So cool. My grandfather is still in the area, Chinatown in the 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s… through the years, Bridgeport, McKinley Park. Chicago is in the blood. We’re still here, thriving like a mufuh. 😎
I'm born and raised in Chicago too (born in 2003) it's amazing that I've never heard of river view and a lot of other places that were icons in the city. I think it's a generation thing because I always knew Guaranteed Rate Field as US Cellular field, but my parents told me it used to be "comiskey park"
It breaks my heart watching this in 2024, State Street is far from "the most convenient shopping street in the world" it is literally full of vacant stores or cheap budget stores (like five n below) that you would've never have imagined there, where upscale stores once stood....... even in 2014 when i was 11 state street was still bustling. Michigan avenue is going down the same path, 29% vacancy rate!!!
We used to go to Riverview when I was a child, and got our annual discount tickets at Z Frank Chevrolet.. Unfortunately, due to my height and weight I wasn't allowed on certain rides. I was 10 going on 11 in 1967 when the park closed. Thanks for the memories of a once great city. I'm guessing that the Chicago Zoological Park is now Brookfield Zoo, since although living all of my life in the city until 2019 (I was born in 1956) I never heard of it.
My grandmothers house was on the corner of Melrose Street right across the river from Riverview. We used to go there on July 4th to watch the massive fireworks. Sold the house in the early 1970s after she passed away - now I can't even afford to live there.
I want a Scandinavian smorgasbord! Yum. My first job in the Loop was at 20 N Wacker in the Civic Opera Building. I missed the seedy Rush Street redlight scene but was there for the dance clubs on Clark & State/Division from 1989-1991. Been on the architectural boat tour a couple times, always so interesting. The only way I'd move back to Chicago is if I had financial freedom. Convenience and comfort is everything to me these days and living in the city isnt much fun if you’re broke half the time. Interesting that Riverview was once the world's largest amusement park... Love the rollercoaster footage. I think my former probation office stands where Riverview once was. I wad born in 1970 and don't remember Riverview but my mom did when she was younger, she said all the sailors would go there. Heh heh. She was North side and my dad was South side when they met and married in the 60s and I was born and raised in The Yards, 52nd & Damen, then they moved my little sister and I to the SW suburb of Orland Park which is where we went to High School (Carl Sandburg). Good ole "white flight." I moved to the North side, Lakeview in 92 and then to San Diego in 94 and went back & forth until my most recent move back to SD in 2014. I always chose to live in Lakeview and had an awesome studio in the old Wellington Arms Hotel building on Sheridan & Wellington, also lived on Broadway & Oakdale and up in Lincoln Square.
Of all the rides at Riverview, the only one I never worked up the nerve to ride was the Parachute Drop. The Flying Turns, the Bobs, the Wild Mouse, Greyhound, the Comet... loved 'em all!
I first went on the Parachutes as a 10 year old the last day open-Labor Day 1967.As we approached the top,awaiting the drop...THE MOST TERRIFYING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE !!!
This is the Chicago I remember as a little kid, under hissoner, damayor. We worked hard & played hard. Semi sophisticated blue collar people. Yes, the river was on fire quite a few days of the year. Smokestacks and railroad tracks. Don't recognize the city anymore.
I would think the color televisions of 1964 would do a fairly good job and a decent picture. But you are right, what you see in a HD transfer of the original 16mm film now is better than 1964.
Saw one of the little people from Wizard of Oz at Riverview. (probably 1947) He was just talking to somebody from the Oddities Show. I was about 11 yrs old; totally starstruck! He said "ya recognize me, don'tcha?" I ran to find my brother; told him who I just saw; he didn't believe me then and still doesn't today! (we're both in our 80s)
The tour boat Skyline Queen was immaculately maintained and continued in service until 2020 when she became a victim of the pandemic. There is a chance that she may sail again. BTW she was built by Grebe shipyard, which was directly across the river from Riverview park.
@@MoviecraftInc Thanks! Love the footage! I grew up on the river and lakefront,my father was a tour boat captain as am I, I was born right around the time of this video,and it brought back memories.
I loved Riverview, when I was little, the geanie,scarerd me at the entrance. It was ashame, they closed in mid 60's, because gang bangers were taking it over. Owner didn't want families with children get hurt.i was sad to see that close. Where there were at, there was some memories still up when you go by. Over the last year,I think someone built a building where the memories were at, are gone.
@Boat Axe yeah and we all can't be perfect like you who never makes a mistake and who believes he's smarter than the rest of us . Wow, I can only hope to be like you one day . And I am willing to bet your a Democrat. You are all the same. You believe you are better than the rest of us, and nobody can tell you different I'll be waiting for my grade teach. And I'll fix the mistake I made just for you. I hope to get it right this time around
@@phillyguy2157 New York is only bigger because they consolidated the five boroughs. As stand alone cities like Brooklyn or Manhattan at the time we’re all smaller.
A lot more dull architecturally! Because of when we had to rebuild, at that period in time. That's what makes Chicago architecture so special, I just love it and am so lucky to have grown up there
I moved TN and I cry every day for God to have mercy on me and take me back to Illinois. I know the government ruined it especially Chicago, but If I could just have a little Tudor cottage or bungalow on some quiet street in Riverside or Brookfield, I'd never leave again. I was born and raised in Illinois, it's my home, no place else will do.
@@Nunya_Bidness_53 I lived 30 years in the Chicago area. I moved to Jackson, TN and stayed for Seven years. I learned to have a dislike for West Tennessee. Then I moved to North Carolina and then to Lakeland, Florida. I need all over NC and all over the state of Florida. Hands down I prefer Florida. The worst place in Florida is better than the best place in Illinois. Lakeland, FL is more affordable. Easy to get to a Professional sports games and way more affordable than Chicago. The Detroit Tigers have spring training in Lakeland. Also very easy to get to Orlando and Space Coast.
My Honda is going strong at 180,000 miles. My last American car lasted 102,000 trouble filled miles. American auto manufacturers got what they deserved.
born 1959 and raised in Chicago, lived in N Illinois my whole life. Chicago is dead to me now, I won’t go down there anymore. The Chicago I loved is long, long gone, it’s a total mess now
@@JV-mw7gv im.not sure if you are responding to me, but the bad changenI was referring to was the crime thats not related to gang violence. Plus the nastiness of the buses and trains plus the homelessness plus the high rent on spite of apartment infestations. I could go on, but you see what I mean.
@@misterE-1989 that's bc all the white people were in control back then. And you couldn't say anything bad about the 1st Mayor Daley's town. And no Chicago police officer would ever take bribes. Lol.😀😆
So cool. My grandfather is still in the area, Chinatown in the 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s… through the years, Bridgeport, McKinley Park. Chicago is in the blood. We’re still here, thriving like a mufuh. 😎
I had a chance to go to Riverview before it closed. As a kid I thought it was magical.
Little before my time. Was not born till '74'. My parents told me many great stories of visiting Chicago from southwest suburbs in 50's and 60's..
Thanks for sharing!
@JACOBSJohn818 - Where in the southwest suburbs?
@@howardoller443 Joliet
@@JACOBSJohn818 Nice. I lived in the Joliet area too, for about 11 years.
Born & raised in Chicago.. Spent many a time at Riverview. The Bobs was the ultimate roller coaster for me as a kid..
I'm born and raised in Chicago too (born in 2003) it's amazing that I've never heard of river view and a lot of other places that were icons in the city. I think it's a generation thing because I always knew Guaranteed Rate Field as US Cellular field, but my parents told me it used to be "comiskey park"
It breaks my heart watching this in 2024, State Street is far from "the most convenient shopping street in the world" it is literally full of vacant stores or cheap budget stores (like five n below) that you would've never have imagined there, where upscale stores once stood....... even in 2014 when i was 11 state street was still bustling. Michigan avenue is going down the same path, 29% vacancy rate!!!
I din't even care to go downtown anymore, too depressing, not to mention how unsafe it is to ride public transportation.
I lived there in 1964, but at nine years old, only remember places we went, including Riverview Park. The Satan Funhouse scared me.
We used to go to Riverview when I was a child, and got our annual discount tickets at Z Frank Chevrolet.. Unfortunately, due to my height and weight I wasn't allowed on certain rides. I was 10 going on 11 in 1967 when the park closed. Thanks for the memories of a once great city. I'm guessing that the Chicago Zoological Park is now Brookfield Zoo, since although living all of my life in the city until 2019 (I was born in 1956) I never heard of it.
Love chicago. The best us city
My grandmothers house was on the corner of Melrose Street right across the river from Riverview.
We used to go there on July 4th to watch the massive fireworks.
Sold the house in the early 1970s after she passed away - now I can't even afford to live there.
Very iconic video.
My kind of town.
I loved to visit Chicago where you knew you were in a real city.
Oh yessssss RIVERVIEW PARK❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ great vivid memories 1969
I want a Scandinavian smorgasbord! Yum. My first job in the Loop was at 20 N Wacker in the Civic Opera Building. I missed the seedy Rush Street redlight scene but was there for the dance clubs on Clark & State/Division from 1989-1991. Been on the architectural boat tour a couple times, always so interesting. The only way I'd move back to Chicago is if I had financial freedom. Convenience and comfort is everything to me these days and living in the city isnt much fun if you’re broke half the time. Interesting that Riverview was once the world's largest amusement park... Love the rollercoaster footage. I think my former probation office stands where Riverview once was. I wad born in 1970 and don't remember Riverview but my mom did when she was younger, she said all the sailors would go there. Heh heh. She was North side and my dad was South side when they met and married in the 60s and I was born and raised in The Yards, 52nd & Damen, then they moved my little sister and I to the SW suburb of Orland Park which is where we went to High School (Carl Sandburg). Good ole "white flight." I moved to the North side, Lakeview in 92 and then to San Diego in 94 and went back & forth until my most recent move back to SD in 2014. I always chose to live in Lakeview and had an awesome studio in the old Wellington Arms Hotel building on Sheridan & Wellington, also lived on Broadway & Oakdale and up in Lincoln Square.
Cool story! I was raised in SD, and my grandfather grew up in Chicago, the 40's, then moved to SD.
Of all the rides at Riverview, the only one I never worked up the nerve to ride was the Parachute Drop. The Flying Turns, the Bobs, the Wild Mouse, Greyhound, the Comet... loved 'em all!
I first went on the Parachutes as a 10 year old the last day open-Labor Day 1967.As we approached the top,awaiting the drop...THE MOST TERRIFYING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE !!!
I was ayear old in 1964. Damn. I'm getting old.
Aren't we all...😊😊
Richard freitag is my grandpa!! Miss that guy, thanks for posting!!
Our pleasure!
They had to take the audio off the opera Pagliacci for copyright reasons, I think.
A splendid video. Many thanks.
Time code 2:09. I work there. Is is such a beautiful building now.
i love this old music in this documentary
This is the Chicago I remember as a little kid, under hissoner, damayor. We worked hard & played hard. Semi sophisticated blue collar people. Yes, the river was on fire quite a few days of the year. Smokestacks and railroad tracks. Don't recognize the city anymore.
This is excellent! Thank you for posting it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video. Great shots of The Flying Turns and Riverview!
Magnifico ❤
Loves! Where is the Old Town episode? I would love to see OT back then. Where the first Crate & Barrel was born. ❤️
The series "America" is an orphan work, and all the titles do not exist in archives. Unfortunately we do not have the Old Town episode.
Enjoyed the film. Excellent.
Thank you for the video I am from Cicero love the history thank you for the video
I was born in the '70s and as a kid I remember Maxwell Street Maxwell Street polishes the marketplace but that died out what happened to those days
My brother started DJing in the mid 80s through the 90s in the marina Towers Good Times great memories
Wow! Does this stir memories!!! Great Video!!!
Yes! Thank you!
Thank you
You're welcome
I was 7 when it closed . I moved into the area 1 year earlier. At least I saw it once..
Amazing video, amazing channel, thx for share this historical vids.
Glad you enjoyed it
Wow they had hd quality like this back then? Were the devices able to view it in this quality as well???
I would think the color televisions of 1964 would do a fairly good job and a decent picture. But you are right, what you see in a HD transfer of the original 16mm film now is better than 1964.
This is so wild. The old Water tower without the John Hancock building nearby yet.
Really cool to see Chicago back than. It is wild!
Saw one of the little people from Wizard of Oz at Riverview. (probably 1947) He was just talking to somebody from the Oddities Show. I was about 11 yrs old; totally starstruck! He said "ya recognize me, don'tcha?" I ran to find my brother; told him who I just saw; he didn't believe me then and still doesn't today! (we're both in our 80s)
Thanks for the memories!
2 dollars for a 2hr boat cruise? What a deal!!!
Those were the days!
that would be $20 today but tickets are $54 instead
Chicago is still awesome
Lol
There’s no Wild mouse at Riverview Park footage or mention of that ride unfortunately.
The tour boat Skyline Queen was immaculately maintained and continued in service until 2020 when she became a victim of the pandemic. There is a chance that she may sail again. BTW she was built by Grebe shipyard, which was directly across the river from Riverview park.
Appreciate the history!
@@MoviecraftInc Thanks! Love the footage! I grew up on the river and lakefront,my father was a tour boat captain as am I, I was born right around the time of this video,and it brought back memories.
Time Code 6:43 This use to be th Millions Club an then Laurys Steak House. Both closed and the property is for lease. Thanks Covid!
Thanks for the "then and now"...
wow so cool
2:55 trump tower
Oh Jeez. That crook didn’t dirty the soil downtown until after Y2K. Knew the new millennium would make us sick !!
@@v.gorski3050 I see TDS is still going stong
@troyhonda71 2024 we'll get more insufferable TDS.
Is this series on DVD?
No, it is not. We are glad, however, to have this color episode in our archive.
Where's the Old Town episode?
Unfortunately, we do not have it in the collection.
It was all going so well, until UA-cam silenced the Kungsholm Puppet Opera performance. SMDH.
I know....se la vie.
@@MoviecraftInc : "C'est la vie"
There. Fixed it You're welcome.
Copyright!
.. Lori... Mayor.. Bad
I loved Riverview, when I was little, the geanie,scarerd me at the entrance. It was ashame, they closed in mid 60's, because gang bangers were taking it over. Owner didn't want families with children get hurt.i was sad to see that close. Where there were at, there was some memories still up when you go by. Over the last year,I think someone built a building where the memories were at, are gone.
Diversity is our......
Yeah, Imagine being 70 and having to listen to that.
America somos todos los que vivimos desde Canada hasta Argentina .
Todos somos americanos .
Ricardo Alegria Zambrano
Popayan cauca Colombia
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
What a beautiful city it once was .
Then all the garbage moved to Chicago, and they are slowly destroyed the city of Chicago
And they don’t even know how to spell beautiful.
@Boat Axe yeah and we all can't be perfect like you who never makes a mistake and who believes he's smarter than the rest of us .
Wow, I can only hope to be like you one day .
And I am willing to bet your a Democrat. You are all the same. You believe you are better than the rest of us, and nobody can tell you different
I'll be waiting for my grade teach.
And I'll fix the mistake I made just for you. I hope to get it right this time around
@Boat Axe is that better cupcake
America when it was safe,long ago
I wonder how would Chicago look if the fire never happened
@Kahn Tahn
Chicago would never be bigger than NYC no matter what! A fire, an earthquake etc.
@@phillyguy2157 New York is only bigger because they consolidated the five boroughs. As stand alone cities like Brooklyn or Manhattan at the time we’re all smaller.
A lot more dull architecturally! Because of when we had to rebuild, at that period in time. That's what makes Chicago architecture so special, I just love it and am so lucky to have grown up there
Not bigger, but it's so much better architecturally speaking because of when we had to rebuild. Grateful for that fire!
Yeah, rebuilt, but they didn't think about trucks having to try and drive through that crap hole.
I was born in Chicago. It took me 30 years before I moved to the southern states. I will never move back to Illinois.
I moved TN and I cry every day for God to have mercy on me and take me back to Illinois. I know the government ruined it especially Chicago, but If I could just have a little Tudor cottage or bungalow on some quiet street in Riverside or Brookfield, I'd never leave again. I was born and raised in Illinois, it's my home, no place else will do.
@@Nunya_Bidness_53 I lived 30 years in the Chicago area. I moved to Jackson, TN and stayed for Seven years. I learned to have a dislike for West Tennessee.
Then I moved to North Carolina and then to Lakeland, Florida.
I need all over NC and all over the state of Florida. Hands down I prefer Florida. The worst place in Florida is better than the best place in Illinois.
Lakeland, FL is more affordable. Easy to get to a Professional sports games and way more affordable than Chicago.
The Detroit Tigers have spring training in Lakeland.
Also very easy to get to Orlando and Space Coast.
Good! We don't want you!
You can thank Democrat leadership for never coming back.
Nice old time America. Not many Japanese cars then!
Or 20 plus shootings every week
@@misterE-1989 = 20 shootings? You’re being way too kind.
Seriously chicago has been taken over by ....
My Honda is going strong at 180,000 miles. My last American car lasted 102,000 trouble filled miles. American auto manufacturers got what they deserved.
Chicago is still a great city. 👍
born 1959 and raised in Chicago, lived in N Illinois my whole life. Chicago is dead to me now, I won’t go down there anymore. The Chicago I loved is long, long gone, it’s a total mess now
See the condo
I havent even watched one second of the video to know that a bad change has happened.
Pretty sure you mean the civil rights movement.
@@JV-mw7gv im.not sure if you are responding to me, but the bad changenI was referring to was the crime thats not related to gang violence. Plus the nastiness of the buses and trains plus the homelessness plus the high rent on spite of apartment infestations. I could go on, but you see what I mean.
@@JV-mw7gvnah you definitely meant that White Flight movement that took place..
When United States of America was america. Now its all foreigners
Wow. That's the dumbest thing I've read in a very long time, read that back! 😆😭
@laxer. Enough for generalizing.
Sad to see how Chicago has degraded to the mess it is today.
Pardon?
@@pieal7368 Crime. 388 shootings so far in 2021, mostly gang related I'm sure.
@@misterE-1989 that's bc all the white people were in control back then. And you couldn't say anything bad about the 1st Mayor Daley's town. And no Chicago police officer would ever take bribes. Lol.😀😆
@@thomasbelisle6093 Places change when the people do... same thing happened to Detroit. Look up on YT: "Detroit 1950's".
@@misterE-1989 all the people ran to the suburbs and didn't want certain people like me in their neighborhood.
I wonder if any body in this video is still alive.if somebody reading this comment in 2070 year I'm probably on other good side