Is it technically a mall, or was it a amusement park, really it was both, and really a smaller scale, less successful version of the Mall of America that once was located in Bolingbrook, Illinois. As Old Chicago lasted no longer than the time it took to build, only five years from 1975 to 1980, it was the main event for Friday night fun, birthdays, and a memory only covered up by asphalt. The idea of Old Chicago was an amusement park that could be visited all year around, unlike what is known now as Six Flags Great America up north in Gurnee, Illinois, that is open only a few months out of the year.
Because shopping was no the main attraction, as most of the space was occupied by roller coasters and rides, no anchor stores to call it an actual enclosed "mall" did not bring in enough repeated shoppers, many flocked to Jefferson Park Mall in Joliet, or Louis Joliet Mall. By 1980, Old Chicago lost so much money, and no one came anymore, the giant center closed in 1980. Lasting longer empty than in business, by the summer of 1986, the first ever enclosed amusement park shopping mecca was demolished.
Here is the link I used for most of these pictures provided and also provides more than enough information
Between 53 and I-55 in Bolingbrook, Illinois...
Demo in 1986...
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