Here are two fun vintage slides showing an amusement park called "Old Virginia City". Check out this awesome sign! It turns out that the park was actually located in the state of Virginia. I can't find too much info about it, but there was a description that said it was
"...a small amusement park constructed as a wild West town, featuring steam train rides, mock holdups, bank robberies, vaudeville acts, gunfights and a half-dozen Western buildings". In other words, it was pretty much like every other Western-themed amusement park in the US of A.
What a thrill it must have been for kids to meet Chief Argyle Socks, in his magnificent joke-shop war bonnet. Once a month he gets meets up with his pal Iron Eyes Cody (who was Sicilian) and they cry about litter.
The only other photo I can find of Old Virginia City is from a vintage postcard... take a look
here.
Virginia City NV it ain't. Nothin' says Real Frontier like Frozen Custard! "Chief Argyle Socks" lmao. On the other hand, just about anything sou8nds like a good excuse to take a nice road trip in one of those classic cars. :)
ReplyDeleteMan, those were the days. All about cowboys and indians. I am ready to go back with my Have Gun Will Travel Paladin guns and holster strapped on. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI think the guy on the sign is Paladin's brother, Palindrome. He was not as well known since you couldn't tell if he was coming or going.
ReplyDeleteIn photo two, this guy has moved on to be the greeter at the local casino, where they weep over the profits.
JG
LOL... Iron Eyes Cody.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the "Indian" out front is pretty insulting, but it could be worse. At "Confederama" gave away free watermellon to "dusky" children at the door. Don't that just say "Welcome y'all?"
I spent two summers as a saloon dancer at Old Virginia City - and met my first husband there! What a hoot those days were.....we did 5 shows/day on weekdays, and 7 shows/day on weekends all summer long. The dancers (on our "down time") led the screaming when the Indians would "attack" the train - and cried over the bad guys when they got shot in the gun fights! Got fond memories of those days....
ReplyDeleteI just recall as a child how fun it was to go there. To the saloon dancers and all who worked there, ya'll were just kids, too, but you had us younger ones convinced you were the real deal!
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