Whirlwind
| Other Name(s) | Whirl Wind Whirlwind Racer Whirlwind Railway Monster Whirlwind |
|---|---|
| Type | Roller Coaster Track ride |
| Park Section | North, West |
| Opened | 1909 |
| Closed | 1933 (For expansion of other areas) |
| Designer | Harry G. Traver |
| Materials | Steel, Wood |
| Vehicle Type | Car |
| Inversions | 0 |
The Whirlwind was a wooden[1] and steel racer roller coaster at Olentangy Park built in 1909.[2][3] It was designed by Harry G. Traver, who also invented the Circle Swing and Tumble Bug. By 1916, it was "[suffering] a bit from nonsupport."[4] The Whirlwind racer remained in operation until 1933, when it was dismantled to make room for the Baseball Diamond and Horseshoe Courts.
It was built in the northwest corner of the park, west of the Shoot-the-Chutes and north of Fair Japan and later, the Swimming Pool and Band Shell.[5]
Notes
According to the Roller Coaster Database, there is a photo of the Whirlwind with a section of the track missing, but this is most likely the Figure Eight Toboggan that appears to have damage around the time the Band Shell was built.[1]
Gallery
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A panoramic photo of new rides nearing completion in the Columbus Sunday Dispatch on March 28, 1909. Rides and attractions shown: Whirlwind, Shoot-the-Chutes, the Midway including the Temple of Mirth, original Ye Olde Mill and second Dancing Pavilion.
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A vintage postcard (postmarked 1916) showing the Whirlwind and Shoot-the-Chutes. Photo from around 1909-1910.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Whirl Wind." Roller Coaster Database, Accessed on April 15, 2022. https://rcdb.com/3157.htm
- ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, May 9, 1909. Page 5.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park Opens April 25th." The Union County Journal (Marysville, Ohio), April 22, 1909. Page 3. Accessed through Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-union-county-journal-olentangy-park/152965546/
- ↑ "Park in Full Operation." The Columbus Evening Dispatch, May 1, 1916. Page 16.
- ↑ "Lincoln Green Gambols Open for Every Tot." Columbus Evening Dispatch, June 22, 1914. Page 3.