Leap-The-Dips
| Leap-The-Dips | |
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| Lakemont Park | |
| Coordinates | 40°28′15″N 78°23′48″W / 40.47083°N 78.39667°W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opening date | 1902 |
| Closing date | 2016 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood – Side friction |
| Manufacturer | Federal Construction Company |
| Designer | Edward Joy Morris |
| Height | 41 ft (12 m) |
| Drop | 9 ft (2.7 m) |
| Length | 1,452 ft (443 m) |
| Speed | 10 mph (16 km/h) |
| Duration | 1:00 |
| Max vertical angle | 25° |
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Leap-The-Dips at RCDB Pictures of Leap-The-Dips at RCDB |
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Leap-the-Dips
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| Location | Altoona, Pennsylvania |
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| Coordinates | 40°28′15″N 78°23′48″W / 40.47083°N 78.39667°WCoordinates: 40°28′15″N 78°23′48″W / 40.47083°N 78.39667°W |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | Edward Joy Morris |
| NRHP Reference # | 91000229 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 15, 1991 |
| Designated NHL | June 19, 1996 |
| Designated PHMC | November 28, 2000 |
Leap-The-Dips is a wooden roller coaster located at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Constructed in 1902 by the Federal Construction Company and designed by E. Joy Morris, it is the oldest operating roller coaster in the world and believed to be the last surviving side friction roller coaster of the figure-eight variety. Leap-the-Dips operated continuously until 1985, when it closed after falling into disrepair. A fund-raising campaign led to its restoration, with refurbishment efforts beginning in 1997 and ending with a grand-reopening in 1999. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996 and received the Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark awards from American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Leap-The-Dips was designed by Edward Joy Morris and constructed by the Federal Construction Company. It opened to the public in 1902 at Lakemont Park. Its figure-eight design was common on side friction roller coasters constructed in the early 1900s, reaching peak popularity in the Roaring Twenties. Leap-The-Dips was one of the few to survive from the era and is considered the oldest operating roller coaster in the world.
The roller coaster endured rough times near the turn of the century. In 1985, the attraction closed as a result of structural integrity concerns and lack of maintenance funds. A fund-raising effort initiated by the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) organization led to the formation of the Leap The Dips Foundation, which accepted private donations and worked with eight local banks along with the Progress Fund to save the roller coaster from demolition. Restoration began in 1997 utilizing carpentry techniques that were performed during its original construction, with over seventy percent of the original wood remaining intact. Leap-The-Dips officially reopened to the public on May 31, 1999.
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