A Blast From The Past - Where Did The Term Roller Coaster Come From?

Well one version originated in Haverhill Massachusetts, patented by Stephen Jackman & Byron Floyd, the Sliding-Hill and Toboggan opened in Sept of 1887 in Haverhill. The ride was built around the inner walls of the Globe Skating Rink. It was located on the third floor of the building with an elevator lift taking riders to the top.

1500 foot of track ran around the walls from ceiling to floor criss-crossing the rink in a spiraling figure eight formation." The Sliding-Hill and Toboggan survived for just three years and did little for the development of the roller coaster. The roller coaster did get something very important from the Haverhill ride - a name both Jackman & Floyd laid claim to the term "roller coaster."

The coaster and the building were demolished 2/1/1890, the 7 story Winchell building stands on the site today.