Trimpers Rides
Encyclopedia
Trimper's Rides is a historic amusement park
located near the inlet at South First Street and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland
,in The United States
. It was founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort, and is over 100 years old. It is located at the south end of the boardwalk, where it consists of a year-round indoor facility, The Haunted House
(which resides on its own lot on the Boardwalk strip), and three outdoor lots.
Rebuilding the Sea Bright in 1900 following a severe storm, the Trimpers modeled the new structure on Great Britain's Windsor Castle. The two hotels together with a theater and an amusement park thus became known as Windsor Resort.
A 1912 purchase also adds to the historic significance of Trimper's Rides. It was that year that Daniel Trimper purchased a massive carousel from the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY. It was 50 feet in diameter with a uniqueness derived from the only other carousel made by the firm at that time having been sent to Coney Island, and that one was later destroyed by fire.
The merry-go-round's forty-five animals, three chariots and one rocking chair were driven by a steam engine; rides originally cost just a nickel. One-hundred years later, the ride (now electrified) costs you four tickets, or $2.00. Classified as one of the oldest still operating carousels in the nation, the carosel includes a menagerie of horses, a cat, dog, frog, rooster, deer, goat, lion, tiger, ostrich, pig, and dragon.
Over the years the Trimpers added numerous rides; several of these rides also offer historic significance such as a smaller carousel which dates to the 1920's as does a kiddie ferris wheel. All the rides are kept in excellent working condition. If it were not for the gilt ornateness, beautiful hand-carved craftsmanship or wood versus metal you would find it difficult to know that parents -- and grandparents -- who, as children, once rode the same rides are now bringing their offspring to do the same.
Trimper's ten children and their descendants have also played important roles in Ocean City's political life and other businesses. Trimper's son, Daniel, Jr., managed Windsor Resort Corporation after his father's death, and served as Mayor of Ocean City for 16 years. A great-grandson, Daniel IV, also served on City Council and as Council President. Grandson Granville D. Trimper, who became the corporation's manager in 1980, served on the City Council for 18 years, many of those as Council President; he also served as Mayor. Granville served on the Worcester County Commissioners as President for 4 years. In 2000 He was elected Citizen of the Year (Millennium) by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.
The Park's Dark ride
, "The Haunted House
", was built by Bill Tracy in 1964 as a 1-level attraction on a lot facing the boardwalk strip. The Ride was later expanded on when nearby Playland Park closed, leaving their own Tracy Dark ride, "Ghost Ship" up for grabs. Trimper's incorporated the tricks from the ride by adding a 2nd level to the ride, making it twice as long. The ride was originally believed to have opened in 1962, but after the recent discovery of correspondence linked to the ride, its actual opening year was discovered to be two years later. The ride was said to be Granville Trimper's favorite.
The three outdoor areas, where most of the major rides are located, are open during the summer season. Among the rides are:
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
located near the inlet at South First Street and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, sometimes known as OC, or OCMD, is an Atlantic Ocean resort town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. Ocean City is widely known in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is a frequent destination for vacationers in that area...
,in The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort, and is over 100 years old. It is located at the south end of the boardwalk, where it consists of a year-round indoor facility, The Haunted House
Trimper's Haunted House
The Haunted House is a dark ride and one of the flagship attractions at Trimper's Rides & Amusements, in Ocean City, MD. Built by Bill Tracy in 1964, and expanded in 1988; it has resided on the southern end of Ocean City's boardwalk strip ever since....
(which resides on its own lot on the Boardwalk strip), and three outdoor lots.
History
Daniel B. Trimper and his wife, Margaret, grandparents of the current vice president and manager of the park (Granville Daniel Trimper) arrived in Ocean City in 1890. By 1893 they were owners of boardwalk property between South Division and South First Streets, including two hotels: The Eastern Shore and the Sea Bright.Rebuilding the Sea Bright in 1900 following a severe storm, the Trimpers modeled the new structure on Great Britain's Windsor Castle. The two hotels together with a theater and an amusement park thus became known as Windsor Resort.
A 1912 purchase also adds to the historic significance of Trimper's Rides. It was that year that Daniel Trimper purchased a massive carousel from the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY. It was 50 feet in diameter with a uniqueness derived from the only other carousel made by the firm at that time having been sent to Coney Island, and that one was later destroyed by fire.
The merry-go-round's forty-five animals, three chariots and one rocking chair were driven by a steam engine; rides originally cost just a nickel. One-hundred years later, the ride (now electrified) costs you four tickets, or $2.00. Classified as one of the oldest still operating carousels in the nation, the carosel includes a menagerie of horses, a cat, dog, frog, rooster, deer, goat, lion, tiger, ostrich, pig, and dragon.
Over the years the Trimpers added numerous rides; several of these rides also offer historic significance such as a smaller carousel which dates to the 1920's as does a kiddie ferris wheel. All the rides are kept in excellent working condition. If it were not for the gilt ornateness, beautiful hand-carved craftsmanship or wood versus metal you would find it difficult to know that parents -- and grandparents -- who, as children, once rode the same rides are now bringing their offspring to do the same.
Trimper's ten children and their descendants have also played important roles in Ocean City's political life and other businesses. Trimper's son, Daniel, Jr., managed Windsor Resort Corporation after his father's death, and served as Mayor of Ocean City for 16 years. A great-grandson, Daniel IV, also served on City Council and as Council President. Grandson Granville D. Trimper, who became the corporation's manager in 1980, served on the City Council for 18 years, many of those as Council President; he also served as Mayor. Granville served on the Worcester County Commissioners as President for 4 years. In 2000 He was elected Citizen of the Year (Millennium) by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.
The Rides
The Indoor Area contains most of the rides for younger kids. It plays host to a collection of vintage amusement park memorabilia an paraphernalia, ranging from antique ticket booths, to operating antique rides. The main attractions inside this part of the building are:- A large collection of operating vintage William F. Mangles kiddie ridesKiddie ridesA kiddie ride is a coin-operated amusement ride for small children. Kiddie rides are commonly available in amusement parks, arcades, malls, hotel game rooms and outside supermarkets and discount department stores. Less commonly, they may also appear in other venues such as restaurants, food...
- A circa 1912 Herschell-Spillman Carousel
- A Bumper Car ride
- A Shooting Gallery
The Park's Dark ride
Dark ride
A dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects....
, "The Haunted House
Trimper's Haunted House
The Haunted House is a dark ride and one of the flagship attractions at Trimper's Rides & Amusements, in Ocean City, MD. Built by Bill Tracy in 1964, and expanded in 1988; it has resided on the southern end of Ocean City's boardwalk strip ever since....
", was built by Bill Tracy in 1964 as a 1-level attraction on a lot facing the boardwalk strip. The Ride was later expanded on when nearby Playland Park closed, leaving their own Tracy Dark ride, "Ghost Ship" up for grabs. Trimper's incorporated the tricks from the ride by adding a 2nd level to the ride, making it twice as long. The ride was originally believed to have opened in 1962, but after the recent discovery of correspondence linked to the ride, its actual opening year was discovered to be two years later. The ride was said to be Granville Trimper's favorite.
The three outdoor areas, where most of the major rides are located, are open during the summer season. Among the rides are:
- "The Tidal Wave", a 126 ft (38 m) tall looping roller coasterRoller coasterThe roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
- "Pirates Cove", a Bill Tracy designed Walk-through fun house; one of only two left in the world
- A Mirror Maze
- "Aladdin's Lamp", another Walk-through fun house
- "Wacky Worm", a family roller coaster
- A Zipper Ride (The only stationary version in the world)
- A Tilt-A-Whirl
- "The Freakout", a pendulum thrill ride
- "The Rock N Roll", a fast-moving Matterhorn ride
- A Merry Mixer
- A Tea Cup Ride