Kiddieland Amusement Park

History

Kiddieland started out as a small venture of Arthur Fritz in 1929 when he purchased six ponies and offered rides as an escape for parents reeling from 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.

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 last until the park's closing. The park saw its first major expansion in the 1950s with the addition of the Little Dipper and the Carousel, both of which lasted until the park's closing. Bumper cars were added in the 1960s as they replaced the original pony ride.

The park transferred ownership in 1977, as Arthur Fritz's grandchildren took over the park and its operation. The park continued its expansion 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 own the land that Kiddieland occupies, and Ronald Rynes, Jr. and Cathy and Tom Norini, who own the amusement park itself. 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. 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.

Kiddieland sign restoration

Portions of the Kiddieland sign are now visible on the outer north wall of the Melrose Park Library. A display featuring one panel of the girl figure (facing right) and boy figure (facing left) along with one side of the portion of the sign showing the Kiddieland name was erected during the summer of 2012. The red and white striped pole is a recreation created especially for the display. The Melrose Park Historical Society held a Restoration Ceremony in the library parking lot on September 28, 2012.

Kiddieland Steam Engine Revisit

On April 14, 2016, the Hesston Steam Museum brought the Kiddieland steam engine back to Chicago for a day of memories. The engine revisited its original home (Costco), and traveled to other spots of Melrose Park and ended its journey at the Melrose Park Library. Guests were able to take pictures with the engine along with the Kiddieland sign lit up as a back drop for pictures. Guests also got the chance to toot the whistle. Popcorn, and cotton candy were served to make it a Kiddieland atmosphere-like day. The event had well over 100 people. The event was a success.

Kiddieland Facebook Page

In the fall of 2015, the official Kiddieland Facebook page for memories and pictures was created. While visiting the Kiddieland sign at the Melrose Park Library, the administrator of the page, along with his family member, decided to make this page the official page of the park. Since the fall of 2015, the page grew with over 10-15 people per day. Today the page has over 2,000 members, from former employees to former guests. The page continues to grow in members and popularity.