A Magical Road Trip: Rockford to Storybook Gardens, 1975

In 1975 during summer months, many families loaded into there station wagon and drove north from Rockford, Illinois toward Wisconsin Dells with the windows open. The journey required little beyond a dad's thermos of coffee and wax paper-wrapped peanut butter sandwiches while the magic destination was Storybook Gardens.

Located in the center of the Dells Storybook Gardens brought fairy tale magic into reality. The attraction that once enchanted children existed before the era of towering waterslides and large-scale resorts. It wasn’t flashy, but it was pure. Imagine Humpty Dumpty sitting on his wall while Little Red Riding Hood’s cottage stands hidden in the forest and the three houses belonging to the pigs awaited discovery.

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THE FINAL REMAINS OF A SMORGASBORD FROM ROCKFORD PAST!!

The Whimsical World of Storybook Gardens
Storybook Gardens opened during the 1950s as a compact park designed for families that brought classic nursery rhymes and folk tales to life. During the post-war boom period Storybook Gardens opened because roadside attractions were popular and families looked for wholesome fun experiences on the highways. The park provided simple attractions that inspired children to tap into their imaginative abilities.

The park featured a collection of live animals along with basic rides and meandering paths that took visitors through recreated scenes from Goldilocks and Jack and the Beanstalk plus additional stories. Visitors enjoyed numerous photo opportunities while creating lasting memories among meticulously constructed fiberglass characters and storybook sets.

The Slow Fade into Memory
Audiences started to develop new preferences during the 1980s and '90s. The transformation of The Dells into a waterpark hub left low-key attractions like Storybook Gardens facing operational difficulties. Rising maintenance expenses resulted in lower attendance numbers which led to the gradual loss of the park's enchantment. The park closed without fanfare leaving its imaginative sculptures exposed to natural elements.

The fate of Storybook Gardens represents a well-known narrative in the evolution of America's roadside attractions. The emergence of major entertainment brands and contemporary attractions caused the disappearance of small independent parks.

Remembering the Magic
The former site of Storybook Gardens has been absorbed into the growing commercial area of the Dells. For those who have memories of it, Storybook Gardens remains a beloved childhood experience which brings back memories of more straightforward times when a short trip from Rockford combined with imagination allowed visitors to step into a fairy tale.