Vtg 1918 Pippin Roller Coaster Photos Wildwood White Bear MN WWI Doughboy Snow For Sale

This offering features an exceptional pair of original vintage photographs capturing a rare, off-season winter view of Wildwood Amusement Park on the southeast shore of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The images provide a striking historical record of the park during the World War I era, circa 1917 to 1919.

The primary point of historical interest is the clear view of the park's massive wooden roller coaster, locally known as the Pippin, designed by the renowned Fred W. Pearce Company. Original photography of this defunct coaster is highly sought after by amusement park historians, as Wildwood—originally operated as a trolley park by the Twin Cities Rapid Transit Company to boost weekend streetcar ridership—was eventually dismantled in the 1930s. Seeing the coaster and its complex wooden trestles surrounded by a frozen landscape offers a unique perspective rarely found in typical summer tourist souvenirs.

Adding significant crossover value to the lot is the presence of a World War I U.S. Army soldier walking along the snow-covered lakeside boardwalk. The soldier is dressed in a standard Doughboy uniform, featuring the distinctive M1912 high-collared service tunic, the classic Montana Peak campaign hat, and wrapped puttees over riding breeches. He is accompanied by a female companion in period winter fashion, providing a poignant glimpse into homefront military life and leisure during the Great War.

The second photograph in the pair offers a complementary perspective, looking back along the snowy boardwalk toward the rustic, multi-story hillside structures of the park. Together, these two exposures create a comprehensive and highly detailed narrative of a lost Minnesota landmark and a specific era in American military history, making them a premium addition to any dedicated collection of Twin Cities regional history, early roller coaster architecture, or World War I homefront photography.