Chutes at the Beach - Rides
(1921-1929)
Arthur Looff was the RIDES man. John Friedle was the Management and Concessions guy. Chutes at the Beach grew at a rapid rate! This was back in a time when rides were BUILT, not just hauled in on a truck and set up. These were permanent structures that were built on site.
Chutes at the Beach opened in 1921 with 10 Rides: Dodg-Em, Noah's Ark, Chutes, Figure 8 Coaster, The Whip, Ferris Wheel, Bob Sled Dipper, Aeroplane swing, Ship A'Joy and Looff's Merry-go-round.
By the end of the decade, there would be many new rides and over a 100 concessions. Some of the original 'Opening day' rides wouldn't see 1930.
It must have been an exciting time....
It didn't last long
Looking North frOM CABRILLO
ACME Ice Cream Truck. Sea Wall construction can be seen at the far left of photo.
Ferris Wheel and teh Bob Sled Dipper can be seen with good detail
Road paving, Ferris wheel and Cliff House
Aeroplane swing, Noah's Ark and Chutes.
Early Dodgem Bumper Cars were a big hit. Ship A Joy's walk through was often scoffed as not being very entertaining. Marilyn Blaisdell Collection
Dodg-em hanging in there. Ship A Joy is gone. Marilyn Blaisdell Collection
Looking South down the Midway. Dodgem building and later Hey Dey ride Marilyn Blaisdell Collection
If you went to Chutes at the Beach in 1921, this is the ride you would have seen.
Later in teh 20's you would rode one of these open air babies to bash into your neighbors
I don't have a photo of Playland's WHIP, but you can find a photo in James R Smith;s Book: Playland: the Early Years,
still in operation. NOT PLAYLAND.
NOT PLAYLAND
The Aeroplane and Seaplane Swings were Harry Traver inventions. Best known for his Terrifying Triplets, the Cyclone coasters. This would be a brand new model in 1926, showing us that Freidle and Looff were serious about keeping this updated and fresh,.
Nice detailed photo. It's from the 30's, but best shows the ride as it would have looked during Chutes at the Beach era. Marilyn Blaisdell Collection
Detail of the Planes Marilyn Blaisdell Collection
Concessions at the base. You can still ride this type of attraction at Disney's Ca Adventure. Marilyn Blaisdell Collection
SFPL
1926+ This is a Playland Mystery ride. What was it? It's indoors.... So is it a Dark Ride or mechanical ride? We really don't know, but we have a few photos of it! James R Smith Collection
There's a few changes on the facade over the years. There was a fire in the kitchen around 1925 and then NO Kitchen post. James R Smith Collection James R Smith
The ride open until 1932. It was then used for Whitney's "Century of Progress" show. It housed and displayed new automobiles. SFPL
Close up of the facade
Sutro's Dolce Far Niente walkway has taken a beaten over the years. Here's it's showing it's age but doesn't stop people from coming to see the view.
James R Smith has photos of this ride in his book, Playland : the early years. This is a a Coney Island postcard for the ride
Coney Island
A long standing popular ride that came in the 1920's. Once again.... Playland: The Early Years has photos.
The Red Bug was lightyears before Disneyland autopia, but same concept. James R Smith Collection
James R Smith Collection
The track basically did a big elongated circle around the mountainside . North of Topsys. James R Smith Collection
James R Smith Collection