Beautiful Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What did Fred Swanton, a businessman, want to create when he first built this Amusement Park?

Answer: a Coney Island in the West

What was originally called the Casino opened in 1904; however, a fire destroyed the uninsured property in 1906. Soon, plans were made for a new complex with what would become the famous boardwalk.

In June 1907, this new Casino opened in a spectacular event with about 1200 people in attendance at a dance. John Philip Souza directed one of the bands.

2. The Boardwalk Park is celebrated for its unique roller coasters. What is a special feature of the famous 1911 Looff Carousal?

Answer: real horsehair tails

In 1908, the L.A. Thompson's 1050 foot Scenic Railway opened; it was a two hundred forty second heart-stopping ride with one mile of wooden track. In 1908, it was the said to be the longest roller coaster in the U.S. Thompson has been dubbed the "Father of Gravity."
In 1911, woodcarver Charles Looff created his Carousel which had 73 hand-carved horses with tails of pure horsehair. This carousel also had the unique feature of six horses with their mouths closed. Women on this carousel could "maintain their modesty" by not having to mount the horses.

This carousel had its 96th anniversary in 2007. The exquisite 1894 pipe organ still entertains the crowds on this magnificent riding machine.

3. What was the name of the second "thrill ride" which was designed by the younger Looff? Think of what the big and little astronomical constellations are called.

Answer: The Giant Dipper

Looff's son, Arthur, successfully made a case for replacing the Scenic Railway with a modernized wooden roller coaster. The Giant Dipper coaster opened in 1924 and, in short order, became the park's most popular ride; the Dipper's ridership has been at least some 55 million riders.

Both The Dipper and the Looff Carousel are on the National Register of Historic Places and declared a National Historic Landmark.

4. What actually is the year of origin of activities near the fabulous Boardwalk?

Answer: 1865

In 1865, John Leibrandt opened a bathhouse. It was a smart decision; it didn't take long for other bathing establishments to open nearby. People from all around enjoyed their time in beautiful Santa Cruz and the benefits of its bracing sea atmosphere and salutary salt water baths.

5. How tall do riders have to be to ride the most exciting roller coaster ride in the park by themselves?

Answer: 50 inches

The rules now say a person under thirty inches tall can ride free, as long as they have a chaperon deemed appropriate by Boardwalk personnel.

These rides are thrilling. Arthur Looff wanted a huge roller coaster which would be, he hoped, "combination earthquake, balloon ascension, and aeroplane drop." The complete ride takes a breath-taking one minute and fifty seconds. Nowadays, some speculate that the roller coaster gets faster in the afternoon when the grease warms up in the sun.

6. What mighty ride with a Disney-like name was introduced in the 1950's and 1960's which appealed to the spirit of adventure in its riders?

Answer: The Wild Mouse

The Wild Mouse (1958-1976) was a roller coaster which was built on-site, although its cars were purchased from Germany.

The Boardwalk changed with the times; in the 1950s and 1960s, there was a huge Cocoanut Grove renovation and new rides called "Autorama" and "Tilt-A-Whirl."

7. For many years, the park had focused on indoor swimming. 1963 marked the end of the Boardwalk's highly photographed Plunge. In its place, in 1967, what was the name of the new aerial ride that the Boardwalk's owners successfully developed?

Answer: The Sky Glider

At this time, exciting discoveries in the sky industry led to lifts which could be installed far from ski courses. The Sky Glider was a beautiful overhead ride which gave riders a sensational view of the entire beach area from the comfort of their own swinging gondola in the sky.

8. In 1977, what was the name of the water ride that was a winding thrill some 55 feet over the Boardwalk before it plunged downward in an amazing descent? Note: its name has overtones of the Californian Western heritage.

Answer: Logger's Revenge

The newest ride, Double Shot, pulls riders some 125 feet up, and then abruptly down in the startling weightlessness of negative G-forces.
The current president of Santa Cruz Seaside Co., Charles Canfield, says, "You have to reinvent yourself. It's a balancing act between introducing new activities and retaining your history." The Boardwalk combines the old and the new in a wonderful way.

9. What was the name of the thrilling new steel coaster with 80 degree banking turns which in 1992 replaced the 20-year-old Jet Star?

Answer: The Hurricane

The 'Hurricane' roller coaster, introduced in 1992, had a shape which withstands extreme gravitational pressures and more than seventy degree turns. Its form has been called "pretzel-like," which accurately describes the contortions the roller coaster can withstand and its riders experience while it races along its hair-raising course. The 'Hurricane' is the fifth roller coaster in the park's complex history.

10. What natural event occurred in 1989 to cause about three million dollars of destruction to the famous Boardwalk?

Answer: Loma Prieta quake

After the quake, there were coasters named after natural disasters, such as the Tornado. The famous Plunge was damaged significantly. The owners opened the highly expensive Neptune's Kingdom, a center which supplied the multiple entertainment needs.
There is now as well as a new Fun House at which visitors wear 3-D glasses.

Source: Author Windswept

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor linkan before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (one half mile long) is one of two remaining seaside amusement parks in the West. It has "two national historic landmarks." This quiz explores its unique history.

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