Jo-Jo Kiddie Land Amusement Park, Chicago Heights, Illinois (1950-early 60s)

Jo-Jo Kiddie Land Amusement Park, on the northwest corner of Chicago Road and 30th Street, South Chicago Heights, Illinois, was opened in 1950 by Joseph N. Bartolini.

The park opened with a Merry-Go-Round, a Diesel-locomotive miniature railroad, a kiddie Ferris wheel, a buggy ride, boats, airplanes, hand pedal cars, ponies and a shooting gallery. In the 1st year, rides were a bargain at 9¢ each.

Andy Flodin writes, "There was no admission charge Jo-Jo's Kiddie Land. I frequented the park when I was around 10 or 11. I was a little old for the rides as they were for younger children, but the ponies fascinated me. The gentleman who ran the pony ride concession got used to seeing me around petting the ponies and offered me a job.

This was my first job. I honestly can't remember if he paid me, but it was my dream job. I got to feed and brush the ponies, put on and take off the saddles, and lead them when we had a child rider. Sometime in the early 60s, Jo-Jo's Kiddie Land closed, and a shopping center was built on the property it occupied."

Lost Towns of Illinois - Challacombe, Illinois

Challacombe, IL was established on June 3, 1887 and disbanded on January 19, 1909. It is now a part of Medora, IL. Challacombe was located in Section 20 of Chesterfield Township in Macoupin County. 

Nicholas Challacombe, who came here from Devonshire, England in 1840, settling on section 21 (the "Mound") homestead. He became a prominent farmer and stock-raiser. Nicholas Challacombe and his wife Nancy G. Carson, eldest daughter of Harvey Challacombe were newly married. The small area of the Mound was generally known as Challacombe.

Challacombe was established with the building of the St Louis, Chicago, and St Paul Railroad Line. All that is left is an intersection, Challacombe Road & South Alton Way Road, with a single house, two grain silos and farmland. There is no way to know you are in Challacombe, IL unless you had an old map.

Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.