The Tucson Citizen called it “a slide-ride with a whing-ding of a hill-thrill on South Alvernon Way.” It was the Magic Carpet Slide, which opened in September 1968. The slide was 35 feet tall and 165 feet long. The owners said you could reach 35 mph in your burlap bag. Cost for a thrill ride: 10 cents. Go to tucson.com/retrotucson to see more photos.
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Throwback Thursday
Throwback Thursday: Magic Carpet's wild slide
Children zoom down the 165-foot Magic Carpet Slide on North Alvernon Way near East 22nd Street in 1968 at speeds approaching 35 miles per hour.
The Magic Carpet slide opened in 1968 on Alvernon Way, south of 22nd Street in Tucson.
Vintage clip of Judy Collins performing "Both Sides Now" with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops in 1976.
Explore the history and culture of downtown Tucson with reporter Neto Portillo.
Volunteers want to preserve fantasyland's magic and heritage for future generations
