Amusement Parks - A Chicago Stories Documentary
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Thrill-seeking Chicagoans have been lining up at local amusement parks for nearly a 150 years. From the early trolley parks of the nineteenth century, to the famous Ferris wheel of the World’s Fair, to the golden age of roller coasters, to the white-knuckle, gravity-defying rides of the modern age, the business of fun has always been central to Chicago. Beloved parks such as Riverview Park and Kiddieland, among others, served as a beacon for laughter, thrills, and childhood fun for a generation of Chicagoans.
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My family settled in Chicago in 1890. In the 1950s, my mom would ride her Bike to Riverview almost every weekend! She even did the parachute drop! OMG I did not inherit her fearlessness. This mother of four did the chutes, the Bobs, the American Eagle, the Beast in Kings Island, water-ski'd and even swam in the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Miss her so much.
The Kiddieland & Santa's Village segments really choked me up...
I went to Santa's village once and it was kind of in the back of my memories because I had no idea what it was called and I had no idea where it was because I was eight
Born in 1960 had the good fortune to go to them. Only remember going to Riverview once.
Kiddie Land or Kiddieland? Lol my family got sued over taking the name. Lincoln and Devon.
My grandparents took me to kiddieland all the time. I was born in 02 and I think we started going in 06 or 07. And it became a yearly thing to do every summer. The old time cars were my favorite ride by far, just such good memories.
WTTW never fails to make the best stuff. I'm from Naperville and lived in Chicago but I live in Southern California now and am very spoiled with amusement parks. I kind of forgot how much of a roller coaster enthusiast I am until I moved here
Well done, I went to Santa's Village as a little kid in the early 80's. My uncle worked at Marriott's Great America on opening day. He ran the log ride. My grandfather was a ticket tacker at the front gate, after being laid off from US Steel. I worked there in food service from 1990-1992, and again in warehouse in 2003. My brother was a sweeper for a season. My youngest brother was in merchandise for a season.
Worked at Kiddieland for 7 summers during late 70s/early 80s. Knew the family very well, so it was sad to see it end the way it did. A significant chapter in m life for one many reasons, one of which I met and married somebody that worked there for me. I knew two other couples from there, as well. Good times, but wish it ended differently.
Born in Chicago 1960 moved to Philly with mom in 1977 after divorce! Thank you for this! Chicago is my hometown! I will always remember the best childhood ever!❤😢
.........I last visited Riverview, June 1966 which was one year before it closed!! FUN, FUN, and More FUN!! Miss it for sure!!!
Riverview was also in Michigan, a Veteran brought rides to Michigan, Van Dyke, near Utica, MI ❤ fun.
Chicago born & bred 💙 Loved going to Riverview, in the 'sixties, riding the "BOB" & the spinning top where the floor falls from your feet, cotton candy, parachute ride, ah those where the days😊
My 2 summers working at Great America ('89-'90) were a dream. The kind of job that just consumes you, working 70 hours and then visiting as a guest on a day off. As manager of the Demon roller coaster, I would test ride it 10 times a day!
My Mom and Dad met at Riverview. He ran miniature trains. My earliest memories of park. We live down the street.
I'm from SE Michigan and we always made a 'Summer Trip' to "Cedar Point" in Sandusky, Ohio, for the roller coasters..!! Still one of the Greatest Amusement Parks... The 'Historic' wooden roller coaster "The Blue Streak" was #1 in the 70's... and was still the scariest ride in the Park, because of it's ridiculous safety bar..!! You raised your arms and held on with your knees... I'm amazed people didn't get tossed out...!! And it felt like the car was going to jump the tracks... SCARY STUFF that was Terrifying & Exciting as a Child...!!
My memories as small buy in the mid 60s include visits to Riverview and Kiddyland. I remember also hearing that Riverview had shut down. While in high school, I went on a memorable date at Old Chicago. An indoor amusement park was great idea for a place with Chicago’s weather, especially back then.
Moved to Ft Sheridan in '63 and had the opportunity to enjoy Riverview several times before it closed in '67. And I'm right down the road from Ravinia, a great place during the season. The train stops right at its doorstep. Cheers....
I never knew the origins of Ravinas name .
That video was so much fun!!!
I recall Fun Town as a kid in Chicago in the 70's, and enjoyed Great America in the 80's.
Don't forget...We Have To Sing The Jingle For "Fun Town"! Thanks for sharing that Chicago memory!!
Sad to see so many cities around the country today devoid of any genuine amusement parks.
I would love to go back in time and visit these former parks.
I would 💙 to see a doc/vid from this channel on "Old Chicago" . It was an Indoor amusement park in Chicago area that closed around 1980. I was a little boy then , excited to see the cool place My oldest sister had gone to on her class trip there the summer prior. My Family got there to find a recently closed venue , rides and everything still intact and lit up. The perimeter shops within the building were open for biz still. We all looked through the Giant windows at the rides with sad hearts.
I have many fond memories of my family and I spending many summer days at Riverview Park. It was a very sad day when it was sold and closed up.😪
I remember Adventureland and old chicago
I went to Kiddy Land as a child, I took my children in the 80’s and 90’s! I so wish I could have taken my grand children 😢
I remember going as a kid but I don't remember where it was. Could you tell me where it was?
😢😢😢...this has brought back some amazing memories!!!😢😢😢😢!!!! I'm overwhelmed!
We lived on the west side near Western ave. We’d take CTA straight north down Western till we saw the parachutes. Everyone on the bus would get excited to see Riverview a few blocks down.
Sadly, I was born the year it was born down. But my elders told me about it. I grew up in Garfield Park.
Correction, torn down.
Riverview was fun. Old Chicago. Indoor amusement Park. Fun town. "Fun town, Fun town for the kids and you; 95th and Stony Island Ave; Fun town"!
Yes!! All 3! You have me dancing to the Fun Town jingle!! "South Side😅!!
I remember going to Riverview as a young child. Also Santa's Village. The one I remember the most is Adventure Land. They had a rollercoaster called The Comet and I rode it several times in a row! Those were the days!!! 😂
We grew up with Kiddieland as we lived just a couple miles away, i used to go skating at the North Avenue Roller Rink right behind Kiddieland, our parents took us to the North Avenue outdoor, now it's all gone and there is a huge Costco there, sad.
Thanks for the memories.
Fun Town, Fun Town for the kids and youuuuu. 95th and Stoney Island Avenue…Fun Town. The theme song. As a child I vaguely remember Riverview and we walked to Fun Town, As an adult I took my daughter to Santa’s Village and Kiddie Land
Had a few area "residents" try to Rob me in the bathroom there. Dad wondered why I was taking so long and rescued me. That's the last time we went there.
Great documentary
I remember Balland across from Kiddieland... Great Batting Cages and Go carts!!!
I just love Chicago. It's a city that has so much to offer. ❤❤❤
Kiddieland was a great amusement park, especially for local families with small kids. No need to drive all the way out to Gurnee, and much more cost effective. Too bad the land in the end was used for just another Costco.
Great video.🔥💯🎯
Loved this documentary! Riverviews carousel was moved to Six Flags over Georgia so you can still ride it if you want!
Riverview was wonderful.
Time to watch this
What a wonderful documentary. I have never been to Chicago, but I could feel the emotion and love the people have for the city and its many amusement parks.
Me too! I love this channel!
World's fair 1933 ferriswheel is under Detroits' uniroyal tire... true
I remember going to Hawthorn Mellody Farm's =Wild West Town. There was a train that went across Rt.60 from the Cuneo Estate. Also does anyone remember BounceLand near Lincoln Village and out in Elgin is Trout Park, what was an amusement trolley park.
My Father talked about Riverview up until his death
The Riverview carousel is now located at Six Flags Atlanta and the Kiddieland carousel is in Connecticut at Sonnys place. Both rides are restored.
Enchanted Forest and Playland.
I Was Born In ILL And I Remember Of Some of those Parks.
42:59 95th S Stony Island Fun Town closed in 1982
Kiddie land was dope
No mention of the Old Chicago experiment. Or Adventureland.
Adventure Land was not in Addison. It was located in Bloomingdale.
Chicago couldn't have a Riverview now.....
forget about the kiddie rides look at that list of performers for one week at kinetic playground!!! talk about a joy ride!!!!
I feel so lucky to live only 25 minutes from the Ghostrider rollercoaster at Knott's Berry Farm. Love coasters.........
...this presentation, like others before it, present something that for the last almost 60 years has no existence for anyone 65 or younger. How/what are people viewing this documentary supposed to feel or say after viewing ? "I wish" comes to mind, but then, isn't that self-defeating, as the answer to that wish is "never".
Does anyone know where this was shot? It's a Milwaukee-area amusement park. ruclips.net/video/Q3BEZUkHdd8/видео.html
Chilaga
The Aerostats never broke off and flew into the river. That’s not true
The accident occurred in 1937 when The Aerostat broke off from its cable injuring 8 with two going in to the river and killing two. It is clearly stated in Chuck Wlodarzck's book,"Riverview Park- Gone but not forgotten"- page 97 under accidents section.
Norm you are correct. Not sure how or why rumors like this get started but yes it DID happen. The accident happend in 1937 and is well documented in Chicago newspaper archives as well. Lastly we confirmed this with a former employee of Riverview, purchasing agent Chuck Symczak, who was working at the park when this happened.
Never been to kiddieland
56 I've never been to Santa's village
I wish i could have sceen riverview it closed the year I was born
Was it racist, or did it possibly expose people for the first time to other cultures?!
What's the big whoop
They volunteered to be on the cage.
Dumbest argument ever 😅
There were many slaves that after Civil War wanted to remain slaves because situation was still horrible as a free slave...duh
People will do anything for money to survive including exploit themselves if need be...But your good with that I'm sure 😅
White City sounds pretty Boring 😏
They mentioned 11:22
Luna Park, near back of the yards. But forgot to say it was owned by Catherine and Patrick O'Leary's son Jim O'Leary.
from the Chicago fire O'Leary family🎢🛼
Notice the long time Chicago stories narrator Anthony Fleming lll of PBS, wttw. All his commentary seems to have this array of wonderment, like the voice behind the curtain in wizard of oz and not in a positive, cheerful way, something more sinister throughout all the documentaries. Ugh.
WTTW always with the racism. We know shit was not good back then, why keep bringing up the past?
I shut it off immediately after they said that and was thinking the same thing. Enough...
Facts are facts
@@3ravines275 How about you let go of your racism first?
You're watching a documentary about the PAST
@@Pandaluver67899 a documentary about amusement parks, not racism. But unfortunately, wttw can't seem to decide