Exposition Amusement Shelter, Peoria, Illinois. (1907-1923)

The Exposition Amusement Shelter was an amusement park in Peoria, Illinois, operated from 1907 to 1923. The Peoria Traction Company built the park to promote weekend travel on its new electric line.

This photo is a visual aid.

sidebar

The Bloomington-to-Peoria, Illinois Interurban line formally opened in April 1907.

Exposition Amusement Shelter quickly became a popular spot, attracting visitors from all over the Peoria area.

The park featured a variety of rides and attractions, including a roller coaster, a swing ride, a dance pavilion, a 2,500-seat auditorium, a swimming pool, and various games of chance and concessions. The park also had several camping cottages.

Exposition Amusement Shelter's popularity declined in the early 1920s as more people began owning automobiles. The park closed in 1923 as the Great Depression made it nearly impossible to operate at a profit.

The park's grounds were eventually sold and subdivided. The former camping cottages were moved to other locations and converted into permanent homes. The auditorium was demolished in 1936. Today, there are no remaining structures left.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Rainbow Playland, Waukegan, Illinois. (1928-1941); Dunes Kiddieland, Waukegan, Illinois. (1941-2003)

RAINBOW PLAYLAND

Rainbow Playland was founded by the Lundblad family. The park was renamed Dunes Kiddieland in 1941, surrounded by dunes, giving it its name. 

Rainbow Playland was a children's amusement park, located on a 10-acre parcel of land on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Rainbow Playland was known for its small, family-friendly rides. Lundblad was inspired to create a park for children after taking his own children to some other amusement parks in the Chicago area. He found that many of the rides and attractions at these parks were too large and scary for young children. Lundblad wanted to create a park where children could feel safe and have fun.

The park boasted about its petting zoo, playground, and picnic area.

This photo is a visual aid.

DUNES KIDDIELAND

The park's name was inspired by the sand dunes near the park. Dunes Kiddieland Park's rides and attractions were designed to cater to pre-teens and blended in with the natural surroundings. The Tilt-a-Whirl, for example, was painted to look like a sand castle. Some popular rides included a small Carousel, the Tilt-A-Whirl, a Kiddie Train, and later, Bumper Cars. 

Dunes Kiddieland closed in 2011 after the owner retired at the season's end.

These parks were owned by the same family for 75 years.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.