The Steeplechase Ride

"Half a Mile in Half a Minute- And Fun all the way!"

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          The Steeplechase Ride was built by George Tilyou because he felt his park needed a ride that rivaled the Shoot-the-Chutes found at Paul Boyton's Sea Lion Park. Tilyou heard about an English ride that replicated a horse race and felt it was exactly what his park needed to draw crowds across Surf Avenue.

 

This is an older view of the Steeplechase Ride, before the fire of 1907. After that, Tilyou built two four-horse tracks, one higher than the other. This course with eight, two-person horses ran at the park from 1898 to 1907.

This is an older view of the Steeplechase Ride, before the fire of 1907. After that, Tilyou built two four-horse tracks, one higher than the other. This course with eight, two-person horses ran at the park from 1898 to 1907.

 

This is a postcard from early in the park's history, notice the riders' dress.

 

A look down the home stretch.

A look down the home stretch.

 

"The guys like it because it gives them a chance to hug the girls. The girls like it because it gives them a chance to be hugged. Everyone likes it because it is cheap fun, real fun. It realizes its motto, half-a-mile in half-a-minute and fun all the way."

"The guys like it because it gives them a chance to hug the girls.  The girls like it because it gives them a chance to be hugged.  Everyone likes it because it is cheap fun, real fun.  It realizes its motto, half-a-mile in half-a-minute and fun all the way."

 

The Steeplechase Ride was one of the many rides where it became acceptable for men and women to hold tight to one another in a conservative society. Single men and women often met on rides located at the entrances to the park such as the Revolving Barrel and the Funny Staircase which tossed singles into one another. Women who visited Steeplechase a lot were often on the look out for a heavier gentlemen because they almost always won the races.

The Steeplechase Ride was one of the many rides where it became acceptable for men and women to hold tight to one another in a conservative society. Single men and women often met on rides located at the entrances to the park such as the Revolving Barrel and the Funny Staircase which tossed singles into one another. Women who visited Steeplechase a lot were often on the look out for a heavier gentlemen because they almost always won the races.

The Steeplechase Ride was one of the many rides where it became acceptable for men and women to hold tight to one another in a conservative society. Single men and women often met on rides located at the entrances to the park such as the Revolving Barrel and the Funny Staircase which tossed singles into one another. Women who visited Steeplechase a lot were often on the look out for a heavier gentlemen because they almost always won the races.

 

Go inside Steeplechase

Tour the grounds & pool

See Coney from the Parachute Jump