Many items from Riverview, as well as many paintings portraying the park, were on display at Riverview Tavern, located on the corner of West Roscoe Street and Damen Avenue from 2005 to 2018. It is a PTC carousel and is one of only three remaining five-abreast carousels known to exist. Couples laugh as they ride the Water Bug ride at Riverview Park in 1960. Other popular coasters were The Comet, The Silver Flash, The Fireball and the Jetstream. In 1950 it got a more piquant name -- The Tunnel of Love. Regarding the Flying Turns, yes, I've seen that it's taking that park quite a few years to finish rebuilding the thingand I think that's a cause for some concern. Ironic isnt it, that the more digitally connected weve become, in some ways we are more distant than ever. Riverview Park - FLYING CARS amusement ride - 1954 CHICAGO That makes 7. The second was a 70-foot carousel, admired greatly for being hand-carved and painted by a group of Swiss and Italian craftsmen. The scene is the Old Mill Tunnel of Love ride at Riverview Park in August 1943. "Big Bill" Haywood, the Industrial Workers of the World leader, once spoke here to a crowd of almost 80,000 people. In 1908 they introduced two new attractions, which stunned and amazed park-goers. June Pickney and Bob Reid find the deck of the City of Natchez a good spot for a rest during a day of fun at Riverview Park in June 1957. He argued that these rides would attract people from all over, and with some monetary help from a lawyer named William Johnson and a banker, Joseph McQuade, his vision quickly became reality. The Water Chutes ride at Riverview Park at nightin September1959. Not so in Chicago. Riverview started as a German Beer Garden in my Great Grand Fathers brick yard ( Bach Brick Company) To entertain the children they started a small playgroundfor them while the adults drank there bear, It involved into Riverview Park. I seem to recall reading the last coaster built at Riverview was sold rather than razed, but the buyer was unable to relocate the ride. Carol Stone, top, and Marianne Hunt with a giant Chinese dragon, just one of the many colorful floats in the "Star Time Frolics" Mardi Gras parade at Riverview Park in 1967. Chicago River. Blood pressure and cholesterol are both good. It sounds like fun! In 1909 once again, the park's name changed to "Riverview Exposition Park" and became a household name. Riverview Amusement Park Chicago Flying Turns Model - YouTube ), And yes, I've seen that incredible film of the Bobs that's on YouTube. Tunnel of Love, Whip, Flying Turns, Water Bug, and Ghost Train. Jetstream replaced the ride Greyhound. -- The Fireball (formerly the Skyrocket, then the Blue Streak) Riverview park, Chicago, IL - Genealogy Trails Memories co.efloodkng. That was, after all, one of the first (and one of the few!) (Chicago Photographers / Riverview Park), The Strat-O-Stat ride at Riverview Park is shown at night in1959. [6] A Chicago Tribune article from late 1967 also blames violence for the park's closure, however Wolcott says there is little evidence of increased violence at the park. (Chicago Photographers / Riverview Park), One of Riverview Park's popular features is the Water Chutes, shown here in the park's 59th season in July 1962. > by RWB is far from a great coaster. William Schmidt, owner of Riverview, looks out over the park in 1967, the last season. Brodien, a trained magician, would go on to playWizzo the Wizard on the famous "Bozo Show." A whole trip around Riverview? Century of Progress ( Chicago, Illinois, United States) Removed, Operated from 5/27/1933 to 10/31/1934. None of these coasters themselves were sold. Contact Us About Us The Flying Turns After the closure of the 1933-1934 Chicago World's Fair, Riverview acquired the Flying Turns ride that had been featured on the amusement midway there. Charles Weber, 45th, tosses candy from a truck to the stretched arms of youngsters attending his fourth annual Charlie Weber Kids' Dayat Riverview Park on Aug. 30, 1958. Ive tried to describe Riverview to my husband, who grew up in California, but I can never assemble an adequate list of adjectives. Riverview Park amusement park opened in Chicago on July 2, 1904 at the corner of Western and Belmont avenues in the Roscoe Village neighborhood on the city's North Side. Began construction in 2006 and was completed in 2008 but unable to properly operate until August 2013. Riders are arranged inline in 3 rows for a total of 15 riders per train. Time left: 6d 13h | Starting bid: moved to Riverview Park in Chicago 1934-1963 Forest Park Highlands, St. Louis, Missouri. Riverview Park Chicago Flying Turns Roller Coaster Tix And of course win me a teddy bear or two. The very first amusement ride commissioned by the park was a carousel constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Coaster Company, which continues in operation today. Ald. Under the "Fair Use" provisions of the Copyright Act (US CODE: Title 17,107. It featured what some insist. Chute the Chutes was also demolished, as was the giant genies head that grimaced above the entrance to Aladdins Castle. My father 7 my Uncle Mickey could be found there whenever my cousins and I needed a few quarters and dimes for re rides. There were a lot of Chicago fires, including the "Our Lady of the Angels" School Fire on December 1, 1958 which killed 92 children and 3 Nuns. Photo Credit: Six Flags Over Georgia, Beyond Chicago from the Air with Geoffrey Baer, Next Story: ROGERS AVENUE and CLARK STREET. Stumbled across this site by happenstance. The Parachute in Riverview Park in Chicago The parachute in Riverview Park was a frightening ride. Nonetheless, it was unwanted at the auction, and shortly thereafter, it was demolished and sold for scrap, along with Riverviews five other roller coasters the Fireball, the Wild Mouse, the Silver Streak, the Comet and the Greyhound. Flying Turns - Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pennsylvania, United States) Flying Turns - Euclid Beach (Cleveland, Ohio, United States) Flying Turns - Riverview Park (Chicago, Illinois, United States) Flying Turns - Rocky Point Park (Warwick, Rhode Island, United States) Flying Turns - Lakeside Park (Dayton, Ohio, United States) That thing must've cost them MILLIONS!!! and Chicago amusement park historian Photo taken in the 1950's Riverview Park of Chicago Revisited. that at least try to document and preserve as much history as possible. I was too busy studying and attending school that I didnt give Riverview a second thought. (Riverview Park), Couples laugh as they ride the Water Bug ride at Riverview Park in 1960. The actual true cost was originally the equivalent of 2.5p today. My parents and aunts and uncles used to go to Riverview before they were married, for dates. NAPHA Archivist Fun-seekers at Riverview Park ride the Flying Turns, a breath-taking bobsled run down steeply banked curves in 1962. Flying Turns Mania is coming soon! Pennsylvania. (Chicago Photographers / Riverview Park), The Water Chutes ride at Riverview Park at nightin September1959. 1934-1939 Steeplechase Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York: They used to dance under the stars to a band that played on Saturday nights. Fair Rides. (Chicago Photographers/ Riverview Park), Riverview Park's Flying Scooter, seen here in May 1950, provides breathtaking thrills as it soars at treetop height. What a ride!). Stan Barker My family and relatives have spend many summers at Riverview Park. The mirrors are reportedly at a dance club in Palatine. Riverview Park/ Chicago, Illinois/ Vintage Amusement Park / The Parachute Drop /original acrylic on canvas painting/ Vintage Ride $ 350.00. . Everybody believes that going back to the past would be all rosie. I have been posting photos of Riverview Park on my Vanished Chicagoland Facebook Page for a long time. Thanks! Riverview Park Chicago - Etsy Riverview Park was an amusement park in Chicago, Illinois, which operated from 1904 to 1967. While it was profitable, the $6.5 million sales price was too good to pass up, and within a few months, Riverview Park was no more. Remembering Riverview Park - Chicago Tribune Was finally open for a soft opening October 4, 2013 and officially the next day on the 5th. (Quentin C. Dodt / Chicago Tribune), An aerial view shows a closed Riverview Park on Oct. 4, 1967. I will discuss radio voice actor Dick Orkin (Chickenman) and The Ivanhoe Restaurant/Theater in Chicago. I never rode any of The BOBS rides but wished I had. I was one of the luckiest kids to go there because my mother was the director of a nursery school. (Chicago Herald American), Chicago American news carrier boys wave their tickets for their free rides as they gather at the entrance to Riverview Park on Aug. 15, 1955. We took our 8th grade trip in 1965 from Westville (IL) Jr High School to Riverview. Each day they too had to travel to the park. I was always too chicken to go on the Bobs, now I see from the video it wasn't that bad. Riverview operated from 1904 to 1967. Originally called the Eye-Full. In truth, however, Riverview Park likely closed for economic reasons. It is the only ride from Riverview Park that is in operation anywhere today. as a student of lane in the 50's classroom faced the parachutes and watched as people got stuck at the top several times. I'd heard The Bobs got moved east, but where? We didn't move to Chicago until the '80s, so we never saw it. Throughout the course of the decade, they continued adding more rides, including the most popular "The Bobs," with a nearly 90-foot drop. Details But, we saw the gazebo were they played. What became of Riverviews rides and attractions? I dont know anyone who has ridden both, Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. This blog is a free-to-access, not-for-profit resource that is not academically funded. Except for one: unforgettable! Aladdin's Castle with a view of Chicago's skyline behind it at Riverview Park in 1963. The Thousand Islands was a ride that later became The Mill on the Floss. Sorry to break your "greatest time ever to be alive" bubble. (Chicago Tribune historical . Belmont Avenue is on the lower right. It was restored by Six Flags over Georgia, just west of Atlanta, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. (Robert Smitka), The Thousand Islands was a ride that later became The Mill on the Floss. Flying Turns Bobsled ride - Forest Park Highlands - St. Louis I remember this well.loved it!!! Riders were strapped into a small car inside a large rotating barrel. Episode 232: My Memories Of Radio Disc Jockey Dick Biondi And The Ebenezer Floppen Sloppers Wonderful Water Slides In Oakbrook Terrace, IL. What happened to Riverview Amusement Park in Chicago? I included a very small photo of The Riverview Bobs in the same article that I got permission to use. A coal-fired miniature steam engine at Riverview Park in 1908. From Vanished Chicagoland's Facebook Page, I will write stories about my memories about businesses and events that happened while I was growing up in Chicago. 6, EBook B.J. In its day, the Bobs was billed as the worlds faster roller coaster, attaining a top speed of more than 60 miles per hour. The only thing is that once I got there I would not want to come back here. We went 3 times and he begged off at no. Children from St. Hedwig Orphanage look over a train at Riverview Park on July 30, 1946. This thrilling roller coaster gave riders the feeling of being flight by running in a wooden trough instead of riding on top of track. After the fair ended in 1934, Riverview . (Eugene Powers / Chicago Tribune), Exchange students ride The Bobs roller coaster at Riverview Parkon July 6, 1956. The ride is one of the four major new attractions at the amusement center, which is in its 57th season. Thanks for the info and photos. However, these trains, built in-house at Riverview, were very heavy, and Carowinds decided to replace them with lighter trains to avoid "excessive" track damage. Did you have a favorite game from this company? Ive always found Riverview very appealing. John Curran and Ann Marie Wenthe sail into the Tunnel of Love at Riverview Park in July 1962. (Jim Mescall / Chicago Tribune), Three elephants build a pyramid before participating in the African Safari Parade, a nightly feature of the Mardi Gras festivities at Riverview Park in August 1957. Merry Go Round music by Roller Coster Tycoon. FREE shipping Add to Favorites Riverview Park Midway, Roller Coaster, Carousel, Flying Turns, Amusement Theme Park Ride, Carnival Gift, Chicago, IL Collectible, Mug 11oz (29) $ 12 . The park was opened in 1904 by William Schmidt, who had bought the 74 acres along the north branch of the Chicago River from the German Sharpshooter's Club for a few thousand dollars. After that point, the park became known as "Riverview Sharpshooters' Park" and was home to three rides. > that it is fun enough, but many people think it Episode 238: My Memories Of Rand McNally Retail Stores In Chicago And A Tribute To Singer Tony Bennett. > is too rough. Removal of the "African Dip" Dunk Tank Game from Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois. WOW! Bobsled. (And yes, I did ride it once. Most of the toys are still around. The Greyhound had more than one name also IIRC. Thanks Dr. Gale for the good historical memories. NEW: All Roller Coaster Accidents at Riverview Park. Riverview was established in 1904 by William Schmidt, on the grounds of his private skeet shooting range. (I wonder where they got that film from. I just logged into my Twitter account on my iMac. That park couldn't afford to rebuild the rides, but they did have the stuff on display, in a section called "Riverview Memories.". As the barrel would rotate,. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FLYING TURNS RPPC Postcard, RIVERVIEW PARK, Chicago at the best online prices at eBay! Great moral victory back then. Thanks for sharing. Riverview Park's Flying Scooter, seen here in May 1950, provides breathtaking thrills as it soars at treetop height. Riverview's "Flying Turns" roller coaster ride was originally built in 1933 for the Chicago World's Fair. By 1967, the land on which Riverview was located had . As best I know, the Bobs, like everything else in the park was removed with extreme prejudice. Dad loved roller coasters and so did I (my mom and sister were barfers and only enjoyed the Chutes and Waterbug), so the two of us spent plenty of scream time on the Flying Turns, the Bobs, the Fireball and others. -- The Bobs Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. - History - 30s & 40s Marshall Brodien, 16, center, is the talker-barker at the Riverview Park Freak Show in the 1950s. What a wonderful activity for a Saturday night date. Doers anyone know what happened to The Bobs? Episode 231: My Memories of The Rock Concert & Radio Station T-Shirts In The 1970s And The Jays Potato Chips Plant in Chicago. What a nice memory. Grew up in the area and visited several times. Videos of the park below: 1936 CHICAGO: AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE - PARACHUTE . -- The Jetstream (which replaced the Greyhound). Judy Jo Piorkowski, a 23 year-old Cicero fourth-grade teacher, rides one of the merry-go-round horses at Riverview Park in Chicago in 1967. Riverview closed around 1960, and all the rides either were scrapped or dismantled and relocated. There is something homespun and intimate about it that youll never experience at the new sleek, modern amusement parks. Aren't the trains from one of the coasters still in use? This popular ride lasted until the park's closing at the end of the 1967 season. The barrel had a track inside for the cars to ride freewheeling. Buyer is responsible for shipping charges. Personal Checks will be held for approximately five days while they clear bank. I first went there as a child with my family probably in the early fifties. And gee, I wonder where they got that name? Lincoln, the Illinois county that never was. Laurie Vassallo. Riverview - WTTW The Flying Cars were a German-made ride built for Chicago's great Riverview Park in 1954. Riverview was a fantastic park. A publicity photo of Shoot-the-Chutes at Riverview Park in 1963. To this day it's probably the wildest and roughest coaster I've ever been on. Just home from the Marines, brought my motocross motorcycle, slid it under a gate and rode around. This ride lifted riders to the top of a tower before dropping carts attached to parachutes, This 70-horse carousel was built in 1908. Today I am writing my second story and its about Riverview Park in Chicago. (Bob Rea, Chicago American), Fun-seekers at Riverview Park ride the Flying Turns, a breath-taking bobsled run down steeply banked curves in 1962. Roller Coaster. The bird has vanished! Riverview Park/ Chicago, Illinois/ Vintage Amusement Park / The Parachute Drop /original acrylic on canvas painting/ Vintage Ride $ 350.00. FLYING TURNS RPPC Postcard, RIVERVIEW PARK, Chicago. This page was last edited on 21 October 2021, at 03:00. I'd just turned twelve, old enough to ride the thing, back in 1967, the last year the park was openand it's something I'll never forget. #Riverviewpark #riverviewchicago #chicagohistory". This article about an amusement ride or roller coaster is a stub. [5], Riverview was most known for The Bobs wooden roller coaster. Summers Guide To Coca-Cola Seventh Edition, 2023 - WorthPoint Corporation | 5 Concourse Parkway NE, Suite 2900. But like ghosts, they breezed through the main gate without paying. It was located on 74 acres in an area bound on the south and east by Belmont and Western Avenues, respectively, on the north by Lane TechnicalHigh School and on the west by the north branch of the Chicago River. Now 74 years old one of the saddest times of my life. Perhaps someday we will see a park like Knoebels or HW rebuild this wonderful coaster. Incredible 1950s Footage Gives A Glimpse Into The Past At Chicago's Former Theme Park. Yeah, I'd love to ride the Turns again! The Freak Show featured Betty Lou Williams, the world's only living four-legged girl. Church's coasters in the U.S. went under a variety of names as preferred by those who operated them, but Mr Church made no secret that his own favoured name was Bobs, and some of the American rides were called by that name. The Riverview Park grounds are shownin this undated photo. A Chicagoan bought four childrens rides . I was 10 when the Manchester Bobs closed (1971) and even though I only lived about 20 miles away at the time never got to go to the park let alone the ride. Thank you Neil, for wonderful memories. where the name was simplified to Riverview Park. A new Flying Turns based on the Riverview blueprints is being constructed at Knoebel's Grove Amusement Park in Elysburg, Your approach to ensuring that these skills are developed in elementary and high school is commendable." The last coaster built at Riverview, the Jetstream, was not sold when the park closed, but its trains were, originally to a Sherwood Park in Rockford, IL (now gone). Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. - Riverview News Many thanks for all the great memories of Riverview. As for what's happened since then, I don't know for certain, but I can give a semi-educated guess: There's a park right now (as you guys probably know, but sorry, I forget which one) that's actually rebuilding Riverview's "Flying Turns" from the original blueprints, which is GREAT! Because of the weather, I'd guess that a good 70% of them in the entire world are only open half the year or so. (Chicago Photographers / Riverview Park), Three young classmates on a school outing at Riverview Park find the new Paratrooper ride a thrilling aerial adventure in 1960. It starts out in mid-sentence, leading you to believe that you're only seeing a portion of the entire thing. By the way, Stan was almost 100% correct as far as the Riverview coasters (Chicago is coasterlandthough it took Great America awhile to figure it out! The ride is based on Riverview Park's Flying Turns, with some modifications and additions. The Strat-O-Stat ride at Riverview Park is shown at night in1959. It was located at Belmont and Western. That was one of my proudest moments in my life. The late 50s also brought a new slogan, ". While I have rarely had problems with the USPS, I will not be responsible for packages lost in the mail if you do not choose insurance. :) Find this Pin and more on St Louis Mo by Barb Lojwaniuk. To make matters worse, in April of 1932, workmen retarring a roof started a massive blaze that destroyed the Bug House funhouse, and heavily damaged the Derby coaster. (Harold Norman / Chicago Tribune), Chicago's American newspaper carrier boys ride the Fireball roller coaster at Riverview Park in 1962. George Yautz and Helen Olson sample the breath-taking thrill of a ride on Riveriew Park's steeply banked Flying Turns in anticipation of opening day at the amusement park in May 1951. 0:42 Anyone claiming copyright to any posted photographs or artwork, please contact LivingHistoryOfIllinois@yahoo.com, and it will be duly noted or removed with proof of claim. It all started with a man named Wilhelm A. Schmidt who, during the late 1800s, wanted nothing more than to open the modest. Their faces sum up the thrill ride experience perfectly: joyous abandon and sheer terror. Jetstream was demolished before it was paid off. In the summer months, the school ran a day camp for 2 months of summer so every 2 weeks was a trip to Riverview with the day camp kids. (Chicago Tribune historical photo), The annualRiverview Ramble benefit for United Charities drew 10,000 fun lovers to Riverview Park in June 1962. He had worked there while in high school and was anxious to show me around the park. Others were in order of scariness(?) Episode 239 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is now available to listen to! 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