If you grew up in the Midwest, chances are you’ve ridden one of the oldest roller coasters in America.

You know those roller coasters where you feel every movement and every turn deep in your core? They’re old and rickety, but incredibly fun and packed with history.

Do you recognize this view?

Of course, it’s the High Roller at Valleyfair in Shakopee. Minnesota’s oldest roller coaster.

The High Roller was the very first (other than the Pepsi Roller Coaster) that I was brave enough to go on as a kid. It was built in 1976, stands 70 feet tall and reaches speeds of up to 47 mph.

Meanwhile, in Iowa, the Legend is considered the oldest roller coaster and you can find it at Arnold’s Park. The Legend, initially named The Speed Hound, became the highlight of The Park in 1930.

According to their website, “it creeps provocatively to the summit called ‘The Point of No Return,’ pausing for a tantalizing millisecond before plummeting 63 feet at 50 miles per hour, leaving your stomach and equilibrium behind”

It’s 94 years old and currently the park is asking for donations to restore and keep “The Legend” alive and running.

Now, to one of the oldest roller coasters in America.

Zippin Pippin is at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay, but it wasn’t always in Wisconisn. It was actually built in 1912 at the former Libertyland amusement park in Memphis, Tennessee. Over the years, it underwent several changes and updates, but it eventually fell into disrepair and was closed in 2005, according to Oldest.org. 

However, in 2010, the city of Green Bay purchased the coaster and brought it to Bay Beach for restoration and renovation. The project was a massive undertaking, with the coaster’s entire track and support structure needing to be rebuilt from scratch. However, the efforts paid off, and the new and improved Zippin Pippin opened to the public in 2011.

There is only one roller coaster older than the Zippin Pippin and that’s the Leap-The-Dips at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1902 and is actually considered the oldest roller coaster in the world. 

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