Super Italian Bobs roller coaster featured on an ad for Adventure Land in Addison.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
The corner of Lake and Medinah roads in Bloomingdale Township was first home to a restaurant and tavern called Paul's Grove. There were 24 acres of land with two buildings on the property. One building was the restaurant and tavern. The other was a big hall for banquets or dancing. It was first owned by Paul Werner; Paul's Grove is named for him. John and Marie Spiezio owned it from 1952 to 1958. In 1958 they sold it to Richard Barrie, who built Storybook Park.
Storybook Park opened in 1958 as an attraction for families with young children. It included a "live" volcano, lollipop train, live storybook characters and rides. Barrie ran into financial difficulty, and the park was sold to Durell Everding in 1961 and renamed Adventure Land.
Adventure Land began to appeal to young adults as well as small children as the new owner focused on rides rather than attractions for younger children, although some of the attractions from Storybook Park remained. The park was open every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day, after which it was open on weekends only. Rides included the Rocko Plane, Super Himalaya, Octopus, Flying Bobs, the Caterpillar, Whip and the Yo-Yo Swings. As the park grew, it continued to expand to the west and north.
Everding died in 1970, and the park was run by his stepbrothers and a stepsister until it was purchased by Medinah Investors. School groups began to come out to enjoy the park in busloads from Chicago as part of the Chicago Neighborhood Summer Program.
In the '70s, a house band performed in the evenings. Sometimes popular bands such as the Crying Shames performed. A hired instructor gave disco lessons. As the park began to appeal more to teenagers, security was increased.
The park stayed open until 1977, when it closed under pressure of competition from newer parks. The rides and attractions were sold. The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe can still be seen at the miniature golf course at Green Valley Golf Range in Hanover Park.
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Many thanks to the Bloomingdale Public Library for providing the gallery images.
Advertisement in a local paper for Adventure Land located in Addison.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Ride tickets from Adventure Land in Addison.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Red Carpet Pass admission ticket for one family, circa 1965.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Entrance to Adventure Land in Addison, circa
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Paratrooper ride, circa 1961-77.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
"Adventure Land or Bust" covered wagon, circa 1975.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Postcard image of Doll House in Storybook Park at Adventure Land, circa 1961-1977. Back reads: "A "rags to riches" collection of dolls from all over the world! Little dolls and big dolls … glamorous dolls and rag dolls … dolls of fairyland and "hob-gobblin'" witch dolls … pretty dolls, and … even dolls that are horrid!"
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Postcard image of Cinderella and her coach at Storybook Park inside Adventure Land, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Century Flyer train, circa 1961-1971.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Flying Swans ride, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Super Italian Bobs roller coaster, circa 1974.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
"World's most exciting ride" reads the sign for the Western Round-Up ride, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Paratrooper ride, 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Helicopter ride, circa 1974.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Windy Wilber ride, circa 1975.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Ferris wheel, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Torpedo Tubs, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Ferris wheel, circa 1975.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Feed the Clown game, circa 1975.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Bumper cars, circa 1975. Notice the man with the video camera.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Giant Whip ride, circa 1961-1977. "The riders are entertainers from the park," says the caption.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Super Himalaja ride, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Super Italian Bobs roller coaster, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Alligator boats ride, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Castle, circa 1975.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Candy Cane Train, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Super Italian Bobs roller coaster, circa
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
"World's most exciting ride" reads the sign for the Western Round-Up ride, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library
Map of Adventure Land, circa 1961-1977.
Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Public Library