2009-08-28

Lost Florida Theme Park - Six-Gun Territory 1966

Six Gun Territory, a TPBWDW (Theme Park before Walt Disney World) was located in Ocala on the north side of SE 40 in a patch of Florida pine scrub. (Silver Springs is across the street and is one of the State's first tourist attractions.) Developed by the creators of "Ghost Town in the Sky" in North Carolina, Six-Gun consisted of a complete 1880's western town with a Jail, Courthouse, Bank and Saloons, which provided backdrops for live-action gunfights. Of course there were gift shops: Six Gun Apothecary, Ann's Hat Shop, Six Gun Photo, General Store, B & B Shirt Emporium, Cousin Will's Variety Store, etc.

The park amused kids from 1963 to 1984, and is now completely gone. Google Map it here. In 2002, I located the old town behind the Six-Gun Plaza shopping center and walked on the old gravel which was still there.

These slides are old family slides Dad shot of us back when a kid would think this was really cool. The gun battle was awesome to a six-year old, as was the cap gun and a peace pipe I got from the Indians.

Territorial Ave - The Marshal's office. He'd come running out to shoot first and ask questions later when the Bank was held up.

Central Court House and administrative offices

Oklahoma Indian war-dancing. Can't remember if authentic or not — I'm going with not.

A victim of a dramatic shoot-out. I remember a guy being shot on the roof and falling into the street! I believe he robbed the Territorial Bank. The joke came when “Digger” the undertaker tried to put him in a casket — Rigor Mortis had set in so much his legs kept springing out. Great fun for the Kids...

The Red Dog Saloon had old movies. For Mom & Dad.

The Frontier Gazette printed replicas of old newspapers with your family's name in the headline.

Mom & sis. Down one of these streets was the "Mystery Shack" a building with weird sloping floors and forced perspective. I loved it.


Look at all the undeveloped land.







ElectroSpark @ Twitter | Flicker

18 comments:

  1. I grew up in Gainesville, just up the road. We loved going to 6 gun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great pics, Electro! Thanks so much for sharing... Would love to see more if you have any!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ahhhh-how I miss Six Gun. I remember going often and our church (blessed Trinity) would hold their annual fall carnival there. It was so much fun--felt like having the park to yourselves for an evening. I wish it was still there for me to take my boys.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This place was my earliest memory at just 2.5 years old (born 5-26-79). I'm so sad to see that it is gone. Thank you so so much for posting these pictures, it means more to me then you could possibly know.

    baja79@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks George, I have great memories from there too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I worked there from HS graduation in '63 until being drafted in '65. Great memories...

    ReplyDelete
  7. I remember going there when I was a kid. I wish it was still there today. But kids and parents now days want more exciting and elaborate things. There is Frontier Town in either Berlin or Ocean City, Maryland. It is on a small scale just like it. Its worth a vacation to it. It has a shootout, saloon, real horse ride in an open field. At some point they have bull riding at the rodeo. It has a water park. And also a camping site for RV's.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I also have pictures. They are of me, my mom-mom and some of the participants of the shootouts.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Discovered that the steam train from Six Gun Territory is still running, the last 25 years in Jefferson, Texas. Here's a video of it:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2xRvzaqtb0

    ReplyDelete
  10. The second train is located in Williston Florida and has been purchased by a man from my church. He is refurbishing it and will have it up and running by Thanksgiving. Laying track on his property, 178 acres. He and his family will open a theme park with the train being the highlight that will take you a mile and a half to petting zoos, cow milking stations, etc. It should be a great undertaking. I have pictures of the train, if anyone is interested.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I still have a small porcelain jewelry box that my mother bought for me on a trip to Six Gun. I have wonderful memories and have often wondered what happened. Thank you for posting these great pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Does anyone know who the marshal was around January of 1965. My mother speaks about him all the time but she cannot remember his name.
    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The dancers at the "Indian Village" were indeed authentic....The Big Mountain Family. They are still around (some of them),they STILL dance at pow-wows and other venues...GREAT PEOPLE !!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I met "Hoss" from Bonanza after a shoot out. I can't remember what year it was. My family was home (GAinesville) on vacation. DAd in the Army.

    ReplyDelete
  15. @ Swiffer probably Allen Bell, and the Indian dancers were champions!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for sharing! i remember this place well. My family and I went a couple of times I do believe in the mid 70's.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks Anonymous. I was wondering if anyone knows how to contact Allen Bell?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello. Six gun just had a reunion. Allen bell was a Marshall

      Delete

Please comment if you enjoy the content.