Sixty years ago, Blue Streak rollercoaster at Cedar Point – so-named to honor the Sandusky High School athletic teams – was brand new. Above is the Journal page from June 12, 1964 making the announcement.
As the article notes, "The new $250,000 Blue Streak roller coaster is one of hate new 1964 attractions which is helping make fun the keynote for this year's season at the Point.
"The roller coaster which was built by Cedar Point construction and maintenance crews is 72 feet high, 2,400 feet long, and travels at a maximum speed of 25 miles an hour. Each train of cars carries 24 persons on a two-minute ride.
"From the top of the Blue Streak's high hill, Cedar Point unfolds with a view to the left of the runway, the mile-long beach, the 1,000-room Hotel Breakers, the Sky Ride and the Sky Wheel.
"The updating of Cedar Point began after its purchase by Toledo real estate developer George A. Roose, and Cleveland financier Emile A. Negros.
"At that time plans were announced to convert Cedar Point into an exclusive residential area. The announcement loosed a storm of public protest. Private citizens and public officials did not want to lost [sic] Cedar Point.
"The new owners then assured the public that the resort would not close and plans were disclosed to rebuild Cedar Point into one of the finest recreation areas in the country."
Here's a vintage postcard of the beloved ride.
This April 2024 blog post explored the same 'new for 1964' theme, with an emphasis on the Mill Race.
I remember Brady family trips to Cedar Point in the 1960s in which the Blue Streak was seen as rather scary, with a few of us reluctant to ride it. The last time I rode it (about 8 years ago), I still thought it was a pretty good roller coaster.
Anyway, the page above includes ads for many restaurants, night clubs and businesses previously covered on this blog, including The Note, Manners, Colony Bar, Vian's, Lincoln Park, Maple Inn, Lorain Arena and the Sands.
The Blue Streak is the only rollercoaster I 've ever been on; I rode it twice on a July day in 1966, and that was more than enough for me. I preferred the Log Ride, especially on a hot summer day.
ReplyDeleteMy last visit to Cedar Point was fifty -six years ago; tempus fugit, y'all.
Nice mix of Bedford Falls with a little Pottersville stirred in.
ReplyDeleteBlue Streak to a 10 yr old w the wooden creaky structure and the clackity climb was terror. Frontier Town w the Mine Car ride was my favorite. It was smooth and quiet once out of the station. I can still smell the creosote and campfires.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if your smiling host bobo kazoff was serving up lawson’s dutch loaf at the sands cold cuts buffet? Todd
ReplyDeleteThat’s Lazoff not kazoff.
ReplyDeleteFat fingers
I've never really been a roller coaster fanatic but I've ridden a few at Cedar Point.Is the Blue Streak the one that is a pretty violent ride?Then you wind up like James Bond when you get off of it,shaken not stirred?
ReplyDeleteI once loved wooden roller coasters, but my creaking joints and back issues no longer allow me to partake the thrill of the first hill and the floating sensation produced by the smaller hills and dips. The Blue Streak was a good one, but I grew up near Euclid Beach, so the Thriller will always be first in my nostalgic affections.
ReplyDelete