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THE END OF THE REEL: PART ONE by Gary Radice Article: Added October 2003 |
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Who better to share their memories of the Virginia
Reel at Blackpool Pleasure Beach than someone who actually worked on the ride during its final years? Ian Beech's 2003 interview and archive photographs
here on themagiceye provide a fascinating insight into the last days of this classic coaster!
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The Virginia Reel was
not named after the
way the cars 'reeled' down the track, nor was it named after the country dance of the same name. Quite simply, it was named after Luna Virginia
Riehl, the daughter of the ride's creator - a Mr Henry Elmer Riehl of New York USA who
patented the ride on November 26th
1907 (Patent Number 872253).
themagiceye would like to convey its sincere thanks and gratitude to Rosemary Riehl (HE Riehl's daughter) Marjolane Ball (HE Riehl's daughter), and Rosemary's daughter Louise Virginia Poole for providing information to accompany the magnificent photographs on this page.
The photo top
right shows Henry Elmer Riehl standing in the foreground to
the right in front of the barrier. The baby being held is Luna Virginia Riehl
"...the man holding her is Virginia's Grandfather on her Mother's side. Daddy was associated with the Pullman Train Car Co. Detroit and was in charge of
their exhibit at the Worlds Fair in Buffalo when he met Skip Dundy and Fred Thompson.
They were showmen. They liked Daddy
and asked him to back to New York with them where Mr Dundy had just bought Luna Park in Coney Island, and he offered him the
management of it.
"When Virginia was born on 1 April 1908 Mr Dundy insisted
she be named Luna (after his sister in whose honour Luna Park had been named).
"On the back of the photograph it states:
'Virginia Reel 1909 - Grandpa, Virginia - Dad and Mr Meyer'. I Don't know who Mr Meyer is."
Marjolane Ball
In the Mardi Gras photo on
the right, HE Riehl
is the man on the left. The person with him is again either Skip Dundy or H E Riehl's father in law.
Blackpool's
Reel was built by William Homer Strickler, who was
born in Chicago, USA. Strickler completed his masterpiece at Blackpool
in 1922.
The ride stood for
60 years until it was
replaced by The Ranger in 1982 and then a few years later by The Rainbow.
Today (2003) the Globe Theatre and cash
machines now occupy this hallowed spot.
The Reel was Strickler's second commission at
the Pleasure Beach; in the same year he also built the magnificent Noah's Ark.
Sadly, W. H. Strickler died following a fall whilst
building the Noah's Ark at Southport (about an hour's drive down the coast) and is now buried
in the Layton cemetery in Blackpool.
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