tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post3608133468155543884..comments2024-03-28T16:44:05.806-07:00Comments on GORILLAS DON'T BLOG: Kiddy Town, Illinois - August 1963Major Pepperidgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-85263524103707833682020-03-23T18:49:02.918-07:002020-03-23T18:49:02.918-07:00Does anyone remember the name of the hot dog stand...Does anyone remember the name of the hot dog stand across from the park? You can see the long skinny hot dog In one of the picturesJLajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09519915790514677602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-51908753806811906002020-03-23T18:47:20.044-07:002020-03-23T18:47:20.044-07:00This park was where unity bank was, adjacent north...This park was where unity bank was, adjacent north to hip wiebolts. To my surprise I see the community discount store there too. They must have Moved community down further North closer to Lawrence at some point after this picturereJLajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09519915790514677602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-35798074348118818552016-10-05T19:56:08.841-07:002016-10-05T19:56:08.841-07:00Bingo..after it shut down..it was Unity SavingsBingo..after it shut down..it was Unity SavingsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-58371725596026177612015-11-27T12:54:51.203-08:002015-11-27T12:54:51.203-08:00The "red thing" is a crane truck. It has...The "red thing" is a crane truck. It has a tubular, extending boom<br />mounted on the truck. It is parked in the Howard Johnson's parking<br />lot that was just south of the park.<br /><br />It is not part of Kiddy Town.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-34619778846101883292014-09-15T19:43:02.609-07:002014-09-15T19:43:02.609-07:00Great memories, great times Kiddy Land ,helicopter...Great memories, great times Kiddy Land ,helicopter ride was.my fav Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-39191219998256715632014-09-15T19:19:32.766-07:002014-09-15T19:19:32.766-07:00I grew up east of Harlem,south of Montrose, my bro...I grew up east of Harlem,south of Montrose, my brother n I used to walk to Kiddyland, they had the helicopter ride we really enjoyed.Also Starks was across from the adjustment park, Great memories Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-77893042408015176042014-07-10T15:50:12.654-07:002014-07-10T15:50:12.654-07:00I was a teenager growing up in Norridge in the 60&...I was a teenager growing up in Norridge in the 60's. The Kiddytown penny arcade was my hangout at the time. I worked as a relief ride operator when needed. I also would clean the glasses on the pinball machines for extra spending money which went right back into the machines. Pinball machines were 5 balls for a nickel. Kiddytown originally started 1-2 blocks south and relocated for the building of the Harlem Irving Plaza. Across Harlem Avenue was an outdoor movie theater. Times were much simpler then and we always had fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-80030533674902997962013-08-20T14:53:13.729-07:002013-08-20T14:53:13.729-07:00The property was bought by a bank. It became Unite...The property was bought by a bank. It became United savings and then a host of successors. The rides were all sent over to Kiddieland in Melrose Park at North & Cumberland. That park stayed open until last year. Unity Savings changed names a few times. The old Train Garage From Kiddytown actually was around into 1970's. I think someone used it as a mechanic's garage. They just tore down the bank and are adding an expansion to the harlem Irving Plaza a/k/a harlem Irving Mall on the old property<br /><br />Mike Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-16872317582522845352013-01-29T19:02:59.032-08:002013-01-29T19:02:59.032-08:00Thanks so much for posting these photos and talkin...Thanks so much for posting these photos and talking about Kiddie Town! The HIP-Blog would like to know if it can use your photos and will link to your thread on the topic with full credit given. HIP-Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13011638435244521004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-76579877987371003132012-01-12T20:43:05.855-08:002012-01-12T20:43:05.855-08:00Boy, am I late to this party. But, I can remember ...Boy, am I late to this party. But, I can remember leaving that very Howard Johnson's with Mom and Dad and sister one night. A fellow staggered up to us and asked for help in broken English. Suddenly, my dad, who was raised in a Polish-speaking household, starts talking to the guy in Polish. It was the first time we had ever heard him speak the language he grew up using. He was so cool in our eyes. Thanks for these great photos, bring back great memories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-29855347153396326912011-05-10T23:24:58.833-07:002011-05-10T23:24:58.833-07:00Mike B, if you scroll to the top of the page and s...Mike B, if you scroll to the top of the page and see the text near the "About Me" section, I give my email address. I'd love to see your photos! <br /><br />The other 3 photos were published on my blog on March 6, you can find it in the archives.Major Pepperidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-90105172633007630712011-05-10T06:44:59.651-07:002011-05-10T06:44:59.651-07:00This was at the north end of the Harlem Irving Pla...This was at the north end of the Harlem Irving Plaza. I have 2 more pictures of roller coasters from Kiddy Town, how do I get them to whoever runs the blog? Also , I'd like to see the other 3 you said you have! Love this stuff! tHanks for postingMike Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-86725523358484504242011-02-12T12:51:17.438-08:002011-02-12T12:51:17.438-08:00This had to have been between Lawerence and Montro...This had to have been between Lawerence and Montrose.<br /><br />I noticed the sign for the Community Discount store.<br /><br />Don't know if it existed in the 60's but in the 70's there was a lumber yard called Joseph's which was across from it.<br /><br />Funny they have streetlights up and down Harlem today and none here.<br /><br />Wonder why?MIKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586033662200199492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-26345730631200673582011-02-11T20:49:56.493-08:002011-02-11T20:49:56.493-08:00That's very cool, JG! So nice to know that the...That's very cool, JG! So nice to know that they've managed to survive after all these years. <br /><br />It reminds me of "Happy Hollow" in San Jose, which I used to visit with my sister and her kids about 8 years ago. Such a wonderful little, old fashioned park!Major Pepperidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-17627518531990076042011-02-11T19:48:42.949-08:002011-02-11T19:48:42.949-08:00Hey Major, I just googled the Fresno Rotary Playla...Hey Major, I just googled the Fresno Rotary Playland. Not only are they still in business, this is their website>>http://storylandplayland.com/<br />Looks like some of the rides from my youth still exist. I remember being in that caged Ferris Wheel, probably second grade.<br /><br />Check it out. Thanks for making me go look for it.<br /><br />JGJGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456196709930408585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-26314790682103274802011-02-11T03:43:54.074-08:002011-02-11T03:43:54.074-08:00Those cars are the KIDDIE AUTO ride by the Allan H...Those cars are the KIDDIE AUTO ride by the Allan Herschell Company of Buffalo New York. They also offered a oldtime 2 -seater FLIVVER auto ride that ran on the same track. They were also the manufacturer of the BOBSLED roller coaster at Santa's Village Skyforrest.MIKE COZARThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03616421722228113410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-24019259499671774732011-02-10T20:27:44.534-08:002011-02-10T20:27:44.534-08:00JG, if you can find photos of that Rotary Club Sto...JG, if you can find photos of that Rotary Club Storybook Land, I'd love to see them!<br /><br />It might be that lawyers are partly to blame for so many of these little parks closing, but I'm guessing that it eventually just got too difficult to keep them profitable enough to keep open.Major Pepperidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-18916916047957417012011-02-10T19:01:35.889-08:002011-02-10T19:01:35.889-08:00That thing looks like a water cannon, or maybe the...That thing looks like a water cannon, or maybe the nozzle from a fire boat. is this place close to the sea?<br /><br />I love these little local parks too, Major. When I was a little shaver, the Rotary Club Storybook Land in Roeding Park in Fresno was the place to be. I'm gonna look for some pics of that on-line. It was really nice in the day. Bet its gone now.<br /><br />We can blame the gargoyle lawyers for the liability suits that did in so many of these little places.<br /><br />Hey Anonymous, I'm talking to you!<br /><br />JGJGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456196709930408585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-85346576207107720372011-02-10T16:21:01.054-08:002011-02-10T16:21:01.054-08:00Thanks for taking the time to post the close-up, M...Thanks for taking the time to post the close-up, Major! Maybe on your birthday, you could choose between riding in the firetruck or riding on top of a giant gun ? Doesn't Cher do that in one of her videos?TokyoMagic!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16340756514811789233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-58910208184189204572011-02-10T15:51:38.299-08:002011-02-10T15:51:38.299-08:00TM!, I have no idea what that red thing is... coul...TM!, I have no idea what that red thing is... could it really be a howitzer (or whatever)??<br /><br />Matterhorn, Andrew and Connie, glad you liked these!<br /><br />VDT, I wonder if they are electric. Do you think that it operates on the same principle as the Alice in Wonderland ride?<br /><br />Mike the address on that postcard that I linked to says that it was at 4250 N. Harlem Avenue in Norridge. I can only assume that it didn't last long for financial reasons, but don't know for sure.Major Pepperidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-68411942154284206392011-02-10T14:24:08.352-08:002011-02-10T14:24:08.352-08:00What street was this on and how come it lasted suc...What street was this on and how come it lasted such a short time?MIKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586033662200199492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-64576201575976921072011-02-10T11:18:13.307-08:002011-02-10T11:18:13.307-08:00Those little cars are awesome! I like how they ha...Those little cars are awesome! I like how they have real (looking) gas pumps yet I think these are electric cars. Great find on the postcard!Vintage Disneyland Ticketshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14790755040005517146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-39255339801312803132011-02-10T08:40:58.842-08:002011-02-10T08:40:58.842-08:00Wow, that makes me wish I was a kid again!Wow, that makes me wish I was a kid again!Connie Morenohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14112860706520621190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-79113174300228258082011-02-10T07:56:16.356-08:002011-02-10T07:56:16.356-08:00Thank you for another interesting gem!Thank you for another interesting gem!Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-72256647290730083002011-02-10T06:47:00.061-08:002011-02-10T06:47:00.061-08:00Wonderful images...another park for me to be on th...Wonderful images...another park for me to be on the lookout for souvenirs and images. I do like how mom got to sit on the back of the car. The track appears to be based upon a miniature railroad.Matterhorn1959https://www.blogger.com/profile/07140583153080149244noreply@blogger.com