The former site of Chicago's Kiddy Town Amusement Park. ( 1953 - 1966.)Norridge Illinois USA. May 2012.

The former site of Chicago's Kiddy Town Amusement Park. ( 1953 - 1966.) Norridge Illinois USA. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

During My recent research project involving the subject of Chicago's historic and now forgotten amusement parks of the past, I made some fascinating local discoveries.

I pass the intersection of North Harlem and west Cullom Avenues everyday in Norridge Illinois, and I would never have guessed that a local Chicago area amusement park once stood here at the southwest corner.

From 1953 until 1966, this was actually the site of Chicago's Kiddy Town Amusement Park, wich was immediately adjacent to the north side of the Harlem Irving Plaza Shopping Center mall.

The amusement park is unfortunately long gone, and this is how the Kiddy Town site looks like today.

When you think about it though, this neighborhood must have been a very noisy place during the summer months when Kiddy Town was alive and well. Kiddy Town was located in a residential area.

I wonder if complaints about noise and traffic from local Norridge residents, eventuallually closed Kiddy Town down for good in the long run.

Still, it was a fun and now unfortunately lost and forgotten era of local Chicago area family entertainment venues.

Thanks.
Eddie K.