Mill Race (log flume)
| Mill Race | |
|---|---|
 Mill Race in 1963 | |
| Cedar Point | |
| Status | Removed |
| Cost | $300,000 |
| Opening date | 1963 |
| Closing date | 1993 |
| Replaced by | Raptor |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Log flume |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Height | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
| Length | 1,230 ft (370 m) |
Mill Race was a log flume ride that operated between 1963[1] and 1993[2] at the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. When it opened in 1963, Mill Race was only the second such log flume ride to ever operate in the world[1] (the first being El Aserradero [The Sawmill] at Six Flags Over Texas, which had opened earlier that same year[3]). Mill Race was ultimately removed from the park in 1993 to prepare for the opening of Raptor in 1994.[2]
History
Costing approximately three hundred thousand dollars,[1] Mill Race opened during a period of transition at Cedar Point.[4] In 1963, when Mill Race opened, Cedar Point had no operating roller coasters besides smaller wild mouse style roller coasters.[4] Mill Race opened near the entrance of the park on the main midway[5] and it proved to be one of the most popular rides in the entire park.[6] The number of Cedar Point visitors rose following the installation of Mill Race.[4]
Although Mill Race was popular, the log flume was ultimately removed in 1993 to prepare for the addition of the inverted steel roller coaster Raptor.[2] A second log flume ride, White Water Landing, had also been built at Cedar Point in 1982. At 50 feet (15 m) in height,[5] White Water Landing dwarfed the 28 feet (8.5 m) tall Mill Race.[1] Snake River Falls, a third flume, opened in Mill Race's last year of operation.[5] In the year following Mill Race's removal and Raptor's installation, Cedar Point admissions went from hundreds of thousands of visitor admissions to over two million visitor admissions in a single season.[2]
Layout and ride experience
Mill Race had a simple layout, only having a single lift hill of 28 feet (8.5 m) in height.[1] Mill Race had been selected as a top Cedar Point attraction in multiple years of the 1960s.[6][7]
References
- ^ a b c d e Francis, David W.; Francis, Diane DeMali (2002). Ohio's Amusement Parks in Vintage Postcards. Postcard History Series. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738519979. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ^ a b c d Pledger, Marcia (6 June 2012). "Cedar Point may be planning to add winged coaster next year". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ^ Ouellette, Jennifer (2010). The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 0143117378. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ^ a b c Samuelson, Dale; Yegoiants, Wendy (2001). The American Amusement Park. Hong Kong: MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0760309817. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ^ a b c Proudfood, Rona (4 September 2009). "Cedar Point unveils new water flume ride". The Chronicle-Telegram. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ^ a b Blade Staff Writer (13 May 1966). "Cedar Point rushing for 97th season opening". The Blade. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ^ Nofziger, Fred (15 May 1968). "Frontier Town emerging out west at Cedar Point". The Blade. Retrieved 29 November 2012.