For the people who grew up in Chicago's NW burbs

[harmlessinc]

Amusement park evicted, rides to be auctioned off
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/santasvillage.html
"A Kane County judge evicted North Pole Corp. this week, ruling in favor of land owner Sterling Bay, a Chicago development company. North Pole Corp. owner Hugh Wilson agreed to sell off the assets to pay Santa's Village's debts, estimated at more than $170,000."

Fan site:
http://www.santasvillage.net/

pics:
http://theimaginaryworld.com/svDUN.html

Comments

[anvilchorus.livejournal.com]

I am unusually saddened by this. Really, I forgot the place existed until right now.

I remember I used to beg my mom to take me there as often as possible. I was only really interested in one attraction, the one where you rode on a train like "Fire Engine" that had these pitiful little hoses that you were supposed to use to put out the "house on fire" (which was really just a metal house with a natural gas burner in it).

My dream job, ever since then was to be a fireman.

Most kids just turned the hose on their parents though, which really wasnt a selling point for my mom to take me there more often.

[anvilchorus.livejournal.com]

Now that I am thinking about it though, that place sucked for everything except the cool fire engine train thing. I spent more time at the water park next door, until I discovered the one just south of Rockford. Then the only reason I had to go to dundee was that really big thrift store on 72 & 25

[harmlessinc.livejournal.com]

I remember the one good ride that had you go up a sharp incline in a tube and then spiral around the outside on the way back down. Was one of the first things you saw as you walked into the park.

[anvilchorus.livejournal.com]

It was their version of the Eagle.

I never understood the santa theme.

[ravenproject.livejournal.com]

If anything, I'm surprised it lasted this long. I'd expected it to go the way of Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom and Old Chicago years ago...

-J