Reprint of an article that appeared in The Arch, Euclid Beach Park Now’s quarterly newsletter: Volume 34, Issue 2, Spring 2023. Authored by Rich Wickens.
Possibly the most popular ride at Euclid Beach Park was the Thriller roller coaster. The celebration of this coaster’s 100th birthday will begin this year, 2023 and run through 2024. The coaster was designed in October of 2023 by Herbert Paul Schmeck who worked for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC). He started with the company around 1918 after he returned from active duty during World War I, eventually becoming the business’s president in 1948. Mr. Schmeck designed a total of 84 roller coasters for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The PTC website states that 84 coasters were designed by Herbert Schmeck of the 147 they say, bear the PTC banner. The coaster was not the only amusement devise Euclid Beach Park purchased from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The Figure Eight built in 1904 was manufactured by PTC. A year later, 1905, the ninth carousel manufactured by PTC was installed. The Mill Chute, also a PTC design appeared around 1920; the name changed to Over The Falls in 1937. And of course there was and is PTC #19, the last carousel Euclid Beach Park purchased, which is now operating in the Cleveland History Center of the Western Reserve Historical Society. PTC was a distributor for the King Cole Company, which made laughing characters, Euclid Beach Park’s being Laughing Sal.
A Philadelphia Toboggan Company brochure, reprinted by The Vestal Press, under COASTERS, states:
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company builds Coasters of the latest “Safeguard” type (locked in the track), of substantial material and of attractive design, planned and plotted to suit the topography of the ground as well as the most advantageous crowd-attracting location; they are equipped with either two’ or three-car trains, made up of three’ or four-seated cars which are likewise very substantially constructed and are very finely finished and upholstered.
Euclid Beach Park’s Thriller had three-car trains with four-seated cars. Originally three trains ran at the park on busy days which was cut to only two trains in the 1960’s.
While Coasters are sometimes sold outright, customers have found it more economical to purchase the plans (which include surveying and staking out of ride), material lists, machinery, chain, cars, etc., from the manufactures, and purchasing the labor and material (lumber, etc.) locally. Under this purchase plan, customers can build direct from the plans or secure the service of Philadelphia Toboggan Company engineers, at regular rates, to supervise the construction and equipment installation.
The book; Euclid Beach Park is closed for the season, has the coaster erected during the winter of 1923-24, under the supervision of Howard Stoneback. An article Park Family Profile: Howard Stoneback which appeared in Issue 4, August 1990 of the Euclid Beach Park Nuts Newsletter(predecessor to The Arch) has Mr. Stoneback working for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company beginning at age 13 around 1902, traveling for PTC (I am assuming working on the installation of water rides, carousels, and roller coasters), eventually becoming a foreman for many years.
There was no author connected to that article which quotes one of Howard’s five children and his step-child. The EBPN article has Mr. Stoneback arriving at Euclid Beach Park in 1923 with his first wife and their five children. Howard would have been around 34 years old. Did Euclid Beach Park steal Mr. Stoneback from PTC or was he tired of traveling and found a home? The family first lived in a three-room tent at the park’s campground, then moved to a home at Beauhla Park and then finally to a home on the park grounds on Surrey Street. He remained an active park employee until his death in 1958 at the age of 69.
The price tag for the Thriller in 1923 was $90,000. Due to its popularity and capacity when running all three trains, it has been said that the ride paid for itself in its first operating season. A few of the rides at Euclid Beach Park were altered after their introduction by the park. The Thriller was one of these. Not too long after the ride was introduced the second hill was reduced from sixty and a half feet to nearly a third of that. After clearing the second hill the train continued its southward journey, entering a “dog leg” which had the train head west and into a 180-degree turn which overlooked the parking lot, sending the train and its riders back toward the station. Between the “dog leg” and 180-degree turn the ride ran parallel to Lakeshore Blvd., over a hill under which was the pedestrian entrance from the trolley turnaround, and then the bus turnaround. This was an added park promotion as one would hear the rumbling of the train and the screams of the passengers as it went by. The book: Euclid Beach Park is closed for the season, states: “D. S. Humphrey found his coaster a good daily tonic as he rode it every morning.” A better morning eye opener than a cup of coffee.
Back in those days, the 30’s and into the 60’s, the only restraint for the Thriller was a metal lap bar running the width of each seat which a rider would slide under when entering. Riders were also asked to stand behind the yellow line “Until the train stops.” Fast forward to today’s roller coasters and there is a gate instead of a yellow line which opens after the train has stopped, allowing for entry. Then climb down into the seating area, around a cushioned seat separator, if you are the rider on the far side. You are asked to fasten your seat belt then the bar is brought to your lap and locked. Behind your head is a head restraint and, if the coaster will be doing inversions, a horse collar is brought over your head, to your shoulders and locked.
As I grew and got braver I began to ride the roller coasters at Euclid Beach Park. I now live in Sandusky and my wife and I have season passes to Cedar Point. I am still riding roller coasters although I haven’t done so as yet this 2023 season. I am restricting myself to those that do not have inversions as several years ago, after getting off Steel Vengeance, my body was telling me “DON’T DO THAT AGAIN.” The Blue Streak has features that remind me of the Thriller. The Blue Streak is a Philadelphia Toboggan Company coaster installed in 1964. When the train leaves the station it makes a 180 degree left turn to the lift hill as did the Thriller, which takes the train up 78 feet. The first hill of the Thriller was 71 feet 5 inches. The train is released and heads down the track to a 180-degree turn sending it back towards the station. The turn overlooks Cedar Point’s parking lot.
Euclid Beach Park Now knows of three Thriller cars that have survived to this day. One is in the possession of the Western Reserve Historical Society. The other two are owned by The Euclid Beach Boys. One is in need of restoration and the other is mounted to the chassis of a modified Chevrolet truck chassis. The 1951 Chevrolet Truck was at one time a Euclid Beach Park maintenance truck. If all works out the “Thriller Car” should be at Euclid Beach Park Now’s September 24th event, Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park at the current Euclid Beach Park.
References:
Euclid Beach Park is closed for the season, Amusement Park Books, Copyright 1977Authors: Lee O. Bush, Edward C. Chukayne, Russell Allon Hehr, Richard F. Hershey
Cashing In On The Play Instinct, Reprint of a Philadelphia Toboggan Company brochure by the Vestal Press, Vestal, New York.
The Roller Coasters of Euclid Beach Park, By Bob MacCallumThe Carousel News & Trader, January 2009, Volume 25, Number 1The Arch (Euclid Beach Park Now’s Newsletter) Volume 22, Issue 2, Winter 2010-2011Euclid Beach Park Now’s website: euclidbeach.org/roller-coasters
Thriller, By John Frato, The Arch (Euclid Beach Park Now’s Newsletter) Volume 17, Issue 1, Fall 2005
Park Family Profile: Howard Stoneback, Euclid Beach Park Nuts Newsletter, Issue 4, August 1990
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. Website: philadelphiatoboggancoastersinc.com
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia Herbert P. SchmeckPhiladelphia Toboggan Coasters
President's Column - John Frato Topic Euclid Beach Park, family friendly
Insets
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May 9, 2024
Cover and contents of current newsletter The Arch added under Issues on THE ARCH page.
May 1, 2024
Reprint of an article that appeared in The Arch, Volume 34, Issue 2, Spring 2023. The Thriller. Added to THE ARCH page.
1924-2024 100th Birthday of the Thriller announcement. HOME page.
April 21, 2024
"Carousel Birthday Festivities" Itineraries for May 17, and May 19, 2024 celebrations of the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel added to the HOME page.
These dates are also added to the EVENTS page.
March 1, 2024
Audio added of the three band organs that were at Euclid Beach Park, BAND ORGANS page.