Warren Township in Gurnee in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Little Dipper

Keeping the History Alive

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 2, 2025

1. The Little Dipper Marker

Inscription. The Little Dipper Coaster was built in 1950 at Kiddieland Amusement Park in Melrose Park, Illinois for $20,000. The estimated cost to build the same coaster from scratch today would be $1,000,000.

The Little Dipper was designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The figure eight track features a three story tall lift hill and runs 700 feet in length.

It has been honored with the ACE Coaster Classic award by the American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.

Location. 42° 22.054′ N, 87° 56.009′ W. Marker is in Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County. It is in Warren Township. It is on Great America Parkway. The sign is next to the line for the Little Dipper ride at Six Flags Great America. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee IL 60031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Little Dipper (a few steps from this marker); Six Flags History of Resurrected Rides (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Little Dipper (a few steps from this marker); The Wooden Coasters of Six Flags

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(a few steps from this marker); Kiddieland Amusement Park 1929-2009 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Little Dipper (within shouting distance of this marker); DC Super-Villains Swing (within shouting distance of this marker); Batman The Ride (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gurnee.

Also see . . .
1. About Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. The company built the Little Dipper for Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Illinois, in 1950. The ride was moved to Six Flags Great America after Kiddieland closed in 2009. (Submitted on November 3, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. The History of Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Illinois. (1929-2009). From the Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal. (Submitted on November 3, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Six signs about the history of the Little Dipper image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 2, 2025

2. Six signs about the history of the Little Dipper

The signs await people in line for the Little Dipper.

The Little Dipper at Six Flags Great America image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 2, 2025

3. The Little Dipper at Six Flags Great America

Close-up of the historical photo of the Little Dipper image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 2, 2025

4. Close-up of the historical photo of the Little Dipper

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.