Click on any photo to see an expanded version.
The rides that once made up the heart and soul of Old Chicago had long
since been taken down and shipped to other parks and fairs. All
that was left was a massive empty room at the center of the complex.
Throughout the idle years Old Chicago's roof leaked causing the
fairgrounds to flood as it was below grade.
Finally in February of 1986 the wrecking ball began to swing....
....removing Old Chicago from everywhere but our memories.
With each swing the wrecking ball took a little more of Old Chicago away
from us.
Inside of Old Chicago everything that could be stripped out of the
building was.
Hopefully, the hundreds of light posts that the builders of Old Chicago
had custom built at a large expense for the mall ended up somewhere
other than the scrap heap.
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Copyright 1999 - 2026
Paul B.
Drabek