"Chutes at the Beach"

 

Before 1929, Playland at the Beach was known as Chutes At The Beach as early as 1921. Prior to that, the area was known as "Concessions at the Beach." 

 

Arthur Looff  came to San Francisco to oversee the construction of his fathers, Mery-Go-Round around 1914. Soon after his arrival he met up with John Friedle who was running  a few Concessions at the Beach.  A partnership was born and together they would develope CHutes at the Beach.

 

Looff and Friedle had a grand vision for the OCean Beach area.... A grand amusment park. Arthur's father, Charles I.D. Looff, was  famous for his hand crafted Merry-go-Rounds. Charles was involved in developing amusments parks in Southern California. Arthur grew up around teh amusement park business  and had engineering skills. John Friedle was a savvy concession guy with good managerial skills and friendly personailty.  Together they laid out a plan for the construction of a two block long midway with room for plenty of Games and concessions. Looff took charge of the Rides and their construction. Friedle covered the concessions and management.  It was Looff and Friedle's Midway design that stood the test of time and the same Midway we all enjoyed as children

 

Privately owned attractions came and went prior to Chutes at the Beach's opening in 1921. These included an Old Mill ride and an Over the Falls attraction. On opening day in 1921, Chutes at the Beach had 10 rides and attracions: Chutes, Figure 8 Coaster, Ship Ajoy, Noah's Ark, Aeroplane ride, Dodg-em, Bob Sled Dipper, Ferris Wheel, The Whip and the Merry-go-round. Many Games and food concessions were present.

 

Looff and Friedle build rides and attractions at frenzied rate in the 20's. The park changed and grew at a rapid rate. By the mid 20's, Arthur  Looff took a lesser role in the park and spent most of his time in his Southern California parks.  Friedle continued with the park, adding rides, concessions and attractions.

 

In 1923, George Whitney came to Chutes at the Beach with his Photo Studio and a Shooting Gallery.  He quickly added new concessions and became park manager under John friedle around 1926.  George's brother Leo came to San Francisco around 1928. Leo had been experienced in Amusmeent concessions and the photo studio, but was looking at a new venture. A Chicken dinner place had opened at the South end of the beach. Leo had a vision of a larger 'themed' venue for this Chicken restaurant.... Topsy's Roost would be that vision.

 

1929 brought an abrupt switch in ownership and management of the park. A change that would create not only a new vision for Chutes at the Beach, but would eventually change the entire landscape of Ocean Beach.

 

April of 1929,  a Bob Sled Dipper car jumped the track and plunged into the Midway 12 feet below.  Many were injured, but no fatal injuries. John Friedle had great fear of a major lawsuit. He quickly started selling off  and/or transfering his shares in the park.  Some went his brother William Friedle, but the controling interest of the park was sold to George and Leo Whitney.

 

The end of 1929 brought an end to the Bob Sled Dipper and to Chutes at the Beach. Friedle would seek excile in his homeland of Germany for a few years , while George and Leo took the reigns.  From the ashes of Chutes at the Beach, rose Whitney's Playland at the Beach.

 

 

 

Sounds from a Chutes Ride