Welcome to Riverview Park, a place where history and amusement were tightly interwoven in the fabric of Chicago’s vibrant past. Established in 1904 by William Schmidt, Riverview Park quickly became a beloved destination for both locals and visitors alike. Situated on 74 sprawling acres in the Roscoe Village neighborhood, it offered a plethora of attractions that delighted generations until its closure in 1967.
The park’s story began on the grounds of Schmidt’s private skeet shooting range, but it soon blossomed into a bustling amusement park under the care of the Schmidt family. Riverview Park was famous for its remarkable wooden roller coasters, with ‘The Bobs’ being the most iconic. Other popular rides included ‘The Comet,’ ‘The Silver Flash,’ and ‘The Fireball,’ each offering thrilling adventures that echoed with the screams and laughter of excited riders.
Riverview Park was more than just rides; it was a cultural hub that hosted notable figures and events. In a historic moment, labor leader “Big Bill” Haywood spoke to a crowd of nearly 80,000 people at the park, highlighting its significance as a gathering place for social and political discourse.
As the decades passed, Riverview evolved to include over 120 rides and attractions, such as the classic funhouse ‘Aladdin’s Castle’ and the romantic ‘Tunnel of Love.’ The Beach Boys even immortalized the park in their song, ‘Amusement Parks U.S.A.’
However, the park’s history was not without controversy. Racism and segregation cast a shadow over its final years, with attractions like the ‘African Dip’ reflecting the era’s prejudices. Despite efforts by groups like the NAACP to challenge these injustices, the park’s atmosphere and financial viability suffered.
Ultimately, the value of the land on which Riverview stood prompted the Schmidt family to sell it to developers. Today, the former site of Riverview Park hosts the Riverview Plaza shopping center, among other establishments. Though the park is gone, its legacy lives on in the memories of those who experienced its thrills and joys.
For those exploring the area today, remnants of Riverview can still be found. The south end of Clark Park, now a bicycle dirt jump and pump track park, preserves the foundations of this once-grand amusement park. Meanwhile, a sculpture by artist Jerry Peart stands as a tribute to Riverview’s storied past.
