San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Ace Roller Coaster Landmark
Giant Dipper opened on July 4, 1925, as part of John D. Spreckels' Mission Beach Amusement Center. It is one of only a handful of seaside wooden roller coasters still in operation, and one of only three remaining examples of the work of legendary designer Frederick Church. Assisted by his partner Thomas Prior, Church was able to complete the 2,600-foot long, 73-foot high ride in just four weeks at a cost of $50,000. Classic features include a tunnel, banked turns, and graceful twisting drops.
After more than 50 years of operation and several brushes with extinction, including a devastating fire in 1955, the renamed Belmont Park and the briefly named Earthquake coaster closed suddenly in 1976. The aging coaster sat idle for five years until "Save the Coaster Committee," a grass-roots effort initiated by private citizens, was formed. It took nearly a decade of hard work and determination to overcome great odds; finally, in 1989, financial and operational aid from the Santa Cruz Seaside Company and Morgan Manufacturing arrived to rebuild the coaster. After extensive restoration, Giant Dipper opened to great fanfare on August 11, 1990, and became a successful anchor for the new retail and entertainment complex of the current Belmont Park. Giant Dipper, now operated by the San Diego Coaster Company, continues to provide thrills and enjoyment for countless riders.
ACE salutes Giant Dipper, a successful beacon of historic roller coaster preservation and a National Historic Landmark, on its 85th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of its restoration.
Presented by American Coaster Enthusiasts
ACE Spring Preservation Conference
April 23, 2010
Erected 2010 by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), Spring Preservation Conference.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 2010.
Location. 32° 46.272′ N, 117° 15.112′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. Marker can be reached from Mission Boulevard south of West Mission Bay Drive, on the right when traveling south. The marker is inside Belmont Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3146 Mission Boulevard, San Diego CA 92109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mission Beach Roller Coaster (a few steps from this marker); Charles W. Hardy (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lifeguard (approx. 1½ miles away); Ocean Beach Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Ballad of P.B. (approx. 1.6 miles away); Market (approx. 1.7 miles away); Ocean Beach Municipal Pier (approx. 1.7 miles away); Strand Theater (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.