Kiddieland Amusement Park (stylized as "KiDDieLAND") was an amusement park located at the corner of North Avenue and First Avenue in Melrose Park, Illinois. It was home to several classic rides including the Little Dipper roller coaster, which opened in 1950. The park closed on September 27, 2009, and was demolished in 2010 to make way for a new Costco store. The sign for the amusement park was relocated to the Melrose Park Public Library, where it can be seen in the parking lot.
Kiddieland started out as a small venture of Arthur Fritz, a local builder and contractor, in 1929 when he purchased six ponies and offered rides to local children. He realized parents would often save a few pennies in order to provide their children entertainment during the Great Depression. Miniature gasoline-powered cars were added a few years later after Fritz learned that they were being given away to children by a Chicago newspaper as a subscription promotion. By the 1930s, Fritz was calling his collection of amusements Kiddieland; the attractions were primarily sized and geared towards younger children.
In 1940, the German Carousel, two miniature steam locomotives, the Little Auto Ride, the Roto Whip and the Ferris wheel were added. The Roto Whip and Ferris wheel would remain as rides until the park's closing. The park saw its first major expansion in the 1950s with the addition of the Little Dipper and the merry-go-round. Fritz's adult children also became more involved in the park at this time. The 1960s saw bumper cars replace the original pony ride, as well as the unexpected death of Fritz in 1967.[1]
The park transferred ownership in 1977, as three of Fritz's grandchildren took over the park and its operation. The park continued its expansion over the next several decades and installed several major attractions, including a Log flume, a swinging pirate ship, a 40-foot (12 m) long water coaster, and numerous other attractions.
Closure
A dispute developed between Shirley and Glenn Rynes, who owned the land that Kiddieland occupied, and Ronald Rynes, Jr. and Cathy and Tom Norini, who owned the amusement park itself.[2] The landowners sued the park owners in 2004, claiming that the park had an improper insurance policy and that fireworks were prohibited in the lease. The case was thrown out in a Cook County court and later in an appeals court. The landowners declined to extend the lease on the land in early 2009.[2][3] In late June 2010, it was announced that Kiddieland would be demolished, nine months after the park closed to the public. A Costco store now occupies the land.[4]
Image gallery
Rides and Attractions
Ride
Year opened
Year closed
Description
Boats
1949
2009
Tractors
1958
1988
Five gas-powered tractors could be driven between guardrails (not on tracks) by children with an optional standing platform in back for adults. Tractors were painted two green to represent John Deere, three red to represent International Harvester and one yellow to represent Allis-Chalmers. Tractors were not sold at the closing auction. The family kept one; as of 2020 Thoosie Rocco Casella owns another; some additional trucks were located at a private collector's house when the Kiddieland firetrucks were resecued in 2022.
Dune Buggies
1971
2009
Large Ferris Wheel
1940
2009
Relocated to Nelis' Dutch Village. It was combined with a reproduction of the de Grosmolen windmill in Hoogmade, Netherlands and renamed Harry's Windmill Ride.[5]
Flying Saucers
1966
2009
Galleon
1986
2009
Supposedly relocated to Edaville Family Theme Park in Carver, Massachusetts. However, it has not been seen in the park.
A 14 in (356 mm) gauge miniature railway with two steam locomotives. One, a 4-6-4 Hudson, was built in 1941 and the other, a 4-8-4 Northern, was built in 1949. The Hudson was sold to Hesston Steam Museum in the 1980s. The Northern stayed at Kiddieland until 2009 and was bought by Bill McEnery of Gas City. The Northern was leased by McEnery to the Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana and operated for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. The Northern was purchased outright by the Museum after McEnery filed for bankruptcy.
Kiddieland Limited Diesel Engines
1953
2009
Two diesel-powered engines built between 1950 and 1953. The diesels have disappeared from public knowledge since the park closed and it is unknown if they were sold or scrapped.
Designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1950. The brakes are operated manually by a wooden handle in the station. The out-and-back coaster is 24 feet (7.3 m) tall and travels a course of 700 feet (210 m). It was awarded the ACE Coaster Classic award by the American Coaster Enthusiasts. The ride was relocated to Six Flags Great America after Kiddieland's closure.[8]
Little Ferris Wheel
1951
2009
With a private collector at a barn in Northern IL.
Log Jammer
1992
2009
Being relocated to Santa's Village AZoosment Park after sitting in storage at Wisconsin's Little Amerricka. Will reopen as Yule Tide Plunge in 2022.
Merry-Go-Round
1949
2009
Relocated to Sonny's Place in Somers, Connecticut in 2017. The hand carved horses are in the process of being restored by The Carousel Museum.[9]
Pipeline
1995
2009
Polyp
1967
2009
Relocated to Lake Winnie, Georgia from 2009 until 2020. Relocated to Indiana Beach Amusement and Water Park, in Monticello, Indiana. Now known as Sea Warrior.
^Gale, Neil. "The History of Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Illinois. (1929-2009)". Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
^ abKara Spak (2009-05-20). . Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
kiddieland, amusement, park, stylized, kiddieland, amusement, park, located, corner, north, avenue, first, avenue, melrose, park, illinois, home, several, classic, rides, including, little, dipper, roller, coaster, which, opened, 1950, park, closed, september,. Kiddieland Amusement Park stylized as KiDDieLAND was an amusement park located at the corner of North Avenue and First Avenue in Melrose Park Illinois It was home to several classic rides including the Little Dipper roller coaster which opened in 1950 The park closed on September 27 2009 and was demolished in 2010 to make way for a new Costco store The sign for the amusement park was relocated to the Melrose Park Public Library where it can be seen in the parking lot Kiddieland Amusement ParkSign at the front of Kiddieland LocationMelrose Park Illinois U S Coordinates41 54 34 N 87 50 11 W 41 9094 N 87 8364 W 41 9094 87 8364 Coordinates 41 54 34 N 87 50 11 W 41 9094 N 87 8364 W 41 9094 87 8364StatusClosedOpened1929ClosedSeptember 27 2009OwnerFamily owned and operatedOperating seasonMay SeptemberAttractionsTotal27Roller coastersThe Little DipperThe Little Dipper The top of one of the carousels before the park closed Contents 1 History 1 1 Closure 2 Image gallery 3 Rides and Attractions 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditKiddieland started out as a small venture of Arthur Fritz a local builder and contractor in 1929 when he purchased six ponies and offered rides to local children He realized parents would often save a few pennies in order to provide their children entertainment during the Great Depression Miniature gasoline powered cars were added a few years later after Fritz learned that they were being given away to children by a Chicago newspaper as a subscription promotion By the 1930s Fritz was calling his collection of amusements Kiddieland the attractions were primarily sized and geared towards younger children In 1940 the German Carousel two miniature steam locomotives the Little Auto Ride the Roto Whip and the Ferris wheel were added The Roto Whip and Ferris wheel would remain as rides until the park s closing The park saw its first major expansion in the 1950s with the addition of the Little Dipper and the merry go round Fritz s adult children also became more involved in the park at this time The 1960s saw bumper cars replace the original pony ride as well as the unexpected death of Fritz in 1967 1 The park transferred ownership in 1977 as three of Fritz s grandchildren took over the park and its operation The park continued its expansion over the next several decades and installed several major attractions including a Log flume a swinging pirate ship a 40 foot 12 m long water coaster and numerous other attractions Closure Edit A dispute developed between Shirley and Glenn Rynes who owned the land that Kiddieland occupied and Ronald Rynes Jr and Cathy and Tom Norini who owned the amusement park itself 2 The landowners sued the park owners in 2004 claiming that the park had an improper insurance policy and that fireworks were prohibited in the lease The case was thrown out in a Cook County court and later in an appeals court The landowners declined to extend the lease on the land in early 2009 2 3 In late June 2010 it was announced that Kiddieland would be demolished nine months after the park closed to the public A Costco store now occupies the land 4 Image gallery Edit Rides and Attractions EditRide Year opened Year closed DescriptionBoats 1949 2009Tractors 1958 1988 Five gas powered tractors could be driven between guardrails not on tracks by children with an optional standing platform in back for adults Tractors were painted two green to represent John Deere three red to represent International Harvester and one yellow to represent Allis Chalmers Tractors were not sold at the closing auction The family kept one as of 2020 Thoosie Rocco Casella owns another some additional trucks were located at a private collector s house when the Kiddieland firetrucks were resecued in 2022 Dune Buggies 1971 2009Large Ferris Wheel 1940 2009 Relocated to Nelis Dutch Village It was combined with a reproduction of the de Grosmolen windmill in Hoogmade Netherlands and renamed Harry s Windmill Ride 5 Flying Saucers 1966 2009Galleon 1986 2009 Supposedly relocated to Edaville Family Theme Park in Carver Massachusetts However it has not been seen in the park German Carousel 1962 2009 Special ordered by Fritz for Kiddieland 6 Kiddie Swings 2008 2009Kiddieland Limited Steam Engines 1941 amp 1949 2009 A 14 in 356 mm gauge miniature railway with two steam locomotives One a 4 6 4 Hudson was built in 1941 and the other a 4 8 4 Northern was built in 1949 The Hudson was sold to Hesston Steam Museum in the 1980s The Northern stayed at Kiddieland until 2009 and was bought by Bill McEnery of Gas City The Northern was leased by McEnery to the Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana and operated for the 2010 and 2011 seasons The Northern was purchased outright by the Museum after McEnery filed for bankruptcy Kiddieland Limited Diesel Engines 1953 2009 Two diesel powered engines built between 1950 and 1953 The diesels have disappeared from public knowledge since the park closed and it is unknown if they were sold or scrapped Midge O Racers 1954 2009 Now located at Santa s Village AZoosment ParkMushroom Ride 1979 2009 Relocated to Lake Winnepesaukah in Rossville Georgia renamed Silly Saucers 7 Lava Run Hand Cars 1950 1984 Relocated to Nelis Dutch Village in Holland Michigan and renamed Petal Pumper Cars Little Autos 1939 1954 Replaced with Midge O RacersLittle Dipper 1950 2009 Designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1950 The brakes are operated manually by a wooden handle in the station The out and back coaster is 24 feet 7 3 m tall and travels a course of 700 feet 210 m It was awarded the ACE Coaster Classic award by the American Coaster Enthusiasts The ride was relocated to Six Flags Great America after Kiddieland s closure 8 Little Ferris Wheel 1951 2009 With a private collector at a barn in Northern IL Log Jammer 1992 2009 Being relocated to Santa s Village AZoosment Park after sitting in storage at Wisconsin s Little Amerricka Will reopen as Yule Tide Plunge in 2022 Merry Go Round 1949 2009 Relocated to Sonny s Place in Somers Connecticut in 2017 The hand carved horses are in the process of being restored by The Carousel Museum 9 Pipeline 1995 2009Polyp 1967 2009 Relocated to Lake Winnie Georgia from 2009 until 2020 Relocated to Indiana Beach Amusement and Water Park in Monticello Indiana Now known as Sea Warrior Raceabouts 1982 2009Scooters 1962 2009Scrambler 1966 2009 Relocated to Gillians Wonderland Pier in Ocean City New Jersey but as of 2021 the ride is no longer on the pier or listed on the website Current whereabouts are unknown Sky Fighters 1950 2009Tilt A Whirl 1962 2009 Relocated to The FunPlex in Mount Laurel New Jersey and renamed Fun A Whirl Tornado 2008 2009Space Age Umbrella Ride 1966 2009 Relocated to Santa s Village AZoosment Park and renamed Space Invasion 10 Volcano Play Center 1984 2009Roto Whip 1938 2009 Relocated at Santa s Village AZoosment Park 10 Dip N Drop 2009Firetrucks 1959 1990s Rescued by Randy Carlson 11 and currently under refurbishment in California in 2022 Elephant Ride 2009vteKiddieland LimitedLegend Maintenance depot Race A Bouts Parking lot References Edit Gale Neil The History of Kiddieland in Melrose Park Illinois 1929 2009 Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal Retrieved 24 August 2021 a b Kara Spak 2009 05 20 Kiddieland Chicago area s oldest amusement park to close Chicago Sun Times Archived from the original on 2009 05 23 Retrieved 2009 05 20 Staff 2009 05 20 Family feud closing kids amusement park Chicago Breaking News Center Retrieved 2009 05 20 Kiddieland coming down Sun Times Media LLC Retrieved 2010 07 26 dead link Rides Nelis Dutch Village Retrieved 15 August 2021 Kiddieland to close ABC 7 Chicago Retrieved 24 August 2021 Kiddie Rides Lake Winnie Retrieved 15 August 2021 Vikki Ortiz Healy Kiddieland auctions off rides carousel sells for 355K Chicago Breaking News Center Retrieved 2009 11 24 The Carousel Sonny s Place Retrieved 15 August 2021 a b Kiddie Rides Santa s Village AZoosment Park Retrieved 15 August 2021 VINTAGE VEHICLE RESEARCH RECOVERY and PRESERVATION carchaeology Retrieved 21 October 2022 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kiddieland Amusement Park Archived copy of official website from 4 10 2008 Kiddieland Amusement Park at the Roller Coaster DataBase Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kiddieland Amusement Park amp oldid 1117418201, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
