Frontier Village

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Frontier Village Map

Frontier Village was a 30 acre amusement park in San Jose, California that operated from 1961 to September 1980. It was located at the intersection of Monterey Road and Branham Lane.

1 Frontier Village Closes
2 Remembering Frontier Village
3 Rides and Attractions
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Frontier Village Closes

Last Roundup Poster

In 1973 the part owner and co-creater of Frontier Village wanted to expand the park. Without the necessary funds to expand, he sold Frontier Village to Rio Grande Industries for $1.7 million. The new owners were ready to start expansion but hit a road block with the surrounding neighbourhood.

When the park opened in the 60s it was surrounded by undeveloped land but by 1973 the park was surrounded by urban sprawl. The new neighbours of Frontier Village didn't want any expansion and fought the park development plans. Lawsuits from nearby homeowners, lower than expected Park revenues, skyrocketing San Jose land values, and new competition from nearby Marriott's Great America signalled the end for the little park. With the high property values, Rio Grande could make more money selling off the land to developers than it could by running the park. In 1980 the undeveloped land and Frontier Village itself was sold to a land developer, the Bren Company. They in turn held a public auction for all rides, buildings, and lumber that made up Frontier Village. The park closed its gates for the last time on September 28, 1980.

All the buildings were removed but there still remains a city park (Edenvale Garden Park) at the former location of the amusement park.

[edit] Remembering Frontier Village

Since 2001 former employees and fans have held a reunion each summer at the Edenvale Garden Park to reminisce about the park.^[1]

[edit] Rides and Attractions

Rides:

Antique Autos
Apache Whirlwind
Burro Pack Train
Duster-Turnpike
Ferris Wheel
Frontier Village Railroad
Indian Jim's Canoes
Lost Dutchman Mine Ride
Merry-Go-Round
Spirit of Kitty Hawk
Roundup
Sidewinder
Stampede
Tarantula
Old 99 Train Ride
Stagecoach

Attractions:

California Street (Dapper Dan's, Last Chance Casino, Shoe & Spike)
El Sito Mysterio
Front Street (Birthday Party Corral, Games, Hunter's Paradise Shooting Gallery, Ice Cream Gazebo, Skeeball)
Indian Island (Archery, Fort Far West, Indian Island Stage)
Main Street (Arcade, Cantina Murieta, Gunfights, Indian Goods, Marshal's Office, Picture Palace, Silver Dollar Saloon, Sweet Shop, Trading Post)
Nevada Street
Petting Zoo Island
Reserved Company Picnics
Rainbow Falls Fishing
Sagebrush Theatre
School House Museum