big Dipper from across Geauga Lake |
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| Location | Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom |
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| Type | Wood |
| Status | Closed |
| Opened | 1925 |
| Manufacturer | National Amusement Company |
| Designer | John A. Miller |
| Model | Out and Back roller coaster |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 65 ft (20 m) |
| Length | 2,680 ft (820 m) |
| Max speed | 32 mph (51 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:45 |
| Capacity | 522 riders per hour |
| Cost | $50,000 |
| Height restriction | 4 ft 0 in (120 cm) |
| Big Dipper at RCDB Pictures of Big Dipper at RCDB |
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Big Dipper is a wooden roller coaster at Geauga Lake amusement park in Aurora, Ohio. Built in 1925, the Big Dipper is an ACE "Coaster Classic" and until September 2007, was the oldest operating wooden coaster in Ohio, and the 7th oldest operating roller coaster in the USA (12th oldest in the world). Big Dipper underwent major renovations in 1980. It has been named "Big Dipper" since 1969, before which it was named Clipper and Sky Rocket.
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[edit] Opening Controversy
There is some debate over what year the ride actually opened to the public. Some historical accounts claim the ride was built and opened in 1925. Others claim that the ride was built in 1925, but did not open until 1926, and still others find that the ride was built and opened in 1926.[citation needed]
To satisfy all three claims, the park celebrated the ride's 80th anniversary in 2006 as well as 2005.
A rare photo of the ride has been recovered which clearly states that the photo was taken in 1925, however whether or not the Big Dipper has been completely built or even opened cannot be ascertained from the photograph.[1]
[edit] Big Dipper's Future
On September 21, 2007, Cedar Fair announced that Geauga Lake will no longer operate partially as an amusement park, and will become solely a water park, Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom. This means that the future of Big Dipper is uncertain. Because it was the oldest operating roller coaster in Ohio, many, especially preservationists and roller coaster enthusiasts, are concerned about the fate of Big Dipper. The Big Dipper has recently been listed on the auctioneers website, making it likely Big Dipper will be sold.
[edit] References
- ^ 1925 Big Dipper Group Photo. Geauga Lake Today (1925). Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
[edit] External links
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