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Coordinates: 38°19′36″N 75°05′17″W / 38.3267°N 75.0880°W / 38.3267; -75.0880
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{{Short description|Amusement park in Ocean City, Maryland, United States.}}
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{{Multiple issues|
|-
{{notability|Companies|date=September 2020}}
! '''Trimper's Rides & Amusements'''
{{Advert|date=January 2021}}
|-
}}
| '''Opened:''' [[1893]]
{{Infobox amusement park
|-
| '''Location:''' [[Ocean City]] [[Maryland|MD]]
| name = Trimper Rides Of Ocean City
| image = Ocean City MD Boardwalk August 2009 2.jpg
|-
| caption = Trimper Rides from the boardwalk
| '''Ride Count:''' 43
| resort =
|-
| location = [[Ocean City, Maryland]]
| '''Admisson:''' Free Entry/Pay-As-You-Go
| location2 = Maryland
|}
| location3 = United States
'''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, were it consist of a year-round indoor facility, [[Trimper's Haunted House|The Haunted House]] (which resides on it's own lot on the Boardwalk strip), and three outdoor lots.
| coordinates = {{Coord|38.3267|-75.0880|type:landmark_region:US-MD|display=inline,title}}
| theme =
| homepage = https://www.trimperrides.com/
| owner = Windsor Resorts
| general_manager =
| operator =
| opening_date = 1893
| closing_date =
| previous_names = Trimper’s Rides, Windsor Resort
| season = Early April-Mid September
| visitors =
| area =
| rides = 28 (16 Outdoor Rides)
| coasters = 2
| water_rides = 0
| slogan =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Trimper Rides Of Ocean City''' is a [[amusement park]] located near the inlet at South First Street and the [[boardwalk (entertainment district)|boardwalk]] in [[Ocean City, Maryland]], [[United States]]. It was founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort. It is located at the south end of the boardwalk and consists of three outdoor lots and an indoor section.


==History==
Daniel B. Trimper<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hausel |first=Tracey |date=2023-06-02 |title=Daniel Trimper |url=https://www.trimperrides.com/trimper-history/daniel-trimper/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Trimper Rides |language=en-US}}</ref> and his wife, Margaret, arrived in Ocean City in 1890.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hooper |first=Bethany |date=2020-08-25 |title=2020 A Year Of Transition For Ocean City’s Trimper’s Rides |url=https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2020/08/25/2020-a-year-of-transition-for-ocean-citys-trimpers-rides/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=News Ocean City Maryland Coast Dispatch Newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref> By 1893, they were owners of boardwalk property between South Division and South First Streets, including two [[Hotel|hotels]]: ''The Eastern Shore'' and the ''Sea Bright''.<ref name=":0" />


In 1900, the Trimpers rebuilt the ''Sea Bright'' after a severe storm had damaged the hotel; they modeled its new structure after [[Great Britain]]'s [[Windsor Castle]].<ref name=":0" /> The two hotels, together with a theater and an amusement park, became known as [[Windsor Report|Windsor Resort]].
==The Rides==


In 1912, Daniel Trimper purchased a massive [[carousel]] from the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY. It was 50 feet (15.24 m.) in diameter, with the only other carousel made by the firm at that time having been sent to [[Coney Island]], which was later destroyed in a fire.
The Indoor Area, which is open year-round, 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<ref>http://www.trimpersrides.com/rides.cfm</ref>:


The carousel's 45 animals, three chariots, and one rocking chair were driven by a [[steam engine]], with rides originally costing a [[Nickel (United States coin)|nickel]]. It is now classified as one of the oldest still-operating [[carousel]]s in the nation. The carousel was declared a historic landmark in 2007.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2018-08-17 |title=Celebrating 125 years of Trimper’s Rides |url=https://www.oceancity.com/celebrating-125-years-of-trimpers-rides/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=OceanCity.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* A large collection of operating vintage William F. Mangles[[kiddie rides]]
* A circa 1902 Herschell Spillman Carousel
* A Bumper Car ride
* A Shooting Gallery


In the 1950s, the Trimper family added outdoor rides.<ref name=":0" /> The pace of expansion has increased since the mid-1960s, with a new ride being added nearly every year.
The Park's [[Dark ride]], "[[Trimper's Haunted House|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 latter 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 discover of corispondance linked to the ride, it's actual opening year was discovered to be two years after the false date. The ride was said to be Grandville's favorite.


Trimper's son, Daniel Jr., managed Windsor Resort Corporation after his father's death and served as mayor of Ocean City for 16 years. In 1964, Granville Trimper collaborated with Bill Tracy to create the Haunted House.<ref name=":1" /> In 1965, a [[World War II|WWII]] veteran, Daniel Trimper III, was handed leadership of the park and nearly doubled its size with the purchase of the land and attractions of Melvin Amusements. Five years later, John and Maria Bilious were hired to restore the cherished Herschell-Spillman Carousel to its former glory.
The three outdoor areas are open during the summer season, and are were most of the major rides are. Among the rides are<ref>http://www.trimpersrides.com/rides.cfm</ref>:


Dan Trimper III retired in 1981, passing the reigns to his cousin Granville Trimper.<ref name=":0" /> The most popular ride in the outdoor park was bought in 1985: the triple loop boomerang "Tidal Wave" roller coaster.
* "The Tidal Wave", a 126ft tall looping [[roller coaster]]
* "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
* "Toboggan", a small roller coaster with a vertical lift
* "Wacky Worm", a family roller coaster
* A Zipper Ride (The only stationary version in the world)
* A Tilt-A-Whirl
* A Merry Mixer
* A Tea Cup Ride


In 2020 and 2021, Trimper Rides held a Weekly Farmers Market during the season on Fridays from 9 am-12 pm. As of 2022, they have discontinued the Farmer's Market.
==Status==


In 2021, Trimper Rides hosted a Winter Carnival with local vendors, discounted select rides, and games. Also in 2021, Trimper's Rides owned an arcade on the boardwalk, Boardwalk Games, which is now permanently closed.
The park began to experience troubled times during the [[2007]] season, and didn't stay open all year as planned, due to rising costs for running the park. The Carousel House/indoor area was made a historic landmark in 2007. Park owner Granville Trimper passed away in [[October 2008]], leaving the park in his family's hands. The park opened for the [[2009]] season under a joint management of Granville's relatives.


Beginning In 2021, Trimper Rides began construction on an outdoor food hall. Trimper Rides previously owned or leased space to The Red Apple, Jessica’s Fudge House, [[Chick-fil-A|Chick-Fil-A]], Nana’s Hot Chicken,<ref name=":0" /> Smoked BBQ, On The Boards, and Sticky Fingers.
==Further reading==
''Amusement Parks of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware'' by Jim Futrell (2008, Stackpole Books)


In 2022 the park opened Trimper Treats, Trimper Sweets, and Trimper Carousel Corner.
==External links==
*[http://www.trimpersrides.com/ Official site]
* [http://trimpershauntedhouse.com Trimper's Amusements Haunted House Fan Site]
* [http://billtracy.net The Bill Tracy Project]
{{coord missing|Maryland}}


==Rides==
[[Category:Amusement parks in Maryland]]
[[File:Piratecove.JPG|thumb|right|The Pirate's Cove Fun House is one of only two Bill Tracy built walk-through's left in the world.]]
[[File:Aladinlamp.JPG|thumb|right|Aladin's Lamp is a small portable-style "fun house". It includes a number of floor tricks, a revolving turn-table and a spinning barrel. This ride was retired on January 10, 2018.]]


The Indoor Area contains rides aimed for young children. It contains a collection of vintage amusement park memorabilia and paraphernalia, ranging from antique ticket booths, to operating antique rides. The main attractions include a large collection of operating vintage [[William F. Mangels]] [[kiddie rides]], a circa 1912 [[Allan Herschell Company|Herschell-Spillman]] [[Carousel]], a [[Bumper cars|bumper car]] ride, and a shooting gallery.<ref name="trimpersrides">{{cite web |date= |title=Trimpers Rides and Amusements |url=http://www.trimpersrides.com/rides.cfm |accessdate=2012-05-18 |publisher=Trimpersrides.com}}</ref>


[[File:Tobogantrimpers.JPG|thumb|right|The Toboggan Roller Coaster, retired in Winter 2009.]]
{{Amusement-park-stub}}

The three outdoor areas are where most of the major rides are located.<ref name="trimpersrides" />

Some of the outdoor rides for the 2023 season are:
* Balloons
* Endeavor<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=O'BRIEN |first=HAYLEY |date=19 February 2018 |title=Trimper's: Losing the lamp, but maintaining the magic |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2018/02/19/trimpers-losing-lamp-but-maintaining-magic/342558002/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=The Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Fun Slide
* Himalaya<ref name=":0" />
* Rock N Roll
* Spinning Coaster
* [[Teacups|Tea Cups]]
* "[[The Tidal Wave (Trimper's Rides)|The Tidal Wave]]", a {{convert|126|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall looping [[roller coaster]]
* Tilt A Whirl

Trimper Park also has 2 attractions accessible from the outside:
* Mirror Maze
* "Pirate's Cove", built 1971, a Bill Tracy designed walk-through fun house; one of only two left in the world<ref name=":1" />

===Former rides===
* Area 51 (2021-2022)
* Aladdin’s Lamp (Retired, 2018)<ref name=":2" />
* Crazy Cabs (2020)
* Super Shot (2020)
* Slingshot (2007)
* Freak Out (Retired 2019)
* Fun Slide (2020) A new one currently operates at the park.
* Hangten (2020)
* Inverter
* Kid's Swings (2022)
* Magic Maze (2022)
* Magnum (2021-2022)
* OC Big Wheel (2020-2022)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Demko |first=Keith |date=2 March 2022 |title=Trimper's Rides bringing 'Big Wheel' back in Ocean City after summer of controversy |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/03/02/trimpers-rides-ocean-city-bringing-back-big-ferris-wheel-boardwalk/9345002002/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=The Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Rockstar (Retired 2019)
* Rock-O-Plane
* Rockin Tug
* Round Up (2020)
* Scrambler (Retired 2019)
* Techno Power (2021-2022)
* Tilt-A-Whirl (Retired 2019) A new one currently operates in the park.
* Toboggan (Retired 2009)
* Wacky Worm (Retired 2019)
* Yo-Yo (2022)
* Wild Mouse
* Zipper (Retired 2019)

==Arcades==
Trimper Rides owns Marty’s Playland, which is an arcade on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

==Events==
During the 2020 season, Trimper Rides added new events to help bring people into the park. Some of these included [[karaoke]] nights, DJ nights, [[Auto show|car shows]], and bike shows.

During Halloween, Trimper Rides had a children’s hay maze, hay rides, face painting, and costume contests.

==Further reading==
{{cite book|title=Amusement Parks of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware|author=Jim Futrell|year=2008|publisher=Stackpole Books}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Amusement parks in Maryland]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Worcester County, Maryland]]
[[Category:1893 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Worcester County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Ocean City, Maryland]]

Latest revision as of 11:59, 15 August 2024

Trimper Rides Of Ocean City
Previously known as Trimper’s Rides, Windsor Resort
Trimper Rides from the boardwalk
LocationOcean City, Maryland, Maryland, United States
Coordinates38°19′36″N 75°05′17″W / 38.3267°N 75.0880°W / 38.3267; -75.0880
Opened1893
OwnerWindsor Resorts
Operating seasonEarly April-Mid September
Attractions
Total28 (16 Outdoor Rides)
Roller coasters2
Water rides0
Websitehttps://www.trimperrides.com/

Trimper Rides Of Ocean City is a amusement park located near the inlet at South First Street and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort. It is located at the south end of the boardwalk and consists of three outdoor lots and an indoor section.

History

[edit]

Daniel B. Trimper[1] and his wife, Margaret, arrived in Ocean City in 1890.[2] 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.[2]

In 1900, the Trimpers rebuilt the Sea Bright after a severe storm had damaged the hotel; they modeled its new structure after Great Britain's Windsor Castle.[2] The two hotels, together with a theater and an amusement park, became known as Windsor Resort.

In 1912, Daniel Trimper purchased a massive carousel from the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY. It was 50 feet (15.24 m.) in diameter, with the only other carousel made by the firm at that time having been sent to Coney Island, which was later destroyed in a fire.

The carousel's 45 animals, three chariots, and one rocking chair were driven by a steam engine, with rides originally costing a nickel. It is now classified as one of the oldest still-operating carousels in the nation. The carousel was declared a historic landmark in 2007.[3]

In the 1950s, the Trimper family added outdoor rides.[2] The pace of expansion has increased since the mid-1960s, with a new ride being added nearly every year.

Trimper's son, Daniel Jr., managed Windsor Resort Corporation after his father's death and served as mayor of Ocean City for 16 years. In 1964, Granville Trimper collaborated with Bill Tracy to create the Haunted House.[3] In 1965, a WWII veteran, Daniel Trimper III, was handed leadership of the park and nearly doubled its size with the purchase of the land and attractions of Melvin Amusements. Five years later, John and Maria Bilious were hired to restore the cherished Herschell-Spillman Carousel to its former glory.

Dan Trimper III retired in 1981, passing the reigns to his cousin Granville Trimper.[2] The most popular ride in the outdoor park was bought in 1985: the triple loop boomerang "Tidal Wave" roller coaster.

In 2020 and 2021, Trimper Rides held a Weekly Farmers Market during the season on Fridays from 9 am-12 pm. As of 2022, they have discontinued the Farmer's Market.

In 2021, Trimper Rides hosted a Winter Carnival with local vendors, discounted select rides, and games. Also in 2021, Trimper's Rides owned an arcade on the boardwalk, Boardwalk Games, which is now permanently closed.

Beginning In 2021, Trimper Rides began construction on an outdoor food hall. Trimper Rides previously owned or leased space to The Red Apple, Jessica’s Fudge House, Chick-Fil-A, Nana’s Hot Chicken,[2] Smoked BBQ, On The Boards, and Sticky Fingers.

In 2022 the park opened Trimper Treats, Trimper Sweets, and Trimper Carousel Corner.

Rides

[edit]
The Pirate's Cove Fun House is one of only two Bill Tracy built walk-through's left in the world.
Aladin's Lamp is a small portable-style "fun house". It includes a number of floor tricks, a revolving turn-table and a spinning barrel. This ride was retired on January 10, 2018.

The Indoor Area contains rides aimed for young children. It contains a collection of vintage amusement park memorabilia and paraphernalia, ranging from antique ticket booths, to operating antique rides. The main attractions include a large collection of operating vintage William F. Mangels kiddie rides, a circa 1912 Herschell-Spillman Carousel, a bumper car ride, and a shooting gallery.[4]

The Toboggan Roller Coaster, retired in Winter 2009.

The three outdoor areas are where most of the major rides are located.[4]

Some of the outdoor rides for the 2023 season are:

Trimper Park also has 2 attractions accessible from the outside:

  • Mirror Maze
  • "Pirate's Cove", built 1971, a Bill Tracy designed walk-through fun house; one of only two left in the world[3]

Former rides

[edit]
  • Area 51 (2021-2022)
  • Aladdin’s Lamp (Retired, 2018)[5]
  • Crazy Cabs (2020)
  • Super Shot (2020)
  • Slingshot (2007)
  • Freak Out (Retired 2019)
  • Fun Slide (2020) A new one currently operates at the park.
  • Hangten (2020)
  • Inverter
  • Kid's Swings (2022)
  • Magic Maze (2022)
  • Magnum (2021-2022)
  • OC Big Wheel (2020-2022)[6]
  • Rockstar (Retired 2019)
  • Rock-O-Plane
  • Rockin Tug
  • Round Up (2020)
  • Scrambler (Retired 2019)
  • Techno Power (2021-2022)
  • Tilt-A-Whirl (Retired 2019) A new one currently operates in the park.
  • Toboggan (Retired 2009)
  • Wacky Worm (Retired 2019)
  • Yo-Yo (2022)
  • Wild Mouse
  • Zipper (Retired 2019)

Arcades

[edit]

Trimper Rides owns Marty’s Playland, which is an arcade on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Events

[edit]

During the 2020 season, Trimper Rides added new events to help bring people into the park. Some of these included karaoke nights, DJ nights, car shows, and bike shows.

During Halloween, Trimper Rides had a children’s hay maze, hay rides, face painting, and costume contests.

Further reading

[edit]

Jim Futrell (2008). Amusement Parks of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Stackpole Books.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hausel, Tracey (2023-06-02). "Daniel Trimper". Trimper Rides. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Hooper, Bethany (2020-08-25). "2020 A Year Of Transition For Ocean City's Trimper's Rides". News Ocean City Maryland Coast Dispatch Newspaper. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  3. ^ a b c "Celebrating 125 years of Trimper's Rides". OceanCity.com. 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  4. ^ a b "Trimpers Rides and Amusements". Trimpersrides.com. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  5. ^ a b O'BRIEN, HAYLEY (19 February 2018). "Trimper's: Losing the lamp, but maintaining the magic". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  6. ^ Demko, Keith (2 March 2022). "Trimper's Rides bringing 'Big Wheel' back in Ocean City after summer of controversy". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
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