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| Sanborn Fire Map from 1894 - Western Avenue was the western border between former Jefferson Township and the City of Lake View - both annexed to Chicago in 1889. |
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| Details of Schützen Park/Sharpshooters' Park Sanborn Fire Map from 1894. |
It all started with a man named Wilhelm A. Schmidt who, during the late 1800s, wanted nothing more than to open a modest "Sharpshooters' Park." Schützen Park, (Schützenverein in German: Shooting Club) did well until 1903 when Schmidt’s son, George, returned from school. Upon returning from Europe George told stories of the parks he had seen which boasted fantastic Ferris Wheels, Carousels, and more. He argued that these rides would attract people from all over and with some monetary help from a lawyer named William Johnson, and a banker, Joseph McQuade, his vision quickly became reality. After that point, the park became known as “Riverview Sharpshooters' Park” and was home to three rides.
Legend has it that the wives complained about being left behind with the children in the scorching heat of the summer. Soon, families pack picnic baskets and went to the park with their husbands. To occupy the family's time, a shaded area had benches and tables set up, and free band concerts were played. Rifle practice was soon discontinued, though rifle ranges and shooting galleries (with real bullets) later became a permanent part of Riverview Park.
George Goldman and William Schmidt purchased the 22 acres of land after Schmidt sold his Sedgewick Street Bakery and his invention of the soda cracker to the National Biscuit Company in 1903. By 1903, there were 500 miles of streetcar tracks crisscrossing the city, making public access to the park possible from every point in Chicago for 5¢. A beer garden and some small food concession stands were soon added. Music, parades, band compositions, political rallies, games, and shows kept the park a lively center for cultural entertainment.
The children complained that there was nothing for them to do. So the owners opened a free playground. There were now many things to do - a slide, a teeter-totter, and a wading pool. Soon they added one large restaurant, a large bandstand, a Rhine wine bar, five other taverns, a large 100-foot by 50-foot dance hall, an ice house, more chairs, tables, and benches.
Riverview Sharpshooters' Park, Chicago. (1904-1908)
In 1904, there were 25 major picnics held at Sharpshooters' Park ranging in attendance from 5,000 to 35,000 people. Riverview opened that year with the Sharpshooters' name. Ponies and goat carts were added to the park for the enjoyment of picnicker's children. The need for speed eventually made them obsolete. They were originally in the main area but later moved to an area they called “Kiddy Land”. Many concessions and games of skill became a part of the park such as pop (soda pop) and ice cream stands, a shooting gallery, ball-throwing, cane games, and pony rides.
Riverview Sharpshooters' Park's competition was the White City Amusement Park and San Souci Amusement Park, both located on the south side of the city. Rides and attractions were being introduced at Luna Park, Coney Island, and other East Coast locations with great success. George convinced his father to lease six acres of land fronting on Western Avenue to two Eastern amusement park representatives for $7,600 a year for a ten-year contract.
The park opened on July 3, 1904, to the public with only three rides (owned by the Eastern representatives) plus some other concessions, all under tents. The use of electricity in illumination and spectacular shows attracted 32,000 people on opening day. The park closed the 1904 season with a profit of $63,000 with only 70 days of operation. All of the concessionaires made a nice profit.
The Riverview Sharpshooters' Park Company ("Sharpshooters' Park" part of the name was dropped in 1905) was formed but competition became fierce when a fence between the two areas was removed. (The park had expanded to 140 acres and blossomed with 100 attractions by 1910.) When the 10-year lease expired, the Schmidt family gained full control of the park. The family kept Riverview Park one of the most successful in the industry despite economic trials and through tough times like the great depression.
FIRST RIDE
The "Figure 8" was the first roller coaster at Riverview Sharpshooters' Park. The ride has 12 cars on a trough-like track on a timber frame. A steam engine carried the cars up an incline and gravity brought riders back to the starting point. The cars were guided by side-friction wheels and propelled on four swivel casters. The coaster has a few mild four-foot drops on a short track and went six miles an hour it cost $16,000 to build.
SECOND RIDE
The Merry-Go-Round was second in popularity to the Figure 8 roller coaster. It was a concession at Riverview Sharpshooters' Park owned by the Eastern group. The "Morris Carousel" was described by the owner as having "very handsome figures in an octagon pavilion 100 feet across and 45 feet high." The cost of a ride was 5¢. (The larger "Fairyland Carousel" did not arrive until 1908) In the foreground is a glass etching souvenir booth.
THIRD RIDE
The "Thousand Islands" was the third ride in the park when it opened as Riverview Sharpshooters' Park. It was composed of 1,000 feet of canals with a 28-foot high chute. The boats passed through the canals at a slow speed, then were brought to the top of the incline where they rapidly descended into a pool of water. The boats returned to the starting point. A large outdoor water wheel operated by a motor, concealed behind scenery, kept the water flowing in the canals. Dark tunnels and scenes to startle the riders were added. The ride was nicknamed Old Mill, Mill on the Floss, Tunnel of Love. and The Mill. For 10¢, riders could steal a kiss.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RIVERVIEW PARKS HISTORY (150+ PICTURES & FILMS.)
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
