West Mifflin in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Thunderbolt

ACE Roller Coaster Landmark

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 21, 2014

1. Kennywood's Thunderbolt Marker

Inscription. American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) recognizes Kennywood's Thunderbolt as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historic significance.

Originally built as the Pippin in 1924 by renowned coaster designer John A. Miller (1872-1941) and constructed by Kennywood's Charles J. Mach, it was the park's second under-friction coaster designed by Miller and his fifth overall for Kennywood. The Pippin was famous for a large double-dip into a natural ravine as well as saving its largest drop of 94 feet for last.

In 1967, Kennywood Entertainment president Carl E. Henninger (1906-1985) and park manager Carl O. Hughes (1921-2012) took a considerable gamble when they decided to tear down a portion of The Pippin to enlarge it and create a different roller coaster experience. The ride's loading platform, upper turn and double dip were removed. Kennywood's head of maintenance, Andrew Vettel (1914-1988), designed and supervised construction of the trilling new layout. The lift hill was lengthened to a new height of 70 feet, while the overall track length was extended to 2,887 feet that included a series of tightly banked turns and drops along the midway. A new loading station built within the redesigned structure was constructed to allow for a large 50-foot drop to occur as soon as the train left the platform.

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The ride's unique midcourse lift hill and its thrilling final drop were retained along with three National Amusement Device (NAD) Century Flyer trains that had been acquired for The Pippin in 1958. The ride was then renamed Thunderbolt via a naming contest, with the opening on April 14, 1968.

ACE commends Kennywood for continuing to operate and preserve Thunderbolt, a unique and historic wooden roller coaster.

Erected 2014 by American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 40° 23.317′ N, 79° 51.88′ W. Marker is in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It can be reached from Kennywood Boulevard. Marker is located on the grounds of Kennywood, an amusement park operating seasonally since 1898. Admission fee required. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin PA 15122, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Thunderbolt (here, next to this marker); The Lucky Stand (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Turtle (within shouting distance

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 21, 2014

2. Kennywood's Thunderbolt Marker

At left, in the underpass to the loading area.

of this marker); a different marker also named Noah's Ark (about 300 feet away); Auto Race (about 300 feet away); Kennywood Park Casino (about 300 feet away); Andrew Stephen McSwigan (about 400 feet away); The Kenny Fountain (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Mifflin.

Other markers no longer nearby. Thunderbolt (has been reported to have been replaced with this marker); The Turtle (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Miniature Railroad (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Pagoda (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Noah's Ark (was about 300 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Laffin' Sal (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Auto Race (was about 300 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker

Kennywood's Thunderbolt image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 21, 2014

3. Kennywood's Thunderbolt

. Marker is affixed to a wall in the wide double underpass to the loading area of the ride.

Also see . . .
1. Kennywood. (Submitted on August 29, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. Kennywood - Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 29, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
3. John Miller (entrepreneur) - Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 29, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 21, 2014

4. Kennywood's Thunderbolt

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 675 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 29, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.