In today's earlier entry about the closing of Kiddieland, I wrote about Fred Johnson "America's master of circus and carnival art"who, at age 85, repainted the park's merry-go-round.
I'd never heard of him, so did a quick research on him.
I was very impressed with the sideshow banners he painted. One site is offering some for sale at $6,000 and up.
Mr. Johnson was/is? a legend in sideshow banners and had a 65-year career painting circus and carnival banners. He worked at O. Henry Tent and Awning Company in Chicago from 1934 to 1974.
Famous for his old-school techniques, he influenced many new artists in the field. Some of the banners were huge, 10-15 feet.
The Accidental Memories Blog has pictures of ten of his banners, including the 28 inch-high horse and Sylvia, the big-footed girl.
http://accidntalmemories.blogspot.com/2009/03/sideshow-banners-of-fred-johnson-1934.html.
After looking at them, I have seen that style of banner. I can never forget the one I saw at the North Carolina State Fair as a youngster where a guy was in a huge ball with a stick in his mouth and thousands of ants crawling up the side. Still brings shivers to my back. Wonder if Mr. Johnson painted this one?
A Bit of Americana. --Cooter
Showing posts with label Kiddieland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kiddieland. Show all posts
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Goodbye Kiddieland-- Part 2
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
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
Friday, September 25, 2009
Goodbye Kiddieland-- Part 1
After an 80-year run, the 17 acre Kiddieland in Melrose Park, a Chicago suburb, closes down this Sunday, September 27th. It is one of the last small, privately-owned entertainment venues in the country and area. It is "a vintage shrine to mild family entertainment" in this day of EXTREME entertainment and mega parks.
My wife says she used to go there between ten and fifteen times a year all through the time she lived in Chicago. I don't remember ever going to the place. Either her dad, mom, or friends of the family would take her. It was about 9-10 miles from her apartment. When she would go, tickets were bought individually for the rides.
It has been a family business since it started as a pony ride. Part of the family owns the land and has refused to renew the lease for the other part. Possibly a family squabble?
The park draws between 400,000 and 500,000 visitors a year. The 30 rides appealed especially to children between ages 2 to 9. The seasonal workforce consisted of 250 mostly high school students and there were 14 year-round employees who will be looking for jobs.
First Santa's Village, now this. Is Adventureland still open?
From the May 21st Chicago Tribune "Kiddieland's 80-year ride ending" by Ted Gregory.
Sad to See Another Piece of the Past Go By the Way. --Cooter
My wife says she used to go there between ten and fifteen times a year all through the time she lived in Chicago. I don't remember ever going to the place. Either her dad, mom, or friends of the family would take her. It was about 9-10 miles from her apartment. When she would go, tickets were bought individually for the rides.
It has been a family business since it started as a pony ride. Part of the family owns the land and has refused to renew the lease for the other part. Possibly a family squabble?
The park draws between 400,000 and 500,000 visitors a year. The 30 rides appealed especially to children between ages 2 to 9. The seasonal workforce consisted of 250 mostly high school students and there were 14 year-round employees who will be looking for jobs.
First Santa's Village, now this. Is Adventureland still open?
From the May 21st Chicago Tribune "Kiddieland's 80-year ride ending" by Ted Gregory.
Sad to See Another Piece of the Past Go By the Way. --Cooter
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