MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025
KING COAL'S COASTER!
It was June 16th., 1884! A new amusement
ride opened to the public at Coney Island
Park. It was called the Switchback Railroad.
It was the first American roller coaster! But
both the name and the idea came from the
coal fields of Pennsylvania. Back in 1882
the Summit and Mach Chunk Railroad built
a rail line betweek Summit Hill and Mach
Chunk (you know it now as Jim Thorpe).
I operated strictly by gravity. And it was used
to haul coal. Eventually people started to pay
a nickle to ride the coasting cars over the nearly
9-mile-stretch. Lamarkus Thompson saw the
success of the line as an attraction and brought
the idea to Coney Island. Eventually the track
was turned into a circular route so people didn't
have to get off at one end and find their way back.
The Roller Coaster! Born in Pennsylvania! Hope
you're well and that all your NEWS is good.
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