Ocean View Amusement Park - The Skyrocket

The Skyrocket

A large wooden rollercoaster was always the centerpiece and primary attraction at the now defunct Ocean View Amusement Park. First built around the turn of the century, the original coaster was known as, "The Southern Belle". Some time later, after an extensive re-design, it was dubbed, "Leap The Dips". The most recent, and final design was a much speedier and thrilling coaster, called "The Skyrocket". Shortly before its final demise the name of this coaster was abbreviated to "The Rocket" for use in the role it played in two Hollywood feature films.

Built in 1927, the Skyrocket served to entertain and thrill the residents of eastern Virginia & North Carolina for many decades. It usually had two heavy trains of iron framed, wooden cars simultaneously on the track, which served a steady stream of passengers, and they would plummet down the first drop of probably 60–70 feet at a breath-taking pace. Shaking, rattling, and kicking up sparks over successive hills, drops, and tight radial turns, it often gave its riders the feeling that the cars would "skip the track", and send them flying in all directions.

In February, 1958, a fire which destroyed a large portion of the West end of the park also caused extensive damage to the West end of the Skyrocket. This portion had to be completely rebuilt, but its basic structure withstood the test of time, and never lost its individual charm. It remained the favorite ride of many people throughout the years, and riding it - especially without holding on - became something of a "badge of courage" for many a brave youth in the "Tidewater" area of Virginia.

Age and size restrictions were often enforced, and children over 6 years old were generally refused entry without an accompanying adult. Pregnant women, and the infirm were also discouraged from boarding this ride. Hats and wigs were also prohibited, and due to an incident where a woman actually lost her wig on the ride, it became a long-standing custom for the operator to keep a woman's wig on the ride's main release lever as a humorous reminder.