Libertyland demolition begins; salvageability of Zippin Pippin tested

Elvis and Anita Wood ride the Zippin' Pippin July 11, 1960

The track of the Zippin Pippin abruptly ends where a section was destroyed Monday morning. Robert Lipscomb, city director of Housing and Community Development, said the section was torn out to see if the famous roller coaster was salvageable. Demolition crews tore out a hunk of the Zippin Pippin Monday morning as part of the project to sweep away the remains of Libertyland. Only a chunk was torn out, to see if the famous roller coaster was salvageable, said Robert Lipscomb, city director of Housing and Community Development. Some city officials and community leaders have wondered if the wooden roller coaster, like the recently dismantled carousel, could be repaired and reinstalled somewhere else.

Lipscomb thinks that's unlikely.

'What they're going to do is analyze how bad it is and see if it can be salvaged. The timbers are really, really rotten', he said.

Steve Mulroy, a county commissioner and member of the nonprofit Save Libertyland, wasn't pleased that the city took action Monday.

'In the final analysis, it probably doesn't matter because we'd have to replace that wood anyway', he said. 'But the fact that they assured us they wouldn't touch the Pippin, and did anyway, is a little troubling'.

The abandoned Libertyland in August of this year.

Meanwhile, demolition will continue on the remains of Libertyland. Monday afternoon, bulldozers and cranes were at work in a corner of the park near the former Skeeball building. 'The stuff that is noncontroversial, we'll tear it down and clean it up', said Lipscomb, estimating that the work could be done within 30 days.

The city has been trying to figure out what to do with the Mid-South Fairgrounds site for several years.

Last year, city officials chose a plan backed by real estate developer Henry Turley to redevelop the area into a center for retail, entertainment and other purposes.

But disagreements over fees have slowed that project, leading officials to consider other alternatives.

The ownership of the coaster is even in dispute.

Save Libertyland says they own it after a previous developer, Carolina Crossroads, deeded it to them.

However, Mulroy said city officials told Save Libertyland to remove the coaster. When they didn't, Mulroy said, city officials claimed ownership. When asked who owned the ride, Lipscomb could only say, 'I have no idea', then added, 'If they own it, they need to get it moved'.

The Zippin' Pippin track 2002

Elvis Australia's David Troedson visits the Zippin' Pippin in 2002.

Zippin Pippin is a giant success
Zippin Pippin Open To The Public
It's Official ... Zippin Pippin Saved
Zippin' Pippin : Elvis' Favourite Ride Donated To Save Libertyland
Elvis' Favourite Roller Coaster Needs A Home
Elvis' Favourite Ride Sells For $ 2,500

Rollin' in the rocket : Elvis Presley & Anita Wood July 11, 1960
Interview with Anita Wood

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