Roller Coaster History

Frederick Church patented a new type of roller coaster train with articulated couplings & flanged wheels. They were made by coupling each car with a ball & socket joint.

The biggest change to the park this year is the refurbishment of Thunderhawk, Dorney Park’s iconic wooden roller coaster, now in its 92nd season.

In the mid-1970s, a high school student attending the Kansas State Fair decided it would be fun to pour laundry detergent into the water as he rode along the Ye Old Mill.

In 1980, Six Flags Over Texas was winding down its second decade of operation. The Judge would be in line with family thrillers of its time.

This history behind the oldest roller coasters dates back to the 17th century where roller coasters became popular with the Russian upper class.

After seven years in the making, Knoebles' one-of-a-kind ride Flying Turns debuts!

Roller Coasters were far more popular than imagined at the turn of the last century. Photo of a loop coaster from the early 1900s.

The oldest ride at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk passed the century mark in 2011.

Over a period of four years, ten of these Dinn & Summers coasters as they would become to be known were constructed at various parks across the United States.