Last Day of Kiddieland

Our family was honored to have been invited to the ceremonial October 4th closing down of Kiddieland, one of Americas great amusement parks. Started in 1929, the suburban Chicago Kiddieland survived the Great Depression, a World War and countless other challenges only to fall to a family dispute. One small branch of the family wanted to sell the land. The other, larger branch wanted to keep the park alive. Money won.

Doesnt it always?

The folks who kept this park alive are the heroes of this story. They never publicly criticized the profit seekers who finally succeeded in forcing them off the land.

Another big box retailer, a Wal-Mart or a Costco or something similar will replace Kiddieland.

On the final Sunday they closed the park one ride at a time. The last three rides were The Big Dipper roller coaster, The Steam Train and the Merry-Go-Round. Cathy and I were present to witness the end of this era. I brought my video camera to record the final scenes, which I will give to the family.

This is a condensed version of what transpired.

Goodbye Kiddieland.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Mike
• Leonard

[lavergne100]

Thanks for posting that. I went to Kiddieland two years ago when I heard it would close. It really brought back memories. I wish someone or something (donor, park district etc) could pony up the cash to keep it going perhaps as a "historical landmark" or something. After all, the world has enough mini-malls.

[newsgod4life]

you know....what made amerca, america is slowly dissapering

[flatchyu]

Hollywood should make a movie about the closing of Kiddieland. How two sides of the same family owned Kiddieland. Grandpa tried to divide his estate fairly. One side inherited the rides and the other the land. The side that owned the land hated children and sold the land. Karma will get them.

[TheeeFreakss]

that is soo sad:(

[kittyhawkgirl109]

@newsgod4life indeed.... :/

[teddbear52]

so llong kiddie landd my brother screamed to go kiddle land in the 1967 from scinider school in the summer when it hot..

[TheChannel13tv]

i hate era endings disneyland better not close even if these stupid "subliminal messages" are found out i will if im ill enough ask doctors to put me down like a dog

[dumbcup]

now i m sad 

[pawpawnorth]

@TheFunluver101 It was in Melrose Park, a close northwest suburb of Chicago.

[Predatorocks]

Life is like the song Big Yellow Taxi. Nothing seems to last forever. "You never know what you got till it's gone." Enjoy stuff while you still can because it might be gone tomorrow.

[mohead138]

I'm in this at 3:12!!! (Red Kiddieland fleece to the right)