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The final thrill ride to be added to Old Chicago was the prototype "Barnstormer" ride by Bradley & Kaye.



The Barnstormer was a ride that took guests in biplanes up a hundred feet in the air as they circled the rides tower.  During the journey the planes would drop fifty feet for a thrill. 

From my memory it was rare to see the Barnstormer operating as being a prototype it was down often and looking at this photo the lack of fencing around the ride (with park benches and rope around it) is a bit concerning.



With all of the work that went into Old Chicago eventually the word started to get out that the park and mall were trying to improve as in this May 21st 1978 article in The Times.



Even the downstate press started to notice as this article in the September 16th 1978 edition of the Decatur Herald.  At that time Old Chicago was about 40% occupied with the hopes of getting the shopping center up to 80% with the addition of retail that was more in line with the crowds that Old Chicago was drawing.



With all of the work that went into fixing Old Chicago's issues by the new management the hopes that the park's future would shoot way up like the Human Cannonball.

Next we will take a look at one of the biggest additions to Old Chicago that the new management brought forth:  Mayor Charlie Baffle's Fun Factory.



Mayor Charlie Baffle's Fun Factory

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Paul B. Drabek