The Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
The Giant Dipper Roller Coaster has always been an central piece of
Mission Beach. In fact, it is in the center of the strip. Over the years
there has been a lot of contraversy over the old ride. It was shut down then
started back up and shut down again but finally was re-opened. The same
thing happend to with the ownership. The coaster was given away, sold,
bought, and leased. Today it is owned by the City of San Diego but is leased
for operation. The pictures above show the roller coaster in the past and in
the present. As you can see, the coaster has changed little since then in
terms of looks. 1501
Roller Coaster Information after just Construction:1502
- Name: Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
- Builder: Prior & Church
- Date: 1925
- Height: 75 feet
Roller Coaster Lease Information:
- Lessor: Save the Coaster Comitte, Inc.
- Lessee: City of San Diego
- Term: 31 years
- Rent: 50% of all money generated
- Date of lease: March 3, 1989
The Big Dipper Roller Coaster was shut down in 1954 due to a
fire. It did reopen however on May 31, 1957, just in time for the
area's busiest day, the 4th of July. However, the coaster did not stay open
for long. It was soon shut down again and this time almost demolished. The
City Council was presented with many plans as to what do with the the
structures. One called for it's demolition, another just to leave it as a
historic monument, and yet another to restore to use it again. There was
even a demolition permit issued for the structure but was postponed so that
an independent group could study the issue more carefully. The picture to
the left is that of the roller coaster taken from the beach. It is one of
the largest structures and can been seen from quite a distance from the
shore. 1503
Then, in 1981, a group of residents formed a non-profit
organization to save the roller coaster. They gathered up support and
brought plans before the city as to how to handle the fate of the structure.
It just so happened that the group of people were able to get their point
across to enough people so that the roller coaster was restored. It still
run today. The picture to the right is also of the roller coaster, around
one of its sharpest turns. It still bears the name "Giant Dipper Roller
Coaster." 1504
