September 26th Chicago Tribune, reprint of August 21, 1977 article by Leonard Tomasello.
The park got its start in 1929 when Arthur R. Fritz lost his contracting business to the Depression. he gathered what money he could and bought six ponies for children to ride and opened County fair Pony Track two years later. They also added some little cars, a merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel and Kiddieland was born. In 1976, they drew 600,000 visitors.
Back in 1977, the appearance of the 21 rides and other attractions was amazing considering many were 25 years old (the Whip had been in operation for 38 years)
THE TRAIN AND MERRY-GO-ROUND
The train and merry-go-round are the most famous. Back in 1977, the two coal burning locomotives were 37-years-old and ran over a mile and quarter course over a bridge, past a pond, and through a tunnel. My wife says it was almost a law that all kids screamed going through the tunnel. The train was her mother's favorite ride and it even went through a parking lot where there was a train crossing.
The merry-go-round had 48 horses and had just been repainted by Fred Johnson, 85, America's premier master of circus and carnival art.
Kiddieland was at North Av. and First Av. in Melrose Park. Hours were 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. No admission and rides were 25 and 50 cents. I'd imagine they are a bit more expensive now.
A Part of Childhood, Gone. --Cooter
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