Bobs (roller coaster)

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Bobs
The Bobs at Riverview (JJH).jpg
Bobs as seen in a postcard
Riverview Park
Location Riverview Park
Coordinates 41°56′26″N87°41′33″W / 41.940663°N 87.692439°W / 41.940663; -87.692439
StatusRemoved
Opening date1924 (1924)
Closing date1967 (1967)
General statistics
Type Wood
Manufacturer Prior and Church
DesignerFred Church
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height64.75 ft (19.74 m)
Drop59.58 ft (18.16 m)
Length3,235 ft (986 m)
Speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions 0
Bobs at RCDB

Bobs was a wooden roller coaster located at Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was built in 1924, and was demolished with the rest of the park in 1967. Bobs was built by Prior and Church, and designed by Frederick Church. According to professional review of the blueprints, Bobs had a maximum height of 64.75 feet (19.74 m), a drop of 59.58 feet (18.16 m), and reached speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). [1]

A ride inspired by Bobs was installed in 1988 at the now-defunct Geauga Lake amusement park in Aurora, Ohio, called Raging Wolf Bobs. The ride operated until June 16, 2007, when a derailment accident occurred on the ride, injuring several riders and resulting in the ride's closure for the rest of the 2007 season. The amusement park side of Geauga Lake would close for good in 2007, and Raging Wolf Bobs would stand out of operation until 2014, when it was finally demolished.

References

  1. Gee, Derek; Lopez, Ralph (2000). Laugh Your Troubles Away: The Complete History of Riverview Park, Chicago, Illinois. Livonia, MI: Sharpshooter Productions. ISBN   978-0-9676045-1-0