This is a list of Ferris wheels which were manufactured by Eli Bridge Company and operated (or continue to operate) in Pennsylvania. Some that operated in Pennsylvania currently operate in other states. These are included.
Many of these wheels have been relocated - if in Pennsylvania, they will be listed only in their current location; if not in Pennsylvania, they will be listed in the last location the ride was in Pennsylvania.
Eli Bridge Company had several different kinds of wheels. The most common version had 16 cars. These are classified by the company as #16 Wheels. The "#" in the far left column refers to the ride's serial number as assigned by Eli Bridge Company.
List of Eli Bridge Ferris Wheels in Pennsylvania
edit| # | Location | Season | Type | Ref(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | Closed | ||||
| — | Rocky Glen Park | Unknown | #12 Wheel | ||
| — | Paxtang Park | Unknown | |||
| 900 | Hersheypark | #16 Wheel | |||
| 901 | Hersheypark | #16 Wheel | |||
| 1078 | Kennywood Park | Unknown | #16 Wheel | ||
| 1079 | Idlewild and Soak Zone | Operating | #16 Wheel | ||
| — | DelGrosso's Amusement Park | Unknown | Operating | #12 Wheel | |
| — | Lakemont Park | Unknown | Operating | #12 Wheel | |
| — | West Point Park | Unknown | Unknown | #12 Wheel | |
References
edit- ^ "Circles of "Big Eli."". The Scranton Republican. July 27, 1907. p. 9.
The famous "Big Eli" and wheel is now in motion at Rocky Glen. Almost eighty feet high and having twelve baskets with a carrying capacity of forty-eight persons...This wheel was manufactured by the Eli Bridge Co., of Roodhouse, Ill.
- ^ "Paxtang Park to Open With Fine Dance Hall on May 12". The Courier. Harrisburg, PA. May 6, 1923. p. 1.
Other attractions at the park will include the quarter of a mile Jack Rabbit Coaster, aerial swings, Eli Ferris Wheel, merry-go-round, picnic pavilions, restaurant and other amusements.
- ^ a b "Hershey Park Opens Season On Sunday". Lebanon Daily News. May 2, 1950. p. 17.
Following the practice of having something new each year, the Park has added a twin Ferris Wheel, 66 feet high.
- ^ a b "Kennywood Opening Today; First Rider of Ferris Wheel Misses Twin Dedication". The Pittsburgh Press. April 19, 1959. p. 21.
Anyone with the last name of "Ferris" and the desire to ride, will be given a free trip on the twin wheels today, when Kennywood opens its 62nd season.
- ^ a b "Big Wheels - A Pittsburgh Idea". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 14, 1959. p. DM-1.
The twins installed at Kennywood - a new wrinkle the park opertors planned to honor [Pittsburgh's] bicentennial - were made by Eli Bridge Company of Jacksonville, Ill. Official name of each wheel is "Big Eli."
- ^ "What's new at the parks". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 20, 1986. p. 14.
[New for Kennywood Park:] A 90-foot Ferris Wheel, replaces the previous one, which was moved to Idlewild Park two years ago.