Old "Ragin' Cajun" coaster platform

In the old days of the Pontchartrain Beach amusement park, this was where people got on to ride the roller coaster called the "Ragin' Cajun." It is the only remaining ride structure on the property. The park closed in 1983.

That is actually the loading platform for the Ponchartrain Beach gondola. Check the huge concrete anchor to the west if you doubt me. That was one of the anchor points for one end of the gondola tension wire. If I remember correctly, the Ragin Cajun loaded at ground level. I believe this building was condemned pre-Katrina, but no one has ever gotten around to tearing it down. Great site for a catamaran club.

Sorry, but I must differ with you. I remember riding the Ragin' Cajun in the early 80's before the park closed - this was the loading platform. It took the place of the Wild Mouse which was on the same spot. It is nearly identical to the loading platform for the ride now called the Ragin' Cajun at Dixie Landin’ Amusement Park in Baton Rouge. The gondola ride of which you speak did not reach that far west in the park.

More information on the old Ragin' Cajun coaster is available at the following link: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~rhb/dixie.html Scroll down the paragraph on the Ragin' Cajun - there is a link to another photo of the same structure.

I went to the University of New Orleans for my first year of college, which is right near by here. I spent a lot of time in this building, reading and writing and staring at the water. It's been ten years since I've been there, but I think about it often. I have many keep-sakes from being down by the lake: an owl skull from an abandoned nest in the walls, a preying mantis that a wasp laid eggs on, and a length of brass chain from an old sail boat that I keep my keys on. I don't know when this picture is from, but when I was there the building was covered in gang graffiti, and the building in the background wasn't there yet. Thanks for reminding me of a neat place and giving some of it's history.

A photo of the gondola boarding area can be found here:

http://www.pontchartrainbeach.com/

Here are some more interesting photos:

http://www.stphilipneri.org/teacher/pontchartrain/section.php?id=207

And more here. Hit Ragin' Cajun and click pictures:

http://www.rcdb.com/pd216.htm

On the link I posted just above the third photo clearly show the above structure as part of the Ragin' Cajun.

This is cool as well:

http://www.demajo.net/pontchartrain_beach/

It's all gone and a ruin now. Hit hard by Katrina, a pityful sight.

i was here in 1982 or so. i just cant believe how it looks now. at least part of the roller coaster is left. thanks for posting it.

July, 2010 - As of now, the structure no longer exists. It has been torn down.

A little more history for you, THE roller coaster at Pontchatrain Beach was known as "The Zephyr"!