Electric Park

Located on both sides of the DuPage River, Electric Park was an ideal summer resort with rental cottages, entertainment, dining, dancing, swimming, and a mile of boating along the damed up river. Fisher Construction Co. of Joliet planned and developed it as a unique destination for their streetcar line business connecting Joliet, Plainfield, and Aurora. Land was purchased and landscaped and the streetcar line completed in 1902-1903, and the park opened in 1904-1905. Within a year, an amphitheater, bandstand, and steam merry-go-round were added. From 1908 to 1924, the Chautauqua movement, developed by the Methodist church, presented cultural programs in the 3500-seat auditorium. From 1910 to 1912, fans gathered in the new grandstand for horse racing and baseball. In 1916, a major rainstorm left 15 acres of the park underwater. After World War I ended in 1918-1919, veterans were honored and photographed there. Electric Park closed in 1924 as affordable automobiles and improved roads made other destinations possible.

Plainfield, Illinois · United States