White City Amusement Park, Chicago, IL (1905-1933) History & Photo Album: https://facebook/media/set/?set=oa.806212376106206&type=1 The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 left Chicagoans with an appetite for a wide variety of new amusements and entertainment. They might not have the original White City any more, but they could have something like it, if on a much smaller scale, at White City Amusement Park. It opened in 1905 on fourteen acre former cornfield at 63rd Street and South Parkway (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive), in the Greater Grand Crossing and Woodlawn community areas, and it captured some of the zeitgeist of the original White City, with its Beaux Arts buildings and even a miniature grand basin of sorts that served as the landing pool for the park’s “Shoot the Chutes” ride. White City even had an answer to the Eiffel Tower; a giant “Electric Tower” that could be seen from 15 miles away. It was a beacon to the masses, a shining sign that the happiness brought by that 1893 fair could still be found. There was a giant Ferris wheel too. Joseph Beifeld, owner of the Sherman Hotel, organized the financing for White City and served as president of the company in the park’s earliest days. He insisted on charging only 10 cents admission, so that more people could enjoy what White City offered: “Im glad of one thing, boys … we will give the people of Chicago an opportunity of enjoying themselves such as they have never yet dreamed of. When I think of the hot stuffy theatres in Chicago on summer evenings; when I think of the absolute barrenness of the lives of so many thousands of men, women and children there, who have no place to go for clean, unobjectionable entertainment and pleasure, Im glad that we are going to build White City, from humanitarian principles if for no other reason.” White City introduced the world to the Goodyear Blimp, which was first assembled at the park. Among the many attractions White City offered: a Ballroom (with the “All-Star White City Orchestra”); a Casino; Chinese Theatre; White City Roller rink; Bowling Alley; A penny arcade; Pep Roller Coaster; Giant Racing Coaster; The Flash; Shoot the Chutes; The Canals of Venice (a pretty water ride); Water scooters; Dodgem; Lindy Loop; Seaplane; Giant Ferris wheel; The Whip; A Miniature Railroad; House of a Thousand and One Troubles (fun house); Mysterious Sensation (a fun house - in particular is one of the greatest novelties in the history of White City. It is likened to Riverviews Aladdin’s Castle and a Haunted House mixed together. It was billed as one of the most unique entertainment features ever exhibited anywhere.); Illusion Show; Freak Show; Midget City; Mechanical City; Hug House (fun house); Fire & Flame exhibition; Baseball Park and Athletic Field; Picnic grounds; A beer garden; A spacious outdoor theatre; and free Parking for 1000 autos. There was a special section of the park devoted to kiddie rides. There were various concession stands around the park. One could pick out almost anything they want in the line of novelties, useful articles, and even edibles. They sold silk umbrellas, floor lamps, aluminum-ware, silverware, dolls, candy, bags and overnight cases, clocks, vases, glass wear, and other articles too numerous to classify. But while the park did offer a happy diversion for many, it was for whites only – even as the neighborhood surrounding the park became increasingly populated by African Americans as a result of the Great Migration. White City Amusement Park went bankrupt during the Depression and closed in 1933. But the Depression, along with the ongoing problems from the fires of 1925 and 1927, had a very negative impact on White City. Although 1930 still wasnt too bad for White City, with each successive year, attendance declined, and by 1933, the company that operated it was unable to pay the taxes that were due, causing the park to be placed in receivership and closed in 1933. The same anti-black policies that had beset the amusement park also applied to the roller rink at the park. The rink was still open, and during in the 1940s, it became the site of demonstrations and brawls as Blacks fought for their right to roller skate indoors. In 1942, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) was involved in one of these rallies. In 1946, the Congress of Racial Equality sued the management of the rink, saying it was violating the Illinois Civil Rights Law. Eventually, the White City roller rink (which was named White because of the million electric light bulbs) closed in 1949. The roller Rink changed its name to Park City and was desegregated. However, the Park City rink closed in 1958. In the 1950s, the 694-unit Parkway Gardens housing project was built on the site.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 00:53:41 +0000
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