RETURN TO RIVERVIEW 100th Anniversary Special | NUDE HIPPO
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- čas přidán 13. 09. 2024
- Riverview Amusement Park opened on July 2, 1904 at Belmont & Western in Chicago and quickly became the World's Largest Amusement Park!
Tony Lossano Hosts this 30-minute program featuring historical footage, photos and ALL-NEW interviews.
Magician & Chicago TV legend (Bozo's Wizzo the Wizard) Marshall Brodien, will take you back to his days working as a barker for the Riverview sideshow.
Ed Fruh has built 18 miniature models of the old Chicago Amusement Park famous rides and attractions.
Chuck Wlodarczyk, a Riverview historian, talks about the most popular rides, like the Shoot the Chutes, The Bobs, Pair-o-chutes, and Aladdin's Castle. www.riverviewpublications.com
Ralph Lopez, former Shoot the Chutes manager, takes a trip back to Riverview and points out where everything was at the time, what is still there, plus reveals plans for a New Riverview II Amusement Park. www.riverviewparkchicago.com
Plus a look at The Riverview Carousel, the only original ride from Riverview that is still running to this day at Six Flags over Georgia.
This special is being re-released online for the 50 anniversary of Riverview Amusement Park closing.
NUDE HIPPO offers a fresh look at the local culture and special events unique to Chicago.
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Imprinted on my memory forever "Keep your hands inside the boat. Don't hold onto the side of the boat! Hold onto the handles!"
Over and over until you got to the elevator: "Don't rock the boat. Keep your hands inside the boat. Don't hold onto the side of the boat! Hold onto the handles!"
Enjoyed the park many times.......last visited it June 1966. THX!
I'm 74 and Mom + GOD rest her soul + used to take us to Riverview almost every Saturday. The Bobs was my favorite ride.
I grew up on Melrose street right across the river from the park. At night laying in bed looking out my 2nd floor bedroom window I could watch the para-shoots and hear all the screams when the riders hit the top. I could see the very top of the 1st hill of the Bobs and could hear the clicky clack of the coaster and all the screams of joy. I had ridden the Bobs so many times, I could picture in my head just where the coaster was on the track from the sound I heard. I spent much of my summers at Riverview as a child. Such great memories..... My family moved away one winter, and they never opened Riverview gates again. I always felt like I never got to say goodbye to an old friend.
MY FAVORITE WAS THE COMET. YOU'RE RIGHT IT WAS NON-STOP THRILLS. ONE DOWN HILL RIGHT BEHIND THE OTHER. COULDN'T WAIT FOR THAT RIDE TO BE OVER. AND COULDN'T WAIT TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.
I also loved the comet and the 🔥 ball
From 1959 until 1965 my mom took the 3 of us to Riverview, I'll never forget those childhood days
Wow, I was born in 1966, and thereafter shortly my parents moved to Addison and Western. Though I never got to go to Riverview (obviously), I got to hear lots of stories, and got to pass by the area almost on a daily basis. Just tonight I was taking a ride down 'memory lane,' via Google Earth, though I currently live in the NW suburbs. As a kid just knowing about Riverview, I could always feel the 'energy' of all the happiness it must have brought to so many Chicaogoan's and others. I can't believe no one has bothered to re-build Riverview! Then again, maybe it's meant to be as such.
Grew up on Claremont & Addison in the 90s , across from Lane Tech. I always heard about this place but it was before my time. I've heard the Jewel on Western (a Gap and a Toys R Us used to be in that strip mall back in the day) sits on what used to be part of the park.
Wish I could have experienced it , but all I have is my old man's stories.
I especially remember Aladdin's Castle, the air jets, the rolling barrel you had to walk through, the collapsing stairs.
They had a shooting gallery. You had a gun that was like an M2 50 caliber. It was full auto. It shot ball bearings that were fed in a tube. You had unlimited ammo. You shot at the regular sillouettes of animals that moved along. There were skulls that hung from a string. If you hit one they jumped around. There were little boats that moved in the water. You shot at those. Geysers of water shot up from your rounds. It was the best shooting gallery ever. How can they not mention that? It was SO COOL!
They didn't mention the shooting gallery because kids today are killing each other with guns. Kings Island used pellet rifles in their shooting gallery but they got rid of that years ago.
Marshall Brodien was one of the nicest guys I have ever met, he is misssd RIP Marshall.
I remember the tunnel-of-love boats, the slowest ride in Riverview, but nice scenery with cupids on trees. And the small railway ride.
I went to lane tech 2003-2007 and I heard from teachers about Riverview. I wish it was still there. That would have been amazing.
I loved the 🔥 ball and the comet.
I grew up on Roscoe and Bell - for real - at night we could hear the clanging from the Silver Flash going up the first hill - we went every week day as week ends were too crowded - we didn't have any money because we didn't need any - we had a season pass that was for four people and sponsors had special days which would include 4 or 6 tickets and 1 was a coaster - it was kind of a play ground for us - some times during the day we were almost like the only kids there - almost never had to wait in line for any ride - we would jump off the tunnel of love and the train - we were quite mischiveous - fun fun fun - my folks would take us every labor day at night which was the last day it was open and my brother and I went on every coaster - some times more than once - especially the BOBS - the whole experience was what I considered LIVING - big time - we were in the right place and the right time - it was amazing for the whole neighborhood - I consider myself an expert on Riverview.
Question please. Is this the same Bobby Franzen that had the nickname OCHI DUPI (pardon the spelling).
I so remember that carousel, it was MAGNIFICENT! So glad to hear that it has a new home and is loved
Man did I hear stories about Riverview my Dad worked there when he was a kid. I was so jealous, I was born in 71 ... and because Great America was a far away park.
I loved the Flying Turns.
Knoebels Amusement Resort in PA has built an updated replica of the Flying Turns which is open now, for those willing/able to travel.
Brought back lots of memories when my family went there every summer.
Thank you. I watched this a second time, and still got happy sad memories of my last visit to Riverview in 1960. What a crazy fun place it was!😂
This is the best footage I've seen of the park before
LOVE this! Thank you! Great memories!
Anybody remember the caterpillar? It was a coaster that started open then a top went over it and the wind rushed up from the floor. Scared me to death!!
It just went around in a circle that was waved shape so you went up and down while going around. Then the cover would come over the top.
@@lenfabian2371 Yes!!! and air shot up from the floor!!!
I've found some artifacts on the site of Riverview, mostly small porcelain pieces. One had a manufacturers' stamp that dated it from 100 years ago. I also found a horseshoe. It might have been used to shod ponies that were in the park in the early days but they had to get rid of them because they would eat ribbons off ladies' hats.
My Grandfather Theodore Waite worked there for 50 years. He also worked with his father who gave kids rides on miniature shetland ponies, shetland ponies and goats that pulled carts. This was around 1906. He was a kid then. He went on to serve the Marines during WWI and then started his career at the Park. When it closed he was general manager of all the rides. Love u Pop.
Im sure my dad knew him. My dad worked there at that time.
I went on the Wild Mouse with my mom when I was about seven, and I remember how it looked like you would go off into nothing and then it would turn ninety degrees! My older brother would talk about going on The Bobs over and over. I also remember the sideshow. There was a sword swallower who stuck multiple swords down his gullet, and a poor guy called the crab boy. His bones in his limbs were all wavey, and he was really short, and I remember they had him suspended between two chairs, from his head to his ankles, I don't know, to prove that his bones were hard? Whatever. It all had a big influence on me. I still remember that stuff. We were from Downers Grove, but my sister now lives two blocks from where Riverview was, just off of Roscoe and Claremont.
Wild Mouse was too new and really didn't belong at Riverview.
I loved Riverview! Went there every chance I could. So many wonderful memories. I’m sure my fear of heights came from the parachute ride. Me and a friend got stuck at the top when the mechanism failed to release the chute. We dangled on that flimsy seat for what seemed like an eternity at 200 feet in the air. I was scared to death and never rode it again.
Well done young man. Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories.
The Wild Mouse - was a trip!.
How old are u know :).
It should have never been torn down!
They closed the park because the gangs took over the park.
Wonderful, I used to work for Williams Electronics across the river, always inspired by Riverview.
My grandparents took us to Riverview in 1965 two years before it closed. I remember riding the Mad Mouse,
+kryptonite It was called the Wild Mouse. hahahaha
Wild Mouse
Thanks for posting this video about Riverview. This is the first video that I have seen that really show the world famous Bobs in color. One would think with a city in it's prime ,Chicago had well over 3 million people . Their would be more film footage here on You-Tube of Riverview . The few so far that I have seen, are blurry b/w. What about the Chicago Historical Society ? They should have saved old commercials, footage, shoot on home film camera's etc . I had just moved to the West Coast when family member told me that they had torn down Riverview, I could not believe it ! The City should have made every effort to save as much as they could & start a archival bank about Riverview if not create a small museum dedicated to the amusement park. The city was very short sighted in not preserving the legacy of Riverview . But it seems it was more about greed(tearing it down for a mall? )than realizing the true historical significance of Riverview. New York City did not tear down Coney Island in Brooklyn . I think about all the films that feature Coney Island one way or another, How many films can you think of, that had Riverview as the backdrop? If it weren't for people like the creator & historian of the park, of this in this video, &, those grew up going to the park & still love it, we would have very little ! Shame on Chicago at that time for, not preserving the very important legacy of Riverview Park .
Wasn't there a lot of crime near the end, maybe rumors but since its Chicago maybe not
I heard that in Mansfield, Ohio there was a section of the city where the hoodlums hung out. Well after they installed a Carousel on that block, the hoodlums disappeared. Maybe if they built Riverview again it would decrease crime and get kids off the street.
I remember they tore it down to build the Eisenhower expressway on the west side of Chicago, Riverview was located on Western Ave. and Belmont St.
Your information contradicts itself, The Eisenhower is no where near Belmont & Western.and it was built in the 50’s. The Kennedy is closest and it’s eight blocks south. Riverview was closed due to gangs of people with poor character going there and causing trouble.
@@boataxe4605sorry, that's not why it closed.
@@boataxe4605Ain't it always that way, a few ruin it for all.
Every summer from 1955 through 1960, my sister and I would spend a week with my grandma who lived near Irving and Western. My mom would drive in at the end of our vacation and the four of us would walk to Riverview. My grandma would put carfare change in a Morton Salt container and we would count out the nickels and dimes the night before. The first two years, I was too scared to ride the roller coasters, but the third year, I really got into them (still enjoy them at 73). The Bobs was the best. Never would pass safety regulations today. There were no barriers on the loading platforms and you could have been easily jostled onto the tracks. Liked to ride again for a reduced price.used to bypass the barrel in Aladdin ‘s Castle the first few years. Never went in the freak show. Didn’t see pix of the Boomerang, the Tunnel of Love, and a few others. Fans of WDW would probably be horrified by the dirt and trash and some tawdry aspects, but for a kid back then it was heaven.
It was terrific!
05/27/2019 I loved Riverview . They closed the park to become an industrial park! Currently the Chicago Police Department is on the spot where Riverview was at Belmont & Western.
As a roller coaster freak, this video was really nice to watch!
Nicely presented look back at so many aspects of Riverview Park.
Heard it went out with WHITE FLIGHT.Heard bus loads of blacks from the south side came over on the Western bus and it was history.
That's why it will never be rebuilt
Prolly was my sister used to take us there we lived in the robert taylor homes on 51st & federal st we would ride the redline A train all the way to belmont which is now the green line train board the belmont bus to western those train & bus's were packed I was a kid but I remember riverview
In the 1940s, my parents took us to Riverview once a year--it was pretty expensive to take 3 kids. We adored the place.
I was there ,the last day ,rode the fire ball, seen the sword swallowed .
Thank you so much for this video of Chicago's Riverview Park. It's great that you interviewed people who actually worked at Riverview. I never knew that Riverview existed so I never had the chance to see it but this video makes it all come alive again.
The Bobs in the summer what a ride. It combined the drop speed with banked turns which simulated a bobsled. As they said it was a bone jarring ride. I have ridden coasters and they are just coasters.
Fireball & the Bobs.
I remember the Fireball - supposedly the fastest coaster at the time - did about 90mph.
The Bobs was the best coaster I did when I was a kid. I didn't have the guts to do the Fireball.
@@catholiccrusader5328 wooden coasters like the Bobs were at a whole different level of scary.
I loved the Fireball!!!
I was born in Chicago, and grew up with stories about Riverview. I was always a little sad that I never got to go myself. Then my mother told me she went in the summer of 1967 when she was pregnant with me. So, technically, I did make it to Riverview once.
I lost my eye teeth on the Bobs! Every time we went downhill, my mouth would hit the bar at the front of the car.
Excellent tour of the old Riverview stomping grounds! Wish they had spent more time reflecting on the Riverview BOBS.
My dad worked at Riverview. I have a lot of things from Riverview.
Thank you
I was one of those people who got battered by the Bobs. I went in the car alone. 😢
@mackthnife3 Me too. RIDE AGAIN 5 cents. Stayed in the car and handed the guy a nickel (3 pop bottle deposits and have a penny leftover).😂
It would take eight years before Chicago see another major amusement park. (Great America in 1976)
The Comet, was the roughest roller coaster at Riverview.
I was about 4 or 5 went in 67 before they closed si exciting the best amusenent park and ppl in thimoae timez and the feeling is gone forever like my sisters and parents talked about how much fun it was complete fun is gone dont feel exciting at the parks no more and ppl are so cold and uncaring now they font know how to have fun.
IT WAS ONE OF TAX BASE MAKE UP FOR Chicago IL THAT WAS TRULY GREAT FOR OUR YOUTH AND OLD AS WELL--DUNMORE 'S OF MONEE IL.
Cool ❤
How about 'The Wild Mouse'?
Psst! Hey! Ski...Archer Ave...Rec and Retntn....Im still Fed..Silencio!😁😘😜▶▶▶▶▶
File my divorce....jan and the messies...hang em.....
I remember that after a while it was changed to a strip mall.
Western Ave buses... direct ride South side gangs... Very dangerous last two years..
....in another 20 years no one will relate to Riverview Park. Those that may, will wonder why, being so big and diverse in what it offered, it didnt survive in some form, or, amazed in disappointment, that the rides were mostly scrapped and not salvaged. Riverview had class, identity, and a architectural presence. The area today, identifies Chicago from 1967 to today, as nondescript and devoid of character. What was accomplished ?
@@johngriswold4303 ..Six Flags was created as a "theme" park where certain areas had a "American" historical/territory specific architecture, and had "mascots" similar to Disneyland. Riverview was not themed, but rather had classic rides, amusements, novelties of the eras, and had a 60 year (being torn down in 1967/8) accumulation of quality constructed vintage architecture. Today, it would have been recognized for the vintage historical representation of what amusement parks visually presented to the public back then. Riverview updated/replaced rides through the years, but the "spotlight" attractions remained. How incredible would it had been if it survived today. A huge overwhelming classic amusement park in downtown Chicago. I smell $, but alias, today, society is too unpredictable, w/disrespect, greed, anxiety, and guns, all in too much abundance (who packed a gun at Riverview in 1955?). Its a different world today in 2022. I wish it was 1955, only w/out the negative social baggage from then, and now.
It used to be called “The big fat nude hippo show”
one of life's terrible lessons even wonderful things become old lose their lives
The greedy politicians fault!
I stood up while riding the Bob in mortal fear for my life! I was jus a kid wanting to jump out.
i work at riverview the last summer it was open the duck pond game that was fix never could win a big prize why u needed two red x s only one in the pond crookit
You could never have this rebuilt in Chicago today.It would be inundated with punks and gang shootings
Yeah, pretty much the same reason it closed back then.
You could get a book of tickets, and in a day could not use them all. Like for 5 bucks.
Yes, but $200 a week was good take home pay.
The host makes me hot down there
that lady was hot 7:22. The first short shorts :)
it even looked like she was talking on a cell phone. Time travelling ?
This is a DISASTER
NPR did a segment on it today, very racist park