On the Way to Marriott's Great America
On the Way to Marriott's Great America
Gurnee Park: I am sure many of you remember driving or being driven to Marriott's in the summer time when you were a kid/teen. As you got closer to the park there would probably be a traffic jam of other park goers on their way too. Cars would be filled with lots of kids. I always remember passing by Lambs Farm on I94 in neighboring Libertyville and wondering...."What is this place all about? (Go to http://www.lambsfarm.org/ to find out if you don't already know). If you were driving from the south, you'd remember passing Lambs Farm too. It wouldn't be until years later when I finally visited Lambs Farm and found out what a neat place it is. I associated passing Lambs Farm with "We are almost to Great America now." The radio in the car would be tuned into AM radio, probably WLS with some 70's pop hit blasting.
It always seemed like a long drive up to the park when you were a kid, anxious to get there, jump out of the car and ride the "cool new ride for the year." If you were lucky, your parents wouldn't be along as chaperones.
Jeff
It always seemed like a long drive up to the park when you were a kid, anxious to get there, jump out of the car and ride the "cool new ride for the year." If you were lucky, your parents wouldn't be along as chaperones.
Jeff
Since we drove from Kenosha, Wisconsin, we should have taken I-94 into Gurnee, but instead we always took back highways. My dad used to drive down (I am hoping I remembering the name) Dilley's Road <?> because it would end right in front of the park. I remember that distinctively because the Sky Trek Tower looked like it was coming directly out in front of us... and we'd watch it get closer and closer and closer.
Rick Aiello
SFGAm Employee 1988-1999
SFGAm Employee 1988-1999
- BrianPlencner
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Yes, it was Dilleys Road. In fact, when I go to the park most times I will go that way from Zion, IL.RLAiello wrote:Since we drove from Kenosha, Wisconsin, we should have taken I-94 into Gurnee, but instead we always took back highways. My dad used to drive down (I am hoping I remembering the name) Dilley's Road <?> because it would end right in front of the park. I remember that distinctively because the Sky Trek Tower looked like it was coming directly out in front of us... and we'd watch it get closer and closer and closer.
Also on that road, is the Gold Pyramid House.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/get ... onNo==5952
It is located on the East side of the road, just a bit north of Stearns School Road.
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Mr. Brian Plencner
SFGAm Employee: 1988-1992
Mr. Brian Plencner
SFGAm Employee: 1988-1992
Sometimes I scare myself with what I remember.BrianPlencner wrote: Yes, it was Dilleys Road. In fact, when I go to the park most times I will go that way from Zion, IL.
Also on that road, is the Gold Pyramid House.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/get ... onNo==5952
It is located on the East side of the road, just a bit north of Stearns School Road.
Ah yes, the Pyramid House... owned by the Onan family. I went to high school with one of that guy's neices. She was cool but she said her uncle was a bit ... odd.
Rick Aiello
SFGAm Employee 1988-1999
SFGAm Employee 1988-1999
Gurnee.
Avalon and In-Laws are right next to each other near the intersection of Rt. 21 (Milwaukee) and Rt. 132 (Grand Avenue). The Amoco is right on the corner, the VFW with the tank is just on the other side.
To get to Poor Richards Pub, just head east on Grand and turn off onto Old Grand Avenue. PR's looks like a trailer (ya know, I think is IS a double-wide) and is on the left.
Its amazing that these three places have remained pretty much the same over 20 years. The rest of the area has changed dramatically. The offices, restaurants, and homes directly across the street from the employees' entrance are all fairly new. Back in the 80s, it was all open field all the way north to the VFW baseball diamond.
Where were you coming from, JW?
Avalon and In-Laws are right next to each other near the intersection of Rt. 21 (Milwaukee) and Rt. 132 (Grand Avenue). The Amoco is right on the corner, the VFW with the tank is just on the other side.
To get to Poor Richards Pub, just head east on Grand and turn off onto Old Grand Avenue. PR's looks like a trailer (ya know, I think is IS a double-wide) and is on the left.
Its amazing that these three places have remained pretty much the same over 20 years. The rest of the area has changed dramatically. The offices, restaurants, and homes directly across the street from the employees' entrance are all fairly new. Back in the 80s, it was all open field all the way north to the VFW baseball diamond.
Where were you coming from, JW?
Actually it was In-Laws that burned down, not Avalon.klemrock wrote:3 places jump to mind on the way to MGA:
Avalon restaurant (has been flooded twice and burned down at least once since 1983). Good history, bad food.
In-Laws (oh gawd, the drinking.....)
Poor Richards Pub (oh gawd, more drinking....)
I went to In-Laws with my sister (another former park employee) the other day and it looks COMPLETELY different inside. Due, of course, to the fire.
Oh yeah... GOOD TIMES at those places.
Rick Aiello
SFGAm Employee 1988-1999
SFGAm Employee 1988-1999
- HoneyBunny
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We used to come up I94 as well, there used to be a Wendy's Oasis (I think it was almost to Lamb's Farm...? my memory is rusty ) Anyway, last time we rode by it was a McDonald's like all the other Oasis' which is a shame really. We used to stop for Frosty's on the way home, tired and smelling like you smell after a day at the park.
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"$2.50, why?"
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"Buy me a twicket!"
- Demonlover13
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Re: On the Way to Marriott's Great America
I do the same exact thing! Whenever I pass Lambs Farm, I know we're getting close. If I'm not mistaken, there's a big cow you can see from the road.JW65 wrote:Gurnee Park: I am sure many of you remember driving or being driven to Marriott's in the summer time when you were a kid/teen. As you got closer to the park there would probably be a traffic jam of other park goers on their way too. Cars would be filled with lots of kids. I always remember passing by Lambs Farm on I94 in neighboring Libertyville and wondering...."What is this place all about? (Go to http://www.lambsfarm.org/ to find out if you don't already know). If you were driving from the south, you'd remember passing Lambs Farm too. It wouldn't be until years later when I finally visited Lambs Farm and found out what a neat place it is. I associated passing Lambs Farm with "We are almost to Great America now." The radio in the car would be tuned into AM radio, probably WLS with some 70's pop hit blasting.
It always seemed like a long drive up to the park when you were a kid, anxious to get there, jump out of the car and ride the "cool new ride for the year." If you were lucky, your parents wouldn't be along as chaperones.
Jeff
I need a great day this year, or 2, or 30!
- TripplePlay93
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