Six Gun Territory Entrance 1974

Located across the street from Silver Springs (SR-40 in Ocala, FL) was Six-Gun Territory. This theme park re-created a 19th century western town with actors playing shoot 'em up from rooftops & windows. There was even an old western duel that ended with one of the gunfighters getting blasted on his back. The comedic relief began when the coroner came out and tried to get the corpse in his coffin. Rigor Mortis was so strong he couldn't get the body in. THIS WAS GREAT FUN FOR THE KIDS!

There was also a Can-Can, horse rides, Indian camps and trading posts and air conditioned saloons for those hot summer days in central Florida. It's long gone, shutting the saloon doors in the mid-eighties. The gravel roads were still there under the scrub in 2006. A barber shop at a nearby shopping center has many artifacts and acts as kind of a museum for the departed theme park.

For those who can't get enough, visit the Six-Gun page on lostparks. Google Map it here!

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Las Vegas 1955

A 1954 "Mist-Green" Cadillac ambles down the strip towards The Golden Nugget, Vegas Vic, trees and purple mountains as a pedestrian cools his heels on the corner of 3rd Street and Fremont.

Did you know Las Vegas once looked like a western town? Establishments like Smith & Chandler Western Outfitters, the brick Delkin Building on the left and trading posts add to the western flavor. Even the theater is playing "Man Without a Star" with Kirk Douglas. Tagline: "A love-bargain is like barbed-wire...fight it and you'll get hurt!" I Wonder what the special at the Melody Restaurant was? Notice the musical notes that must have danced along at night.

Here's what it looks like today. Hmmm. Apparently, historic preservation in "Glitter Gulch" is about as popular as sand in your chaps. Most of Fremont is a covered galleria today, called the "Fremont Experience." Daddy needs new shoes, baby!

More here for all the high-rollers!

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