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All the United States Illinois Melrose Park Kiddieland Sign

Kiddieland Sign

The sign to a demolished amusement park now stands in front of a local library.

Melrose Park, Illinois

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meltingknight
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CAPTION
The full sign.   pixeljones/cc by-sa 2.0
The Little Dipper coaster.   5dollarbill/cc by-sa 3.0
Kiddieland Sign June 2023   brennonhightower / Atlas Obscura User
6-11-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
6-11-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque for the sign on the library.   joevalesh / Atlas Obscura User
Sign on the library!   joevalesh / Atlas Obscura User
6-11-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
The sign while the park was still operating.   S Jones/cc by-sa 2.0
6-11-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1929, Arthur Fritz decided he would open an amusement park on the corner of First and North Avenue in Melrose, Illinois. He opened it as a means of entertainment for people affected by the Great Depression.

Even with its humble beginnings, the park was successful and regularly attracted customers for 70 years. When the park first opened, there were things like a kiddie roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and a pony enclosure.

The park soon became a beloved local attraction, and continued to expand throughout the '50s and '60s. In 1977, Fritz's grandkids took over the business. Over the years, they added attractions like a water coaster, a log flume, and a swinging pirate ship. 

A dispute between the landowners and the park owners caused the park to shut down in late 2009. It was demolished in June 2010 and was replaced by a Costco. Today, there's just a small memory of the park in the form of the preserved sign, which now guards the Melrose Park Library.

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Signs Amusement Parks Libraries

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Parking is free at the library.

Community Contributors

Added By

meltingknight

Edited By

brennonhightower, Darrell Powers, joevalesh

  • brennonhightower
  • Darrell Powers
  • joevalesh

Published

December 6, 2018

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiddieland_Amusement_Park
Kiddieland Sign
801 N 19th Ave
Melrose Park, Illinois
United States
41.894358, -87.85628
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