A roller coaster in the city has been a part of Portland history going back over a hundred years.  Sitting at the crown of Council Crest was Dreamland, the premier amusement park of the Northwest.  From 1905 to 1929, one of the earliest roller coasters circled the park.  It was designed by LaMarcus Adna Thompson, considered the father of all roller coasters.  Portland residents often would arrive by streetcar, still the favored form of public transportation in the city.  A similarity shared with the Rose Quarter site.

When the Jantzen Beach Amusement Park opened in 1928, it was the largest in the country.  The roller coaster built there was the biggest in the West and was its most popular attraction.  For over four decades, Portland residents enjoyed it's long drops and swooping curves.  The landmark was sadly destroyed in 1970 when the land owner sold the property to build a shopping mall.  Many local residents still remember the glory days of a world class roller coaster right in the city.