Throughout the mid-20th century, shopping centers across the US enjoyed an unusual Christmas tradition: kiddie monorail rides. This short documentary takes a historical look at all of the known rides across the country, and investigates the theories about their manufacturer.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:30 - Philadelphia, PA (Wanamaker’s)
2:35 - Chicago, IL (Sears & Roebuck)
2:49 - Milwaukee, WI (Boston Store)
3:52 - Baltimore, MD (Stewart's)
4:32 - Newark, NJ (Kresge-Newark)
4:55 - Minneapolis, MN (Donaldson’s)
5:24 - Grand Rapids, MI (Herpolsheimer's)
6:09 - Manhattan, NY (Wanamaker’s)
6:25 - Fort Worth, TX (Leonard’s)
7:01 - Who Built Them?
8:11 - Lyons, IL (Fairyland Park)
8:43 - Who Built Them? Cont'd.
10:01 - Syracuse, NY (Edwards)
10:49 - Atlanta, GA (Rich’s)
12:02 - Columbus, GA (Kirven’s)
12:17 - Nashville, TN (Harveys)
12:31 - Portland, OR (Meier & Frank)
13:31 - St. Louis, MO (Stix, Baer & Fuller)
13:54 - Jennings, MO (Stix, Baer & Fuller)
14:10 - Pittsburgh, PA (Gimbels)
14:37 - Pittsburgh, PA (Northway Mall)
15:32 - Winter Park, FL (Winter Park Mall)
16:05 - Rochester, NY (Midtown Plaza)
16:43 - Moorestown, NJ (Moorestown Mall)
17:06 - Wrapping Up

This video is for educational purposes and is distributed for non-commercial use. It is not monetized or sponsored. All video footage, images and audio recordings are the property of their original owners and are used in accordance with Fair Use principles. If ads appear on this video, it means a piece of media was copyright-claimed and the ad revenue is being collected by the copyright holder.

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Support my work by leaving a tip:
https://ko-fi.com/peterdibble

Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia
https://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/

Grand Rapids Public Museum
https://www.grpm.org/

Atlanta History Center
https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/

Oregon Historical Society
https://www.ohs.org/

New York Museum of Transportation
http://www.nymtmuseum.org/

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Music:
“Left Bank One” by The Noveltones
   • The Noveltones - Left Bank One  
“Jingle Bells” by Mantovani
   • Anonymous: Jingle Bells  
“Jumpin' Jiminy Christmas” by Bert Kaempfert
   • Jumpin' Jiminy Christmas  
“Snowbound” by Wayne King & His Orchestra
   • Snowbound  
“Sleigh Ride” by Bert Kaempfert
   • Sleigh Ride  
“Winter Wonderland” by Bert Kaempfert
   • Winter Wonderland  
“White Christmas” by Billy Vaughn
   • White Christmas