The first ever, known, water ride came out in 1894 in Illinois, down a preexisting hillside. Its popularity helped spread it. On 2 November 1895, San Francisco got their own Chutes ride. This was a 60 foot 18.28 meter structure where your special car, on a track, would come down at 60 mph 96.56 kmh, far faster than any car of the day. You would come down into the manmade lake. All without thought of any kind of safety for anyone. All for just ten cents adult, five cent children. This park was located between Haight and Waller Streets, Cole and Clayton Streets. The greater need for the now more expensive land forced the park to move.
As the Chutes owner already knew he would soon be loosing the Haight St lease, he was already looking for a new location to move to. Haight St closed in March 1902. In May 1902 they were ready to open their new location, between Fulton and Cabrillo Streets, 10th and 11th Avenues.
When the 1906 Earthquake struck, most of the downtown businesses were lost, creating the Fillmore District the new, important business district. With this in mind, The Chutes were once again moved, now to between Fillmore and Webster Streets, Eddy and Turk Streets.
This new location opened July 1909, and again, was very popular. Unfortunately, a major fire, in May 1911, caused too much damage and they closed.
As seen of the location 9 July 2022.
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