Columbia Gardens, Butte, MT
Roller Coaster

Council Crest, Portland, OR
Scenic Railway

Fun Forest, Seattle, WA
Galaxy and Wild Mouse

Happyland, Vancouver, BC
Giant Dipper

Jantzen Beach, Portland, OR
Big Dipper

Luna Park, Seattle, WA
Figure 8

Nat Park, Spokane, WA
Scenic Railway & Jack Rabbit

Oaks Park, Portland, OR
Monster Mouse and Zip coaster

Playland, Coeur d' Alene, ID
Playland Pier amusement rides

Playland, Seattle, WA
Giant Dipper

Playland, Vancouver, BC
Super Big Gulp

White City, Bellingham, WA
Roller Coaster

White City, Seattle, WA
Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster, White City, Bellingham, WA

Roller Coaster

This postcard is post marked December 27, 1909. The name of the coaster is, Roller Coaster which was a typical Figure 8 model that could be found in most White City's and Luna Park chains around the country.

This particular White City opened in 1906 and closed in 1912. In the early 1900's (1903) Bellingham's common industries were "canneries, coal mines, lumber and shingle mills" which "ringed the bay smoke from their stacks billowing skyward, sometimes thick enough to obliterate the view between Whatcom and Fairhaven." This left locals with a strong desire and need to get away from the city to a clean area to socialize and relax.

The Lake Line streetcar was a method in being able to get away from the filthy city and visit places such as White City Amusement Park. The park was a favorite destination and the last stop on the line. According to an article in the Bellingham Herald (October 20, 2003),

"White City amusement park, the last stop on the Lake Line streetcar, was a favorite destination in the early years following Bellingham's consolidation. Built along Lake Whatcom's north shore, the amusement park sported an impressive wooden roller coaster, plus a hotel, dance hall and an ice cream parlor.

Humphrey Griggs, 94, remembers White City well.

"If you didn't have a car, you had to take the streetcar out there," he said. "You could go on the Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round and eat hot dogs."

Though the park operated for only a short time, it did provide an excellent source of escape for the locals who led hard-driven lives. So, it would seem it was more of a success than the other short-lived White City and Luna Park in Seattle.