Luna Park, Chicago
Encyclopedia
Luna Park was an amusement park
that was in operation in Chicago, Illinois, from 1907 to 1911. Located on the plot of a former picnic grove at the corner of 51st and Halsted Streets, it was owned by an investment group led by boxing promoter James "Big Jim" O'Leary
(son of Mrs. O'Leary of Great Chicago Fire
fame). A trolley park
occupying only ten acres, Luna Park was smaller than most of the other Chicago amusement parks of the era (most notably Riverview Park and White City; in fact, Riverview Park was the largest amusement park in existence at that time). O'Leary became the park's manager in 1908.
Attractions included a midway
, a ballroom
, a roller coaster
, a roller skating
rink, concession
s, live entertainment (including vaudeville
and boxing
), and a restaurant.
Initially popular (averaging 5000 patrons a day in its peak), attendance declined in light of the increasing competition from other Chicago-area amusement parks. In 1910, management temporarily closed the park in response to flagging attendance. The park was reopened in 1911 as O'Leary attempted to find new ownership to no avail. In 1912, most of the attractions were removed; the remaining structures were converted into a large food market hall
.
In 1916, the grounds were sold to real estate
developer James H. Milligan for the building of one-family houses.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
that was in operation in Chicago, Illinois, from 1907 to 1911. Located on the plot of a former picnic grove at the corner of 51st and Halsted Streets, it was owned by an investment group led by boxing promoter James "Big Jim" O'Leary
James Patrick O'Leary
James Patrick O'Leary was a gambling boss and saloon owner in Chicago. His parents were Patrick and Catherine O'Leary, in whose barn the Great Chicago Fire is believed to have begun.-Biography:...
(son of Mrs. O'Leary of Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S...
fame). A trolley park
Trolley park
In the United States, trolley parks, which started in the 19th century, were picnic and recreation areas along or at the ends of streetcar lines in most of the larger cities. These were precursors to amusement parks. These trolley parks were created by the streetcar companies to give people a...
occupying only ten acres, Luna Park was smaller than most of the other Chicago amusement parks of the era (most notably Riverview Park and White City; in fact, Riverview Park was the largest amusement park in existence at that time). O'Leary became the park's manager in 1908.
Attractions included a midway
Midway (fair)
A midway at a fair is the location where amusement rides, entertainment and fast food booths are concentrated....
, a ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
, a roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
, a roller skating
Roller skating
Roller skating is the traveling on smooth surfaces with roller skates. It is a form of recreation as well as a sport, and can also be a form of transportation. Skates generally come in two basic varieties: quad roller skates and inline skates or blades, though some have experimented with a...
rink, concession
Concession stand
A concession stand , snack kiosk or snack bar is the term used to refer to a place where patrons can purchase snacks or food at a cinema, fair, stadium, or other entertainment venue. Some events or venues contract out the right to sell food to third parties...
s, live entertainment (including vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
and boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
), and a restaurant.
Initially popular (averaging 5000 patrons a day in its peak), attendance declined in light of the increasing competition from other Chicago-area amusement parks. In 1910, management temporarily closed the park in response to flagging attendance. The park was reopened in 1911 as O'Leary attempted to find new ownership to no avail. In 1912, most of the attractions were removed; the remaining structures were converted into a large food market hall
Farmers' market
A farmers' market consists of individual vendors—mostly farmers—who set up booths, tables or stands, outdoors or indoors, to sell produce, meat products, fruits and sometimes prepared foods and beverages...
.
In 1916, the grounds were sold to real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
developer James H. Milligan for the building of one-family houses.