The Bobs (roller coaster)

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The Bobs
The Bobs at Riverview (JJH).jpg
The Bobs
Riverview Park
Location Riverview Park
Coordinates 41°56′26″N87°41′33″W / 41.940663°N 87.692439°W / 41.940663; -87.692439 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
The Bobs at RCDB
Pictures of The Bobs at RCDB

The Bobs was a wooden roller coaster located at Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois. It was built in 1924 and was demolished with the rest of the park in 1967. The Bobs was built by Prior and Church and designed by Fred Church. According to professional review of the blueprints the 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 modernized version called Raging Wolf Bobs was located at the now defunct Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio, though it was not considered as intense as the original. A rollback accident that occurred on the ride resulted in a season-long closure. The Bobs was immortalized in American humorist Jean Shepherd's broadcast on August 26, 1967.

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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