Okla-homey
8/1/2008, 05:59 AM
August 1, 1961: Texans (and a lot of Okies too) head for the thrills at Six Flags
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4884/angsixflags4ow6.jpg
47 years ago today in 1961, amusement park lovers "head for the thrills" as Six Flags Over Texas, the first park in the Six Flags chain, opens. Your correspondent wasn't there on opening day, but he was taken there by his grandparents for the first time four years later in 1965. Note: the images below are of features that existed during the park's opening decade. Some no longer exist
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8724/angtexasgiant2xq7.jpg
Located on 212 acres in Arlington, Texas, the park was the first to feature a log flume and mine train rides and later, the first 360-degree looping roller coaster, modern parachute drop and man-made river rapids ride.
The park also pioneered the concept of all-inclusive admission price; until then, separate entrance fees and individual ride tickets were the standard. During its opening year, a day at Six Flags cost $2.75 for an adult and $2.25 for a child. A hamburger sold for 50 cents and a soda set the buyer back a dime.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6807/ang68485567b20733a983dy1.jpg
The park, which took a year and $10 million to build, was the brainchild of Texas real estate developer and oilman Angus Wynne Jr., who viewed it as a short-term way to make a buck from some vacant land before turning it into an industrial complex. His business plan literally only called for keeping the park open for two years, turn a quick profit, sell off the rides and then sell the land.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7570/angmxhat1ec4.jpg
Angus' brother Bedford Wynne, was one of the initial co-owners and founders of the Dallas Cowboys professional football franchise, along with Clint Murchison, Jr.
His son Angus G Wynne III is the owner of Wynne Entertainment in Dallas and has been a producer of music events since 1965.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8727/ang684760550d457425afyp3.jpg
Wynne reportedly recouped his personal investment of $3.5 million within 18 months and changed his mind about the park's temporary status. With 17.5 million visitors in its first 10 years, the park became the Texas' top "for-profit" tourist attraction. Number one being the Alamo of course, Today, average annual attendance at the park is over 3 million.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7286/ang68481495446e22973cfw2.jpg
One of Six Flags' unique aspects was that it wasn't just a random collection of rides; it was developed around a theme: the history of Texas. The park's name was a nod to the six flags that had flown over the state at various times--France, Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, The Republic of Texas and the United States.
The park's rides and attractions were grouped into six themed clusters that represented the cultures of these governments and enabled visitors to experience everything from cowboy culture to Southern belles and pirates. Originally, the park was to be called Texas Under Six Flags, before it was decided that "Texas should never be under anything." -- except Oklahoma baybee!
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2142/ang478969252e42a7a5a4ais1.jpg
Anyhoo, Ol' Angus Wynne sold Six Flags in 1969 and in the coming years, the company expanded and was resold. Today, Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company and owns and operates 30 theme, water and zoological parks in North America.
In 2005, almost 34 million people spent a combined 250 million hours at Six Flags parks.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4884/angsixflags4ow6.jpg
47 years ago today in 1961, amusement park lovers "head for the thrills" as Six Flags Over Texas, the first park in the Six Flags chain, opens. Your correspondent wasn't there on opening day, but he was taken there by his grandparents for the first time four years later in 1965. Note: the images below are of features that existed during the park's opening decade. Some no longer exist
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8724/angtexasgiant2xq7.jpg
Located on 212 acres in Arlington, Texas, the park was the first to feature a log flume and mine train rides and later, the first 360-degree looping roller coaster, modern parachute drop and man-made river rapids ride.
The park also pioneered the concept of all-inclusive admission price; until then, separate entrance fees and individual ride tickets were the standard. During its opening year, a day at Six Flags cost $2.75 for an adult and $2.25 for a child. A hamburger sold for 50 cents and a soda set the buyer back a dime.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6807/ang68485567b20733a983dy1.jpg
The park, which took a year and $10 million to build, was the brainchild of Texas real estate developer and oilman Angus Wynne Jr., who viewed it as a short-term way to make a buck from some vacant land before turning it into an industrial complex. His business plan literally only called for keeping the park open for two years, turn a quick profit, sell off the rides and then sell the land.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7570/angmxhat1ec4.jpg
Angus' brother Bedford Wynne, was one of the initial co-owners and founders of the Dallas Cowboys professional football franchise, along with Clint Murchison, Jr.
His son Angus G Wynne III is the owner of Wynne Entertainment in Dallas and has been a producer of music events since 1965.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8727/ang684760550d457425afyp3.jpg
Wynne reportedly recouped his personal investment of $3.5 million within 18 months and changed his mind about the park's temporary status. With 17.5 million visitors in its first 10 years, the park became the Texas' top "for-profit" tourist attraction. Number one being the Alamo of course, Today, average annual attendance at the park is over 3 million.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7286/ang68481495446e22973cfw2.jpg
One of Six Flags' unique aspects was that it wasn't just a random collection of rides; it was developed around a theme: the history of Texas. The park's name was a nod to the six flags that had flown over the state at various times--France, Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, The Republic of Texas and the United States.
The park's rides and attractions were grouped into six themed clusters that represented the cultures of these governments and enabled visitors to experience everything from cowboy culture to Southern belles and pirates. Originally, the park was to be called Texas Under Six Flags, before it was decided that "Texas should never be under anything." -- except Oklahoma baybee!
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2142/ang478969252e42a7a5a4ais1.jpg
Anyhoo, Ol' Angus Wynne sold Six Flags in 1969 and in the coming years, the company expanded and was resold. Today, Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company and owns and operates 30 theme, water and zoological parks in North America.
In 2005, almost 34 million people spent a combined 250 million hours at Six Flags parks.