# data[].attributes.location_name
Our Lady of Lourdes Religious Education, North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Our Lady of Lourdes Religious Education, North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Our Lady of Lourdes Religious Education, North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Within the church, there was also a school called Our Lady Of Lourdes School, but it closed in 2004. Now the land is just used as a chapel with mass held a few times a week.

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Queen of Angels Parish Center, North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Queen of Angels Parish Center, North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL

# data[].attributes.subject
Queen of Angels Parish Center, North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Newly opened in 2020, Queen of Angels has a population of English speaking and Spanish speaking, where they have English & Spanish speaking masses. This allows for Spanish speaking individuals to be able to practice their faith, as opposed to in the past where masses were either only in English or only in Spanish. They also have their masses streamed online, for easier access to religion.

https://parish.queenofangelschicago.org/about-us/history/

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Saint Sergius, West Cuyler Avenue, Chicago, IL

# data[].attributes.headline
Saint Sergius, West Cuyler Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Saint Sergius, West Cuyler Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Now closed, Saint Sergius used to be one of the oldest Eastern Orthodox parishes in the area. While the parish has been closed for some time, nothing has been done to the building demolition-wise, and the land hasn't been sold either, though at one point it was up for sale. As one of the only churches in this more residential area of the neighborhood, it likely served many parishioners when it was still in service.

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St Kateri Center of Chicago, North Leavitt Street, Chicago, IL

# data[].attributes.headline
St Kateri Center of Chicago, North Leavitt Street, Chicago, IL

# data[].attributes.subject
St Kateri Center of Chicago, North Leavitt Street, Chicago, IL

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St. Kateri Center of Chicago is a parish opened in 1982, as a center for Native Americans to practice their religion and culture along with Catholicism. According to the church's website its current membership includes people of the Ojibwe, Dakota, Oneida, Menominee, Navajo, Choctaw, Pueblo, and Cherokee tribes, and it is the second largest parish of its kind in Chicago. As the land around the river and Lake Michigan (which is a lot of Chicago/Illinois) is homeland of a lot of these tribes, and is important to them spiritually, the existence of this church shows that despite historic struggles with displacement, these tribes still own and can practice their culture and traditions in the area they value so much.
History — Saint Kateri Center of Chicago (stkatericenterchicago.org)

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3300 North Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, United States

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3300 North Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, United States

# data[].attributes.subject
3300 North Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, United States

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Riverview Amusement Park was once here. Land was bought to create "the world's largest amusement park", and operated from 1904-1967. This land was transformed into a shopping center, the DeVry Institute of Technology and the Chicago Area 6 Police headquarters occupy the amusement park’s former space.

https://www.lstoptours.com/blog/riverview-park-in-chicago

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- By Tom Schaffner
If you enjoy reading about the most frequently asked questions about the L and want to learn more about the city and its history, then consider signing up for our blog newsletter!
Does anyone remember Riverview Park in Chicago?

Unless you're over 60, have grandparents who like to reminisce, or are an avid student of local history, my guess is that you've never heard of the place. And that's understandable. Riverview Park, an amusement park that was located at Belmont and Western Avenues on the North Side, closed in 1967, ending its 65-year run as one of the most popular leisure-time attractions in Chicago and also in the United States. While it was open for business, more than 200 million visitors passed through its castle-like front gate.

Although it began life in 1902 as a skeet shooting range for local residents, Riverview Park in Chicago quickly pivoted to amusements (rides and other attractions) in order to appeal to a wider range of customers. The strategy worked and within a few years, the park began to grow steadily, with new rides and attractions added annually. In the 1950s, Riverview Park in Chicago billed itself as the largest amusement park in the United States with 40 major rides and attractions and a staff of more than 1,000.

By the mid-1960s, however, it was a completely different story. Declining attendance and escalating real estate taxes were to Riverview what kryptonite was to Superman - fatal. In 1967 the 70-acre park shut down and was quickly sold to a LaSalle Street investment firm, which, in turn, sold it to a paper manufacturer for $6 million. Today, a shopping center, the DeVry Institute of Technology and the Chicago Area 6 Police headquarters occupy the amusement park's former space.

What became of Riverview's famous rides and attractions?

Unfortunately, most were smashed into oblivion shortly after Riverview Park in Chicago closed its doors for the final time. Although the park's owners held an auction just after closing, none of the 50 bidders wanted such attractions as the Pair-O-Chute Jump, the Space Ride, the flash High Ride or even the world-famous Bobs roller coaster.

In its day, the Bobs was billed as the world's faster roller coaster, attaining a top speed of more than 60 miles per hour. According to a 1953 article in the Chicago American, the Bobs was the most thrilling ride in America.

Not long ago, the Chicago Sun-Times recalled the Bobs in a feature article: "It was a mind-numbing, body-bruising, 120-second dash through twisted metal and rickety white wood; when it was over, you'd be battered and breathless."

Nonetheless, it was unwanted at the auction, and shortly thereafter it was demolished and sold for scrap, along with Riverview's five other roller coasters - the Fireball, the Wild Mouse, the Silver Streak, the Comet and the Greyhound. Chute the Chutes was also demolished, as was the giant genie's head that grimaced above the entrance to Aladdin's Castle.

What, if anything, was saved from Riverview?

Many of the smaller rides, like the Ferris wheel and miniature train, were sold to carnivals in different parts of the country. And a Chicagoan bought four children's rides - The Whip, Kiddy Merry Go-Round, Kiddy Bug and Kiddy Boat - for $2,800.

Believe it or not, one famous ride from the storied amusement park is still in operation today, although you must travel to Georgia to ride it. Head to Atlanta's Six Flags Over Georgia Amusement Center and you will see, in all its glory, the famous Riverview carousel, one of the three original rides at the Chicago amusement park.

In 1907, Riverview founders William and George Schmidt commissioned Swiss and Italian immigrant wood carvers to whittle 72 customized horses and four chariots for a merry-go-round that was to take center stage at Riverview Park in Chicago. They did, and the 96-passenger carousel, and hand-carved masterpiece, was the result.

In its Georgia location, the carousel looks much as it did at Riverview Park in Chicago when it opened in 1908. A wedding cake-shaped shelter - identical to the one that protected it at Belmont and Western - was constructed to protect the storied ride from the elements. Now in its 107th year of operation (59 years in Chicago, 48 in Atlanta), the Riverview Carousel has become a nostalgic fan favorite at the Georgia park and continues to rank as one of its most popular and treasured rides.

Laugh Your Troubles Away

For about half of its six-decade run in Chicago, Riverview was indeed the world's largest amusement park, surpassing, for example, the four-park setup at Coney Island in New York and also local rivals, such as White City and Joyland on Chicago's South Side.

For many years, the marketing slogan at Riverview Park in Chicago was "Laugh Your Troubles Away." In these pandemic times, when life plods along at a snail's pace, when entertainment options are extremely limited and our lives have literally been turned upside down, a place to laugh our troubles away sounds like a pretty good place to be.

For those of us who remember Riverview Park in Chicago, the memories of a truly great amusement park will have to get us through, instead.
To learn more about the history of Chicago and its famous establishments, book a neighborhood tour with L Stop Tours today! Holder of two journalism degrees, including a masters from Northwestern University, Tom Schaffner is a native of the Chicago area and has spent nearly 50 years as a writer, editor, publisher and professional communications consultant. He was also the founder, editor, and publisher of the Chicago File, a newsletter for former Chicagoans. Tom is also the co-owner of L Stop Tours.
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Duration: 3.5 hours
Price: Adult $60

Duration: 3.5 hours
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Duration: 2.5 hours
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NEWSLETTER

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Riverview Park in Chicago: Gone But Not Forgotten

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If you enjoy reading about the most frequently asked questions about the L and want to learn more about the city and its history, then consider signing up for our blog newsletter! Unless you're over 60, have grandparents who like to reminisce, or are an avid student of local history, my guess is that you've never heard of the place.

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Clark Park, North Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL

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A long time piece of the area, these woods served as a hangout, bike park, and a beautiful representation of nature as students and residents alike watch as the leaves fall and bloom. Filled with old shipping containers, grafiti, and a dedicated following that cares for its health Clark Park is a central attraction to the area.

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Roscoe Village Pub, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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“Luck of the Irish” is written along the side, Justin Lizardi

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Roscoe Village Pub, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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Roscoe Village Pub, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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This neighbor hood is rich in pubs and liqour stores, remainders of its once german & Irish working class roots. Nearby pub goers exclaimed to me that “this pubs been here forever! My whole family has passed through the doors….”

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St. Benedict Preparatory School, North Leavitt Street, Chicago, IL

# data[].attributes.headline
St. Benedict Preparatory School, North Leavitt Street, Chicago, IL

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St. Benedict Preparatory School, North Leavitt Street, Chicago, IL

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St. Benedict Preparatory School is for preschoolers to children through 8th grade. The vision statement from its website states that its goal is to "be known for the innovative approach and transformative power of its Catholic education." Students who attend school there not only take classes, but also attend Mass throughout the week, and one of the biggest thing the school stresses in its graduates is the development of what it calls a "Catholic Identity." As a large portion of the historical German community, and current Hispanic community is religious, with a large portion being Catholic, this school is important for both groups in the community, allowing them to live spiritually while also gaining an education.
Mission — St. Benedict Preparatory School (stbenedict.com)

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Metropolitan Brewing, North Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL

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Metropolitan Brewing, North Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL

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Metropolitan Brewing, North Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL

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Metropolitan Brewing is a company that is known for its German Style lagers, and while it may not have the most spiritual connection to the area, its presence is important culturally. German drinking and brewing/beer culture is widely known, and for there to still be a company that brews these types of drinks (even some for Oktoberfest specifically according to their website), shows that some of the area's historically German inhabitants are still playing a role in the community even today.
Metropolitan Brewing - Chicago, IL (metrobrewing.com)

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German-American Oktoberfest where there are free celebrations over a 3 day period in October. There is a parade that starts in North Center and goes down North Lincoln Ave towards Lincoln Park. The Sunday activities start with a German Mass Service.

https://patch.com/illinois/northcenter-roscoevillage/oktoberfest-north-side-parade-route-events

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Lane Tech College Prep High School, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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Lane Tech College Prep High School, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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Lane Tech College Prep High School, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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Lane tech used to be a manual education facility opened in 1908 around the early openings of Roscoe Village, A large concentration of German factory workers lived in the area around this time and likely were educated and employed at through the trade school.

Lane acts as the west edge of Roscoe Village, sandwiched by Addison and Belmont ending at Ravenswood

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Addison Street Community Church, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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Addison Street Community Church, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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Addison Street Community Church, West Addison Street, Chicago, IL

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The Addison community church is a public and free christian parish that was founded in 1911 in the early begining of the neighborhood. hosts Sunday Services, youth groups, bible studies, and more services to the community including social justice activism.

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Christian Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Christian Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Christian Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL

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This type of religion  is "within Evangelical Protestantism originating from the Mission Friends movement and Lutheranism, but today having more in common with the Swedish Baptist variety of the Baptist tradition."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Free_Church_of_America#:~:text=The%20Evangelical%20Free%20Church%20of,variety%20of%20the%20Baptist%20tradition.

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St. Benedict Parish, West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL

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St. Benedict Parish, West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL

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St. Benedict Parish, West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL

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Founded in 1902, it became one of the biggest and most influential German Catholic church's, though by the 1950's and 60's many Germans left the Roscoe Village area then causing the Church to lose some popularity. Although this Church is still central in the community and acts as a spirtual beacon and symbol of the areas forefathers.

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This originally was an extension from the Depaul university extension behind Lane Tech, it has since then migrated into the old university building and been identified as a pre-k and likely supports up to 8th grade education program, then sending the kids to the highschool behind Lane Tech. This school is primarily catholic and was built within the 1950's

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Chicago Lakeview Seventh-day Adventist Church, West Roscoe Street, Chicago, IL

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Chicago Lakeview Seventh-day Adventist Church, West Roscoe Street, Chicago, IL

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Chicago Lakeview Seventh-day Adventist Church, West Roscoe Street, Chicago, IL

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This Protestant Parish is part of a national organization of churches around the U.S. that all share the same name and mission. Adventists of this parish believe that everything occurring in the world around us is happening because it is part of God's plan like many other Christians. They also state on their website that they look forward to the day that Jesus resurrects again and everyone up to heaven. Due to its central location within the neighborhood, this church is the spiritual home of a lot of Roscoe Village's Protestant inhabitants.
About Us : Lakeview SDA Church Chicago IL

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DePaul College Prep, North Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL

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DePaul College Prep, North Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL

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DePaul College Prep, North Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL

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Depaul shares a massive square of land with Lane Tech and the nearby Police station. It’s a private catholic school which is a extension of the university. This building used to be for DEVRY and some other graduate schools before becoming an extension of Depaul.

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Congregation of the Resurrection, North California Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Congregation of the Resurrection, North California Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Congregation of the Resurrection, North California Avenue, Chicago, IL

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A church within Depaul Highschool a catholic school. Unfortunately there are no available photos, though its been said they house missionaries. (Justin)

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Chicago Jewish Day School, North California Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Chicago Jewish Day School, North California Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Chicago Jewish Day School, North California Avenue, Chicago, IL

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This day school hadn't been open in the Roscoe Village area until 2018. But since the implementation of a Jewish school in this community, students have been able to "develop a strong Jewish identity though an integrating curriculum." The addition of this school has appealed to the 0.1% of the population and larger population within the nearby area.
https://www.chicagojewishdayschool.org/about/mission-and-vison
https://dwellics.com/illinois/community-in-roscoe

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Saint Luke Academy, West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Saint Luke Academy, West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Saint Luke Academy, West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL

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Lutheran School for 140 years, where those of the Lutheran religion have a private school to send their children. Children who attend this school "learn the basic Christian values of respect, appreciation, kindness, and empathy."

It was founded in 1882 by Assistant Pastor John Mueller from St. James Lutheran Church in Lincoln Park, and in 1884 Saint Luke Church was founded.

https://www.stlukeacademychi.org/history-mission--vision.html