hesston steam museum is seeking photos from kiddieland amusement park melrose park illinois

Hesston Steam Museum is Seeking Photos from Kiddieland Amusement Park in Melrose Park IL

     In 1982, a donor purchased three coaches and the “Challenger” a streamlined 4-6-4 Hudson type miniature locomotive from Kiddieland Amusement Park in Melrose Park, IL. This locomotive was built in 1942 by Wagner & Son [Plainfield Illinois] however the coaches are of an earlier vintage.
     These types of trains were built for roadside attractions, zoos, world fairs, and amusements like Kiddieland dating back to the late 1800s with the Cagney Brothers paving the way for a lucrative industry.
     Since the park was still open, Hesston Steam museum (LaPorte) painted all the equipment to match the rest of our trains on the railroad, which came from Elliott Donnelley’s Estate in Lake Forest, IL.
      At the time there was no sign that Kiddieland would ever go away. In 2009 the unthinkable happened and the attraction that connected a diverse community closed forever. Our museum is proud to carry on this piece of its history.
     Efforts are now underway by Hesston Steam Museum to understand the provenance and history of each of these pieces.
     The three coaches acquired in the 1982 purchase were Melrose Park, St. Charles, and Lake Forest. Years ago, the beautiful porcelain signs that carried the names of the towns that surrounded the Kiddieland amusement parks were removed from the coaches and seemingly lost forever. As they move forward with plans and efforts to improve their miniature railway and its maintenance shop, the Melrose Park sign was found. The coaches are slated for repainting and signs representing the historical markings to be applied.

     If you remember Kiddieland, have photos of the trains, and/or know the history of Wagner & Son, please contact us. Hesston Steam Museum is on a mission to learn as much as we can. Photography is especially requested.

These locomotive were built in the 1940s and we’ll have a Several videos on our ticktok, and youtube.

Tiktok Video #2
Featuring Kiddie Trains

Tiktok Video #3
Featuring Labor Day Weekend

Tiktok Video #4 Labor Day
Featuring Steam Powered Equipment

Video #5
Featuring Labor Day Parade

OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS:

 

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Sue

Sue Baxter

Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.

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About The Author

Sue Baxter

Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak - a national news affiliate.