Starlight (Amusement) Park, (1952-1960); Star-Lite (Amusement) Park, (1961-1966), East Moline, Illinois.

STARLIGHT PARK

Starlight Park's first location was at 23rd Avenue and 41st Street, East Moline, from 1952-1959. Spot Mason, the Mason Trailer Sales & Service owner, owned the Starlight (Amusement) Park.

This photo shows the first location of Starlight Park, which was located at 23rd Avenue and 41st Street in East Moline. The amusement park operated for 8 seasons, from 1952 through 1959. The photo was taken from the top of the Ferris wheel.

THE STAR-LITE ERA BEGINS

Michael Fix bought Starlight Park in 1960 and changed the name to Star-Lite Park. The Grand Opening was held on Sunday, May 15, 1960, at a new location, 14th Street and Colona Road, in the Rock Island County Fairgrounds in East Moline.

Star-Lite Park featured a variety of carnival rides (quickly movable) for young children, including a 3-across Merry-Go-Round, a Ferris wheel, and a miniature 8-inch Gauge train. I found several online mentions of people fondly remembering these rides as a cherished part of their childhood.

A Starlight Park Ticket Booth, 1958

The park featured a variety of carnival rides (quickly movable) for young children, including a 3-across Merry-Go-Round, A Ferris wheel, and a miniature 8-inch Gauge train.

An 8-Inch Gauge Track

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The smallest size trains that amusement parks could use for toddler passengers are those with a track gauge of  5 inches. However, most amusement park trains have a track gauge of 12  to 15 inches.

Unfortunately, Star-Lite Park faced challenges securing a lease renewal with the Rock Island County Fairgrounds. Michael Fix ultimately relocated the amusement park along Illinois Route 2 at Route.92, about two miles from Silvis, for the 1965 season.

Star-Lite Park closed at the end of a slow 1966 season. The changing entertainment preferences of the time contributed to the park's decline. Michael Fix sold what rides he could, with the remaining rides donated to the Rock Island County Historical Society.

THE LEGACY OF STARLIGHT / STAR-LITE

Though the rides have halted and the lights dimmed, Starlight and Star-Lite Amusement Parks continue illuminating our hearts' corners with a warm, nostalgic glow. Through the collective memories shared within our vibrant online community of Defunct Illinois Amusement Parks, these cherished havens of joy live on. They remain a testament to the indelible mark left on countless Illinois kids, teens, and families, a beacon of the laughter and magic that once was.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Riverside (Amusement) Park, Havana, Illinois. (1904-1967)

Riverside Park was located in Havana, Illinois, along the Illinois River. It opened in 1904, featuring a variety of rides and attractions.

The "Midway" is a 'street' or lane with one or both sides having concession after concession with games of chance, refreshments, souvenirs, a beer garden, and 
entertainments.

The wooden roller coaster, the "Bass Bullet," was built in 1920 with three drops and a white-knuckle top speed of 30 mph. Other attractions included a carousel, kiddie rides, a dance hall, a concession stand and a picnic area. 

This photo is a visual aid.

The Riverside Grille served American fare overlooking the Illinois River. The Grille is well known for miles for the freshly caught Illinois River Black Bass with our recipes. Riverside Park hosted various events throughout the season, including company/family picnics, concerts, and weekend Fairs and Festivals. 

The park closed in 1967 due to financial difficulties. The land was later sold and developed into a housing subdivision.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Rainbow (Amusement) Park (1950-1971); Fun Harbor USA (1971-1981); Fun Harbour, Waukegan, Illinois. (1992-2016)

RAINBOW PARK

Rainbow Park, a small amusement park, opened in 1950 on Lakehurst Road in Waukegan, Illinois, by a group of local businessmen. Rainbow Park featured a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and other kiddie rides. It was a popular destination for families and quickly became a fixture in the Waukegan community.

The park continued to grow and expand in the years that followed. New rides and attractions were added, and the park became a destination in the Chicago area. 

In the early 1970s, the park added a few carnival rides, including a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and a Tilt-A-Whirl.

Rainbow Park was renamed Fun Harbor USA in 1971 and underwent a major renovation.

FUN HARBOR USA

The park's entrance was redesigned, and several new rides and attractions were added. A water park was added, which became a popular attraction for families during the summer months. Fun Harbor continued to grow and evolve over the years. The park added some new rides, including a roller coaster and a water slide. The park also added new food vendors and arcade games.

In the late 1970s, Fun Harbor began to face financial difficulties. The park struggled to compete with Dunes Kiddieland and other amusement parks in the area. They eventually closed in 1981.

ABANDONED

The park sat abandoned for 11 years before it was purchased by new owners Marc Klibanow and Jim Persino in 1990. 

FUN HARBOUR

Klibanow & Persino invested heavily in the park. The new and improved park reopened in 1992 under the name Fun Harbour. The amusement center had a large arcade with the latest pinball machines, video games, and Skee-Ball machines that dispensed tickets for performance in a "tickets-for-toys" system.

The variety of fun included batting cages and go-karts. An 18-hole, nautical-themed miniature golf course, rated by the US ProMiniGolf Association (USPMGA) at level 4 of 5 in difficulty.

Tokens Were Used Instead of Quarters for Pinball Machines, Video Games and skee-ball.

There were three birthday party rooms: The Dolphin, The Mermaid and The Pirate. The closure of Fun Harbour in 2016 was due to a combination of factors, including declining attendance, competition from other amusement venues, and financial difficulties. 

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Trout (Amusement) Park, Elgin, Illinois. (1890s-1922)

Trout Park in Elgin, Illinois, has a long and interesting history. 

The park was originally owned by Dr. P.W. Pratt, who enclosed a 70-acre parcel of land known as "Cedar Swamp" and began a fish hatchery on the site in 1872. It is situated on the east side of the Fox River, 1½ miles north of Elgin.

The hatchery was successful, and the park became known as "Trout Park." In the 1890s, the park was also home to an amusement park, which featured a variety of rides and attractions.

The park became a popular resort for pleasure seekers, especially Germans from Chicago. In 1895, the city of Elgin purchased the park and opened it to the public.

In the early 1900s, Trout Park was home to an amusement park, a botanical garden, and the Trails & Treasures Tea Room. The amusement park featured a carousel, a roller coaster, and other rides. The botanical garden was filled with various plants, including rare white cedar trees. The Trails & Treasures Tea Room featured a wall of windows with a view of the river and was a trendy spot for afternoon tea.

In 1910, Trout Park became home to Elgin's first semi-professional baseball team, the Elgin Kittens. The Kittens played their home games at a stadium in the park that could seat 3,500 spectators. The team played in the Northern Association, a minor league baseball league, from 1910 to 1912.

Trout Park remained a popular destination for Elgin residents throughout the 20th century. 

The park was designated an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1972 due to its rare white cedar trees and other natural features. Today, the park is still popular for hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Galew, Ph.D.

Vandalia Beach Amusement Park, Vandalia, Illinois. (1927-1982)

Vandalia Beach was an amusement park located in Vandalia, Illinois. It opened in 1927 and operated for over 50 years. The park was located on the banks of the Kaskaskia River and featured a variety of rides, attractions, and a swimming pool. 

The park was opened by Harry and Alice Clark in 1927. 

Rides included the small wooden roller coaster built in 1928 and a toddler kiddieland.

In 1946, Clark and Parks Amusement Company purchased Vandalia Beach Amusement Park, which also owned several other amusement parks in the Midwest. Clark and Parks invested heavily in Vandalia Beach, adding new rides and attractions, like the Tilt-a-Whirl, a Ferris wheel, and a swimming pool.

This photo is a visual aid.

The park became a popular destination for families from all over the region.

In the 1970s, Vandalia Beach began to decline. The park was no longer as well-maintained as it once was, and attendance began to drop. In 1982, Clark and Parks announced that Vandalia Beach would be closing. The park's final day of operation was September 5, 1982.

The site of Vandalia Beach is now a residential development. However, the park's swimming pool still stands and is now used by the Vandalia Park District.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.