Shoot the Chutes !
(1921-1950)
Before 1929, Playland at the Beach was known as Chutes At The Beach as early as 1921. When the Whitney Brothers took control of the park it became Playland at the Beach. Actually, it became Whitney's at the Beach, but the signs all said Playland, so that stuck. Actually, PLAYLAND was a common used name for Amusement Parks around the country at the time.
The Chutes were basically a Boat ride (like a modern LOG Ride) that climbed up to a height and then rushed down a water chute. "SHOOT the Chutes," was a common phrase. The Chutes was quite a huge wooden structure with monsterous lift pulleys. It had a rivers and lakes of water. The boats actually went subterranean under the Midway and popped back up on the Lift Hill. It's been reported that the tunnel was pitch black!
Looff outdid himself on the construction... Always trying to save space, he build the Bob Sled Dipper coaster into the superstructure of the Chutes. The Single structure supported 2 rides..... later three... but that's another story.
The Chutes Ride was originally created by Captain Paul Boyton for the 1893 World's Columbia Exposition in Chicago.
The Chutes were build around 1920-21 by Arthur Loof. Some say he designed the Chutes, although a patent was held by Captain Boyton. It was said to be the tallest Chutes in the North America.... Whether that's true or good advertising is up to debate. George Whitney closed the Chutes in 1950.
Rider account: 1940's. The boat was loaded back to front. There were no restraints or seat belts, only a hand rail. The boat moved forward and caught the conveyor belt which lefted the boat about 10 feet above the ground level. As it approached Cabrillo the sleuth made a quick right turn, then picked up speed, west along side Cabrillo. The boat dropped about 20 feet into the undersground tunnel. The tunnel was pitch black! Moving west, the boat made a slow turn North, still traveling in complete darkness. Around the area of the It Stand it caught onto the Lift hill and slowly pull yu upward. A quarter the way up you emerged from the darkness. Reaching the top of the Chutes structure, the boats kind of made a slow rolling motion and u-turn. Facing South, the boat would then plunge down the Drop Hill splashing into the lagoon with a great splash and dislacement of water. Riders would get wet.
James R Smith Collection
Outsidelands.org
John Freidle and Arthur Looff stand next to the largest Pulley? Marilyn Blasidell
Boats were raised with conveyors
Marilyn BLaisdell Collection
Take a ride! Shooting the CHutes 1903, Luna Park, Coney Island James R Smith Collection
#1 Next to Arcade. It would move in later years.
Top of Stairs
Chutes Loading Station in the 30's.. The Boats were conveyed up onto a dry dock.
James R Smith Collection
1928. James R Smith Collection
The Chutes drop hill to the left. The right shows concessions and a hidden chutes lift hill James R Smith Collection
Covered left Hill is for the Sleigh Ride John Bozko
Outsidelands.org
James R Smith Collection
James R Smith Collection
James R Smith Collection
Rocket Speedway
James R Smith Collection
James R Smith Collection
2nd evolution Chute Boats 1929-30. Going UP conveyer James R Smith Collection
1940, the loading area was moved North to the old Noah's Ark area.
They added a Windmill and an Alpine Scene.
Alpine Scene almost looks real...
John Bosko
Marilyn BLaisdell
Marilyn Blasidell Collection
Marilyn Blasidell Collection
Marilyn Blasidell Collection
Marilyn Blasidell Collection
SFMTA
SFMTA
from Balboa @ La Playa SFPL
SFMTA
SFMTA
SFPL
SFMTA