The Lunchtime Theater - Chicago Century of Progress International Exposition World's Fair. 1933

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THE LUNCHTIME THEATER.

Chicago Century of Progress International Exposition World's Fair. 1933

 A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of a World's Fair held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation. The fair's motto was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms."

The architectural symbol was the Sky Ride, a transporter bridge perpendicular to the shore on which one could ride from one side of the fair to the other. The Sky Ride was designed by the bridge engineering firm Robinson & Steinman, that ferried people across the lagoon in the center of the fair. It was demolished after having carried 4.5 million riders during the run of the fair. The Sky Ride had an 1,850-foot span and two 628-feet tall towers, making it the most prominent structure at the fair. Suspended from the span, 215 feet above the ground, were rocket-shaped cars, each carrying 36 passengers. 

Hollywood Kiddieland on McCormick Boulevard and Devon Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. (1949-1974)

"Hollywood Kiddieland" was an amusement park in the area we now know as "Lincoln Village," on the Southeast side of McCormick Boulevard and Devon Avenue. The address was 6301 North McCormick Boulevard, Chicago. It is actually in the northeast corner of the North Park Community of Chicago.

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Thought Bounce Land Trampoline Park was at Hollywood Kiddieland? My article will definitely surprise you!

 

Main Entrance.

Pony Rides

Edward "Buddy" Louis Klatzco's parents, Louis & Mrs. Klatzco, and brother, Richard, opened Hollywood Kiddieland in 1949. When Buddy returned home after serving in the Army during the Korean War, he started Hollywood Miniature Golf next to Hollywood Kiddieland and added batting cages in 1966.

Photo of Mark Lassman at Hollywood Kiddieland, Chicago, June 1960.

In 1955, the five Acciari brothers bought Hollywood Kiddieland from the Klazcos. Their purchase included 18 rides and concession stands. Geoff Acciari ran Kiddieland along with Ray Angelini, who was the majority owner, holding a 51% interest in Hollywood Kiddieland. 

Photo by: Walter Rieger

The Swingin' Gym [my personal favorite].

They added an arcade for the 1958 season. The Klazco family kept the title of the land, plus the batting cages and miniature golf course.

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The Klatzco family bought Novelty Golf and Games in Lincolnwood in the mid-60s. Novelty has two miniature golf courses and a 19th hole, like a pinball game where you would shoot your golf ball and win a free round of golf if the ball went into the one and only hole in the center. The game room was packed full of pinball machines and, later, video games, but it was small. In later years, they built batting cages.

In the late '60s, Hollywood Kiddieland ride tickets cost 20¢ each or six for a dollar. At the season's opening, Kiddieland offered free tickets in exchange for the cardboard caps from glass milk bottles. Mothers across West Ridge, Rogers Park, and surrounding communities saved bottle caps over the winter. Opening day saw record crowds of kids and their moms lining up at the ticket booths with their "pot-o-gold" ─ large bulging bags of milk bottle caps.

There were a couple of food concession stands and a small Souvenir Stand. 

Like many other Chicagoland "Kiddie Parks," Hollywood Kiddieland had a fire truck used to pick up birthday party guests at their homes and deliver them to the amusement park. When the fire truck wasn't picking up partygoers, it was used as a ride in the park. 

The Klatzco family closed Hollywood Kiddieland, the batting cages, and the miniature golf course in 1974 but continued to run Novelty Golf and Games (and still open at the Northwest corner of Devon and Lincoln Avenues in Lincolnwood, Illinois), where Buddy Klatzco was co-owner.

After the 25-year property lease expired in 1974, Hollywood Kiddieland was sold.

VISIT OUR HOLLYWOOD KIDDIELAND SOUVENIR SHOP

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

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NOTE: Bounce Land Trampoline Parks were around from the late 50s to the early '60s. One was on Devon Avenue just east of Lincoln Avenue on the Chicago side of Devon. Many people associate this Bounceland with Hollywood Kiddieland in Chicago, but as you can see from the map below, they are different businesses. Follow the link to Bounce Land above to see a map of where Bounce Land and Hollywood Kiddieland are located.