Old Chicago, you had to have been born in the 70's,,,,,,,,,,

[Chitown]

,,,,,,,,or earlier, if not, you won't remember this footage. But hey, this is what you would be enjoying if the park stayed open. You wouldn't have to travel to Mall of America.

Just know that the Chicago area had the first indoor amusement park ever. This is footage from a movie called "The Fury"

The first segment is of the mall theming, the rest is of the amusement park itself in the middle.

Old Chicago was setup pretty much like Mall Of America but on a smaller scale. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bXNfzU7B9k

[ttd rox]

They had a Wooly Toboggan in the background that I beleive is by Chance. I think that's what it said on RCDB. I wasn't born in the 70's however, this footage from Youtube looks oddly familiar like I've seen it on Youtube also.

[cycamps]

That's very fascinating. I love learning things about Old Chicago.

[RBull4life]

Thanks for finding that Chitown.

The Chicago Log Race was the first log ride I ever went on.

[viper1988]

If you want to find out more about Old Chicago look here

http://www.negative-g.com/OldChicago/OCIndex.html

[ZForce Rider]

That is an amazing find. It's surprising how little information there is about Old Chicago on the internet. I grew up in Joliet, which is a stones throw away from Bolingbrook. The Chicago Loop was the first major coaster I ever rode.

I have some pictures somewhere of Old Chicago being demolished. The northwest side was torn down and you could see right into the amusement park section.

[rasslin]

How weird!

I was an extra in "The Fury" and did a commercial for Old Chicago when I was young.

Both experiences stunk! I was on Oak Street Beach in the boiling sun for 10 hours straight, then I got yelled at for ruining a shot by getting too close to the two "stars."
For the Old Chicago commercial I was told to and showed up at Marriotts Great America early in the morning (all the way from Chicago) only to be told by the gate that they didn't know what I was talking about. I then had to ride all the way to Old Chicago (again on the busses and trains) And my shot in the commercial lasted less than a half second. And all for no money!

Now that I work in the entertainment business, I always try and treat extras and others as good as possible because I remember those horrifying experiences like they were yesterday.

[rasslin]

How weird!

I was an extra in "The Fury" and did a commercial for Old Chicago when I was young.

Both experiences stunk! I was on Oak Street Beach in the boiling sun for 10 hours straight, then I got yelled at for ruining a shot by getting too close to the two "stars."
For the Old Chicago commercial I was told to and showed up at Marriotts Great America early in the morning (all the way from Chicago) only to be told by the gate that they didn't know what I was talking about. I then had to ride all the way to Old Chicago (again on the busses and trains) And my shot in the commercial lasted less than a half second. And all for no money!

Now that I work in the entertainment business, I always try and treat extras and others as good as possible because I remember those horrifying experiences like they were yesterday.

[bigb7965]

i live in bolingbrook and everytime we drive by were old shicago used to be my dad always says thats were old chicago used to be!

[rasslin]

http://www.defunctparks.com/parks/IL/ol ... hicago.htm

This place has photo's of Old Chicago and other abandoned parks around the US

Hope you enjoy!

[rasslin]

Here are some more pictures and histories from Old Chicago. The rollercoaster from Old Chicago is now in Canobie Park and is called the Canobie Corkscrew.

http://www.negative-g.com/OldChicago/OCIndex.html

[cycamps]

^That site was already posted.

If you want to find out more about Old Chicago look here

http://www.negative-g.com/OldChicago/OCIndex.html

[CoasterDude12-2]

I also found out that there used to be a small picnic park within a mile from Old Chicago. It was called Hillcrest Park, it was located between Bolingbrook and Lemont, and closed down in 2004 I believe. It was so small, that despite living near it for almost a decade, I didn't know it was there until the demolished it. They used to have a small coaster similar to Little Dipper at Kiddieland. Now it's an office building.

[FParker185]

yep, Hilcrest was a fairly nice park, though it wasnt open to the public. ACE/NAPHA was invited to the park on something like it's second to last operating day. Was nice but nothing earth shaking. Train ride was probably one of the better rides in the park, went though the woods and all over the place.

That coaster was bought for $5000 by Little Amerricka and is currently running at that park as Meteor

[CoasterDude12-2]

$5000!? I would've saved up for that and put it in my backyard