Iowa History Daily: On March 19, 1930, C.P. Benit unveiled plans for the erection of a “giant roller coaster” at Arnolds Park. Designed by the famed roller coaster designer John A. Miller, ‘The Legend’ rose over West Okoboji to start thrilling visitors to Arnolds Park later in the year.
The state-of-the-art wooden roller-coaster rose slowly over the lakeshore and featured anti-rollback technology, under-friction wheels, and station breaks. Built to take riders on a 63’ drop and reach up to 50 mph, the figure-eight coaster awed crowds starting in the summer of 1930.
The wooden coaster quickly rose in prominence to one of the most significant attractions in the Iowa Great Lakes region. Rising six stories above the park, the coaster provides incredible views of West Okoboji Lake before winding through the park on a 2,000 foot track.
One of ten remaining Miller designed coasters, consistent work goes into keeping one of Iowa’s most iconic amusements in business. Rebuilt starting in fall of 2022, continues to welcome thrill seekers hoping to ride one of America’s most historic roller coasters. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
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