Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Playland Park. (Gone.) Justice Illinois USA.

A happy if now somewhat vague memory for people who grew up on the southwest side of Chicago or Chicago's southwest suburbs during the 1950's, 60's and 70's, were family outings to the Playland Park amusement park in southwest suburban Justice Illinois.

This photo was sent to Me recently, by a Mr. Robert Pitunjac from the Clear Ridge Historical Society of Chicago. ( Clearing, Garfiled Ridge neighborhoods.)
Thanks Robert.

This photo was proboubly taken sometime during the late 1960's or early 1970's era. The blooming trees in the background, indicate that this was proboubly taken in early May around the time the park opened for the season during the Springtime.

I went to Playland Park a handful of times during the 1970's with My family as a kid and as a teenager, but unfortunately...they somehow never took the camera with them.

I seem to recall, that the Scrambler ride shown here, was located along the south Midway, toward the west end of the park. The highway bridge in the background, is the Interstate 294 Tollway. Playland Park was located on a frontage road along the north side of the 294 Tollway, just west of South Archer Road / Illinois U.S Route # 171, in the village of Justice Illinois.

Playland Park closed at the end of the 1979 season, after the sudden and untimely death of the park's owner.

The Playland Park site was sold to the adjacent trailer park, and today is the site of the large Sterling Estates trailer park.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

1 comment:

Jim said...

I remember not being tall enough to ring the overhead bell from the train ride. By the time I was big enough, they closed. Thanks for sharing!