Take a Ride Through Chicago's Historic Amusement Parks in the Latest 'Chicago Stories' Documentary

Chicago Stories: Amusement Parks premieres Friday, October 4 at 8:00 pm on WTTW and at wttw.com/chicagostories or the PBS app.

As we continue with a new season of Chicago Stories, we turn towards childish delight in Amusement Parks, which explores the history of pleasure gardens, rides, and more in Chicago from the late nineteenth century onwards, touching on beloved spots like Riverview, Kiddieland, Santa’s Village, and more.

We spoke to Rachel Pikelny, the producer and writer of the documentary, about the joy of amusement parks, some of her favorite stories from them, and Chicago’s place in their evolution.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

The story of Chicago’s amusement parks as told in the documentary goes as far back as the 19th century. What makes this an interesting story to tell today?

A century ago, when amusement parks first started sprouting up in Chicago, a new, urban working class finally had time and money to spend on leisure activities, and amusement parks filled that desire in spades. In a way, amusement parks opened up the world to people, drawing them out of their homes and workplaces and into new, magical spaces rich with stimulation and connection.

How exciting it must have been for a young person in the early nineteenth century to soar above the rooftops on the Ferris Wheel, or plummet down a water chute, or simply to be in the same physical space as people from other social classes. I hope viewers can take a leap back in time and imagine themselves in the shoes of their ancestors.

The documentary starts with a look back at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. How did the fair lay the foundations for future amusement parks in Chicago?

The fair included a mile-long Midway Plaisance, an amusement zone with rides, games, and other attractions. Ultimately, it was the most lucrative part of the whole fair. It proved the viability of amusement parks as successful business ventures, inspiring several entrepreneurs to open other parks in Chicago and beyond.

When people think of Chicago amusement parks, Riverview is often the first to come to mind. Why was Riverview important to so many Chicagoans?

In its 64-year history, a staggering 200 million people visited Riverview Park.. The park also drew people from all ages and backgrounds, a rare thing in this often-segregated city. And it was huge, at one time spanning 140 acres. Nowadays, people have to drive outside of Chicago to experience a mega-park like Six Flags, but Riverview was right in the heart of the North Side.

What were some of the memories of Riverview that people shared that stood out to you?

Oh, I heard such great stories! Lots of people remembered how, inside the fun house called Aladdin’s Castle, an employee would fire an air hose and send women’s skirts flying up. Apparently, teen boys and grown men would stand nearby to catch a glimpse.

I heard tons of stories about the roller coasters at Riverview. Everyone had a favorite: The Flying Turns, The Bobs, The Silver Streak, and other rides like the Pair-O-Chutes. A lot of people I talked to were too scared to ride that one.

One person told me that as a kid, he would stand under the roller coasters and collect spare change that fell out of people’s pockets on the rides. This was the 1960s, so if you had 45 cents, you were set for the day. That same person told me that he met his eventual wife at the Riverview Roller Rink.

What other parks were important to Chicago’s history?

It was tough to choose which ones to feature in the show. Starting with the Midway Plaisance at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, we then cover Paul Boyton’s Water Chutes, Ravinia Park, Riverview Park, White City Amusement Park, Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Santa’s Village in Dundee, and Fun Town on the South Side of the city. We also give nods to other parks along the way.

What is it about amusement parks that makes people so happy?

Amusement parks are sensory playgrounds where the name of the game is FUN. They’re magical places where the rules and restraints of daily life just don’t apply, where people can let loose and enjoy themselves. For many people, an amusement park might be the place where they had their first kiss, the first time they were scared, the first time they were allowed to go somewhere on their own.

What about making this was fun for you as a producer?

This was such a fun show! My kids are big fans of Six Flags in Gurnee. During production on this show, we spent an evening filming there, and it was so much fun to include my kids as “extras.” I think they had way too much cotton candy that night, but we all had a blast.

What might viewers learn about Chicago amusement parks and their history that they might not have previously known?

Many people are familiar with the Ferris Wheel and might have even ridden the one on Navy Pier. But incredibly, that wheel is only three-quarters the size of the original Ferris Wheel, which debuted at Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. That wheel was gigantic; its 66-ton axle was the largest piece of steel ever forged at the time, and the wheel held more than 2,000 passengers at a time!

I think that people would also be shocked to learn that Ravinia, which we now know as a world-class music venue, got its start as an amusement park.

What will people find on the companion website?

The website has great photos from Riverview Park, a look back at the history of the park, and additional articles on the Midway Plaisance and Paul Boyton’s Shoot the Chutes. There’s also an opportunity for people to share their own memories from their favorite Chicago amusement parks.