Thornton’s Kiddieland: Amusement at Lake Superior Zoo
The Lake Superior Zoo used to have a big slide, among other toys for the kiddies. I took a ride on it in the late 1970s with my big sister, as seen in this photo.
The zoo got rid of the amusement park stuff at some point in the early 1980s. Here’s a shot of the same perspective of Fairmount Park as it looks in 2009.
There used to be a slide like that behind (RIGHT behind) my grandpa’s house in Detroit Lakes, Minn. It was the best!
Wow, I barely remember the slide, hiking up stairs, sitting on a heavy wool blanket and sliding down. Another zoo memory was the noisy machine that made wax tigers in a mold.
I’m not sure how I feel about the pink/beige-on grey-on darker gray color scheme. The grey is cool, but the pink/beige is kinda … something.
Wow, that brings back some memories. Remember the small roller coaster that was to the right of the slide?
I remember there was a small train that you could ride on too.
Here’s a short 1962 film of the zoo’s train.
And here are two images Gary Belich posted on the West Duluth Memories Facebook page. The sign at the ticket booth shows the name Thornton’s Kiddieland.
Zenith City online now has a thorough historical rundown.
Thornton’s Kiddieland: Decades of joy at Duluth’s Zoo end in tragedy