It was a combination mall and indoor amusement park and is known for being the "World's First Indoor Amusement Park."

KHMO-AM 1070, News-Talk-Sports logo
Get our free mobile app

Old Chicago was the name and it was created by the architecture of Louis Sullivan, who opened the combo mall and amusement park in 1975. Old Chicago was created to bring people out of the city to enjoy shopping, a day of fun with rides (including three roller coasters), and eventually, a circus was added. However, in building Old Chicago Sullivan was over the budgeted amount he had to build the mall, there were major electric issues within the first few days of opening, and the death of a trapeze entertainment at the circus made it difficult for the mall to stay open.

They also were complete with a major outdoor amusement park we know today as Six Flags Great America. With stores closing because visitors stop coming and ride breaking down the combination mall and amusement park closed their doors for good in 1980, it was only open for five years. However, having an indoor amusement park made way for some other big malls to bring the idea to their shopping places.

Mall of America has Nickelodeon Universe, and the West Edmonton Mall in Canada built its mall around an amusement park. The area in which Old Chicago was built is just a flat space now, the mall was demolished in 1986, and is now owned by Amazon which plans to build a $50 million distribution center. There is one roller coaster that was used  at Old Chicago, the "Chicago Loop" coaster (what it was originally called) was moved to the Alabama State Fair Grounds and named and changed to "Corkscrew." It was then moved to Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire and retired at the end of the 2021 season.

8 Photos of Abandoned Missouri Waterpark

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

Explorer Abandoned Cementland in St. Louis

More From KHMO-AM 1070, News-Talk-Sports