History
According to an April 27, 1993, Commercial Appeal article, the Zippin Pippin was built in 1912 in East End Park but, a January 8, 1933, article claims that East End, "had charge of the 'Figure Eight,' predecessor of the Fairgrounds, 'Pippin.'" An April 17, 1966, article claims the coaster was built in 1915 and another, (December 26, 1974) dates construction in 1917. The Zippin Pippin is recorded to have been rebuilt once, "higher and longer," after severe damage from a tornado in April 1928 (Commercial Appeal, April 27, 1928). The reconstruction was completed by July of the same year at a cost of $45,000 (Commercial Appeal, July 3,2003).
In the 1970s, the city of Memphis made plans to build a theme park around the Pippin and the Grand Carousel, also on the grounds. Called Libertyland, the park opened in 1976. Renamed the Zippin Pippin, the coaster was billed as the most prominent and historic ride at Libertyland, and was reportedly Elvis Presley's favorite roller coaster. Elvis would rent the entire park on occasion just to ride it without constant fan interference. Just a week before his death, Elvis rented the park from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. to entertain a small number of guests and he rode the Zippin Pippin for hours without stopping. On October 29, 2005, citing persistent loss of money, Libertyland permanently closed.
The Zippin Pippin stood without operating for four years in the Libertyland Amusement Park at the Mid-South Fairgrounds (a 125-acre (0.51 km2) tract of land purchased in 1912 and "edicated to the Citizens of Memphis for recreation, athletic fields, fairs." This public land is slowly being sold to private developers. The Zippin Pippin was taken down between January 28, 2010, and February 11, 2010.
The Libertyland website stated: "One of the oldest operating wooden roller coasters in North America, the Zippin Pippin is as popular today as it was in the early 20th century. It is 2,865 feet long, travels 20.8 mph, increasing to 40 mph at the maximum drop of 70 feet . Ride duration is 90 seconds. Great care is taken to replace its wood regularly to preserve its structure. Manufacturer is Amusement Device Co."
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