Hometown Fun Machine in Gurnee

sfgam · Post by **sfgam** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:49 pm

Is it true that the Hometown Fun Machine was originaly located in Yukon Territory named as Saskatchewan Scrambler? I got my info at Wikipedia and I know that Wikipedia can't always be trusted but this is the only I can find out for sure.

MGA1 · Post by **MGA1** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:17 pm

Yes, that information is correct. I was an Area Host (sweeper) in Yukon in 1977. The scrambler was in Yukon Territory in 1976 and 1977. It was moved to Hometown for the 1978 season and Bugs Bunny's Fort Fun was build in the abandoned space.

Tech Services 1 · Post by **Tech Services 1** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:43 pm

I believe you can see the ride in Yukon in this pre-Fort-Fun picture:
http://www.greatamericaparks.com/images ... =60&pos=31

-PPG

sfgam · Post by **sfgam** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:53 am

Thanks. What was Industrial Revolution then?

Glorfindel7 · Post by **Glorfindel7** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:46 pm

sfgam wrote:Thanks. What was Industrial Revolution then?

It used to be known as the "Hilltopper" (But I wonder why it was renamed) a Himalaya type ride next to the Turn of the Century....

MGA1 · Post by **MGA1** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:36 pm

From what I remember (and this is only regarding the Gurnee park),

Yukon Yahoo (industry name: Bayer Kurve) originally opened in Yukon Territory and was later moved to Orleans Place under the name Delta Flyer.

Hilltopper (industry name: Himalaya) in County Fair was later renamed Industrial Revolution. If my memory serves me correctly, the ride was relocated slightly (less than 100 feet) in 1980 to make room for some of the Demon theme landscaping and that's when the Hilltopper was renamed. I don't know the official reason for the name change but I think it was partially due to guest confusion over another County Fair ride called the Hay Baler.

The Hay Baler (industry name: Alpine Bobs) was located in County Fair...roughly between Hometown's Little Red School House and the Sky Whirl.

sfgam · Post by **sfgam** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:24 am

Then wasn't Hilltopper moved to Southwest Territory when it opened and renamed Ricochet?

Glorfindel7 · Post by **Glorfindel7** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:41 pm

sfgam wrote:Then wasn't Hilltopper moved to Southwest Territory when it opened and renamed Ricochet?

No, that was the "Big Top"

sfgam · Post by **sfgam** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:57 am

Now that makes sence.

RLAiello · Post by **RLAiello** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:34 pm

To make it even MORE confusing...

The "Yukon Yahoo" in the Santa Clara park was moved to the same spot where "Hilltopper"/"Industrial Revolution" was in Gurnee. It still looks the same as it did when it was "Yukon Yahoo," in fact.

It's called "Berserker" in Santa Clara.