MELROSE, IL KIDDIELAND PARK AUCTION 9/24/09 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE)

A Melrose Park fixture(Tribune photo by Chuck Berman / June 7, 2006) Kiddieland enjoyed 81 years in business. The Melrose Park fixture featured more than 30 rides, according to its Web site. The park refered to itself as "the last U.S. theme park catering exclusively to children."

Family rift
(Tribune photo by Chuck Berman / June 7, 2006)
President and co-owner Ronald F. Rynes, Jr. talks about the park in 2006. Because of a rift in the family that owns and runs Kiddieland Amusement Park in Melrose Park, the amusement park geared for the younger ages, will close down.The 17 acres where the amusement park operates are owned by the founders' daughter, Shirley Rynes, and her son, Glenn, while the amusement park itself is owned and run by Rynes' other children, Ronald Rynes Jr. and Cathy Norini.

Perfect ending

(Tribune photo by William DeShazer / September 27, 2009) Park goers had perfect weather to enjoy Kiddieland's last day.

Do I hear ... ?

(Tribune photo by Chuck Berman / November 24, 2009) Doc Horton, one of the Norton Auctioneers, calls out for bids outside the Scooter pavilion where the bumper cars later sold for $17, 000.

Happy shoppers

(Tribune photo by Chuck Berman / November 24, 2009) Diane, left, and Lonia Leone, of Chicago, are a pair of happy sisters at Kiddieland in Melrose Park. They successfully bid $350 on tin signs. They came to the amusement park as children.

One last look

(Tribune photo by Chuck Berman / November 24, 2009) Lily Moore, 6, of River Forest, waves to her mom from one of the carousel horses as they look around the Kiddieland park in Melrose Park on the day its contents are being auctioned off.

Bidder's choice

( Tribune photo by Chuck Berman / November 24, 2009 ) One of the horses on the carousel at Kiddieland holds a bid number. The Melrose Park amusement park, opened one last time for an auction of its rides and everything else. Carnival enthusiasts and long-time regulars packed the amusement park for a final goodbye.