Electric Park (Amusement Park) in Plainfield, Illinois. (1904-1932)

In the late 1890s the Joliet, Plainfield & Aurora interurban Railway opened an electric line connecting those three communities. In 1904, the Joliet, Plainfield & Aurora opened an amusement park, "Electric Park", to the public to primarily promote travel on the fledgling railway. Electric Park quickly became a popular vacation spot.

Lavish gardens flanking the banks of the DuPage River, as well as athletic grounds, a bandstand, a dance pavilion, a 5,000-seat auditorium featuring a large pipe organ, restaurants, a waterslide, bowling alley and passenger paddle boats.

The resort attracted vacationers who relaxed in cabins featuring electric, gas, and water service. But the railroad succumbed to financial difficulties in 1923, a victim of the automobile, and Electric Park ultimately closed in 1932.

Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.