The Wooden Way: A Cross-Pennsylvania Pilgrimage to the Golden Age of Thrills
Pennsylvania has a rich history in the development of wooden roller coasters, dating back to the early 20th century. These early coasters, often located at lakeside or hillside amusement parks, provided city dwellers with fresh air and excitement. Innovative engineers transformed timber into gravity-powered rides that offered unique thrills, with some still operating today. Kennywood Amusement Park in West Mifflin features several historic coasters, including the Jack Rabbit from 1920, known for its double-dip drop and enhanced wheel technology. The Thunderbolt, dating to 1924, offers steep plunges and lateral forces, while the 1927 Racer was designed as a Mobius loop. Herbert Paul Schmeck, a notable designer, contributed the Thunderhawk at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, a classic out-and-back design built in 1923. Idlewild & SoakZone's Rollo Coaster, built in 1938, was constructed using local materials and embraces its wooded hillside setting. Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg is home to the Phoenix, a reborn coaster that has won numerous awards, and the Twister. Hersheypark in Hershey showcases the Comet, a relocated 1946 coaster recognized for its airtime hills and Landmark status. More recently, Waldameer Park in Erie features the Ravine Flyer II, built in 2008, which is Pennsylvania's tallest and fastest wooden coaster. Finally, Hersheypark's Lightning Racer, built in 2000, is a popular racing wooden coaster that demonstrates the continued evolution of the ride type.
