141 DEFUNCT ILLINOIS AMUSEMENT PARKS.
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| From the personal collection of Dr. Neil Gale, 1969. |
The Midway Plaisance at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition was the birthplace of the American amusement park, sparking a nationwide craze for amusement parks, particularly in the Midwest, including Illinois. The isolated amusement zone thus created, the first of its kind at any world's fair, gave its name to the "Midways" of every fair and carnival since and provided the model for the modern amusement park to come.
Within a few years of the World's Fair, amusement parks 'popped up' like dandelions. Illinois alone had well over 140 local amusement parks that are now defunct. I've dedicated five years and countless hours of research to finding the history of these parks and locating pictures.
ALPHABETICAL LISTINGS
WHY THIS MATTERS
Amusement parks are more than just thrill rides and cotton candy—they’re snapshots of who we were. These defunct Illinois parks once echoed with laughter, lit up summer nights, and offered working-class families a taste of wonder just a short distance from home. Their rise and fall mirror broader shifts in transportation, urban planning, racial and economic segregation, and the evolution of leisure in America. Preserving their stories isn’t just nostalgia—it’s cultural archaeology. Each shuttered gate and vanished funhouse tells us something about the dreams we built, the communities we shaped, and the ways we sought joy in a changing world.
The story of Illinois’ defunct amusement parks is also the story of shifting cityscapes, suburban sprawl, and the evolving American dream. These parks didn’t just vanish—expressways, zoning changes, and the rise of the shopping mall pushed them aside. As land values rose and leisure habits changed, once-thriving destinations were paved over, rezoned, or quietly forgotten. Tracing their disappearance reveals how entertainment, transportation, and real estate collided to reshape our communities. By documenting what was lost, we gain insight into how cities grow, who gets remembered, and what we choose to preserve.
WHAT MAKES DR. GALE'S ILLINOIS DEFUNCT
AMUSEMENT PARK ARCHIVE SO EXCEPTIONAL?
Comprehensive Scope
From Riverview Park to Old Chicago, Adventureland, Enchanted Forest, and dozens more—Dr. Gale's work spans the obscure to the iconic. He has captured not just the rides but also the social context: family ownership, economic shifts, and cultural trends that shaped each park’s rise and fall.
Chronological and Thematic Depth
Many entries include opening and closing dates, ride rosters, photos, and firsthand memories.
You’ve woven in local lore, like the haunted legends of Fairyland or the architectural oddities of Old Chicago’s indoor dome.
Research Rigor and Storytelling Flair
Dr. Gale's articles strike a balance between archival precision and emotional resonance—a rare combination. Dr. Gale doesn't just list facts; he evokes the smell of cotton candy, the creak of wooden coasters, and the bittersweetness of shuttered gates.
Microsoft Copilot Peer Reviewed, July 5, 2025
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ALPHABETICAL LISTINGS
Acorn Ridge (Amusement) Park, Lemont. (late 1940s-1989)
Adventureland (Amusement Park), Medinah. (advertised as Addison) (1961-1977)
aka: Storybook Park, Medinah (advertised as Addison). (1958-1961)
aka: Storybook City, USA, Medinah (advertised as Addison). (1958-1961)
Al Fresco Amusement Park, Peoria Heights. (1905-1944)
Alexander Amusement Park, Princeton. (1922-1953)
Auburn Kiddieland, Rockford. (1921-1942)
aka: Central Park Gardens, Rockford.
aka: Rockford City Traction Park, Rockford.
Black Hawk's Park, Rock Island. (1882-1927)
aka: Watchtower (Amusement) Park, Rock Island. (1882-1927)
Bounce Land Trampoline Parks in Northeastern Illinois. (late 1950s - early 1960s)
Brown Derby (Amusement) Park, Thornton. (mid-1930s-1960s)
Cagle Amusement Park, Marion. (1919-c.1967)
Central Park Gardens Amusement Park, Rockford. (1921-1942)
aka: Auburn Kiddieland, Rockford.
aka: Rockford City Traction Park, Rockford.
Chap's Amusement Park, Decatur. (ca.1945-ca.1958)
Chateau De La Plaisance Amusement Park, Chicago, 5318-26 S. State. (1907-1910)
Columbia Park, Central City. (1896-1905)
aka: White City (Amusement) Park, Central City. (1906-1926)
Cream City (Amusement) Park, Lyons, 7601 West Ogden. (1905-1908)
Custer Bowery Amusement Park, Kankakee. (ca.1890-ca.1920s)
Deer Haven Kiddie Park, Fox Lake. (1960-1967)
Dellwood (Amusement) Park, Joliet. (1905-ca.1938)
Dick's [Richard Bell] Amusement Park, Bloomington. (1955-1965)
aka: Richard Bell Amusement Park, Bloomington.
Diehl's (Amusement) Park, Murphysboro. (1905-1912)
aka: Henry Amusement Park, Murphysboro. (1913-1961)
Doc Rivers Raging Rapids Water Park, Oakbrook Terrace. (1987-1989)
aka: Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water Slides. (1980-1987)
Donley's Wild West Town (Amusement Park), Union. (1974-2021)
Douglas Park Amusements, Danville. (1953- Late 1970s)
Dreamland Amusement Park, Decatur. (1905-1912)
Dreamland (Amusement) Parks, Springfield. (1921-mid-1930s)
Dunes Kiddieland, Waukegan. (1941-2003)
aka: Rainbow Playland, Waukegan. (1928-1941)
Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water Slides, Oakbrook Terrace (1980-1987)
aka: Doc Rivers Raging Rapids Water Park. (1987-1989)
Electric Park Amusements, Chicago, Elston, Belmont, and California. (1895-1901)
Electric (Amusement) Park, Kankakee. (1894-1934)
Electric (Amusement) Park, Marion. (c.1904-1933)
Electric (Amusement) Park, Plainfield. (1903-1923)
Electric (Amusement) Park Corners, Sycamore/DeKalb. (1904-1931)
aka: Electric Park, Sycamore/DeKalb. (1904-1931)
Elliott's Amusement Park, Matteson. (1890-1913)
Exposition (Amusement) Park, Aurora. (1922-1931)
Exposition Amusement Shelter, Peoria. (1907-1923)
Fairyland (Amusement) Park, Lyons, Harlem & 40th. (1938-1977)
Ferris Wheel Park, Chicago, 1288 North Clark Street. (1896-1903)
Forest (Amusement) Park, Forest Park, Desplaines & Harrison. (1908-1922)
Fort Sheridan Amusement Park, Highwood. (1898-1908)
Fox River (Amusement) Park, Aurora. (1910-1925)
aka: Riverview Park, Aurora. (1899-1910)
Fox River Picnic Grove (Amusement Park), Fox River Grove. (1900 to Mid-1970s)
Freeport Park, Freeport, Illinois (1905-1912)
aka: Highland Amusement Park, Freeport, Illinois (1913-1949)
Fun Fair (Amusement Park), Skokie. (1948-1968)
Fun Harbor USA, Waukegan. (1971-1981)
Fun Harbour, Waukegan. (1992-2016)
aka: Rainbow Park, Waukegan. (1950-1971)
Fun Valley Amusement Park, Springfield. (1922-1959)
Funland Kiddie Park, East Dundee. (1959-1972)
aka: Kiddieland Amusement Park, East Dundee. (1953-1958)
FunTown Amusement Park, Chicago, 95th & Stony Island. (1967-1982)
aka: KiddyTown Amusement Park, Chicago, 95th and Stony Island. (1950-1967)
Gabriel Yon's Balloon (Amusement) Park, Chicago, Cottage Grove & 50th. (1892)
Glen Oak (Amusement) Park, Peoria. (1895-early 1930s)
Glenwood (Amusement) Park, Batavia. (1900-ca.1928)
Gould Amusement Park, Morris. (1903-1967)
Green Oaks Kiddyland, Oak Lawn, 95th & Crawford Avenue [Pulaski]. (1946-1971)
Harlem (Amusement) Park, Rockford. (1891-1928)
Hasting's Bathing Beach and Amusement Park, Fox Lake. (1885-1963)
Hawthorn-Mellody Farms & Amusement Park, Libertyville. (1907-1970)
Henry Amusement Park, Murphysboro. (1913-1961)
aka: Diehl's (Amusement) Park, Murphysboro. (1905-1912)
Highland Amusement Park, Freeport, Illinois (1913-1949)
aka: Freeport Park, Freeport, Illinois (1905-1912)
Highland (Amusement) Park, Quincy. (1872-1919)
Highland Park Kiddieland, Galesburg. (ca.1950-1972)
aka: Kiddieland, Galesburg. (ca.1950-1972)
Hillcrest (Amusement) Park, Woodridge (formerly Lemont). (1952-2003)
Hilltop Amusement Park, Richton Park. (1926-1974)
Hollywood Kiddieland, Chicago, McCormick & Devon. (1949-1974)
Hopkins Amusement Park, DeKalb. (ca.1920-1968)
Jo-Jo Kiddie Land Amusement Park, Chicago Heights. (1950-early 60s)
Joyland Amusement Park, Decatur. (1963-1975)
Joyland Amusement Park, Urbana. (ca.1954-1988)
Joyland Kiddie Rides, Franklin Park. (1952-1956)
Jus-Fun Amusements, Oakbrook Terrace, (1981-2021)
Kiddie Dude Ranch, Lombard. (1940-1960)
Kiddieland Amusement Park, Springfield. (1945-1977)
Kiddieland, Hollywood, Chicago, McCormick & Devon. (1949-1974)
Kiddieland, Galesburg. (ca.1950-1972)
aka: Highland Park Kiddieland, Galesburg. (ca.1950-1972)
Kiddieland, Melrose Park, North & 1st Avenues. (1929-2009)
Kiddieland, Naperville. (1956-ca.1975)
Kiddieland Park, Rockford. (1950-1962)
aka: Sherwood Park Kiddieland, Loves Park. (1962-1967 )
aka: Sherwood Park, Loves Park. (1967-1977)
Kiddieland State Fair Amusement Park, Springfield (c.1940-1992)
Kiddieville (Amusement Park), Niles. (c1936-c1966)
Kiddyland Amusement Park, East Dundee. (1953-1958)
aka: Funland Kiddy Park, East Dundee. (1959-1972)
Kiddyland, Green Oaks, Oak Lawn, 95th & Crawford Avenue [Pulaski]. (1946-1971)
Kiddie Park, Route 31, South Elgin. (1950s-1960s) ?
Kiddie Park, 4200 North Harlem Avenue, Chicago-Norridge. (1938-1952)
KiddyTown Amusement Park, Chicago, 95th & Stony Island. (1950-1967)
aka: FunTown Amusement Park, Chicago, 95th & Stony Island. (1967-1982)
Kolze's Electric (Amusement) Park, Chicago. (1904-late 1940s)
Lincoln Lagoon Amusement Park, Richton Park. (1929-1934)
aka: Lincoln Lagoon, Richton Park. (1935-1984)
Lincoln Land Amusement Park, Effingham. (1977-1988)
Lindbergh Amusement Park, Upper Alton. (1927-1972)
Luna (Amusement) Park, Chicago, Halsted & 52nd. (1907-1911)
Midway Kiddieland, Spring Valley, (1946-1972)
Midway Plaisance at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago.
Mother Goose Gardens (Amusement Park), La Salle. (1957-1968)
Naperville Kiddieland, Naperville. (1940s-1975)
Old Catlin Illinois Fairgrounds, A Manual 'Ferris' wheel kills a young girl. (1876)
Old Chicago Amusement Park, Bolingbrook. (1975-1981)
Old Homer Park, Homer. (1905-1928)
aka: Riverside (Amusement) Park, Homer. (1905-1928)
Olson Memorial Park, Waterfall, and Rock Garden, Chicago. (1935-1978)
Palace Gardens Amusement Park, Peoria. (1870-1915)
Paul Boyton's Water Chutes (Amusement) Park, Chicago. (1894-1907)
aka: Water Chutes Park, Chicago.
aka: Chutes Park, Chicago.
Paul's Grove (Amusement Park), Addison, Medinah Road & Lake Street. (1952-1961)
Playland Amusement Park, Willow Springs, [Justice] 79th & La Grange Rd. (1950-1979)
Presters' Park, Belleville. (1899-1919)
aka: White City Park, Belleville. (1899-1919)
Rainbow Park, Waukegan. (1950-1971)
aka: Fun Harbor USA, Waukegan. (1971-1981)
aka: Fun Harbour, Waukegan. (1992-2016)
Rainbow Playland, Waukegan. (1928-1941)
aka: Dunes Kiddieland, Waukegan. (1941-2003)
Ravinia Amusement Park, Highland Park. (1904-1910)
Richard Bell Amusement Park, Bloomington. (1955-1965)
aka: Dick's Amusement Park, Bloomington. (1955-1965)
Riverside (Amusement) Park, Havana. (1904-1967)
Riverside (Amusement) Park, Homer. (1905-1928)
aka: Homer Park, Homer. (1905-1928)
Riverview (Amusement) Park, Aurora. (1899-1910)
aka: Fox River (Amusement) Park, Aurora. (1910-1925)
Riverview (Amusement) Park, Chicago, Belmont & Western. (1904-1967)
aka: Schuetzen Park - Sharpshooter Park [Pre-Riverview], Chicago. (1879-1903)
aka: Riverview Sharpshooter Park, Chicago. (1904-1908)
aka: Riverview Exposition Park, Chicago. (1909-1912)
aka: Riverview Park, Chicago. (1913-1967)
Rockford City Traction Park, Rockford. (1921-1942)
aka: Auburn Kiddieland, Rockford.
aka: Central Park Gardens, Rockford.
Sans Souci Amusement Park, Chicago, 6000 South Cottage Grove. (1899-1913)
aka: Sharpshooters' Park, Belmont & Western, Chicago. (1879-1903)
Sharpshooters' Park, Belmont & Western, Chicago. (1879-1903)
aka: Schützen Park ("Shooting Club"), Belmont & Western, Chicago. (1879-1903)
Sherwood Park Kiddieland, Loves Park. (1962-1967 )
aka: Kiddieland Park, Rockford. (1950-1962)
aka: Sherwood Park, Loves Park. (1967-1977)
Shireland Theme Park, Hampshire. (1988 & one month in 1991)
Starlight Park, East Moline. (1952-1960)
Star-Lite Park, East Moline. (1961-1966)
aka: State Fair Kiddieland, Springfield (c.1940-1992)
State Street (Amusement) Park, SW Corner of State & 22nd, Chicago. (1883)
Storybook City USA, Medinah (advertised as Addison). (1952-1961)
Storybook Park, Medinah (advertised as Addison). (1952-1961)
Storyland (Amusement) Park, Elk Grove Village. (1957-1961)
Trout (Amusement) Park, Elgin. (1890s-1922)
Twin Lakes Amusement Park, Paris. (ca.1954-ca.1983)
Vandalia Beach Amusement Park, Vandalia. (1927-1982)
Watchtower (Amusement) Park, Rock Island. (1882-1927)
aka: Black Hawk's Park, Rock Island. (1882-1927)
Water Chutes Park, Chicago. (1894-1907)
aka: Paul Boyton's Water Chutes (Amusement) Park, Chicago. (1894-1907)
West End Park, Champaign. (1893-1912)
White City (Amusement) Park, Belleville. (1899-1919)
aka: Presters' Park, Belleville. (1899-1919)
White City (Amusement) Park, Central City. (1906-1926)
aka: Columbia Park, Central City, (1896-1905)
White City Amusement Park, Chicago, 63rd & South Parkway (MLK Drive). (1905-1933)
[aka Animal Circus]
White City (Amusement) Park, Herrin. (1924-1957)
White City I, Springfield. (1912-1918)
White City II, Springfield. (1921-1938)
Whoopee Auto Coasters of Illinois. (1929-1930)
Wonderland (Amusement) Park, Danville. (1903-1909)
aka: Wonder Park, Danville. (1903-1909)
Woodland Park, Springfield. (1918-1921)
Woodlawn Amusement Park, Chicago, Milwaukee & Devon Avenues. (1921)
Zoo Park and Pleasure Resort, Springfield. (1906-1917)
We seek information, photographs, ads, personal memories, etc., for any Illinois amusement park listed above. If you know of an amusement park missing from the list, please send details to LivingHistoryOfIllinois@yahoo.com.
Acorn Ridge Park Lemont, Adventureland Medinah Addison, Al Fresco Amusement Park Peoria Heights, Alexander Amusement Park Princeton, Auburn Kiddieland Rockford, Bounce Land Trampoline Parks Illinois, Brown Derby Park Thornton, Cagle Amusement Park Marion, Central Park Gardens Amusement Park Rockford, Chap's Amusement Park Decatur, Chateau De La Plaisance Amusement Park Chicago, Cream City Park Lyons, Custer Bowery Amusement Park Kankakee, Deer Haven Kiddie Park Fox Lake, Dellwood Park Joliet, Dick's Amusement Park Bloomington, Richard Bell Amusement Park Bloomington, Diehl's Park Murphysboro, Henry Amusement Park Murphysboro, Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom Oakbrook Terrace, Doc Rivers Raging Rapids Water Park Oakbrook Terrace, Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water Slides Oakbrook, Donley's Wild West Town Union, Douglas Park Amusements Danville, Dreamland Amusement Park Decatur, Dreamland Parks Springfield, Dunes Kiddieland Waukegan, Rainbow Playland Waukegan, Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water Slides Oakbrook Terrace, Electric Park Amusements Chicago, Electric Park Kankakee, Electric Park Marion, Electric Park Plainfield, Electric Park Corners Sycamore-DeKalb, Electric Park Sycamore-DeKalb, Elliott's Amusement Park Matteson, Exposition Park, Aurora, Exposition Amusement Shelter Peoria, Fairyland Park Lyons, Ferris Wheel Park Chicago, Forest Amusement Park, Forest Park, Fort Sheridan Amusement Park Highwood, Fox River Park, Aurora, Riverview Park Aurora, Fox River Picnic Grove, Fox River Grove, Fun Fair Skokie, Fun Harbor USA Waukegan, Fun Harbour Waukegan, Rainbow Park Waukegan, Fun Valley Amusement Park Springfield, Funland Kiddie Park East Dundee, Kiddieland Amusement Park East Dundee, FunTown Amusement Park, Chicago, KiddyTown Amusement Park Chicago, Gabriel Yon's Balloon Park Chicago, Glen Oak Park Peoria, Glenwood Park Batavia, Gould Amusement Park Morris, Green Oaks Kiddyland Oak Lawn, Harlem Park Rockford, Hasting's Bathing Beach and Amusement Park Fox Lake, Hawthorn-Mellody Farms and Amusement Park Libertyville, Henry Amusement Park Murphysboro, Diehl's Amusement Park Murphysboro, Highland Park Quincy, Highland Park Kiddieland Galesburg, Kiddieland, Galesburg, Hillcrest Park Woodridge, Hillcrest Park Lemont, Hilltop Amusement Park Richton Park, Hollywood Kiddieland Chicago, Hopkins Amusement Park DeKalb, Jo-Jo Kiddie Land Amusement Park Chicago Heights, Joyland Park Chicago, Joyland Amusement Park Decatur, Joyland Amusement Park Urbana, Joyland Kiddie Rides Franklin Park, Jus-Fun Amusements Oakbrook Terrace, Kiddie Dude Ranch Lombard, Kiddieland Amusement Park Springfield, Kiddieland, Galesburg Kiddieland, Highland Park Kiddieland Galesburg, Melrose Park Kiddieland Melrose Park, Naperville Kiddieland Naperville, Kiddieland Park Rockford, Sherwood Park Kiddieland Loves Park, Sherwood Park Loves Park, Kiddieland State Fair Amusement Park Springfield, Niles Kiddieville Niles, Kiddyland Amusement Park East Dundee, Funland Kiddy Park East Dundee, Green Oaks Kiddyland Oak Lawn, Kiddie Park Chicago-Norridge, KiddyTown Amusement Park, Chicago, FunTown Amusement Park, Chicago, KiddyTown Amusement Park, Norridge, Kolze's Electric Park Chicago, Lincoln Lagoon Amusement Park, Richton Park, Lincoln Lagoon Richton Park, Lincoln Land Amusement Park Effingham, Lindbergh Amusement Park Upper Alton, Luna Park Chicago, Midway Kiddieland Spring Valley, Midway Plaisance Chicago, Mother Goose Gardens La Salle, Naperville Kiddieland, Naperville, Old Catlin Illinois Fairgrounds, Old Chicago Amusement Park, Bolingbrook, Old Homer Park Homer, Riverside Park Homer, Olson Memorial Park Chicago, Palace Gardens Amusement Park Peoria, Paul Boyton's Water Chutes Park Chicago, Chutes Park Chicago, Paul's Grove Addison, Pioneer Park Aurora, Playland Amusement Park Willow Springs, Playland Amusement Park Justice, Presters Park Belleville, White City Park Belleville, Rainbow Park Waukegan, Rainbow Playland Waukegan, Dunes Kiddieland Waukegan, Ravinia Amusement Park Highland Park, Richard Bell Amusement Park Bloomington, Dick's Amusement Park Bloomington, Riverside Park Havana, Riverside Park Homer, Homer Park Homer, Riverview Park Aurora, Fox River Amusement Park, Aurora, Riverview Park Chicago, Schuetzen Park Chicago, Riverview Sharpshooter Park Chicago, Riverview Exposition Park Chicago, Riverview Park Chicago, Rockford City Traction Park, Rockford, Auburn Kiddieland Rockford, Central Park Gardens Rockford, Sans Souci Amusement Park Chicago, Sherwood Park Kiddieland Loves Park, Kiddieland Park Rockford, Sherwood Park Loves Park, Shireland Theme Park Hampshire, Starlight Park East Moline, Star-Lite Park East Moline, State Fair Amusement Park Springfield, State Fair Kiddieland Springfield, State Street Park Chicago, Storybook City USA Medinah, Storybook Park Medinah, Storyland Park Elk Grove Village, Trout Park Elgin, Twin Lakes Amusement Park Paris, Vandalia Beach Amusement Park Vandalia, Watchtower Park Rock Island, Black Hawk's Park Rock Island, West End Park Champaign, White City Park Belleville, Presters Park Belleville, White City Park Centralia, White City Amusement Park Chicago, White City Park Herrin, White City 1 Springfield, White City 2 Springfield, Whoopee Auto Coasters of Illinois, Wonderland Park Danville, Wonder Park Danville, Woodland Park Springfield, Woodlawn Amusement Park Chicago, Zoo Park and Pleasure Resort Springfield.
