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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Kiddieland Amusement Park began in 1929 when
3Arthur Fritz purchased six ponies and offered rides as an
4escape for parents reeling from the Great Depression; and
 
5    WHEREAS, In 1940, the German Carousel, the Little Auto
6Ride, the Roto Whip, and the Ferris Wheel were added; the Roto
7Whip and the Ferris Wheel would last until the park's closing;
8the park saw its first major expansion in the 1950s with the
9addition of the Little Dipper and the Carousel, both of which
10lasted until the park's closing; bumper cars were added in the
111960s, replacing the original pony ride; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The park transferred ownership in 1977 to Arthur
13Fritz's grandchildren; the park continued its expansion and
14installed several major attractions, including a log flume, a
15swinging pirate ship, a 40-foot long water coaster, and
16numerous other attractions; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Kiddieland closed down on September 27, 2009 and
18was demolished in 2010; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Kiddieland provided amusement to those in the
20Melrose Park area for 81 years; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE
3CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate First Avenue in Melrose
4Park as it travels from its intersection with North Avenue to
5its intersection with River Road as "Kiddieland Amusement Park
6Road"; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
8is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
9State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
10giving notice of the name of "Kiddieland Amusement Park Road";
11and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
13presented to the family of Arthur Fritz, the Mayor of Melrose
14Park, and the Secretary of Transportation.