Santa Cruz Looff Carousel and Roller Coaster
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Looff Carousel and Roller Coaster on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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| Location | 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California |
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| Coordinates | 36°57′53″N 122°0′56″W / 36.96472°N 122.01556°WCoordinates: 36°57′53″N 122°0′56″W / 36.96472°N 122.01556°W |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architect | Charles I. D. Looff; Arthur Looff |
| Architectural style | Other |
| NRHP Reference # | 87000764 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | February 27, 1987 |
| Designated NHL | February 24, 1987 |
Santa Cruz Looff Carousel and Roller Coaster On The Beach Boardwalk is a National Historic Landmark composed of two parts, a Looff carousel and the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
The Looff Carousel includes a brass ring dispenser. Riders on the outside horses can reach out and try to grab rings which then get tossed at the target which is a large clown's mouth. It is one of the only ring dispeners still operating in the world. Sometimes, riders keep the rings to remember their visit.
The Looff family was one of the major early manufacturers of carousels, including this 1911 example. Only five other intact Looff carousels remain in the United States. The 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster is the older of the two large, wooden scaffolded roller coasters remaining on the West Coast.
The Looff Carousel and Giant Dipper roller coaster were both declared National Historic Landmarks in 1987.
The Giant Dipper is a classic wooden roller coaster that still provides entertainment over 105 years after it debuted.
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Wikipedia