Once an icon at Paragon Park in Hull, the wooden coaster found a new life in Maryland. But now its current home is shutting down as well.
What once rose as a “bleached dinosaur skeleton” on the Massachusetts coast, as the
Boston Globe once put it, the wooden coaster then known as the Giant found new life in Maryland nearly 40 years ago. Since then, the rechristened Wild One roller coaster thrilled generations, hosted a wedding, and earned a place in coaster lore — but now, with Six Flags America
set to shut down , the 108-year-old ride could be nearing its final drop. “Who thought we’d be in this situation 40 years later?” said Christopher Haraden, a local historian who grew up visiting his grandparents next to Paragon Park in Hull. “You have to laugh a little bit at the turns that life takes.” “But, 40 years ago, we thought it was the end and it wasn’t,” Haraden said. So he remains optimistic that someone will swoop in and save it. A spokesperson for Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland, said the park has not determined what will happen to each ride or attraction after the park is closed this November. However, “relocation to other Six Flags parks or selling to other amusement park operators … may be considered.”
A brief history
The Wild One, initially called the Giant, was created when Paragon Park’s owner, George Dodge, commissioned the Philadelphia Toboggan Company to create a new coaster in 1916. The Giant coaster, designed by John A. Miller and with Herbert P. Schmeck as the construction foreman, opened on May 26, 1917. In 1932, Schmeck returned to the coaster and updated it from a side-friction coaster to one with an
underfriction track , transforming it from a scenic ride into a thrill ride. Haraden’s grandfather worked on maintaining the coaster, which instilled “fond memories” in many children who visited the park that stood out on the peninsula. “It was this amazing site, like coming upon paradise,” said Haraden. “Now, the view is old condominium buildings, but it was a landmark.” When Paragon Park closed in September 1984, Wild World (later bought by Six Flags) purchased the coaster at auction for $28,000 and moved portions of the ride to its current location. Haraden said engineer Curtis Summers reworked sections of the layout using blueprints of the original, including a new helix finale that replaced one lost in a fire at Paragon Park in 1963. The Maryland park renamed the 98-foot coaster Wild One and opened it on May 3, 1986. Even though the owners claim they took the ride down piece by piece to rebuild it, Haraden said the new owners replaced much of the wood and other components. But the coaster had the same layout. According to a May 5, 1986,
Boston Globe article, the new owners paid around $2 million to rebuild it. Riders on the opening day told the
Globe reporter, “The Wild One is a bit quieter, a tad faster and a whole lot rougher than the Giant,” and added that “the lift in the rear seat is a positive killer, giving you the feeling that you’re about to be hurled up to Baltimore.”
The coaster’s second life
Sam Marks, a Wild One enthusiast from Falls Church, Virginia, said he didn’t have the chance to ride the Giant when it was at Paragon Park. But he did ride it on the first day it was in Maryland. After all, he had a season pass to the park. He clearly remembers his first ride, saying the roughly 100-foot initial drop delivered a jolt of g-force, followed by a rush of nonstop speed. Riders are lifted from their seats on the two hills, catching bursts of airtime. As the ride seems to settle, it suddenly jerks into a sharp turn, tossing you side to side. “It was quite a violent ride,” Marks said. But, with upgrades, it did eventually smooth out, he said. Marks met his husband at the amusement park, and the pair loved the ride so much they decided to get married on it. “We chose the Wild One because it has stood the test of time, and today that time might be up,” Marks said. Even though park goers may not think much of the ride, which he says is purposefully left unpainted to make it look older, it still packs a punch. “Once you get on it, you realize this is something special,” said Marks. “If it goes away, I’m gonna miss it.” Elizabeth Ringas, president of the American Coaster Enthusiasts — a 47-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to the amusement industry — said Six Flags America is a “hidden gem” many locals frequent with their families. While it wouldn’t necessarily be an annual pilgrimage of ACE riders, Ringas said many stopped, especially to ride the Wild One. “How often do you get to ride a piece of history?” Ringas asked. Ringas said Wild One is the oldest roller coaster operating in the United States. Although it has undergone many iterations, it still has “great engineering” and “some sweet little trick track spots.” “I really hope it can be saved,” Ringas added.
Hopeful future
Dave Hahner, ACE’s historian, says there are plans to redevelop the land, which will unlikely remain an amusement park. “It’s a shame because that coaster has such a long history,” said Hahner. “If no one buys or moves it, it will be demolished.” Even though moving a wooden coaster is no easy feat, Hahner says it would be amazing if it were to move to Six Flags New England, bringing it back to its home state. Wooden roller coasters are unique because they “feel alive,” said Hahner. Hahner said the rides have a vibration different from a steel roller coaster. It feels like you are gliding on air on a steel one, and there are no bumps. However, wood coasters have many factors that affect how they operate; for example, they can go much faster right after it rains. He added that steel coasters don’t change with the weather. ACE member Josh Brown said with a wooden coaster, “No two rides are the same.” “You get the great clink, clink of the lift hill,” said Brown. “You get the smell of the grease. And you can almost feel the history.”
