Florida's Wild West Amusement Park That Is No More

This here's the ballad of Six-Gun Territory. In the 1960's a successful businessman and entertainer decided that his small amusement park would benefit from a larger version, built somewhere where land was cheap and plentiful: Central Florida. That park managed to be both ahead of its time, and behind the times, all at the same time. It saw plenty of success and fame, that is, until Walt Disney World came to town.
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[@tastiGMmaster2099]

*sees the bit about people drifting away from Westerns and shifting towards space/sci-fi* ...oh yeah, the whole conflict between Woody and Buzz had an actual historical basis in changes in entertainment! Neat-o.

[@RWHaulbrook]

Bonus points for the Orlando-Ocala fake-out.

[@tambracarswell9896]

Kirby Farms in Williston FL has Six Gun Territory days where original actors and crew get together and re-enact their shows. Kirby Farms also has a steam locomotive to ride. It’s lots of fun.

[@melskunk]

It says a lot about how much theme park history videos I watch that I immediately went "OH GHOST TOWN IN THE SKY" the second you mentioned the name of the land for his first project was changed to Ghost Mountain. So happy to hear the rest of his story with this second park!

[@Coopdog-dp5eq]

I grew up in Gainesville, Fl. and we knew Six Gun as a much more casual place to go for the day. Disney World was such a huge deal to visit as far as time, money. hassle etc. If you were a kid it was a blast.

[@chiefrief2940]

This video is so much of my childhood: Ghost Town In the Sky, Frontier City, Silver Springs. Six Gun Territory was right in my wheelhouse.

[@brainysmurf74]

I was there and will never forget Sixx Gunn. It was a historical part of the legacy of Florida.

[@trickycrayon]

This one was so fun while staying informative (had a few good belly laughs over your Orlando/Ocala bait and switch and the various sarcastic quips). I love the source listing in the description - shows how much research went in! Excellent video.

[@JackKendall]

29 MINUTES!!! YES! I know what I'm watching over dinner!

[@michaeleisner4758]

I’m a cowboy at heart

[@Wildbarley]

Michael Eisner oh we know Mike. We know...

[@Clay3613]

@@Wildbarley Better than Robber Baron Iger.

[@mallon04008]

Rob, I think this is your best stand alone episode yet. The writing, the pacing, the visuals--all on point. That half hour just flew by. An interesting story well told, you can't ask for much more than that. Keep up the good work.

[@MidwaytoMainStreet]

Thanks!

[@WasatchWind]

21:50 - I feel like I can audibly hear Stinky Pete complaining about Sputnik.

[@robins1016]

I went to Six Gun many times as a kid. Got Jerry Mathers (The Beaver) autograph there one time. It was a great place.

[@brycevo]

Man. This sounds really awesome. Sad that it's gone. I'd love to see a modern version like Westworld.

[@AC-gb7do]

I’d give a kidney to go to the Yul Bryner 70s WW, or S1 of the new WW lol.

[@altoonaflyer]

Can’t seem to find my six gun newspaper…1973 or 74, you could have your name printed up in various scenarios…one of my favorite places as a child. I loved the slide…burlap sacks made you just fly! Bumper cars were always a favorite too. The gunfights and the cancan show made it a favorite of my dad’s as well😀

[@Taydar]

I'm enjoying these old Florida amusements videos.

[@dalecurtis6919]

Loving these longer form, more informative videos. Im sure they're much more work, but they're worth it, and you do it really well.

[@danielwilliams1672]

I grew up basically down the road of the old lot. Theres so many stories about the place, it's so cool.

[@bakomusha]

Lets hope Evermore, and the like survives the crisis... the world needs more "Westworld without the killer robots".

[@threepoint14159265]

I really thought this would be a funny, cringe-worthy tourist trap telling a distorted history of the west for a quick buck, but honestly Six Guns sounded really well-done. A level of sincerity and dedication that really paid off.

[@Railrider765]

Watched it come.,...watched it go!! Grew up with it! Auctioned off in mid 80's train now with great Jefferson Bayou RR., Tx.

[@scottrousseau496]

I visited both Six Gun Territory as well as Ghost Town in the Sky as a child. Both were such fun and very memorable. This was a wonderful video on the history of Six gun. I'd love to see the same for Ghost Town. Great job!

[@Gatorinnola]

Went there many times as a kid. Great memories. Loved it. Wish I could have taken my son and grandkids there.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

This swamp ain't big enough for the two of us

[@PorchPotatoMike]

I got to use that when going up the stairs to Big Thunder at Disneyland. I’m a big guy and I bumped into another big guy on the stairs, so I said, “well pardner, I guess this hallway ain’t big enough for the two of us.”

[@xaviersaavedra7442]

Ooh let me try Uhh... hey punk. Ha ha.

[@ChaseIsDaAce]

This channel deserves a lot more love!

[@georgeabruzzo7705]

Love your videos. Never went to Six Gun but as a child (in the late 1950’s) my father took me to Wild West City in NJ. Same concept, live action shows, western history displays. It’s still open.

[@jakeryan152]

I live in Nj I went there with my grandparents as a small kid I am 14 as of posting this they are still open

[@jamisondean3479]

Thanks for posting this! I grew up in Ocala and remember going to six gun as a kid. Just like a classic song a video like this can bring back so many great memories!

[@thedevilgoose2482]

Really wish this was still around, I love immersive experiences and this is absolutely one I would love to try.

[@christalbot210]

Thanks for this. I don't recall the exact year I went, but I think it was shortly after we went to Disney World for the first time (which was January of '72) so I'm thinking the summer of '72 or '73. I remembered I decided it was a perfect time to wear my brown suit since I was growing out of it and I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to wear it (don't ask...I was 8 or so :-) ). Anyway, we took the train to the town and explored it and the indian village (I got to explore a tepee which, as simple as it was, I thought was cool) and then I got to go on the rides (rode the Round-Up, my favorite fair ride, a couple of times). It only took us half a day to do every thing, so we took the skyway back. At the gift shop, I got myself a pen stand with a mechanical calendar on it. I still have that. :-) We had planned on hitting Silver Springs the following day, but since we only took half a day here, we decided to go on to there. This upset me terribly because I WAS IN THE WRONG SUIT (I also had a blue one I was growing out of)!! I ended up changing in the car. Kids. :-)

[@brianbell7095]

Im from Ocala! Growing up, my dad would tell me about six gun territory. Older citizens have told me how Ocala was turning out to be the entertainment of capital of Florida before Disney showed up. You should look into Silvers Springs and Wild Waters which were all in the same area.

[@Devin-Capper]

You can visit parts of the actual 6 gun territory at Kirby family farm in Williston Florida just 30 minutes from Ocala.

[@jonrussell1690]

Wow!! I didn’t know about this. I knew about Silver Springs and visited that when I was little w/my parents. It’s sad that some of these parks didn’t last. I truly believe if they created other different areas, they could have survived.

[@bobbieabbott]

I grew up in Pasco county and now live in Silver Springs and I remember going to six gun territory as a kid and it was probably one of my favorite attractions that I went to.

[@carminecostello]

Enjoyed the video! I remember going here with my Grandparents in the mid 70's. At that age I thought the gun fights were real and would get so scared. I like the longer video...

[@katherinealvarez9216]

I've only been at one ghost town attraction in Arizona. this is a good glimpse at the history of this type of park.

[@kennethbartlett4836]

Thank you for doing this. I went to Six Gun back in the day. As a kid I loved it. Was wondering what had happened to it. Sad to see things from my distant childhood memories...gone forever.

[@hazeldavis3176]

I know views might be off a bit because of the latest videos not being "pure" Disney, but boy do I love these latest videos! Great job again!

[@shjo4239]

I LOVED this place went a alot as a kid ...way before Disney was EVER Built. My family from England was even taken there in late 1980

[@vanvorst1999]

👍 I lived in Florida from 1965 to 1970 and never knew of this attraction!

[@ThemeParkBar]

Wow! What a great video, I'm in Orlando native and I had no idea this attraction even existed. Thank you Rob for always producing such great content!

[@CoralCoasters]

There is a small park outside of Ocala trying to revive the Six Gun concept, Kirby Family Farms, if you are ever in the area check them out it is hard to describe it, you just have to experience it. Go during their haunt event or their six gun week.

[@dwellspompano]

Hi Rob! Great video!! I remember going to Six Gun Territory as a kid😄 Thanks for the history lesson!

[@WasatchWind]

28:00 - Oh my gosh he mentioned Evermore here in Utah! We're relevant!

[@bedazzled64]

I grew up in Central Florida and I remember going there often as a kid. We kids loved it so much, can't speak for the adults though because I never asked them. But since we went often, I'm guessing they loved it too. It was so different from anything else. The closest thing that I know of like this is Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock NC. I don't think they have shootouts but it's pretty similar to what Six Gun was. I miss going there!

[@sixfootfive6556]

Thanks for the great content. I love your transition from strictly Disney content. Keep it up!

[@melindahawkins9311]

Thanks for the memories use to go there several times a year as a kid. Now gonna try to find my old pictures from those years. Thanks Rob love your content.

[@theMoporter]

The Defunctland guy sounds different today

[@MidwaytoMainStreet]

He’s off making feature length documentaries, so I had to step in.

[@dcguzzy]

Your videos are excellent. We really enjoy learning so much!! Very interesting

[@iceepenguigo]

This is why I love this channel. I’ve been to Ghost Town in the Sky when I was really little and don’t remember a lot of it. Seeing a poster and images to it unlocked a whole bunch of new memories for me. Thanks!

[@ericashdraven]

I have a home video of my dad when he was a little boy getting Dan blocker's autograph at six gun Territory

[@nickcarducci3413]

went there in 1966 on vacation with my family, my favorite show at the time was Flipper, Tommy Norden who played Bud Ricks was there in the show, got to meet him and get his autograph, as a kid that was really cool

[@ketch_up]

An incredibly well done documentary. It feels like you're really growing as a creator. I hope you continue to create amazing content like this.

[@zinith4524]

As much as I can go to a literal old west town any day I want (Virginia City, NV), I would've LOVED to go to this...

[@RiverRev]

I used to go to a similar attraction called Wild West City in Netcong, NJ. Imagine if they had just put a campground or western zoo on the property. It would be Fort Wilderness.

[@RiverRev]

@Andrea Maccarrone I just looked it up and it's still there!

[@RiverRev]

@Andrea Maccarrone I haven't been there in 50 years, but the website said they still have a train, stage coach, and shows. Just google Wild West City.

[@TweetsieRailroader]

Thanks for sharing such an amazing video! I grew up only an hour and a half from Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, NC. This is, arguably, the "original" Wild Western Theme Park. The best part? It's still operational! If you get a chance, I highly recommend you check it out someday! It's a wonderful place!

[@fuzzyhead878]

You know the western genre is notable when even Star Trek does it (likely several times).

[@GrumpyGolf4]

I can think of only one episode: Spectre of the Gun...disclaimer...I've always considered Next Germination and those other series as Fake Trek. IMO if a show doesn't contain Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty and the originals...its a Spectre of the Trek

[@fuzzyhead878]

John P. I was referring to everything up until Discovery. For the record, I’m not really here to start a war of which Trek was the best one, I was just making a funny observation about a scifi series.

[@Clay3613]

They did it because they had the sets for free use on the studio backlot.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

Off the top of my head I can think of 'A Fistful of Data' from TNG and 'North Star' from Enterprise. I suppose you could also throw in 'The Paradise Syndrom' from TOS since it had the stereotypical movie depiction of native Americans at the time.

[@bigredradish]

this video took me into a weird memory hole. turns out the reason this is so familiar is because there was a park in NH where I live called Six Gun City, which THEN led me to OTHER NH theme parks... very weird. guess I gotta thank you!

[@heathinvaderstudios]

One of my favorite bands, called Cactus, played there once in May of 1978. An audio recording of the gig has been up on the internet for decades, and on KZbin for only a couple of years. That recording is how I first heard of 6 Gun Territory. I went to their annual Six Gun reunion and re-enactment last February at Kirby’s Family Farm in Ocala. I loved it! Got to meet former cast members, saw a live can-can show, got on a train (which drove past the now abandoned Barnum & Bailey boxcars), got train robbed, met some Indians, witness a shootout, visit “Boot Hill”, and checked out a VERY antique merry-go-round. I also made sure to wear one of my two Cactus band shirts. It was such a great day!

[@GrumpyGolf4]

Curious that the trains were sold to someone in Arizona. I wonder if that someone ended up using them for the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in Williams, AZ?

[@Marylandbrony]

20:00 I see your a man of good taste. Putting the Pacific States of America theme from Kasierirech in the soundtrack.

[@xaviersaavedra7442]

My man.

[@carriebuchanan7901]

Ah Ghost Town In The Sky...my original home park. Oh how I miss it!

[@reneevolak5266]

Great episode Rob!

[@camille6910]

There was a park catering to a similar niche somewhere in New Jersey that I used to go to as a kid in the 90s. It was on its very last legs at that point and had a very gritty, creepy, unkempt feel to it that as a burgeoning horror fan I adored. There were days when I was the only non-actor in the entire park.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

Only one I can find is Wild West City near Stanhope. It's still open.

[@stephenm5481]

Went to Six Gun as a kid. There was a train robbery and shootout. The outlaw was actually hanged from a gallows. It was grisly and I loved it!

[@peterlutz7191]

As a kid living in Orlando, 6 Gun was one of the places y family visited when Dad was on vacation.

[@mperdue12]

I have recently asked my childhood friends if they ever went to Six Gun Territory and it has been erased from their minds. I only went once and it was pretty cool but no as expected from the commercials which were awesome if you wanted to be a cowboy. Apparently not very memorable to the gang but I remember the commercials on Saturday mornings and after school.

[@Devin-Capper]

6 gun territory is going strong at Kirby Family Farm in Williston Florida each year normally in November. You should come and check it out

[@toddbendall518]

Been to Evermore Park, it's pretty cool

[@glowfenix]

Nice one its good hear the history of this place

[@michaelleroi9077]

Like Silver Dollar City with the gunfights. Clint Walker is from Alton my home town.

[@brookeg5979]

This video is amazing start to finish. You deserve a ton more subscribers and views, quality quality content. Thank you so much!

[@ShakeItLittleTina]

The more recent history of “Ghost Town in the Sky” is pretty fuckin nuts, a young-money, strange and eccentric owner who went on a long crazy breakdown basically destroying it over the course of a few months

[@markkobelin5294]

I remember going to six gun territory when I was kid. loved it

[@wpatrickw2012]

I visited there when I was a small child. If was still open, I would visit it again. Looking back on it, it reminds me of Westworld.

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thanks Rob, I had no idea of this. As a lot didn't I'm sure. I'd love to have a time machine and travel back to mid 1960s and see the Town and experience the shows first hand. That would have been a lot of fun, I'm sure.

[@ScottBaietti]

Rob, you’ve outdone your with this one. Great, great work.

[@joebanville7510]

I went this park as a kid and loved it. I truly believe Disney is the reason she went under. There were other parks like this and they survive and even thrive today. Plymouth plantation, Mystic Village, Sturbridge village, Colonial Williamsburg to name a few. They survived because Disney was not their main comptition

[@taidan19]

That whole thing about having enough land in Florida had to be an homage to Walt discussing The Florida Project, right?

[@MidwaytoMainStreet]

😁

[@robberbaron1994]

Wow, great well researched video! I love this new direction

[@craigconn7424]

That was a really great video i really enjoyed that thank you. I love your videos they are always so great and great history. It give me the opportunity to learn new things and I love it.

[@nathalieb5125]

Hi Rob! Interesting as always. Do you also know about Frontier Town? I went there when I was a kid, a long long time ago. I think it is abandoned as well.

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

Really nice storytelling and production! 👍🏻

[@TimDude84]

I'm surprised you didn't bring up Knott's Berry Farm and it's Ghost Town Comes Alive.

[@mgsbigdog9079]

I was thinking the whole time Rob was going over this that I should mention Evermore in the comments after the video and have him check it out. Looks like he's already ahead of the game. I still haven't had a chance to go, but would really like to eventually.

[@RomanJockMCO]

Thanks for the video. Growing up just SW of Jacksonville in a town called Orange Park we used to enjoy all the Florida parks. My last memory of Six Guns was when I was seven or eight years old. I can still recall riding the train from the parking lot and passing a couple of teepees. Barely remember the actual town, however.

[@The_13th_Hussar]

I live in northern Illinois, we have a theme park/museum here called Donley's wild west town. Though the name was changed this year to Onesti's wild west town after it got purchased.

[@jesskerr8734]

And here we are wanting the old west back......2021..imagine that sci fi freaks

[@jasonpowderly7474]

Actually went here as kids in the mid 1970s, likely when the amusement rides had been added.

[@martinpetersson4350]

I grew up at a wild west theme park in Sweden, it's called High Chaparral. Opened in 1966. The founder always dressed as a sheriff and at one point started building the worlds tallest statue portraying himself but the authorities forced him to demolish the structure. There's no documentaries on KZbin about this place in English. The founder, Big Bengt was inspired by the wild west in many ways and even avoided paying taxes because he wanted freedom. A real character who went his own way.

[@Cover01]

you forgot to talk about bush gardens because that was the first theme park in florida

[@jesskerr8734]

Love Mother Earth ......She is so majestic...so unexpected...so unknown....six gun plz come back

[@BryanDawsonUSA-l4l]

I loved Six Gun Territory

[@jesskerr8734]

We had A flat tire 38 Miles away trying too get there on the rim 1975 my Dad tried we never made it....but what memories I have about th a t that day highway 19 too highway 40west...I'm born and raised lake county fla

[@michaelgreenslade7260]

Very interesting

[@TL_oS]

Great video💕👏👏👏🥂🌟

[@henryfinney5768]

There was an amusement park in Philadelphia, Pa. Named six gun territory. I wonder if it was the same company 🤔

[@missybarbour6885]

Had no idea Ghost Town in the Sky and Six Gun Territory were the same people!

[@bendyparanormal]

I visited Six Gun Territory when I was 5 or 6. I only have vague memories of a gunfight in the street, some Indians dancing and the toys my dad bought me while there,(a tomahawk and cap gun set complete with a gun belt/holster and fake bullets). Somewhere there is a picture of me standing in front of the train. I thought it would be among the pictures my mom had when she passed away, but it wasn’t. I sure would like to come across that old picture. I wish my parents had taken more pictures. But there were no cell phones back then and we were all too caught up in the immersion of the experience to snap a bunch of pictures. It’s a shame it didn’t survive and thrive in the shadow of Disney.

[@fishferfun6150]

I went to Six Gun Territory on my honey moon 45 years ago.

[@Sakura_Matou]

This place sounds absolutely incredible, I am sure it would have done well here in Japan

[@galrjkldd]

i believe you misspelled heritage in Western Heritage