RetroLisa
Post your memories about everyone's favorite indoor amusement park.....Old Chicago! Archived memories from 2001 and 2002 are located here.- click on REPLY at the bottom of the screen
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Darren
I lived in Bolingbrook from the time I was 11 years old in 1976 until 1979. Our home was on a hill at the end of Carmel Lane and I could see Old Chicago well from my bedroom window. The dome was always lit up at night and you could see the coasters running through the windows at the base of the dome.
I loved the magic shop store near the entrance to the amusement park. I also became a crack shot as a kid and had a wonderful time at the shooting gallery showing off. I saw a picture of the organ grinder and his monkey. I had forgotton about them, but now recall I gave some change to the monkey one visit.
I remember the terrible accident when a person on a ride fell out and lost his life. I was also very disappointed when the fireworks for July 4th went off during the day accidently. You could see the smoke for miles. No show that year, bummer. I sure wish Old Chicago survived.
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Michelle Hoy
I grew up in Pekin, IL. My class a school took a field trip to Old Chicago. I remember being awed by the whole thing, but what sticks out in my mind the most was the old fashioned candy store. My memory of it was just like the candy shop in the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." I bought dots of candy on a roll of white waxed paper. It feels kind of cool to think that I got a chance to experience Old Chicago when it was around for such a short time.
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Mike H
We went to visit several times in the 70s with my family - Dad, Grandpa, cousins, my brothers. I loved it with all my heart. But I was a kid and didn't have any money to spend at the mall, which I guess didn't help it. But we went for the rides and waited in lines and loved every minute of it. I recall later, we went the last time and the place was very empty. We saw no lines and loved it even more. We rode ride after ride, we went on the Loop dozens of times and the haunted house too. Then we didn't go again and found out it had closed. Truly a shame.
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Kevin from Downers Grove
I grew up in Downers Grove and lived in Bolingbrook for a year after my marriage. In those days it seemed to be a far away place from the Chicago metro area.
I was with the Eisenhower Jr. High (Darien) band when we marched up and down the mall Christmas of 1977 or 78.
I remember the parade being tiring because the mall was built on a ramp going up to the amusement park entrance.
I also got to visit another indoor park in 1976 that didn't last. The world of Sid and Mary Croft in what is now the CNN center in Atlanta.
Those old parks were great. It is a shame they failed. I'd love to take my kids today.
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Candace
My dad was in the Navy, and we were living in Chicago Navy housing. I was 5 in 1975. I remember visiting Old Chicago, riding the rides, and shopping. I did not know, until today, that it had closed. I do not remember a lot about my early childhood, but this I do remember! Good Times!!!
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matt carlson
i remember going there in 1979. actually only went twice in that same year. hardly anyone else was there, but have good memories of being there. thought it was the coolest thing back then. the first time i ever ate at wendy's was there! i do remember the disco there too! i always wanted to know what it looked like inside after it sat there for some years! it actually looked kinda creepy when it was all abandened.
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Spence
This was the greatest place ever! Went there a couple years in a row for my birthday and no place better! I know they filmed that scene in The Fury there so you can see the old parachute ride over in the corner as it snaps and a car goes flying into the viewing area above the Haunted House. Had a good magic shop in the mall that sold cool tricks; like the old "smoke from fingers" and the invisable dogs on the wire leash gag. I think we went like 3 or 4 years in a row so it was one of those "drop off/pick up 9 hours later" things. Mustn't have been too expensive considering we went there a good bit. Always smelled like puke as you walked down the ramp to get in.
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Michael 774
i have never been to the park . I was 9 in '80. I could have but my folks never took me there. I seem to think I did for some reason but they said , no we never went. I must have fuzzy memories confusing it with another place??
anyway, i would like to say though its a shame this place exists no longer. what a unique place. so huge so massive, so much potential and they just torn it down . Like a great dream that died and turned to dust.,with now a car lot (?!)sitting there where something spectacular once stood .
i would like to see a documentary on this on PBS or whatever someday. With interviews with everyone involved in its creation ,opinions on its early demise ,stories ect... . There must be hidden archived video out there somewhere . it would be very interesting. Make it, if some one out there is a film maker reading this .Please!
thanks Michael .
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Scott Barney
I remember Old Chicago well. My Great Grandfather use to take my brother and I there all the time as kids. My brother and I rode the cork screw roller coaster 20 times in arrow on day. My most favorite ride there was the Floor Drop. I go by the spot were it was and have to tell my kids about it all the time. I was also there for the Rex Smith concert. I miss it wish they had a place like that to take my kids too. Now we have to go to Mall of America for that.
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Anna Davis
just wanted to say I remember OLD CHICAGO very well my ex husband built it. He did all the iron and prefabe walls even put the girl on the top of dome for publicity...We open two stores in there mens clothing store also a shoe store.. The orginal prometers said it was going to be high end stores it end uo being mostly carney venues
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