Tornado

Tornado was a wooden roller coaster with a steel support structure that twisted and turned across a narrow section of land without any loops. The track wound its way along Bowery Street, making clever use of the confined space available to riders.

This attraction opened in 1926 as an addition to Coney Island's amusement offerings and became a familiar sight to visitors. It closed in 1978 after a fire destroyed much of the structure beyond repair.

The roller coaster design by Fred Church incorporated a central tower displaying the name, making it visible across the Coney Island amusement district.

The narrow strip of land made boarding and exiting straightforward for visitors. The nearby Bowery Street area provided many other attractions and refreshment options within easy reach.

The ride was originally known as The Bobs before being renamed to Tornado. This reflected a common practice at Coney Island to rebrand attractions and give them renewed appeal to returning visitors.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 40.57400,-73.97900

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:09