The Long Beach Pike was considered to be the West Coast's Coney Island. It
operated from 1902 -1969. It featured some of the worlds most innovative
rides and roller coasters.
June 1907 The first roller coaster on the Pike opens for business. A variety
of other rides and amusements, including Ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds,
would follow over the years as the Pike grew to include a bustling midway.
1911 First carousel comes to the Pike.
May 1, 1915 Jackrabbit Racer roller coaster opens for business, replacing
smaller coaster taken down in 1914. An amusement pier, most often called
Silver Spray Pier, is built next to the coaster at the foot of Cedar Avenue.
Memorial Day 1930 The Cyclone Racer roller coaster opens to the public,
replacing the Jackrabbit Racer.
1932 The 8,000-seat Municipal Auditorium, surrounded on three sides by a
lagoon, and Rainbow Pier open to the public. The half-circular Rainbow Pier,
arching from Pine Avenue to Linden Avenue, surrounds the auditorium and the
lagoon.
1934 Pine Avenue Pier suffers storm damage and is closed.
July 17, 1943 Carousel burns down. Another is built.
1948 The Silver Spray Pier is demolished at the foot of Cedar Avenue.
1949 Amusement zone expands on beach between Pine and Cedar avenues and is
dubbed Nu Pike.
1954 The Pike is listed as one of the five largest amusement zones in the
country, with 218 concessions.
1966 The Plunge bath house closes.
1967 City purchases famous Queen Mary luxury cruise liner to be docked in
Long Beach as tourist attraction and hotel.
September 15, 1968 Last day of operation for the Cyclone Racer, which was
later demolished.
1974 California Coastal Commission hands over control of downtown and
shoreline redevelopment to the City.
1975 Demolition begins on Municipal Auditorium and bandstand area to make
way for the Convention & Entertainment Center.
1976 Bob Kerstein, the founder of Scripophily.com graduated from California
State University, Long Beach.
1979 The Pike officially closes.
