Old Chicago: A Ghost Story (Without the Ghosts)
So, you wanna know when Old Chicago closed, huh? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because this is a tale as old as time... or at least as old as the late 70s.
A Brief History of Awesome (and Then Not So Awesome)
Let's rewind to the groovy era of bell-bottoms and disco. A visionary, or perhaps a slightly delusional individual, had a brilliant idea: an indoor amusement park. Yes, you heard that right. An indoor amusement park. This wasn't just any indoor amusement park, mind you. It was a mega indoor amusement park, complete with shopping, dining, and rides that would make even the bravest soul question their life choices. And thus, Old Chicago was born.
It was a magical place, a wonderland of neon lights and synthetic smells. People came from miles around to experience the thrill of riding a roller coaster while dodging fake rain. Kids screamed with delight (or terror), parents sighed with relief (or regret), and pigeons enjoyed a buffet of discarded popcorn.
But as with all good things, it had to come to an end. The harsh reality of economics and, let's be honest, the questionable sanity of the concept caught up with Old Chicago. So, in the year 1980, the big lights went out, the rides fell silent, and the once-bustling mall became a haunting reminder of what could have been.
What Happened to Old Chicago?
After the initial shock and disbelief, people started wondering, "What the heck are they going to do with that massive, empty building?" The options were as varied as they were absurd. A casino? Too risky. A water park? Too wet. A petting zoo? Too many smells. In the end, they opted for the most practical solution: they turned it into... nothing. Just a big, empty building.
And there it sits, a monument to human ambition and failure. Some say you can still hear the echoes of laughter and screams on windy nights. Others claim to have seen ghostly roller coaster cars zooming through the empty halls. But let's be real, it's probably just raccoons having a party.
How to Satisfy Your Old Chicago Curiosity
- How to feel old: Realize that Old Chicago closed before you were born.
- How to impress your friends: Drop random Old Chicago facts into conversations.
- How to time travel: Unfortunately, there's no DeLorean available for rent. Yet.
- How to find a good pizza place: Try any local pizzeria. It's probably better than whatever Old Chicago served.
- How to appreciate modern amusement parks: Be grateful they're not indoors and have better safety standards.