Click on any photo to see an expanded version.



The Punching Were also super fun.  One had to always watch out as those things packed a wallop and could send you on your rear.  Thankfully we didn't live in as litigious a time then and Old Chicago coated everything in the Fun Factory with plenty of foam in case you took a tumble. 



The Eagle's Nest and Hang Ten were two giant nets kids could climb up to The Fun Factory's second level. 



These were so much fun to climb but it is amusing how back then if you did something stupid and fell off these, well it was your fault.  There's no way I could see a park adding these today.



There was stuff to do on the first level of The Fun Factory and there was tons of stuff to do on the second level as well.  As a kid this was by far the best playground one could have and I was so blessed to have this a few miles from home.

One of the fondest memories of The Fun Factory was when my mother and the man who became my step-father took us to Old Chicago, paid for my sister and I to get into the park and watched from the second level near the parks entrance as we ran all over the park taking in the Log Race, the Chicago Loop, and our favorite the Fun Factory.  When it was time to go they'd wave at us and we'd work our way out.  This time though instead of heading for the door they sat us down and told us they were going to get married.  I can still see the smile on my mothers face with the Chicago Loop in the background when she told us. 

The Fun Factory was an amazing addition to Old Chicago but in the end it and the rest of the additions weren't enough to keep Old Chicago afloat.  The park and mall wasn't sunk yet but unfortunately when businesses flounder from the start there is no way to right the ship before it goes under.

But even though he was a not a controlling partner Robert Brindle wasn't through with creating other Old Chicago's.  That's the next part of the Old Chicago story.



Robert Brindle After Old Chicago

Old Chicago Index

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Paul B. Drabek