953 nut 66,628 #1 Posted 7 hours ago June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opens at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York. Known as a switchback railway, it was the brainchild of LaMarcus Thompson, traveled approximately six miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride. The new entertainment was an instant success and by the turn of the century there were hundreds of roller coasters around the country. 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 12,246 #2 Posted 2 hours ago A lot of the old wooden structures are now long gone... Amusement Parks were for the most part built on prime commercial real estate. The same fate was had by local Drive In Theaters & short track Speedways... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
