History of Cedar Point in Timeline

Cedar Point is a 364-acre amusement park on a Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio. Opened in 1870, it is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the US. Previously the flagship park for Cedar Fair, Cedar Point is now owned and operated by Six Flags after a 2024 merger. Famously dubbed "America's Roller Coast," the park boasts 17 roller coasters, ranking it third in North America behind Canada's Wonderland and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

1902: Figure-Eight Roller Toboggan Debut

In 1902, the Figure-Eight Roller Toboggan, Cedar Point's second roller coaster, was introduced. It was later moved and renamed The Racer.

1904: Lagoon Construction

In 1904, the Detroit Dredging Company was hired to drain swampy areas, creating lagoons that became a signature attraction at Cedar Point.

1905: Hotel Breakers Built

Hotel Breakers, built in 1905, is the oldest resort at Cedar Point and the closest one to the park.

1906: Coliseum Constructed

Constructed in 1906, the coliseum has a ballroom on the top floor with a large arcade in the bottom floor.

1906: Amusement Circle Designed

In 1906, the "Amusement Circle" was designed to connect the pier to the beach, located southeast of the Coliseum.

1908: Dip the Dips Scenic Railway Opens

In 1908, the Dip the Dips Scenic Railway roller coaster opened at Cedar Point.

1912: Leap the Dips Ride Opens

In 1912, the Leap the Dips ride opened, soon overshadowing the Dip the Dips Scenic Railway.

1912: Midway Carousel opens

In 1912, the Midway Carousel, also known as the Daniel C. Muller Carousel, first opened.

1913: Knute Rockne works as a lifeguard at Cedar Point

In 1913, Knute Rockne worked as a lifeguard on a beach at Cedar Point. He and his college roommate Gus Dorais worked on the forward pass here, which would revolutionize football.

1917: Leap Frog Scenic Railway Replaces Dip the Dips

In 1917, the Dip the Dips was razed and replaced by the Leap Frog Scenic Railway.

1921: Cedar Downs Racing Derby opens at Euclid Beach Park

In 1921, the Cedar Downs Racing Derby originally opened at Euclid Beach Park.

1921: William H. Dentzel 1921 Carousel Built

The William H. Dentzel 1921 Carousel was built in 1921.

1924: William H. Dentzel Carousel Built

The William H. Dentzel 1924 Carousel was built in 1924.

1929: The Cyclone Opens

In 1929, the Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster, opened at Cedar Point.

July 24, 1931: Death of George Boeckling

On July 24, 1931, George Boeckling, who had been expanding Cedar Point, died from uremia.

1938: Coliseum Modernization

After the 1938 season, the second floor of the Coliseum was modernized in the art deco style with a new stage, which helped Cedar Point operate through the Depression.

1940: Cedar Point featured in "Knute Rockne, All American"

In the 1940 biographical film "Knute Rockne, All American", Cedar Point is featured. The film documents Knute Rockne's life and features his time as a lifeguard at Cedar Point in 1913.

1942: Momma Berardi's French Fries Arrive

In 1942, Momma Berardi's Home Made French Fries came to Cedar Point, with her family playing an important role in the food industry at Cedar Point.

1946: Midway Carousel arrives at Cedar Point

In 1946, the Midway Carousel was brought to Cedar Point.

1946: Midway Carousel Installed

In 1946, the Midway Carousel, Cedar Point's oldest still-existing ride, was installed.

1951: Cyclone Coaster Removal

In 1951, the Cyclone coaster was razed due to its poor condition, leaving the resort without a roller coaster. The Laff-in-the-Dark, Rocket Ships, and Loop-A-Plane attractions were installed.

1957: Cedar Point Causeway Built

In 1957, the Cedar Point Causeway was built and remains in use.

1958: Management Changes

Around 1958, Bernie Zeiher was replaced by George Roose as president of Cedar Point, and Emile Legros was elected chairman.

1959: Cedar Point Refreshed

In 1959, over US$1,200,000 (equivalent to about $12,542,500 in 2023) was spent to refresh Cedar Point, including repainting hotels and installing new admission gates.

1959: Wild Mouse Roller Coaster Built

In 1959, the Wild Mouse, the park's first roller coaster since the Cyclone, was built. The resort also got a new kind of ride, a monorail, that was the most popular ride in 1959.

March 28, 1960: Plans to Transform into Disneyland

On March 28, 1960, Cedar Point announced plans to transform the park into a "Disneyland" amusement center, but those plans fell through.

1963: Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad Opens

In 1963, the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad opened, transporting passengers from the middle of the park to the back.

1963: Cedar Point acquires Midway Carousel

In 1963, the Midway Carousel became the property of Cedar Point.

1964: Blue Streak Built

In 1964, Cedar Point built its oldest surviving roller coaster, the Blue Streak, named after the local high school's sports teams.

1965: Jungle Larry's Safari Island Opens

In 1965, Jungle Larry's Safari Island opened as a well-known attraction.

1967: Cedar Downs Racing Derby arrives at Cedar Point

For the 1967 season, the Cedar Downs Racing Derby was transported to Cedar Point.

1968: Kiddy Kingdom Carousel opens at Cedar Point

In 1968, the Kiddy Kingdom Carousel opened at Cedar Point.

1969: Cedar Creek Mine Ride Opens

In 1969, the Cedar Creek Mine Ride opened; it is currently the second oldest roller coaster at Cedar Point.

1970: Kiddieland Opening

In 1970, Kiddy Kingdom opened as Kiddieland.

1970: Centennial Theatre Built

In 1970, the Centennial Theatre, named in honor of Cedar Point's 100th anniversary, was built.

1972: Frontier Carousel opens at Cedar Point

In 1972, the Frontier Carousel opened at Cedar Point after being purchased from a family in Lansing, Michigan.

1972: Giant Wheel and Jumbo Jet Coaster Open

In 1972, the Giant Wheel and the now-defunct Jumbo Jet coaster opened at Cedar Point.

1974: Marriott Acquisition Agreement and Cancellation

During the summer of 1974, Cedar Point reached an agreement with Marriott Corporation to be acquired, but the deal was called off by Labor Day of that year.

1975: Robert L. Munger Jr. Takes Over as President

In 1975, Robert L. Munger Jr. took over as president of Cedar Point after George Roose retired.

1976: Corkscrew Roller Coaster Built

In 1976, the record-breaking Corkscrew roller coaster was built; it was the first roller coaster to span a midway and have three inversions.

1978: Valleyfair Amusement Park Acquired

In 1978, Cedar Point acquired Valleyfair amusement park in Minnesota.

1978: Gemini Opens

In 1978, Gemini opened and was advertised as the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster in the world.

1978: Momma Berardi's Fries Leave Cedar Point

Momma Berardi's fries were sold at Cedar Point from 1942 until 1978.

October 2, 1982: The Coliseum added to NRHP

On October 2, 1982, the Coliseum, built in 1906, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is located along the main midway and contains a ballroom.

October 20, 1982: Midway Carousel added to NRHP

On October 20, 1982, the Midway Carousel, also known as the Daniel C. Muller Carousel, was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

1982: White Water Landing Opens

In 1982, White Water Landing opened, replacing the original Shoot the Rapids log flume.

1983: Demon Drop Built

In 1983, Demon Drop was built at the front of the park.

1983: Cedar Fair Limited Partnership Formed

In 1983, parent company Cedar Fair Limited Partnership was formed, with the name derived from Cedar Point and Valleyfair.

July 19, 1984: Cedar Point Light added to NRHP

On July 19, 1984, the Cedar Point Light, the oldest structure on the peninsula, was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

1984: Death of Jungle Larry

Jungle Larry's Safari Island was a well-known attraction that operated from 1965 until 1994 despite the death of Jungle Larry in 1984.

1985: Avalanche Run Opens

In 1985, Avalanche Run opened close to the beach and would later be re-themed as Disaster Transport. Also, the San Francisco Earthquake Ride was transformed into the Berenstain Bear Country.

1986: Management Change and Thunder Canyon Opening

In 1986, Robert L. Munger Jr. stepped down due to health issues and was replaced by Richard "Dick" Kinzel. Thunder Canyon also opened.

March 9, 1987: Hotel Breakers added to NRHP

On March 9, 1987, the Hotel Breakers was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

April 29, 1987: Cedar Fair Goes Public

On April 29, 1987, Cedar Fair went public.

1987: Iron Dragon Debuts

In 1987, Iron Dragon, a suspended roller coaster, debuted on the Million Dollar Midway.

1988: Soak City Opening

Cedar Point's water park opened in 1988 as Soak City.

1989: Magnum XL-200 Debuts

In 1989, Magnum XL-200 debuted as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, coining the term hypercoaster.

November 8, 1990: Cedar Downs Racing Derby and Kiddy Kingdom Carousel added to NRHP

On November 8, 1990, the Cedar Downs Racing Derby and the Kiddy Kingdom Carousel were added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

1990: Avalanche Run Transformed into Disaster Transport

For the 1990 season, Avalanche Run was transformed into Disaster Transport, adding special effects and fully enclosing the ride.

1991: Mean Streak Opens

In 1991, Mean Streak opened as the northernmost attraction in the park, breaking records for the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the world.

1992: Challenge Park Built

Challenge Park was built between Hotel Breakers and Soak City in 1992.

1993: Kiddieland Renamed

In 1993, Kiddieland was renamed Kiddy Kingdom.

1993: Snake River Falls Constructed

Snake River Falls was constructed in 1993, opening as the tallest and fastest water ride in the world.

December 1994: Christmas in the Park

In December 1994, Cedar Point held its only Christmas in the Park. The Midway Carousel was open, a horse-drawn carriage gave behind-the-scenes tours of the park and the midway held many Christmas festivals, including a Christmas tree.

1994: Frontier Carousel closes and is moved to Dorney Park

After the 1994 season, the Frontier Carousel closed at Cedar Point and was moved to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.

1994: Peak Attendance

In 1994, Cedar Point's attendance peaked with 3.6 million visitors.

1994: Jungle Larry's Safari Island Closes

Jungle Larry's Safari Island was a well-known attraction that operated from 1965 until 1994 despite the death of Jungle Larry in 1984.

1996: Mantis Opens

In 1996, Cedar Point opened Mantis, then the tallest, steepest, and fastest stand-up roller coaster in the world.

1997: First Golden Ticket Award

In 1997, Cedar Point received the Golden Ticket Award for "Best Amusement Park in the World" from Amusement Today, starting a sixteen-year winning streak.

1997: HalloWeekends Introduced

In 1997, the park introduced HalloWeekends, a Halloween-themed event with haunted houses and mazes.

1998: Breakers Tower built

In 1998, The Breakers Tower was added to the Hotel Breakers as a major alteration.

1999: Camp Snoopy Opening

Camp Snoopy opened in 1999 and is located near Gemini. It contains seven rides and two kiddie coasters.

2000: Cedar Point's Express Hotel Opening

Cedar Point's Express Hotel opened in 2000; it's the closest off-site hotel to the peninsula.

2000: Millennium Force Debut

In 2000, Cedar Point built the first giga coaster, Millennium Force. When it debuted, it was the tallest and fastest complete-circuit roller coaster in the world.

August 7, 2001: Hotel Breakers removed from NRHP

On August 7, 2001, the National Park Service removed the Hotel Breakers from the NRHP.

2002: Wicked Twister Opening

In 2002, Wicked Twister opened as the tallest, fastest, and longest inverted impulse roller coaster of its kind.

2003: Top Thrill Dragster Opening

In 2003, Top Thrill Dragster opened as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, reaching a height of 420 ft and a maximum speed of 120 mph.

November 2004: Castaway Bay Opening

In November 2004, Castaway Bay, an indoor waterpark resort, was opened by Cedar Fair.

2004: Film "Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind: Infestation From Mars" shot at Cedar Point

In 2004, the independently produced film "Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind: Infestation From Mars" was shot at Cedar Point and other historic locations around Sandusky. Dick Kinzel, CEO of Cedar Fair, had a speaking role.

2005: maXair Debut and Dan Keller Retirement

In 2005, maXair debuted as only the second HUSS Giant Frisbee ride in the United States, and Dan Keller retired as vice president and general manager.

2006: Skyhawk Built

In 2006, Skyhawk was built next to Snake River Falls, becoming the tallest Screamin' Swing in the world.

2006: Cedar Point featured in "The Warrior Heir"

In the 2006 book "The Warrior Heir" by Cinda Williams Chima, the main characters take a field trip to Cedar Point.

2007: Maverick Built

In 2007, Cedar Point built Maverick, which features a 100-foot drop at a 95-degree angle and includes a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch.

2008: Planet Snoopy Introduction

In 2008, Cedar Point introduced Planet Snoopy, a kids' area constructed on the site of Peanuts Playground, consisting of family and children's rides relocated from Geauga Lake.

2009: Starlight Experience Debut

In 2009, Starlight Experience debuted, featuring a night-time LED light show with floats themed to the four seasons.

2010: Shoot the Rapids Addition

In 2010, Cedar Point added a new flume ride on the park's Frontier Trail named Shoot the Rapids, which included two drops and a three-minute journey.

2010: Cedar Point featured on "Bert the Conqueror"

In a 2010 episode of "Bert the Conqueror" on the Travel Channel, Bert takes the "Foursome Fearsome" roller-coaster challenge at Cedar Point.

2011: Record-Breaking Rides Added Until 2011

Cedar Point added several record-breaking rides from 1989 to 2011 under Kinzel's management.

January 3, 2012: Dick Kinzel Retirement

On January 3, 2012, Dick Kinzel retired and Matt Ouimet became the CEO of Cedar Fair.

July 13, 2012: Removal of Disaster Transport and Space Spiral Announced

On July 13, 2012, Cedar Point announced the removal of Disaster Transport and Space Spiral.

2012: Dinosaurs Alive! Addition, Dragster H2O Addition, Fast Lane and Luminosity Introduction

In 2012, Cedar Point added Dinosaurs Alive!, Dragster H2O, Fast Lane, and Luminosity – Ignite the Night!, while removing WildCat.

2012: Cedar Point featured on "Off Limits" and "Insane Coaster Wars"

In 2012, Cedar Point was featured on Travel Channel's "Off Limits", taking a look at off-season maintenance. Also in 2012, "Insane Coaster Wars" featured Cedar Point coasters Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster.

2012: Fast Lane Introduced

In 2012, Fast Lane was introduced at Cedar Point.

May 11, 2013: GateKeeper Opened

On May 11, 2013, GateKeeper, the longest wing coaster in the world, opened to the public.

2013: Resort Renovation Investment

Cedar Point invested $60 million over the course of three years renovating many of the resorts, beginning in 2013.

2013: Sixteenth Consecutive Golden Ticket Award

In 2013, Cedar Point received its sixteenth consecutive Golden Ticket Award for "Best Amusement Park in the World" from Amusement Today.

2013: Golden Ticket Awards

In 2013, Cedar Point won the Golden Ticket Award from Amusement Today for "Best Amusement Park in the World" for 16 consecutive years from 1997 to 2013. The park also won the Golden Ticket Award for "Best Kid's Area" and "Best Halloween Event".

2013: Shoot the Rapids Incident

In 2013, there was a serious incident on Shoot the Rapids injuring seven riders.

2014: Fright Lane Introduction

Beginning in the 2014 season, Cedar Point offered a Halloween-themed version of Fast Lane called Fright Lane, available during HalloWeekends.

2014: "Banshee" Name Reused

In 1996, the ride was originally to be called "Banshee", but it was later changed after negative public reaction. The discarded name would later be reused for Banshee at Kings Island in 2014.

2014: Resort Hotel Investment

In 2014, Cedar Point invested $60 million in its resort hotels, beginning in the 2013-2014 offseason.

2014: Golden Ticket Award

In 2014, Cedar Point won the Golden Ticket Award for Best Halloween Event.

2014: New Family Attractions and Renovations

In 2014, Pipe Scream and Lake Erie Eagles were added, Camp Snoopy and the Gemini Midway underwent renovations.

2014: Introduction of SlingShot

In 2014, SlingShot was introduced as Cedar Point's newest thrill ride.

2015: Hotel Breakers Renovation

In 2015, Hotel Breakers underwent a renovation that cost Cedar Fair an estimated $50 million.

2015: Mantis Transformation and Hotel Breakers Renovation

In 2015, the stand-up coaster Mantis was transformed into a floorless roller coaster called Rougarou, and Hotel Breakers received a $25-million renovation.

August 18, 2016: Soak City Renamed

On August 18, 2016, Soak City was renamed Cedar Point Shores.

September 16, 2016: Mean Streak Closure

On September 16, 2016, Cedar Point announced that Mean Streak would close permanently.

2016: Valravn Debut

In 2016, Valravn debuted as the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in the world, replacing the Good Time Theater and Turnpike Cars.

2018: Steel Vengeance Reemergence

In 2018, Mean Streak reemerged as Steel Vengeance.

2019: Cedar Fair purchased Sawmill Creek

In 2019, Cedar Fair purchased Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts, a nearby resort in Huron, Ohio, for $13.5 million. The resort includes restaurants, shopping, a conference center, and an 18-hole golf course.

2020: 150th Anniversary Season Postponement

In 2020, Cedar Point's "150th Anniversary Season" and the debut of Snake River Expedition were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Reduced Attendance due to COVID-19

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a greatly reduced number of visitors at the park, from 3.73 million in 2019, down to only 1.02 million in 2020.

April 2021: Carrie Boldman Appointment

In April 2021, Carrie Boldman became vice president and the first female general manager in Cedar Point history.

August 2021: Top Thrill Dragster Incident

In August 2021, an incident at Top Thrill Dragster resulted in a serious injury to a guest, leading to an investigation.

September 6, 2021: Wicked Twister Closure

On September 6, 2021, Wicked Twister closed permanently to make room for future development.

2021: 150th Anniversary Season Celebration

In 2021, Cedar Point celebrated its "150th Anniversary Season."

2021: Cedar Point featured on "Dinner: Impossible"

In 2021, an episode of "Dinner: Impossible" aired, featuring Robert Irvine preparing a meal celebrating Cedar Point's 150th anniversary.

2021: Regular Attendance Numbers Reappear

In 2021, regular attendance numbers would reappear at Cedar Point.

2022: Second-Most Visited Amusement Park

In 2022, Cedar Point ranked as the second-most visited seasonal amusement park in North America, with an estimated 3.44 million visitors.

2023: Purchase of the peninsula by Lake Erie and Western Railroad in 1897 Equivalent

In 1897, the Lake Erie and Western Railroad purchased the peninsula for US$256,000, which is equivalent to about $9,375,700 in 2023.

2023: Cedar Point Refreshed in 1959 Equivalent

In 1959, over US$1,200,000 was spent to refresh Cedar Point. That amount is equivalent to about $12,542,500 in 2023.

2023: Top Thrill Dragster Modification Announcement

In 2023, it was announced that Top Thrill Dragster would be modified by Zamperla with a second 420-foot tower and two additional launches.

2023: Resort on the Brink of Being Sold to Ohio in the Late 1930s Equivalent

In the late 1930s, the resort was on the brink of being sold to the state of Ohio for US$3,000,000, equivalent to about $63,583,300 in 2023.

May 2024: Roller Coaster Count

As of May 2024, Cedar Point features 17 roller coasters.

July 1, 2024: Cedar Fair and Six Flags Merger

On July 1, 2024, Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags, and the combined Six Flags Entertainment Corporation took over Cedar Point.

September 19, 2024: Siren's Curse Announcement

On September 19, 2024, Cedar Point announced Siren's Curse, the tallest, fastest and longest tilt coaster in North America, to open in 2025.

2024: Merger with Six Flags

In 2024, Cedar Point merged with Six Flags, ceasing to be the flagship park of Cedar Fair.

2025: Siren's Curse Opening

In 2025, Siren's Curse will open at Cedar Point as the tallest, fastest, and longest tilt coaster in North America.

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