Frontier Village
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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.
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[edit] About Frontier Village
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 coupled with 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. The picnic always falls on the last Saturday in June.[1]
Shaughnessy McGehee of Campbell, California is considered to be one of Frontier Village's "biggest" fans. He is in the process of creating a miniature version of the park in his own backyard. One day he hopes to open his backyard to tourists and visitors. To date, he has built miniature versions of the Silver Dollar Saloon, General's Store, and Schoolhouse, with more to come. Some of Shaughnessy's most notable memorabilia are the Crazy Horse, one of the Antique Autos that he has converted to run by itself, the Frontier Village lettering from the front entrance of the park, and the original Silver Dollar Saloon doors.
[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
[edit] References
- ^ "Fans celebrate heyday of former S.J. theme park" by Connie Skipitares, Mercury News, June 25, 2006
[edit] External links
- Remembering Frontier Village
- Frontier Village at Defunct Amusement Parks
- The present day Edenvale Garden Park is at coordinates Coordinates:
