newsnot
349 posts
Sep 17, 2013
5:57 AM
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Does anyone remember riding the Wildcat roller coaster at Lakeside Park? It is still considered a legend by coaster fans,
Last Edited by newsnot on Sep 17, 2013 7:38 AM
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Syxpack
129 posts
Sep 17, 2013
9:43 AM
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Had the scare of my life on the Wildcat. As a kid, I would never ride the Wildcat. After I had kids of my own, we were out at Lakeside Park for an employer's picnic without my husband and my two oldest sons begged to ride it. They were about 12 and 14. Well, I didn't want them to grow up to be a wimp like their mom, so I agreed for them to ride it, but only if I went with them. I was scared to death and was trying to put on a brave face for them. As we neared the highest point, the car we were in, came to a complete stop and we could see all over the city of Dayton. Also at that height, we could see it was just as rickety as we had always heard. Nobody tried to tell us what the problem was and we remained in this precarious position for almost 45 minutes while they researched the problem. When they found a blown fuse and we were again brought down, we all kissed the ground and made a pledge never to get on the Wildcat again! If my sons had not been with me, I would have made the mistake of trying to walk down, holding onto that dangerous railing. I was sure the car was going to fall backwards off the rails. Lakeside Park closed a few years after this. It still remains a memory that we talk about today, almost 50 years later and that experience only served to make me more of a wimp today.
Last Edited by Syxpack on Sep 17, 2013 9:53 AM
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FreedomWriter
40 posts
Sep 17, 2013
10:00 AM
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Not old enough to remember Lakeside Park, but wishes we had something like that here in Dayton. I also think that were about the only so called Large city in Ohio that doesnt have a Zoo. I know we have the one in Cincy but it just isnt the same, as having one in your hometown. Its good to see our Aviation Heritage being developed for everyone to go and see. Most of us around here really do take pride in having this, right in our backyard.
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luv my dayton
391 posts
Sep 17, 2013
10:28 AM
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Don't forget we had another amusement park in dayton which was called Frankies Park later called Forest park plaza with numerous stores. Now its a vacant lot. Those were back in the days where radio was your entertainment or your parents would take you to one of the amusement parks.
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newsnot
352 posts
Sep 17, 2013
10:33 AM
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Luv my Dayton,
in have seen pictures of Frankies but was never there. I think there were maybe a couple of other amusments parks in Dayton. Are yiu going to the taste?
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newsnot
353 posts
Sep 17, 2013
10:46 AM
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Syxpack,
Just looked at an old picture i have of the Wildcat.It must have been taken before 1950 judging by the cars in the picture. You are right it is rickity. This picture must have been taken from an airplane.One of the houses on the street is still standing.
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Syxpack
130 posts
Sep 17, 2013
1:11 PM
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luv my Dayton. Frankies Forest Park also had a race track and the Circle Ballroom where all the high school kids of my generation congregated on Saturday night in the 1940's and especially during World War II. It was an outdoor pavilion only opened in the summer. It was quite large or so it seemed to me at the time. They had local live bands and sometimes, big name bands. You were nobody if you didn't show up there on Saturday night. LOL
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Billd1952
105 posts
Sep 17, 2013
7:14 PM
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I remember the "Wildcat". Yes it was rickity. I remember a board falling off the frame as we started down from the first downhill. Rough ride, but fun.
My favorite ride at Lakeside was the "Wildmouse".
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Kyttengyrl
15 posts
Sep 17, 2013
11:13 PM
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We don't have any zoos but there is a GREAT exotic animal sanctuary in West Alexandria called Heaven's Corner. We were just there a couple weeks ago around feeding time and I got to hear a black leopard PURR! They have two white tigers and wolves and bears! All are former pets or rescues. It's small enough for an afternoon trip. Bout 45 minute drive from Miamisburg.
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Billd1952
108 posts
Sep 22, 2013
7:07 AM
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gris66, nothing wrong with your memory, the square angle turns were there.
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gris66
114 posts
Sep 22, 2013
1:51 PM
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Thanks Billd1952... I'm grateful that dementia may still be a little ways off.
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JJCofMAINE
39 posts
Sep 26, 2013
12:31 PM
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Interesting that the name WILDCAT was used for the roller coaster at Lakeside. That was the name of the "tamer" of the two coasters at Coney Island, in Cincinnati, long before Kings Island was born. The other was the Shooting Star. And, I believe CI also had a Wild Mouse, which had the same "angle turns", but I believe it also combined the turns with downhill segments.
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gris66
115 posts
Sep 26, 2013
1:13 PM
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Yep, that's how I remember it. Smaller than the Wildcat, it was a roller coaster that traveled up and down but also had those unique turns.
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newsnot
359 posts
Sep 26, 2013
7:16 PM
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Yes Coney Island also had Wildcat roller coaster.It was very tame.The Wildcat at Lakeside is considered a bonafied legend by coaster fans.
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Dandy1
2 posts
Sep 29, 2013
2:00 PM
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The Wildcat is visible in the 1956 Dayton aerial view at the Historic Aerials website. The current exit ramp from 35W to Gettysburg Ave passes directly over the location of the coaster.
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Syxpack
137 posts
Sep 29, 2013
8:52 PM
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Dandy1, how do you get on that website?
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Dandy1
3 posts
Sep 30, 2013
7:51 AM
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Go to www.historicaerials.com and search for Dayton Ohio.
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Syxpack
138 posts
Sep 30, 2013
8:46 AM
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Thanks Dandy, I'll try that one!
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