American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) recognizes Tornado at Adventureland as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historic significance.
Adventureland founder Jack Krantz (1929-2006) wanted a thrilling new roller coaster to bring attention to his young park that opened in 1974. He chose William J. Cobb (1917-1990), who had helped to design three previous wooden coasters for theme parks but now was asked to create a traditional-style out-and-back wooden roller coaster for the new Iowa theme park. It was appropriately named Tornado because the park suffered damage by a tornado before opening for its inaugural season.
Erected by the Frontier Construction Company, Cobb's very first solo coaster creation reaches a height of 93 feet and includes eight airtime-producing drops along the beautiful white structure's 2,640 feet of track. The coaster features two four-car, 24-passenger trains from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc., which offer traditional lap bars to allow riders to experience Tornado's floating airtime. It opened to the public on July 4, 1978, quickly becoming the park's signature attraction, and was the first wooden coaster to be built in Iowa in 30 years.
ACE salutes Adventureland for continuing to maintain, preserve and treasure this classic wooden roller coaster experience for generations of thrill seekers.
Presented during the 2024 ACE Preservation Conference and
Adventureland's 50th anniversary season
August 17, 2024