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

Kiddieland Amusement Park 1929-2009

Home of The Little Dipper, historic family coaster

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 2, 2025

1. Kiddieland Amusement Park 1929-2009 Marker

Inscription. The Little Dipper operated at Kiddieland Amusement Park from Spring of 1950 to Fall of 2009 when Six Flags Great America purchased the historic coaster. Six Flags Great America is proud to preserve this piece of Chicago history for families to share and experience with each other for many more years to come.

Kiddieland's original owner Arthur Fritz opened the Amusement Park as a pony ride attraction in 1929.

In 1937, a new steam engine was added. A second engine, Shirley, was added in 1938.

The Little Dipper opened in the Spring of 1950.

The legendary Kiddieland sign was added in 1950.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 42° 22.043′ N, 87° 56.016′ W. Marker is in Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County. It is on Great America Parkway. The sign is one of six 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: The Little Dipper (here, next to this marker); The Wooden Coasters of Six Flags (here, next to this marker); Six Flags History of Resurrected Rides

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(a few steps from 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); 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); Hometown Park (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gurnee.

Regarding Kiddieland Amusement Park 1929-2009. Kiddieland closed in 2009 and was replaced by a Costco.

Also see . . . The History of Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Illinois. (1929-2009). A history of Kiddieland from The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal. (Submitted on November 4, 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 Kiddieland sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, October 24, 2023

3. The Kiddieland sign

The sign is preserved today next to the Melrose Park Public Library

Kiddieland sign, 2009 image. Click for full size.

Jeremy Thompson (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons, September 5, 2009

4. Kiddieland sign, 2009

This view of the Kiddieland sign overlooking the intersection of North Avenue and 1st Avenue was taken during its final year of operation. The Kiddieland site today is a Costco. The sign for the Maywood Park race track is visible across the street in the background; it has also since been razed and is now home to an Amazon logistics center.

Kiddieland site, 2023 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, October 27, 2023

5. 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 April 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on November 3, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on October 25, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on September 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on October 27, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.