Riverview Remembered by WGN

[@jud3788]

I grew up in Chicago and Riverview is in my heart... it is a part of my childhood,, I love it !!

[@ezjames6194]

I lived across the street from Riverview on California Ave. A great place to see the 4th of July fireworks.

[@pamfricano5446]

All the memories I lived on Roscoe and Seeley went to Riverview quite a bit. We could see the parachutes from the corner. It's a shame it had to go. Be memories will remain!

[@marilynm5052]

I'll always have fond memories of Riverview. I was a sad 11-year-old when it was demolished.

[@timrasico7831]

I remember Riverview! I went on the boat ride and ate popcorn and drank rootbear! Great fun! Dr. Tim Rasico M.D.

[@anitahamlin2411]

My mother loved Riverview and so her date flew us from our tiny farm airport to Old Chicago. My first time in a plane and an indoor amusement park. So loved this place.

[@tss77]

God Bless Riverview I will never forget that park so long as I live.

[@sosumi_rogue]

I only ever heard about it from my older brothers and sisters. It was torn down the year after I was born. But they loved it.

[@ct3504]

Born in 1964, all I recall from the late 60's-70's is Back of the Yards carnival with the big slide and tear-apart raffle tickets, Playland Park in La Grange Park, IL. Kiddieland and Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom.

[@cynthiayarbro9908]

Great memories! What a great amusement park! The BOBS & The FIREBALL! WOW!

[@rossonero9536]

We moved from Chicagoland when I was 7 and i have the vaguest memory of the wildcat/riverview. I have a few more of kiddieland, almost none of Santa's village

[@sabyegrp]

Went to Riverview many times. Our High School Lane Tech was just next door.

[@Attywab]

What great memories I had of Riverview as a child growing up in Chicago! Two Ton Baker was the spokesman on commercials.

[@Rocketjay12]

I was a freshman in highschool at Lane Tech the year before Riverview was torn down. I rememebr sitting in my fourth floor Biology class and watching the roller coaster(I think it was the "Bobs") and listening to people scream as they went over the top. Our teacher would threaten to close the windows if we didn't stop paying more attention to the sounds from Riverview than her.

[@JohnHighSax]

Eternally etched in my memories .....

[@jeromeezell2494]

Riverview was the best. Churches and other groups in Gary, IN would have "moonlight" trips to riverview on buses for kids and adults in the 50s and early 60s, leaving Gary about 6 pm arriving in an hr or so. It became an enchanting place as dusk arrived. What a place!

[@louislesseos1007]

I was 13 when we left Chicago for SoCal forward to age 84 still remember like it was yesterday!!!

[@TimelordR]

I was very fortunate to have been there with my father & older brother in the Summer of 1967 before its eventual extinction. Good times...

[@Aleidenberg]

Our favorite ride at Riverview was the Caterpillar. A gentle, swift ride around the track, up and down a little, then the canvas cover comes down for the last couple circuits. We loved it!

[@jeopardy60611]

From 1984-1988, I attended Lane Tech High School near which Riverview was located. I attended an alum program in recent years, and an older alum talked about seeing a view of the roller coaster running from a 4th floor classroom window. I'm sure many kids used to cut class to go there. In my day, we just had two arcades located near the school.

[@MrKh223]

Our high school band from East Moline, Ill. would come to Chicago, stay at the Conrad Hilton Hotel, and march in the parade at Riverview on Saturday Night . After marching, we had the experience of 'exploring the huge amusement park, and got a 'taste of Life in the Big City. I will never forget those moments; looking back, I treasure them!!

[@Southgate210]

I Loved It Being Only 10 Years Old. I Never Got Up the Nerve to Ride the Bob's or Fire Ball. I Road Silver Flash Rollercoaster, The Comet (Scared Me To Death) The Greyhound which was soon after tore down and the Jet Steam Was Built in it's Place. The Ride was NOTHING In Comparison to the Greyhound! Riverview Set My Desire for Amusement Parks Overall. Great Memories For Sure.

[@searle1836]

Went to Lane Tech 70-74 and when we moved to Chicago my mom was stunned that Riverview had been torn down.

[@bsbob52]

Best place I was ever at in my life ! We used to go every summer.

[@musikfanat]

The happiest days of my life were spent there with my mom and dad, sister, uncle gene and Aunt Sue...

[@maureencora1]

I was 10 yrs old in 1967, Well at Lease I Got 5 Summers of Riverview. Fond Memories of 1960s. (smile)

[@ea327]

Loved the parachutes!

[@loriloristuff]

My uncle snuck us there, but my mother would not let us go there. I did go to high school next door, and learned to drive on the parking lot that remained.

[@ColonelJack1]

I vividly remember Riverview ... the Bobs, the Freak Show, Aladdin's Castle ... so many wonderful memories. It's been 45 years since Riverview closed and I still feel the sting of learning that I'd never get to go back there because of greed. I hope the people who ruined childhoods and memories for millions choked on the money they got from selling the land and closing the park.

[@kaiserdink]

Went to find those remnants today and they exist in a small wooded area behind DeVry Institute called Clark woods. You can see whats left of the water ride and the midway in the woods. Someone also built a cool BMX bike track back there. Wish I was around to visit Riverview in its hayday!

[@nathanielmcintosh1712]

There will.never be anything like Riverview again never those were the good days.Real live cheap fun!!!

[@AtlantaGymFan]

My dad would take me and a friend every summer from 1956 through 1963 when we moved to Atlanta. He would sit in the beer garden while we would enjoy the rides. What great memories!

[@James-pz2bd]

I loved The Rotor!

[@AtlantaGymFan]

Wow, I remember waiting all year for summer when my dad would take me and a friend to Riverview! The rides were thrilling and I cannnot believe it's gone - what great memories!

[@decepta113]

i went to Lane Tech High School and it used to be right next to it. just looking at all the cool rides, i wish it were still around today. Six flags has nothing on Riverview.

[@freddiemaxwell8959]

I was only 9 when it closed down, but I still have vague memories of going there. I was to young to ride the 'Big Boys' rides. I think the last time we went was in 65... So I was 7. I remember riding the train and the carousel... After it closed down I recall riding the Belmont bus and through the window looking at what little bits that still remained and finally one day I saw them building the 'New' Police Station and the strip mall where the new Radio Shack opened up. Sometimes I would go there to pick up electronic items for my budding radio hobby and shortwave and later ham radio hobby...Sometimes it seemed as if I were walking on sacred ground... Me and my friend would ride our bikes around the DeVry campus and try to imagine what it was like to be there when Riverview was still open. I come across an old booklet (Treasure Map) that showed the layout of the park and the location of all the rides and other attractions. Then we would go on treasure hunts with my friends metal detector looking for relics from the old park. We never found much but it was fun just the same...

[@fritzgolden6237]

I feel like crying when I watch this.

[@richardbromund2655]

God I remember Riverview especially the Bob's we called it the Italian bob"s some great memories

[@Philtration]

I was lucky enough to go the last two seasons and it was great! My oldest brother went to Lane Tech while the park was still open and that had to be tempting to cut class and walk over to the park.

[@fnell1959]

I am a fan of old stuff I do remember Riverview and Funtown and Old Chicago which were very fun places to go for exticement. I miss all the fun in Chicago when I was a young kid now I am in my early 50's Thanks for the video

[@AB-qd2dy]

Nell Pugh I don't remember where Fun town was located. Can you tell me?

[@brutusofnn]

I was eight when Riverview closed. We would go once a year and I was never tall enough to ride the roller coaster before it closed. 😢

[@mromeyn]

I went practically every weekend!! They had a Roller Rink too, loved the Freak Show! The Bobs, The Caterpillar, 2 Ton Baker there was no other feeling like going through that Turn Style, it was the only Amusement Park that we could get to on city buses

[@datu52]

"Laugh your troubles away!" That was the tag line from the ad which always ran on the Garfield Goose show. In the 80s my friends and I flew RC helicopters in the park along the river, on Rockwell south of McDonald's and the insurance office. I rode the Wild Mouse twice in Riverview's last season. When I was a young boy my mom carried me out of Aladdin's Castle with a sweater over my head, so distressed and scared was I.

[@revrotunda3206]

Luved Garfield Goose & Riverview. Days never to be repeated again. My own kids don’t have as many fantastic memories as I do. Society became too political, greedy & more treacherous ruining all the fun.

[@JoeNicks389]

That's pretty much what I said. Trouble that no one wanted to fix. I was a lot old than 10 at the time and saw the problem first hand. It was a shame, but life goes on. What really hurt many people was that the park was closed down during the "off'' season and no one got a last chance to visit the park 1 last time. I think that last season would have been a gold mine for the owners, but it was not to be. Thanks for your comment. pin

[@alfredfreeman8527]

When they closed Cincinnati's Coney Island they announced the closing a year in advance and gave people here chance to say goodbye. Not so with Riverview. That's sad.

[@jnartist]

I sooo miss Riverview. So many memories. The sideshow act would give me nightmares. I didn't know bozo's wizzo got his start there. Pretty cool. I remember my father trying to sneak my twin sister and I on the Italian Bobs. I think you had to be 7. We were 6. My friend Brenda used to roller skate in Riverview with her cousin Jeri. Fun times.....

[@menopassini9348]

Vision Artist. Do you notice that Wizzo's clown outfit and make-up are very similar to the Big genie over Aladdin's Castle?

[@TamiZorge]

I have vague memories of Riverview as a child but I remember how I loved going there. Every time we went my dad wore his Riverview shirt. It was an orange plaid shirt. I wish I still had it.

[@pamczech5984]

My mother went there I remember we looked at it when they said they were tearing it down

[@davidcalderon9051]

I remember I am now going on 63.

[@littlest-kim]

My parents, aunts, and cousins always talk anout Riverview. It sounded like such a great place, so sad that I wasn't around for it's excitement and fun. I suppose Riverview is like Kiddieland for me. I was broken when they said it was closing!

[@danielwells7487]

i live down oakley, now it's roscoe village shoping center and a collige,it was the 1967 blizzard not, but some one said whan the owner died, his kids did not know what to do, so thay sold it.

[@hockeygod1112]

my grandfather always tells me stories of this place from when he was a child

[@newtrier61]

In the 1950s 5.00 would pay for a day at the park and lifelong memories. sad we don't have it today.

[@Luv2CraftGinny]

been there many times as a child, what memories

[@chimjw]

Man wish they would rebuild it that looks awesome.

[@tommiller9743]

Great memories of Riverview.

[@rudolphliska2264]

I have my 16mm movies movies of the park. Itook my family to the park, just before it closed. Thank You.

[@BeatlesFanSonia]

I went on my first roller coaster ride at Riverview Park in Chicago!

[@ionracer24]

My dad talked about Riverview all the time when we were kids in the 70's. Unfortunately we never got to experience it. But we did have kiddie kingdom!!

[@CateDiva]

There is a shopping center there, now. Riiverview Shopping Center, or something like that. It's really sad.

[@sscalise03]

Why didn't they put the carousel in Illinois . The home state of riverview park. I miss those days, but it started to become neglected. Many features were broken. It became dirty. Crime increased. So, less people were going. It was great in the early sixties.

[@TheTbirdterry]

Grandmother took me there in the early 50,s. Was a great place to take a girlfriend throughout the early to mid sixties. Wound up in Viet nam in 67 and when I got back in 68 it was gone. Homecoming would have been much better if the world's greatest amusement park would have still been there. Loads and loads of great memories.

[@Synthetrix]

What a great old place that was.

[@varigdc10]

This place got me in so much troubles I wish it never existed. I went to Lane Tech ( 1964 ) and used to cut classes with my buddies and go to Riverview all the time. Failed so many classes had to spend one more year to make up stuff to graduate, probably the only one to ever do that, wow!!!!!!!

[@jerroldkazynski5480]

You probably were familiar with the "social club" called the JPs? I played pool in that neck of the woods, near Riis Park.

[@sosumi_rogue]

My brothers went to Lane Tech, one graduated in 66. LOL!

[@1974Flyingsub]

Hi, I'm from Saint Louis, Mo. Our BELOVED HIGHLAND'S went up in flames in July of 1963. An ACCIDENTAL FIRE.. SO IT WAS SEND TO HAVE BEEN! My HEART GOES OUT TO CHICAGO AND IT'S PEOPLE FOR THE LOSS, so many years ago OF THEIR HISTORIC RIVERVIEW PARK! BUT WHAT HAPPENED?? WHY...WHY, WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR THIS? DOSE ANYONE HAVE AN ANSWER TO WY IT WAS DISTROYED??

[@33Keith33]

This makes me think of Pontchartrain Beach in New Orleans. It was family owned for decades and then it was closed in 1983 to make way for condominiums. The condos were never built and the space is still empty after all these years. What a waste.

[@Southgate210]

I got to ride the wooden rollercoaster at Pontchartrain Beach! It was great, 'I got that old scared shitless feeling back,' once more! Glad I road it!

[@loufacey-muench4733]

Will always be a part of me

[@peterschniedermeier2971]

my sister would take me there under the pretense she was doing it for me, but she always met her leather jacketed boyfriends there. anyway, one time she took me on the greyhound roller coaster ride. I was about 10 and it scarred the shyte out of me and never could again go on a roller coaster. pretty wimpy I know. every time I drive by where it used to be I recall it. alot of fond memories.

[@RumbleFestRick]

We used to visit Riverview during grade school field trips we came from Milwaukee with several other Catholic schools...

[@ezjames9416]

I lived across the river on California Avenue. Great place to see the 4th of July fireworks.

[@Luv2CraftGinny]

oh so many wonderful memories here

[@PeterMayer]

I remember the commercials, but we moved to Detroit in 67. My older brothers never took me there.

[@janupczak5059]

"But they can't take away my memories..."💔

[@tri5ford]

Nice video, first went to Riverview in the late '50's. One comment, you cannot be between western and Belmont along the Chicago River. Belmont runs east and west while Western runs north and south.

[@Truthseeker1961]

'Was there in the Summer of '67, literally weeks before it shut down...WHEW, just made it there before it closed...BTW, there as a little Chicago boy who went there who was inspired by all the wonder he experienced at Riverview and later began a small business you may have heard of...the kid's name? Walt Disney.

[@spookyskeleton1230]

+Truthseeker1961 for real? I never knew that about Walt Disney! thanks for sharing that. so cool. I wish I could of gone there but I was born over a decade after it closed :( I wish my Dad told me about this place he must of went there as a child.

[@DeadAbeVigoda]

I've found pieces of century old porcelain on the site. Once I found a horseshoe. It might have been used on the ponies that were there in the early days. The park got rid of them because they liked to munch ribbons off ladies' hats.

[@petelinster7093]

I remember it.

[@garyino1281]

I went to Lane (1966-1970), Riverview was next door. What a sad day when the park closed.

[@OpinionsAnimationStudios]

Dad & Mum first took me there in 1962 ; Then we returned in 1976...mere *weeks* before The Final Curtain Came Down. I've fond memories of Riverview Park This Expatriate Chicagoan does

[@revrotunda3206]

Riverview abruptly closed down in 1967

[@sugarbear522]

It was called Fun Town (95th & Stony Island). I went there once when I was a kid. I liked Old Chicago too (kindergarten field trip), but never went to Riverview (was torn down 8 years before I was born).

[@iijjllss1]

i worked on the chute the chutes in 1961 great summer rudder came off boat as it hit the water on second bounce and stuck in water stopping boat immediatly few injuries i stayed with the boat until being towed in to dock the captain who didnt go down with the boat pete lodato

[@maxlimbo007]

I visited as a cub scout in 1964.... First experience of an actual freak show! Been interested in Freaks since hten... Fond memories...also Alladin's Castle was great. should have been considered a national landmark!

[@JoeNicks389]

@1974Flyingsub The problem was that there was increased trouble with gangs hanging around the parking lots and preventing people from going into the park. It got real bad those last few years and no one could stop it. So people stopped going because they didn't want any trouble, business fell off and it was easier to just sell off the property than fix the problem. I'll always remember my aunt taking me on the coasters because my mom could not stand heights. Both are gone on and so is Riverview.

[@Southgate210]

GANGS? 1st time I heard this? Really? Man! They should have stayed where they lived and ganged all they wanted to. Going to ruin the fun for everybody else!

[@loriloristuff]

I used to walk all over the Riverview site when I went to Lane Tech in the early 1970s- Of course, the Riverview site was flat and being paved into DeVry and the "cop shop".

[@narvellevans1034]

I was at Riverview in the summer of 69. Never forget

[@boataxe4605]

No you were not, it closed in 67.

[@1456Sassy]

The only time I ever road on a roller coaster was at Riverview! The Comet! Too scary for me! Yeah, I know I'm a whimp! LOL! I was only 10!

[@margomckaine78]

I was born and raised in Chicago. My family including all my cousins and aunts and uncles would go to Riverview every single August and spend the day. The Comet was my favorite roller coaster. I would ride it repeatedly. And I loved Aladdin's Castle.

[@smilanesi98]

I believe my last trip there was July 1962. Just a kid, of course. But does anyone recall the TV promos on local television that went, " Laugh your troubles away at Riverview?" I believe the fellow they hired for the ads was none other than the actor who played the Great Gildersleeve in the 1940's and 50's radio show.

[@Juscz]

+smilanesi98 , I remember those commercials.

[@smilanesi98]

+John Uscian I believe his name was Harold Peary. He passed away in 1985. He had this deep bellowing voice. Funny actor.

[@stevepaul6955]

I remember those commercials featuring Dick 'two-ton' Baker telling everybody to laugh your troubles away at Riverview. I wish they could have kept the place open.

[@uncleskull3270]

Thought I was the only who remembered two ton Baker! Like Riverview, one of my childhood favorites!

[@swschu]

Kiddyland was on 95th but west of Cicero.

[@georgelewis9140]

my brother tom graduated from lane tech there in 1960s and when they closed riverview there u could only ONLY go to ..kiddleland on thacher in maywood .now it sadly a (sniff..) big box store .for people ugh those times were awesome to me and others going there now i think the real deal its computers and laptops and justin bieee... what his name?? ugh bring back kiddleland !!

[@darlenem6147]

Fond memories of my childhood. Never understood what happened. Why did it go down? And GEORGIA holds our relics???? not right at all. It should remain in Chicago...perhaps around Navy Pier.

[@michaelblocker2221]

Yes greed and selfishness close Riverview Park and other Oddball things I'm sorry for all of us Riverview with the best amusement park in the world I don't care what their is today it does not compare to Riverview park...thank you for all the memories.. Someone should buy the land back and get rid of them dumb stores and create a Riverview 2..

[@juliemcarthur3004]

It closed the year I was born 1967

[@matrix2004]

This was before my time but i wish it was still there. Its kind of erie when the carnival sets up there in the Summer.

[@mattman237]

Anyone know anything about that articulating coaster at :33? Name or manufacturer? Thanks.

[@jjsrt8]

Matt Man Just wanted to know that myself and found out. Was called Tiltawhirl coaster. I dont know if They actually had that ride but I found this footage online looks like it was taken from this clip www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-4112143-stock-footage--s-coney-island-in-including-giant-tilt-a-whirl-roller-coaster.html

[@mattman237]

Found this at rcdb: rcdb.com/2364.htm

[@ct3504]

Kiddieland was torn down to build Chicago Ridge Mall.

[@kenptak]

Awesome memories!

[@animalyze7120]

Actually the Rotor ride was also saved, stored and later sold in 1975 to Marriots Great America in Gurnee Il. where it was called the Cajun Cliffhanger. That ride was removed in 2000 after more than 80 years of use cause some modern twit got an owee! go figure.

[@haroldf.hansenjr.9386]

yeah boy do I remember Adventureland really. but I broke my heart when they do mileage Riverview. it was classic in its day.

[@kerma17]

Would love to see them, why don't you post them for all of us who loved Riverview !

[@cosmosolis]

I can remember this place but does anyone remember ADVENTURELAND?

[@Juscz]

+Chaleco Salvavides, Yes, I remember going to Adventureland, but Riverview was much better.

[@menopassini9348]

I remember the Super Italian Bob's at Adventureland in Addison. Santa's Village was an other amusement park for younger kids.

[@michaelwalsh1845]

Yes I remember adventureland , the adventure was getting ripped off . No one ever went there more than once !

[@humbleone6405]

Remember Playland in Justice ,IL ?

[@johnchase4408]

Yes. Absolutely