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Kiddieland - Melrose Park, IL

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A Kiddieland Sunset

I took this photo at the Kiddieland amusement park in Melrose Park, Illinois. It was sunset on our family's last visit to the final season of the 81-year-old family amusement park. The colors on the horizon looked so perfect next to the neon lights of the "Little Dipper" roller coaster. What a beautiful sunset for the ending of an era of history in Chicago. Find out more about this little amusement park that gave joy to so many children for the better part of a century.

Roots in the Great Depression

Kiddieland started as an escape for kids during the Great Depression. The 1929 attraction featured six ponies: For a few cents, parents could purchase a pony ride for their kids.

The Site of Kiddieland, Melrose Park, IL

1929 - 2009

Where was Kiddieland?

KiddieLand's New Home

Kiddieland Memories Have A New Home at Flickr

With the advent of photo-sharing sites like Flickr, many online images of Kiddieland can be shared. Members like "The Adventures of Girl Detective" have done a particularly spectacular job of visually capturing Kiddieland's final memories.

Here are some of the Kiddieland memories that I've shared on Flickr.

Oisin at Kiddieland by laschofield2001
Oisin in a pushcar at Kiddieland by laschofield2001
Oisin Driving a car at Kiddieland by laschofield2001
Oisin and Liam on the rafts at Kiddieland by laschofield2001
Grainne on the KIddieland Train by laschofield2001
Oisin driving a Kiddieland car. by laschofield2001
Oisin at Kiddieland by laschofield2001
Grainne on a spaceship at Kiddieland by laschofield2001
Grainne and Oisin - Kiddieland by laschofield2001
curated content from Flickr

September 27, 2009

Tickets on the final rides at Kiddieland are currently being auctioned at their website. September 27, 2009, is the final day that Kiddieland will welcome visitors.

Countdown to Kiddieland's Final Day

Kiddieland's Final Day: September 27, 2009

1962

Kiddieland's original pony ring wasn't removed until 1962, when it was replaced with the "Scooters".

1929

The year that Arthur Fritz opened the Kiddieland amusement park.

Kiddieland in the blogs

Individual stories

Kiddieland gave loads of people happy memories. What are they blogging about it?
Carousel for Kiddieland
Kiwanis Club member Dan Mortimer and Carthage High School Key Club Members Aakash Patel and Jose Marroquin work on painting and restoring pieces of a carousel the Kiwanis Club plans to install at Kiddieland Park in Municipal Park this spring.
Sharon Osbourne & David Arquette Unveil Disney Junior Toy Line During Toy Fair ...
... figures and feature plush from Fisher Price; role play sets, accessories, plush and dolls from Just Play; interactive board games from Wonder Forge; children's electronics from VTech; ride-ons from Kiddieland; and bikes and scooters from Huffy, ...
App shows nearly 30 sex offenders, family wants to move
The Misener's live within walking distance from the Warsaw Public Library, Central Lake, McDonalds and Central Park which has a sign that reads, "Kiddie Land." "You never know if the guy standing next to the swing set is a sex offender," Bonnie Misener ...
WBCA CARNIVAL SPONSORED BY MCDONALD'S RETURNS TO LAREDO
Popular rides such as the Zipper, the Spin-Out, the Kami-Kazi and more are sure to challenge thrill seekers of all ages; meanwhile, the little ones can enjoy rides on the bumper cars, the Tilt-A-Whirl, Giant Wheel, a World Class Kiddie Land and more!
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September 27, 2009

An estimated 4,000 people turned out for Kiddieland's final day of operations.

The KiddieLand Obituaries

Many articles are covering the sad farewall to Kiddieland

Its somewhat reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who's getting choked up about some carnival rides closing down. Kiddieland represents a more innocent time to many. It was also the last of its kind in the area. There are no more small parks like it, geared to little tots. Remembering Kiddieland is bringing back fond childhood memories for many people and these are the sort of memories you don't want paved over for a strip mall. Chicago newspapers are full of obituaries for the Melrose Park Kiddieland Amusement Park. Here are a few:

Emotional Ending For Kiddieland - Vikki Ortiz Healy, Chicago Tribune, September 22, 2009

Kiddieland - 80 Years Of Fun To End - Chicago Tribune Photo Gallery, various dates and photographers

Kiddieland Closing - Chicago, America Losing Its Childhood -- Personal Money Store, Sept. 5, 2009

Rumors Abound About KiddieLand Site - Chuck Fieldman, Proviso Herald, September 10, 2009

Thousands Bid Goodbye to Kiddieland - CBS News, September 14, 2009

Kiddieland Drags Its Dirt-Smuded Keds Into That Good Night - Marisa Wegrzyn, Chainsaw Calligraphy, September 24, 2009

Kiddieland Prepares For Last Weekend - Mary Jo Maffei, Chicago Breaking Tweets, September 24, 2009

Farewell To Kiddieland - Zero Effects Blog, September 25, 2009

Friday Flashback: Kiddieland - Karl Klockers, The Chicagoist, September 25, 2009

Chicago Kiddieland Closes This Weekend ... And it is SAD! - Buddy Holly Moss & Dean's Team Chicago, Lil' Buddie's Blog, September 25, 2009

Kiddieland: Goodbye to Melrose Park amusement park - Leonard Tomasello, Chicago Tribune, September 26, 2009

Big Turnout For Kiddieland's Last Day - Georgia Garvey, Chicago Breaking News, September 27, 2009

Last Ride For Kiddieland - Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun Times, September 28, 2009

Kiddieland Has An Emotional Last Day - Georgia Garvey and Steve Brosinski, Chicago Tribune, September 27, 2009

A Last Farewell To Kiddieland - Lee Bey's Chicago - Beyond the Boat Tour, June 29, 2010

Costco Announces Intent To Purchase The Former Kiddieland Site

November 2009 - Costco announces its intent to purchase the former site of Kiddieland in Melrose Park, IL for its 7th location within a 15-mile radius.

The Volcano Play Center

Kiddieland's "Volcano Playcenter" was designed and built in 1978.

Kiddieland Fans Unite

Yahoo and Facebook Groups Explode with Kiddieland Attendees, past and present

There are plenty of groups where Kiddieland fans can commiserate and reconnect online. Some of these are on Yahoo groups, others are on Facebook.

Kiddieland Fun - Kiddieland remains somewhat of a generic name for small amusement parks devoted mainly to children, but beloved by many adults as well. Some gave gone and others remain. Share your favorite photos and memories. Join now and post news. Come on in. Admission is free. I hope to add many urls in the links section and photos for fans as time goes by and work on this page progresses.

RIP Kiddieland - If you remember going to kiddieland as a kid. Share your memories here.

Save Kiddieland - KiddieLand surviving the 1929 depression, feuding over family issues closing down generations of family memories???

Kids Against Kiddieland Park Closing - Kiddieland Park in Melrose Park is officially closing Sept 27, 2009. =(

The Disney World of her youth

Hillary Clinton reminisces about Kiddieland

In an online column from January 1, 2008 former US First Lady and Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton, remembers Kiddieland.

"This spring, while driving to a speech at Triton College - a community college in River Grove that my mother once attended - I looked out the window and saw Kiddieland, the Walt Disney World of my childhood. On one or two special Sundays a year, my parents or grandparents would treat my brothers and me to a visit. I can picture the three of us in our Sunday best - my brothers sporting those little clip-on ties - lining up for pony rides, the roller coaster and carnival games." - Hillary Clinton, January 1, 2009, Talking It Over

Kiddieland Memorabilia on eBay

Own a piece of Kiddieland's history

Kiddieland was around for 81 years in Melrose Park. See what sort of collectibles and memorabilia are available for sale on eBay's auctions.
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History of the American Amusement Park Experience

Chicagoland Amusement Parks of Yesteryear

These books provide photos and commentary on the great vintage amusement parks of America. Riverview had been Chicago's largest amusement park until it closed in 1967. Kiddieland itself is both pictured and reported on in the book, American Amusement Park.
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The Elephant Ride

The Elephant Ride was originally installed as a Helicopter Ride back in 1957. The "helicopters" were eventually replaced with elephants.

The Final Rides Up For Auction and a Team Member Reunion

Purchase an experience and a piece of history

KiddieLand's Official Website has quite a few goings on for its loyal patrons.

You can bid on a guaranteed spot on your favorite ride when it takes it's final spin Some of the rides, particularly the trains and the merry-go-round are fetching prices up to $500 per seat!! Some rides have more bids than there are seats available. Others, like the "Kiddie Swings" are only 1/5 full. A Closing Ceremony for the park will be conducted on Sunday, October 4. This event will include retirement of all the rides, with the winning bidders getting to claim their piece of Kiddieland history, the final rides.

The Saturday, October 3, is a special Kiddieland Team Member Reunion, limited to 2500 guests and at the cost of $50 a pop. This cost covers admission, unlimited rides and soda pop, an alumni t-shirt and a bronze commemorative alumni coin. Alumni can purchase family and guests tickets for the discounted rate of $20 each. This event is first-come, first served.

'The End of Charming'

A photo exhibit by Bob Blinn

The End of Charming - Bob BlinnThe Bob Blinn photo exhibit, "The End of Charming", is hanging in Chicago's Columbia College library through the end of March 2010 and shows to the world the final demise of Kiddieland. The nine-photo exhibit conveys the "sense of loss" that Blinn felt as the rides were slowly dismantled at the amusement park he visited as a child. Blinn describes his photos as "bleak" and "conveying a sense of desolation."

' "Everything about that sign is from a bygone era. The way the kids are swinging on the pole, the way they're dressed," he said. "There aren't many things you see lately that remind you of the old days." ' - Bob Blinn (Photographer Provides One More Look At Kiddieland Before No Trace Is Left - Oak Leaves, J.T. Morand, February 18, 2010 )

The Rides At Kiddieland

Home Videos of the Rides at Kiddieland

The Little Dipper - installed 1950 (designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company)
The Log Flume - post 1977
Bumper Cars - 1960s (replaced the original pony ride)
Miniature Steam Locomotives - 1940
German Carousel - 1940
Flying Saucers
Roto Whip - 1940
Kiddieland Little Dipper Warm Up!
by IggyACE | video info

9 ratings | 9,072 views
curated content from YouTube

More KiddieLand Rides

Not to forget anyone's favorite

Boat Ride
Elephant Ride - 1957 - Originally a helicopter ride, the helicopter cars were replaced with elephants
"Race-A-Bouts" Gasoline-Powered Car Ride - 1980s
Mini Tilt-A-Whirl
Mushroom Ride - 1979
Spaceship Ride
Dune Buggies - 1971
Little Ferris Wheel
The Galleon - 1986
Kiddieland boat ride
by jsl099 | video info

0 ratings | 81 views
curated content from YouTube

Newest Ride

The "Dip 'N Drop" was the last ride installed at Kiddieland. It found a home there after the year 2000 in the new millenium.

And MORE Kiddieland Rides

There are over 30 of them..

Merry Go Round
First Merry Go Round for Violet at Kiddie Land
by MeemawsMovies | video info

0 ratings | 211 views
curated content from YouTube

What happened to the Kiddieland rides?

Where can you find them now?

The vintage rides at Kiddieland were impeccably maintained. Although Kiddieland itself was closed down, you can still find some of the rides around at various locations.

Kiddieland's Miniature Diesel Train

A 1950s Gasoline-Powered Replica

Kiddieland Miniature Railroad CrossingEddie's Rail Fan Page: Silent Digital Video: The Kiddieland Limited departing the boarding station. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois. June 2007.

As you can see, Kiddieland's value went beyond childhood memories and smiles. The vintage fixtures at the park also held unique historical value.

Eddie has several blog postings about his farewell to Kiddieland you should check out.

"I photographed this silent digital video after work one Friday evening, in June of 2007. It is early in the 2007 summer season at Kiddieland. The 1950's era Kiddieland Limited gasoline powered diesel replica steamliner passenger train, departs from the boarding station for a counter clockwise lap around the amusement park perimeter.

Kiddieland's track guage was 14" between the rails on their miniature railroad. "

"I took this photo, on a July 1985 visit to the Kiddieland Amusement Park in northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois. This is one of the few operating miniature railroad crossing signals, that warns both motorist and pedestrians alike in the east parking lot, that the 14" Guage Kiddieland Limited amusement park train is approaching the crossing."

In Jim O'Connor's article, "The Last Miniature Railroad" The story of Chicago's Final Fallen Flag, O'Connor details the history of Kiddieland and the arrival of the steam-powered Wagner miniature locomotive in 1941. A 4-8-4 northern locomotive was also ordered at that time, but had delivery stalled for 9 years due to World War II and the subsequent backlog the Wagner & Son Manufacturing Company experienced.

An MTC G-16 was ordered from the Miniature Train Company of Addison, IL in 1948. The G-16 was modeled after GM's F-2 and had the look of the diesel engines of its time. A gasoline-powered "C" unit (#704) was ordered in 1953 and replaced Kiddieland's original steam Wagner engine, which was sold to the Hesston Steam Museum where it continues to operate on most summer weekends to this day.

More information can be found at a site dedicate to the Kiddieland Trains .

Kiddieland's Last Hurrah

Kiddieland DemolitionKiddieland Demolition began as Costco got ready to move into its new home on June 28, 2010.

Kiddieland Sign by pixeljones
Kiddieland Sign by pixeljones
Kiddieland Sign by pixeljones
Kiddieland Sign by pixeljones
IMG_4406 by dkaz
020102 - Field Trips by sectionz
IMG_4424 by dkaz
IMG_4431 by dkaz
curated content from Flickr

Historic Touches

The Merry-Go-Round was at one time repainted by Fred Johnson, the American master of circus and carnival art.

What is your favorite Kiddieland Memory

Special moments at Kiddieland

What is your fondest memory of Kiddieland? Mine is hearing the joyous exclamations of my kids when a Kiddieland commercial would come on and they would let me know which cartoon character would be visiting the park that weekend. That and just the lazy summer days spent with the kids completely enjoying themselves. My 2-year-old son especially loved the train and the cars on the track. My youngest one was too little too enjoy it. My daughter enjoyed the merry-go-round and the roller coasters. My 11-year-old liked the bumper cars and the log ride.

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Thanks For The Memories

Goodbye Kiddieland. We'll miss you!

Immortalize Your KiddieLand Memories

Print them on a cap, a shirt, a coffee cup, a calendar, bumpersticker..

Online store Cafe Press can print a multitude of products: tshirts, infant onesies, bibs, caps, posters, wall clocks, bumper stickers, coffee cups, calendars, mouse pads, stickers, buttons, magnets, tote bags, greeting cards, sweatshirts, hoodies and more. The best thing about this is you don't have to submit a minimum order and you can upload your images directly from your computer. Kiddieland images are really cool in a retro way. And a coffee mug of the Kiddieland sign or a calendar of images of you and the grandkids at Kiddieland might be perfect for your parent who also has childhood memories of this Chicago attraction.

It can be kind of tricky for a non-graphic artist to prepare and submit images that will come out as planned. Cafe Press offers some help with getting your images to print at a high quality and appropriate size. You should consult their product template guide to see what dimensions will give you an appropriate size for your product of choice. Having the right dimensions isn't all though: you also need to have the right resolution.

DPI stands for Dots Per Inch

You need to be careful about the DPI of your image if you don't want blurry or choppy images.


Make Your Own TShirts with CafePress

Create Your Own Page Of Lasting Memories

Or just spotlight how much you know about something else.

Sign up at Squidoo and start your own lens! Share your memories, create your own KiddieLand Tribute Page or anything else. Be sure to let me know when you sign up. I'll pop by and have a look!

Please sign the guestbook

Leave your farewell message to KiddieLand

Lots of people are greatly saddened to see a part of Chicago history like Kiddieland closing down. Leave a note and let everyone know why it was special to you.

Contact Laura Schofield

*If you would like to suggest any links or have your own photos and / or stories published, please send me an email. I can be contacted through my personal homepage, laura-schofield.com. If you enjoy the work I've done here, I do offer professional copy writing, photo restoration / manipulation, search engine optimization and web design services. I can again be contacted for any of these services through my website.

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  • Reply
    Sami4u Dec 3, 2010 @ 9:57 pm | delete
    Hi,

    I love amusement parks, Blessed :)
  • Reply
    LauraSchofield Dec 4, 2010 @ 9:36 am | delete
    Thanks for the blessing! This was a special park for us with some very good memories. I've even gotten emails from people wondering if there is going to be a photo book published with images from Kiddieland. A lot of people were sad to see it go.
  • Reply
    Ruth Plencner Jun 29, 2010 @ 6:17 pm | delete
    Ruth Plencner
  • Reply
    dagsmith Jun 20, 2010 @ 11:07 pm | delete
    A great lens. I never visited Kiddieland, but I have memories of similar parks in Pennsylvaniia and was proud to take my kids there to relive my memories. I hope those parks will last till I can bring the grandkids. Great lens.
  • Reply
    Donna Kowal Oct 5, 2009 @ 12:36 pm | delete
    Thank You kiddieland for making my childhood a fun one!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so greatful to have been able to take my children and granddaughter there to experience what i did!!!! I will miss kiddieland GREATLY!!!!!!!!!!!Thank you for the MEMORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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LauraSchofield

Laura Schofield was able to take her children to the final season of Melrose Park's Kiddieland in 2009. After just a few visits to the park, her family... more »

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