Adventureland (Illinois) facts for kids
| Location | Addison, Illinois, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°57′21.5″N 88°3′6″W / 41.955972°N 88.05167°W |
| Opened | 1961 |
| Closed | 1977 |
| Attractions | |
| Roller coasters | 3 |
Adventureland was a fun amusement park located in Addison, Illinois. It was open for many years, from 1961 to 1977. Before it became Adventureland, the area was a restaurant called Paul's Picnic Grove. Later, from 1958 to 1961, it was a family spot known as Storybook Park.
From 1967 to 1976, Adventureland was the biggest amusement park in Illinois. It had many exciting rides for everyone to enjoy. Some popular rides included Dizzy Hofbrauhaus and the Scrambler. There was also the Crash 'n Splash Torpedo Tubs for water fun. For thrill-seekers, there were the Italian Bobs, which went 35 feet high. The Super Italian Bobs were even taller, reaching 60 feet! The park also had a large parking area for 3,000 cars.
Contents
Park History: From Storybook to Adventureland
Adventureland started its journey in 1961. The land was bought by Durell Everding. His family also owned another popular park, Santa's Village. Mr. Everding renamed the old Storybook Park to Adventureland.
Growing the Park's Excitement
When Adventureland first opened, it kept some rides from Storybook Park. But the new owner wanted to add more rides. This was to attract older kids and adults too. The goal was to make it a park for the whole family.
Changes in Ownership and Closing
Durell Everding, the park's owner, passed away in 1970. His family continued to run Adventureland for a while. Later, a group called Medinah Investors bought the park.
Adventureland closed its doors in 1977. This happened because new, bigger parks were opening nearby. After closing, all of Adventureland's rides and attractions were sold off.
What's There Now?
Today, you won't find Adventureland anymore. A road called Medinah Road was rerouted through part of the old park. A large building, the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago, now stands on most of the site. However, if you look from above, you can still see hints of the park's old paths. Some people who explore old places have even found parts of old buildings and ride foundations.
See Also
- Adventureland at the Roller Coaster DataBase
