Riverview Amusement Park

Labor Day, 1967, was the last day of operation for Riverview Park, located at the Northwest corner of Western and Belmont Avenues, stretching west to the Chicago river and north to its border with Lane Technical HS. There was no hint of its closing until a few months later so there was no way to say "Goodbye." My family lived on the north side of Chicago and Riverview was part of everyday life: open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and a fixture of the landscape even in Winter. Just looking at it as the snow fell was enough to bring pleasant thoughts that the weather would warm and the park would open in a few months.The memories for an old codger, such as I am, are still vivid: The clank of the chain pulling a roller coaster to the top of the first hill and the screams of the passengers as it whooshed down; the Shill calling the customers to check out the freak show, the smell of the River (not quite sewer like but, unpleasant), the tempting smell of hot dogs and popcorn, and the cheesy music played on ancient rides like the merry go round or The Whip.All of the sights and sounds are still in my memory and this book helps bring them back even more vividly. Alas, when my generation is gone, so will be any first hand witness to this garish, early 20th century park. I thank the author for bringing back the memories with the pictures and text; Riverview may be gone, but it's definitely not forgotten.

Loved Riverview! One of my greatest childhood memories! I own several books by this publishing company! I love them! Well written. Easy to read. Very informative!

Awesome!!! Brings back so many memories!!! What a joy!

very informative about the times.

I grew up in Chicago on the Northwest side so was excited to find a book on Riverview Amusement Park because in my mind there has never been another amusement park like it after it closed. This book gives an excellent view on the background of the park and how it came to be through the years - in an odd bit of fate I ended up working on the grounds of the park after it was demolished and the City of Chicago built a police station on part of it.

Bought back a lot of memories. I went to the park not knowing it was the last year it would be open. Rode all the rides I was too scared as a kid to ride. Glad I did.

I re-read this book over and over again - it's that good! I grew up on The South Side and South Suburbs and spent many a happy day at Riverview when I was a kid. This book captures the magic of the place and the photos are priceless. Highly recommended!

Just wanted this as a souvenir of the many happy moments I had spent there.