Big Dipper was a classic wooden roller coaster that towered over Geauga Lake amusement park in Bainbridge Township, Ohio, for more than nine decades. It opened in 1925 under the name Sky Rocket, one of many wooden out-and-back coasters built during the golden age of American amusement parks, and was designed by John A. Miller, one of the most influential coaster engineers of the early 20th century.
The ride went through two name changes over its long life, becoming Clipper in the late 1940s before settling on Big Dipper in 1969 after Funtime, Inc. took over the park. Even after Geauga Lake’s amusement section shut down in 2007, Big Dipper remained standing for nearly a decade, drawing enthusiasts and preservation advocates before it was finally demolished in 2016.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Geauga Lake (Bainbridge Township, Ohio)
- Designer: John A. Miller
- Opened: 1925 (as Sky Rocket)
- Closed: 2007 (park closure); demolished October 17, 2016
- Height: 65 feet
- Top speed: 32 mph
- Length: 2,680 feet
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
As a classic out-and-back wooden coaster, Big Dipper delivered a straightforward but beloved ride: a chain lift to 65 feet followed by a series of drops and hills designed to produce the floating ‘airtime’ sensation that wooden coaster fans prize. The full circuit lasted about one minute and 45 seconds and covered 2,680 feet of track at speeds up to 32 mph.
The ride’s wooden structure and out-and-back layout were emblematic of coasters built in the 1920s, before steel construction and looping inversions became common. A major retracking by Martin & Vleminckx in 1980 helped keep the aging structure running smoothly for later generations of riders.
Legacy and Landmark Status
By the time it closed, Big Dipper was recognized as one of the last surviving roller coasters designed by John A. Miller and was counted among the seventh-oldest operating roller coasters in the United States. American Coaster Enthusiasts honored the ride with a Coaster Classic award and later a Coaster Landmark designation in recognition of its historic significance.
After Geauga Lake’s amusement park section closed in 2007, the coaster stood dormant for years while preservation efforts were explored. When no plan to save or relocate it materialized, Cedar Fair demolished Big Dipper in October 2016, closing the book on one of Ohio’s oldest wooden coasters.
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Big Dipper FAQs
When did Big Dipper open at Geauga Lake?
It opened in 1925 under the original name Sky Rocket, making it one of the park’s oldest rides.
Who designed Big Dipper?
The coaster was designed by John A. Miller, a pioneering roller coaster engineer whose work shaped many classic wooden coasters of the era.
Why was Big Dipper demolished?
Geauga Lake’s amusement park closed in 2007, and after nearly a decade of unsuccessful preservation and relocation efforts, Cedar Fair demolished the standing structure in October 2016.
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Photo: Pub. by Braun Art Publishing Co., Cleveland, Ohio. “Tichnor Quality Views,” Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.