Designed by John Allen and
constructed by Hunt's Pier staff, the Golden Nugget was a custom
built enclosed coaster and Hunt's premier ride for the 1960
season. A runaway mine car will whisk you through a western
frontier complete with cowboys and Indians. Once up the lift
hill, you would be taken on a short jaunt atop the structure
where you could view an old prospector panning for gold... a
covered wagon and the boot hill graveyard just before being
dropped down the bottomless shaft! (Well, not really). As
you fly through the interior you would encounter many of Bill
Tracy's creations - miners and skeletons…giant bats and
buzzards…even the classic near head-on collision with another
mine car. Additional visual effects by Tracy included toppling
barrels, collapsing mineshafts, trick waterfall, and a roll
through a spinning barrel of golden nuggets. This classic dark ride will live on in the hearts and memories of all who had the pleasure to ride.
