Coney Island photographer Eric Kowalsky, who valiantly documented Thor Equities’ demolition of the Henderson Music Hall and the Bank of Coney, finally got to take some photos of construction on Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue on Monday. Amid the snow, sleet and ice pellets, construction crews for Central Amusement International are putting up Zamperla’s flying coaster. The blue steel supports for the Scream Zone’s Soaring Eagle joined Deno’s Wonder Wheel, the Astrotower and the Cyclone on the skyline.
Scream Zone will also feature Zamperla’s Turbo Force and a SlingShot high thrill ride from Funtime. The newly re-themed Soaring Eagle was relocated from Denver’s Elitch Gardens, where it made its debut as the Volare, which means “to fly” in Italian, in 2002. The supports and track for the flying coaster arrived in Coney Island in November. New cars and a new computer operating system are being manufactured for the ride by Zamperla. Ride experts say the two coasters will go up very quickly, but the other two rides require deep foundation work. This year Palm Sunday, Coney Island’s traditional opening day of the season, falls on April 17. The date is just 75 days away!
Zamperla/CAI has a ten-year lease to operate amusements on the 6.9 acres the City bought for $95.6 million from Thor Equities. Zamperla’s Scream Zone will be located on City-owned parcels at Stillwell and the Boardwalk.
This Mangels’ Fairy Whip car is one of our favorite artifacts in the Coney Island History Project’s exhibition center. It was manufactured circa 1920 at William F. Mangels Factory on 8th Street in Coney Island, which is now the Department of Motor Vehicles Building. Mangels, who was the inventor of such early 20th century thrill rides as the Whip and the Tickler, is one of the amusement industry pioneers honored in the Coney Island Hall of Fame.
But if you want to ride the Whip, you’ll have to take a trip to Rye Playland, Knoebels, Kennywood, Trimper’s or any one of the other parks or carnivals listed on ATZ’s Whip Census. This video pays tribute to Mangels, who was born on February 1, 1867, and shows the Whip in action at Knoebels.
Last February we marked the birthday of William F Mangels with a pictorial tribute to his shooting gallery targets. This year we’re proclaiming Bring Back the Whip! It’s a shame that Coney Island, where this classic ride was invented, doesn’t have an operating Whip. Patented by Mangels in 1914, the Whip was one of the first and most popular thrill rides. Old timers tell us there used to be quite a few Whips as well as quite a few carousels and roller coasters in good ol’ Coney Island. Wouldn’t it be fitting to have a Mangels Whip installed in Steeplechase Plaza next to Mangels’ B & B Carousell?
A couple of years ago we started the Whip Census with the help of our friends on Matt’s Carnival Warehouse forum. We were surprised and pleased to find so many Whips out there! As you’ll see from the list, which we believe is far from complete,the ride is still very popular. And it’s nice to know there are still some traveling ones since the Whip is considered the first portable thrill ride. If you know about additional locations, including rides in storage, please comment below or email hello[at]triciavita[dot]com. Perhaps one of these Whips can be relocated to Coney Island in the future!
Parks
Americana/LeSourdsville Lake Park, Monroe, OH. 8-car Whip added in 1941. Park has been closed since 2002.
Beech Bend Park, Bowling Green KY, Kiddie Whip bought at Guntown Mt sale, originally from Beech Bend and returned home.
Bushkill Park, Easton, PA. Park is currently closed
Camden Park, Huntington, WV, 8-car model
Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH, 8-car oval Kiddie Whip
Cedar Point, Sandusky OH, Kiddie Roto Whip
Dorney Park, Allentown, PA, 12-car model
Hillcrest Park, Wilmington, IL, Roto Whip. Park closed and ride was sold at auction in 2003.
Idlewild Park, Ligonier, PA. 12-car Whip added in 1930s. It now has fiberglass cars.
Keansburg Amusement Park, NJ, Roto Whip
Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA, 1918: The Whip is added. 1923: Kiddie Whip is among the first four rides in Kiddieland. 1926: The original 12-car Whip is replaced by a new 16-car model. 1975: Kiddie Whip is destroyed in Dance Hall (Ghost Ship) fire. A vintage miniature Whip from Massachusett’s defunct Paragon Park replaced it.
Kiddieland, Melrose Park, IL, 1949 Roto-Whip. Park closed & rides auctioned in 2009. Whip purchased for $11,500 by Jeff Kimble, an antiques collector and restoration specialist who has a private, 30-acre indoor park in Loganville, Ga.
Kings Island, Mason, OH, Kiddie Whip
Knoebels, Elysburg, PA, Whip from Croops Glen in Hunlock Creek PA moved to Knoebels in the 40s or 50s. Knoebels also has a Kiddie Whip (Oval).
Lakeside Park, Denver, CO
Lakeside Park, Fond du Lac, WI, Roto Whip
Magic Forest, Lake George, NY, Roto Whip
Midway State Park, Bemus Point, NY, Roto Whip
Pocono Mt Go Kart Play Park, Marshall’s Creek, PA, Roto Whip
Rye Playland, Rye, NY, 12-car model
Stricker’s Grove, Ross, OH, Kiddie Whip
Sylvan Beach Amusement Park on Oneida Lake, NY, Roto Whip and one or two other Mangels pieces.
Trimper’s Rides, Ocean City, MD, Fairy Whip for kids (indoors)
Twin Grove Park & Campground, Pine Grove, PA
Carnivals
Benner’s Amusements, PA, Kiddie Oval Whip from Eldridge Park in Elmira, NY
Chuck Reid’s Imperial Shows, CT, Roto-Whip
Funtastic Shows, Oregon
Hudson Valley Shows, NY. Roto Whip
Montana Brothers Amusements, Scranton, PA
Perry Amusements, Ohio. Roto Whip, trailer mounted by the show
Rainbow Promotons, Lansdowne, PA, 6-car model, truck mounted Kiddie Whip that is now on a trailer.
Fatty Arbuckle Rides the Whip in 1917 silent film comedy 'Coney Island'
Amusing the Zillion 