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. Aerial view of Kiddieland Amusement Park in 1950 when the "Little Dipper" opened. Over the next 59 years the ride thrilled millions of children and became a summer time staple for Chicagoland families.

Third generation Kiddieland owner, Ronald Rynes Sr., watches the first riders experience the Little Dipper in the Spring of 1950.

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° 22.05′ N, 87° 56.013′ W. Marker is in Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County. It is in Warren Township. It is on Great America Parkway. The marker is one of six next to line for the Little Dipper 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: Six Flags History of Resurrected Rides (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Little Dipper (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 (a few steps from this marker); Kiddieland Amusement Park 1929-2009 (a few steps from this marker);

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

Also see . . . Chicago Tribune: Kiddieland's farewell summer. This article profiled the family that ran Kiddieland for 80 years as it prepared for its final year. The site of Kiddieland today is a Costco.

Excerpt: "Kiddieland has outlasted a host of similar child-themed attractions such as Adventureland, Fairyland, Playland, Funtown, Kiddietown, Funland, Dispensa’s Kiddie Kingdom and Santa’s Village. But now, in a twist that’s part Greek tragedy, part classic Disney, the park that time forgot is due to close, too, the casualty of a business dispute that pits brother against brother and a mother against two of her children."

(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

Kiddieland site, 2023 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, October 27, 2023

4. Kiddieland site, 2023

The spot at 1st and North avenues in Melrose Park that once was home to Kiddieland is now a Costco.

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 44 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on October 27, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.