Thornton’s Kiddieland: Amusement at Lake Superior Zoo

Paul Lundgren Jan 30, 2009 8 Comments

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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.

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8 Comments

Beverly

about 16 years ago 

There used to be a slide like that behind (RIGHT behind) my grandpa's house in Detroit Lakes, Minn. It was the best!

Swan

about 16 years ago 

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.

vicarious

about 16 years ago 

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.

Larry Sieraski

about 16 years ago 

Wow, that brings back some memories. Remember the small roller coaster that was to the right of the slide?

Joe B

about 14 years ago 

I remember there was a small train that you could ride on too.

Paul Lundgren

about 13 years ago 

Here's a short 1962 film of the zoo's train.

Paul Lundgren

about 12 years ago 

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.

Paul Lundgren

about 8 years ago 

Zenith City online now has a thorough historical rundown.

Thornton’s Kiddieland: Decades of joy at Duluth's Zoo end in tragedy

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