View source for Frontier Village

{{more citations needed|date=July 2014}}
{{short description|Former amusement park in San Jose, California}}
{{Infobox amusement park
| name            = Frontier Village
| image           = FrontierVillage Map.jpg
| image_size      = 200px
| caption         = Frontier Village map
| resort          = [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]]
| location        = 
| location2       = 
| location3       = 
| coordinates     = {{coord|37.262055|-121.819376|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| theme           = [[American frontier]]
| homepage        = 
| owner           = 
| general_manager = 
| operator        = 
| opening_date    = {{Start date|df=y|1961|10|21}}
| closing_date    = {{Start date|df=y|1980|9|28}}
| previous_names  = 
| season          = year-round (weekends fall–spring)
| visitors        = 
| area            = {{cvt|33|acre}}
| rides           = 
| coasters        = 
| water_rides     = 
| slogan          = 
| status          = Demolished
| footnotes       = 
}}

'''Frontier Village''' was a {{convert|39|acre|adj=on}} [[amusement park]] in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California]], that operated from 1961 to September 1980.  It was located at 4885 [[Monterey Road (California)|Monterey Road]], at the intersection with Branham Lane.  The site is now [[Edenvale Gardens Regional Park|Edenvale Garden Park]], next to [[Hayes Mansion]], and was once part of the sprawling Hayes Family Estate.<ref name=Johnson13>{{Cite book|title=Frontier Village: 1949-2013 |author=Johnson, Bob |date=2013 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0-7385-9665-5 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |oclc=815383819 |lccn=2012948357 |url=https://archive.org/details/frontiervillage0000john |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{rp|9–10}}

==History==
===Development===
[[File:Edenvale Gardens Regional Park 11.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A memorial plaque at [[Edenvale Garden Park]] expresses gratitude to Zukin for Frontier Village]]
The park was built by Joseph Zukin, Jr. of [[Palo Alto, California|Palo Alto]], who was inspired by a family trip to [[Disneyland]] in 1959.<ref name=OACfg/> In 1958, Zukin sold 110,000 shares in the Frontier Village corporation at $5 per share.<ref name=McKay/> Additional funds were raised by selling 400,000 shares of stock at {{USD|5|1960|round=-1}} each,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7x4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA51 |title=Value of California, Arizona Theme Parks Set $78,000,000 |author=Abbott, Sam |date=April 11, 1960 |work=The Billboard |pages=51–52}}</ref> of which nearly 80,000 shares were sold by October 1960, helped by a "substantial, but not controlling block" purchased by [[United California Theaters]].<ref name=Billboard-6010>{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rx0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59 |title=Amusement Park Operation: Theater Firm Buys Stock in Calif. Theme Project |date=October 3, 1960 |work=The Billboard |page=59}}</ref>

The park was planned initially to be built along [[El Camino Real (California)|El Camino Real]] in [[Sunnyvale, California]], according to plans drawn up in 1958 by the Frontier Village Corporation, founded by Zukin, Hawley Smith, and Michael Khourie. Zukin declared "it will be designed as a children's dream of the Old West, where the child (and his parents) can actually experience the thrills and excitement of the West in an atmosphere especially created for fun and relaxation."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/52003170/ |title=Stock Sale For Frontier Village Plan |date=August 20, 1958 |newspaper=San Mateo Times |access-date=4 August 2021}}</ref> Zukin later announced in April 1959 that Frontier Village would be built in San Jose,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1959/Billboard%201959-04-13b.pdf#page=60 |title=Plan San Jose Frontier Village |date=April 13, 1959 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=4 August 2021}}</ref> on Hayes Ranch, part of the estate surrounding [[Hayes Mansion]].<ref name=Billboard-6010/>

Initial design was performed by Paul Murphy, who also had a full time job at [[Santa Clara University]] as director of publications. After Murphy found himself too busy to continue,<ref name=McKay>{{cite news |url=https://historysanjose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/1996sep_sjhma_newsletter.pdf#page=7 |title=Frontier Village |author=McKay, Leonard |date=September 1996 |work=San Jose Historical Museum Association News |volume=XVI |number=5 |page=7 |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> responsibility for the design was turned over to [[Laurence Hollings]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://digitalcollections.sjlibrary.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/sjplfv |title=Frontier Village Collection |publisher=San Jose Public Library California Room}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historysanjose.org/wp/laurence-hollings-drawings-for-frontier-village-at-history-san-jose/ |title=Laurence Hollings Drawings for Frontier Village at History San Jose |date=4 January 2017 |publisher=History San Jose |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> who had prior experience designing [[film set]]s at [[Columbia Pictures]]  and [[Paramount Pictures]], and nature habitats at the [[California Academy of Sciences]]. He described the park as a "sort of tongue-in-cheek approach to the [[Wild West]]."<ref name=OACfg/> For publicity, a touring western-themed show named "Frontier Days" visited local shopping centers in late spring 1960, including [[Westfield Valley Fair|Valley Fair]] in San Jose and [[Bayfair Center|Bay Fair]] in San Leandro.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59 |title=Amusement Park Operation: Shop Centers, Theme Parks Join in Promotional Plans |date=May 30, 1960 |work=The Billboard |page=59}}</ref>

[[File:Frontier Village sign.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Map of Frontier Village, printed on a sign originally posted by the "Marshal's Office".]]
Ground was broken for the park on August 1, 1960, and it was laid out so carefully that only four trees were removed.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|11–12}}<ref name=Seifert>{{cite news |url=https://amusementtoday.com/backissues/at_september_2013_web.pdf#page=8 |title=Arcadia Book offers chronicle of Northern California's Frontier Village |author=Seifert, Jeffrey L. |date=September 2013 |work=Amusement Today |access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref>

===Operation===
The park, developed at a cost of $2&nbsp;million,<ref name=Oregon-64/> opened on October 21, 1961,<ref name=OACfg>{{cite web |url=https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt4p30343g/entire_text/ |title=Guide to the Frontier Village Collection, 1961–1980 |author=Kohnke, Diana |date=2009 |website=Online Archive of California |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> surrounded by a high barricade of logs, and was themed to the Old West.<ref name=Oregon-64/> Admission was $0.90 for adults, $0.45 for children (older than 12), and free (for children under 12).<ref name=McKay/> The initial public mascot of the park was an unnamed "Deputy Marshal" who greeted guests and saved them from dangerous outlaws in daily mock [[shootout]]s staged on the hour, every hour, at the park's Main Street.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|71}}<ref name=OACfg/> The actors were equipped with actual firearms ([[Colt Single Action Army]] revolvers and double-barrel shotguns) firing blanks filled with [[black powder]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/FrontierVillageEntertainmentGuide/ |title=Frontier Village Entertainment Guide |date=1975 |publisher=San Jose Public Library, California Room |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref>{{rp|10;23–26}} Retaining the water in an artificial canal for one of the early rides, the Indian Canoe, proved troublesome until the canal was lined with cement.<ref name=McKay/> Although the park was open year-round, operating hours were switched to weekends only during the off-season (fall to spring). More than one million people visited the park in its first three years of operation.<ref name=Oregon-64>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/198548697/ |title=Fronier Village Draws Travel Editor: Flavor of Old West in Family Playgrounds |author=Madsen, Lillie L. |date=November 1, 1964 |newspaper=The Oregon Statesman |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref>

The 1964 summer season opened on Saturday, June 20, marked by a special "Family Fun Day".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1899475/ |title=Family Day Observed at Fun Village |date=June 24, 1964 |newspaper=Ukiah Daily Journal |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> Frontier Village was praised as "spotless, rarely jammed ... one can take in all of the rides and attractions within about four hours."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/52338159/ |title=S.J. Land of the West |date=September 30, 1967 |newspaper=San Mateo Times |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> Jim Bakich, a first-year student at [[San Jose City College]], attempted to set a world's record for the longest continuous [[Ferris wheel]] ride in 1965, vowing to spend two full weeks aboard the park's wheel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/227795182/ |title=A Close Shave in Orbit |date=July 11, 1965 |agency=UPI |newspaper=Opelousas Daily World |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> Other self-claimed world records set at the park in 1966 include the finish of the longest foot-propelled scooter journey ({{cvt|114|mi}} from [[Big Sur]], by Byron Jones) and largest pizza ({{cvt|4+1/2|ft}} in diameter).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/details/casjhsj_000278t/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Sunday News Final |date=August 21, 1966 |work=KNTV Channel 11 News Reel |access-date=2 August 2021}} [https://archive.org/details/casjhsj_000278 Broadcast footage]</ref> [[Dennis the Menace (U.S. comics)|Dennis the Menace]] visited the park with his parents in the story "The Park Lark", initially published for the March 1970 issue; while there, he interacted with the marshal, an outlaw, other guests, and visited several attractions, including the Rainbow Falls trout fishing pond and the Antique Cars ride.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/dennis-107 |author=Ketcham, Hank |title=The Park Lark |pages=3–15 |date=March 1970 |magazine=Dennis the Menace |issue=107 |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref>

A short film entitled ''Kung-Phooey'' was filmed in part at Frontier Village in 1975; it was written and produced for less than $100 by a group of 29 elementary school students from San Francisco under the instruction of Darrell Sevilla. It won first prize at the [[National Educational Television]] Young Filmmakers' Festival.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gdYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |title=Martial Arts can be childs play |author=Hoffman, Jim |date=December 1975 |magazine=Black Belt |pages=56–57}}</ref>

In 1977, [[Charles Jacques]] rated the park as the 45th best in the United States, behind local competitors [[California's Great America|Marriott's Great America]] (#12) and [[Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk]] (#30).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15384682/pittsburgh-post-gazette/ |title=The Amusement Park Courmet |author=Kalina, Mike |date=June 26, 1978 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> It was also the first year of operation for the Apache Whirlwind, the park's first (and only) roller coaster.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/39037199/ |title=Frontier Village Days |date=May 25, 1977 |newspaper=San Mateo Times |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{RCDB|2172|Apache Whirlwind}}</ref> Jeff Block and Rena Clark set a new record for Ferris wheel endurance starting on July 1, 1978, traveling {{cvt|353.93|mi}} on the park's wheel in 29,744 revolutions over 37 days.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/09/Now-You-Know/7183550209600/ |title=Now You Know |date=June 9, 1987 |work=UPI Archives |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref><ref name=Block>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/153647363/ |title=Big wheel in Ferrises to try again |date=March 18, 1993 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> Block would break the record in 1993 with a 38-day ride on the same Ferris wheel,<ref name=Block/> which had been relocated to the Orange County Fair after Frontier Village's closure.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-07-26-me-17128-story.html |title=County Fair and Record Ride Come to Close |author=Di Rado, Alicia |date=July 26, 1993 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url-access=limited |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref>

The first costumed character, a bear named Theodore, was introduced to the park in July 1972;<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|86}} he was joined by a prospector named Tumbleweed in 1974 and Kactus Kong in 1977.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|88;92}} The homegrown mascots were replaced by six characters from [[Hanna-Barbera]] cartoons in 1979: [[Yogi Bear]], [[Quick Draw McGraw]], [[Jabberjaw]], [[Scooby-Doo (character)|Scooby-Doo]], [[Fred Flintstone]], and [[Huckleberry Hound]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/csj_000018 |title=Frontier Village, The Gang's All Here |date=March 28, 1979 |publisher=San Jose Public Library, California Room |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/csj_000003 |title=Frontier Village, Barney Rubble |date=July 25, 1979 |publisher=San Jose Public Library, California Room |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref>

===Closure===
[[File:TheLastRoundUp.jpg|thumb|The Last Roundup poster, a poster representing all of the classic Hanna-Barbera characters leaving the village (the closure and abandonment of the park).]]
When the park opened in 1961, it was surrounded by undeveloped land. A decade later, the remainder of the substantial Hayes ranch had been sold off piecemeal and the park was surrounded by urban sprawl; Zukin lacked the necessary funds to expand and sold Frontier Village to [[Rio Grande Industries]] for US$1.7 million in 1973,<ref name=History2>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/history2.html |title=Frontier Village History, Part II |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218042853/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/history2.html |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |url-status=dead |publisher=Remembering Frontier Village}}</ref> although he stayed on to manage the park through 1977.<ref name=SFE-1980>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/460733596/ |title=Theme parks adopting a new theme: participation |author=Lassiter, Mike |date=September 3, 1980 |newspaper=San Francisco Examiner |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> 

Rio Grande announced plans in 1977 to expand the park to {{cvt|101|acre}} onto the former site of the drive-in theater<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|121}} at a cost of $10&nbsp;million, including on-site restaurants and concessions;<ref name=Seifert/> however, those plans were denied by the San Jose City Council,<ref name=SFE-1980/> unless the park also funded $1.8&nbsp;million for traffic improvements.<ref name=Seifert/> According to Zukin, the protests and opposition from the park's new residential neighbors, who complained about the noise and fought development plans,<ref name=OACfg/> led Rio Grande to drop the expansion.<ref name=History2/> Lawsuits from nearby homeowners coupled with lower-than-expected park revenues, skyrocketing San Jose land values, and competition from Marriott's Great America, which opened in neighboring [[Santa Clara, California|Santa Clara]] in 1976, signaled the end for the little park.  With the high property values, Rio Grande could make more money selling off the land to developers than it could by running the park.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}<ref name=SFE-1980/>

In 1980, the undeveloped land and Frontier Village were sold to a land developer, the Bren Company.<ref name=History2/> Despite a petition drive that collected 10,000 signatures by September 19, 1980, which would have declared the site a historical landmark,<ref name=History2/> Rio Grande announced the park would be closed. During its final days, it held a special event titled "The Last Roundup", attracting 30,000 visitors per day.<ref name=Seifert/> Television advertisements publicizing the last days included a stagecoach ride and a prisoner lamenting that he would miss the park's closing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/csj_000002 |title=Frontier Village Stagecoach commercial, jail commercial |date=June 1980 |publisher=San Jose Public Library, California Room |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> The park closed its gates for the last time on September 28, 1980.<ref name=OACfg/> The Bren Company held a [[public auction]] in October 1980, disposing of all the rides, buildings, and lumber that made up Frontier Village.<ref name=McKay/>

{{clear}}

==Legacy==
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px widths=200px caption="Frontier Village after closure">
File:Frontier Village 2.jpg|Sign for Frontier Village residential development
File:Edenvale Library - Frontier Village memorabilia.jpg|alt=Frontier Village enthusiasts and collected memorabilia, primarily ride signs, displayed at the Edenvale Branch of the San Jose Public Library.|Shaughnessy McGehee (center) with fellow Fall Guys among memorabilia from the park, displayed at the Edenvale branch of the [[San Jose Public Library]]
File:Edenvale Gardens Regional Park 15.jpg|Railroad station-themed shelter at [[Edenvale Garden Park]]
File:Frontier Village birdhouses at Edenvale Garden Park 7.jpg|Entrance towers model/birdhouse by Vince Duke
</gallery>
Bren built a residential development just west of present-day Edenvale Garden Park on the site of the planned expansion; the condominium complex is named "Frontier Village".<ref name=History2/>

All the buildings were removed from the amusement park and San Jose's [[Edenvale Garden Park]] now exists at the former location of the [[amusement park]].  Little is recognizable from the former Frontier Village, but items such as concrete boulders from the artificial river remain half-buried.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/nowthen.html |title=Now & Then |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906201847/http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/nowthen.html |archive-date=September 6, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2008, artist [[Jon Rubin]] installed the ''Frontier Village Birdhouses'', five scale models of Frontier Village buildings and landmarks placed where the original structures were during the park's operating period. Each of the five scale buildings (Railroad Station; Main Entrance Log Towers; Mine Ride; Old School House; Main Street) is a functioning birdhouse and were built by Vince Duke.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/2555/1396?npage=2 |title=Frontier Village Birdhouses |publisher=City of San Jose |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jonrubin.net/frontier-village |title=Frontier Village |author=Rubin, Jon |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maxinkuckeereplicas.com/latest_archive2.htm |title=Latest Projects |website=Maxinkuckee Replicas |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> The present-day Edenvale Garden Park has play structures themed for the amusement park's railroad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sjpl.org/blog/adventures-outside-edenvale-garden-park |title=Adventures Outside: Edenvale Garden Park [blog] |author=Maldonado, Brandy |date=January 7, 2020 |publisher=San Jose Public Library |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref>

Some signage and ride vehicles have remained in the hands of private collectors, while other vehicles were stored at the nearby [[Happy Hollow Park & Zoo]], to be sold later in 1980 at auction.<ref>[http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/business/20180120/train-from-san-joses-frontier-village-t-bones-van-at-shopping-mall  Frontier Village Train damaged in accident. Santa Cruz Sentinel Jan 20, 2018]</ref> Two fans started a website to gather history, photographs, and testimonials in 2000.<ref name=SFG-2010/> Since 2001 former employees and fans have held a reunion each summer at Edenvale Garden Park to reminisce about the amusement park and a group calling themselves the "Fall Guys" re-enact the park's gunbattles;<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_20809537/ | title=Annual reunions keep memories of San Jose's Frontier Village alive | first=Paul | last=Lukes | newspaper=San Jose Mercury News | date=June 7, 2012 | access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref> the reunions were started by Mat Lindstedt.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/06/27/nostalgia-alert-a-chance-to-celebrate-san-joses-beloved-frontier-village/ |title=Nostalgia alert: A chance to celebrate San Jose's beloved Frontier Village |date=June 27, 2019 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> Shaughnessy McGehee of Campbell, California built a miniature version of the park in his own backyard over two decades.<ref name=SFG-2010>{{cite news |title= Frontier Village: Old West park preserved |first= Peter |last= Hartlaub |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Frontier-Village-Old-West-park-preserved-3176808.php |newspaper= [[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date= August 24, 2010 |page= E-1 |access-date= January 16, 2011 |quote= The father of four teenagers has spent much of the past decade rebuilding Frontier Village }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Dad builds own Frontier Village |first= Connie |last= Skipitares |url= http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~howardlake/california/frontiervillageca.html |newspaper= [[San Jose Mercury News]] |date= November 7, 2006 |access-date= January 16, 2011 |quote= He built a scaled-down version of the park in the back yard of the Campbell home where he grew up and where he and his family now live. }}</ref> He built miniature versions of the Silver Dollar Saloon, General's Store, and Schoolhouse. McGehee also collected Frontier Village memorabilia, including the Crazy Horse, three of the eight Antique Autos (with his most prized being the Yellow Maxwell),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/06/08/valley-man-bids-for-a-ride-back-to-childhood/ |title=Valley man bids for a ride back to childhood |date=June 8, 2008 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> the Frontier Village lettering from the front entrance of the park, and the original Silver Dollar Saloon doors. The replica closed in 2015, after McGehee sold his house and moved to Oregon.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_28830730/frontier-village-campbell-closes-san-jose-amusement-park | title=Frontier Village mini-version to close, a second goodbye to beloved San Jose amusement park | first=Joe | last=Rodriguez | newspaper=San Jose Mercury News | date=September 18, 2015 | access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Campbell-Mans-Backyard-Homage-To-Long-Lost-Frontier-Village-Amusement-Park-Built-Over-20-Years-To-Soon-Close-328848841.html | title=Campbell Man's Backyard Homage To Long-Lost Amusement Park, Built Over 20 Years, To Soon Close | first=Garvin | last=Thomas | work=[[KNTV]] | date=September 23, 2015 | access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref>

Frontier Village's {{Track gauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} [[narrow-gauge railway|narrow gauge]] train, originally built by [[Arrow Development]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazineold/13/13.html |title=Arrow Dynamics and The Amusement Park Train |author=Kelley, Ed |date=January 2002 |number=13 |magazine=Discover Live Steam |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> was bought in 1981 by Jerry Burke, who made it the central focus of his 10 acre themed 1880 Western themed Burke Junction shopping center in [[Cameron Park, California|Cameron Park]], approximately {{cvt|30|mi}} east of [[Sacramento]].<ref>[http://www.burkejunction.com/burke-junction-history.php Burke Junction Shopping Center buys Frontier Village train.]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burkejunction.com/burke-junction-train.php|title=BuJu Line – official website|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref> It was abandoned in 2000 after Burke sold the property and did not run again until the Glasser family purchased the shopping center in 2008; they spent $150,000 rehabilitating the train<ref name=SFG-2008/> and announced in June 2010 the train would resume service;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.villagelife.com/cameron-park-life/burke-junction-express-back-on-track/ |title=Burke Junction Express back on track |author=Lakey, Pat |date=October 7, 2014 |newspaper=Village Life |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> the inaugural run was on August 21.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/32057/burke-junction-train-nearly-restored/ |title=Burke Junction train nearly restored |author1=Hosseini, Raheem |author2=Usher, Penne |date=July 13, 2010 |newspaper=Gold Country Media |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{youtube |id=YXdxubQ1d8A |title=Burke Junction Train Inaugural 2010 -- Cameron Park, CA}}</ref> On January 8, 2018, the Burke Junction train collided with a minivan; although there were no injuries, the train was damaged, requiring extensive repairs.<ref name=SFG-2008>{{cite news |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Frontier-Village-San-Jose-train-Burke-Junction-12522164.php |title=Train from SJ's old Frontier Village nearly totaled in collision with minivan |author=Graff, Amy |date=January 24, 2018 |work=SF Gate |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mtdemocrat.com/news/bam-trains-chug-unplugged-at-burke-junction/ |title=Bam! Train's chug umplugged at Burke Junction |author=Lakey, Pat |date=January 22, 2018 |newspaper=Mountain Democrat |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref>

The "It Takes a Village" exhibit featuring Frontier Village was held at the [[New Museum Los Gatos]] in 2015; artifacts and memorabilia were shown alongside similar ephemera from defunct local amusement parks, including [[Santa's Village (Scotts Valley)]] and [[Scotts Valley, California#Tourism|The Lost World]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/features/frontier-village-numu-los-gatos.html |title=Forgotten Frontier |author=Singh, Gary |date=November 4, 2015 |work=metroactive |access-date=4 August 2021}}</ref>

Frontier Village is the subject of an eponymous song by singer-songwriters Jeff Larson and Jeffrey Foskett, released as part of the 2018 album ''{{okina}}Elua Aloha''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theseconddisc.com/2018/06/12/need-a-little-summer-jeff-larson-jeffrey-foskett-team-for-elua-aloha/ |title=Need a Little Summer: Jeff Larson, Jeffrey Foskett Team for '{{okina}}Elua Aloha' |author=Marchese, Joe |date=June 12, 2018 |website=The Second Disc |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref>

== Rides and Attractions ==
[[File:Frontier Village car.jpg|thumb|right|A car from the ''Antique Autos'' ride]]
As originally constructed, the {{cvt|33|acre|adj=on}} park was divided into the {{cvt|10|acre|adj=on}} amusement area and {{cvt|5|acre|adj=on}} parking lot; the remaining {{cvt|13|acre}} were reserved for expansion.<ref name=History>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/history.html |title=Frontier Village History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214215937/http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/history.html |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |url-status=dead |publisher=Remembering Frontier Village}}</ref> The park was laid out with a central square and a perimeter railroad that traversed bridges and canyons; the square included an Old West village with a stage for live performances.<ref name=OACfg/>
{{clear}}
===Rides===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%;text-align:left;"
|+Rides at Frontier Village<ref name=RFV-R&A>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/ridesand.html |title=Rides & Attractions |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214215947/http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/ridesand.html |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Name !! Mfr. !! Model / Type !! Installed !! Removed !! class=unsortable! | Notes
|-
!Antique Autos
|[[Arrow Development]]
|Antique Car Ride
| 1961 || 1980
|Originally "Horseless Carriage Ride".<ref name=61map>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/map1961.html |title=1961 Map |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221025547/http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/map1961.html |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Vehicles were scale models of [[Ford Model T]] and [[Maxwell Motor Company|Maxwell]] automobiles,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/antauto.html |title=Antique Autos |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055406/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/antauto.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> driven by an electric motor drawing power from guide rail.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|40}}
|-
!Apache Whirlwind
|[[Mack Rides]]
|Blauer Enzian (powered coaster)
| 1977 || 1980
|Purchased for $599,292.23 on December 31, 1976. Last thrill ride at the park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/apache.html |title=Apache Whirlwind |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128054932/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/apache.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Burro Pack Train
|{{N/A}}
|Passenger animal team
| 1961 || 1980
|Originally "Burro Ride".<ref name=61map/> Train of small donkeys that carried passengers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/burro.html |title=Burro Pack Train |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055235/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/burro.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Duster-Turnpike
|[[Arrow Development]]
|Antique Car Ride
| 1975 || 1980
|Added due to popularity of Antique Autos, using gasoline-powered "Arrow Flyer" vehicles.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|41}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/duster.html |title=Duster-Turnpike |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055553/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/duster.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Ferris Wheel
|[[Eli Bridge]]
|"Big Eli" [[Ferris wheel|Ferris Wheel]]
| 1965 || 1980
| 12 seats, {{cvt|42|ft}} tall.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|32}} Sold to [[SkyPark at Santa's Village|Santa's Village (Sky Forest)]] in 1980 after park's closure.<ref name=CNT06-Bray/>
|-
!Frontier Village Railroad
| [[Arrow Development]]
| {{Track gauge|2 ft 6 in|lk=on}} [[narrow gauge]] [[miniature railroad]]
| 1961 || 1980
|Original script was narrated by engineer "[[Casey Jones]]" for the Frontier Village & Southern Pacific Railroad (later changed to Rio Grande after 1973).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/trainspiel.htm |title=Frontier Village Railroad Engineer's Script |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228100502/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/trainspiel.htm |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=77map>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/map1977.html |title=1977 Map |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221041353/http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/map1977.html |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> One train is in operation at Burke Junction Shopping Center in Cameron Park, California.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/fvrr.html |title=Frontier Village Railroad |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055052/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/fvrr.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Uses automobile drivetrain (engine and transmission from a [[Chevrolet Corvair]]).<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|27–28}}
|-
!Indian Jim's Canoes
|Old Town Canoe Company<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|53}}
|Canoe Ride
| 1961 || 1980
|Originally "Indian War Canoe Ride"<ref name=61map/> and "Indian Jim's War Canoes".<ref name=71map>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pix/1971_map.jpg |title=1971 Map |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108020052/http://frontiervillage.net/pix/1971_map.jpg |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Paddled by guests.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/canoes.html |title=Indian Jim's Canoes |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055310/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/canoes.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Lost Dutchman Mine Ride
|Arrow Development
|[[Dark ride]]
| 1961 || 1980
|Originally the "Lost Frontier Mine Ride".<ref name=61map/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/mineride.html |title=Lost Dutchman Mine Ride |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055107/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/mineride.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Merry-Go-Round
|[[Allan Herschell Company|Herschell]]
|[[Carousel]]
| 1961 || 1980
|Originally built {{circa|1923}}<ref name=CNT06-FV>{{cite news |url=https://carouselhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Carousel-News-and-Trader-December-2006-PDF.pdf#page=29 |title=FSanta's Frontier Village Carousel Now a Restoration Labor of Love |author=Bray, Lourinda |date=December 2006 |work=Carousel News & Trader |access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref> and installed at Frontier Village as "Carousel".<ref name=61map/> Sold to [[SkyPark at Santa's Village|Santa's Village (Sky Forest)]] in 1980 after park's closure.<ref name=CNT06-Bray>{{cite news |url=https://carouselhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Carousel-News-and-Trader-December-2006-PDF.pdf#page=17 |title=Fond Memories of Pixies, Elves, Reindeer, and Santa's Villages |author=Bray, Lourinda |date=December 2006 |work=Carousel News & Trader |access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/merrygo.html |title=Merry-Go-Round |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055316/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/merrygo.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Purchased at auction by a private collector in 1997 after Santa's Village closed.<ref name=CNT06-FV/>
|-
!Old 99 Train Ride
|Bradley & Kaye
|Kiddie Train Ride
| 1968 || 1980
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/old99.html |title=Old 99 Train Ride |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055321/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/old99.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Sold to Happy Hollow Zoo after park's closure.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|59}}
|-
!data-sort-value="Round Up, The" | The Round Up
|[[Hrubetz]]
|[[Round Up (ride)|Round Up]]
| 1972 || 1980
| Began operation in 1972.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|38}} Decorated with bull heads.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/roundup.html |title=The Round Up |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055638/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/roundup.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Sidewinder
|Sellner
|[[Tilt-A-Whirl]]
| 1968 || 1980
|Installed for 1968 season.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|35}} <ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/sidewinder.html |title=The Sidewinder |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128054943/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/sidewinder.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Spirit of Kitty Hawk
|Bisch-Rocco
|[[Flying Scooters]]
| 1971 || 1980
| Purchased from [[Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk]].<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|36}} Themed with World War I-era tail art.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/spiritofkittyhawk.html |title=The Spirit of Kitty Hawk |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055429/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/spiritofkittyhawk.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Stagecoach
|Dells Fargo Company<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|24}}
|Horse-drawn stagecoach
| 1961 || 1980
|Originally "Wild Country".<ref name=61map/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/stageco.html |title=Stagecoach Ride |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220111206/http://www.frontiervillage.net/pages/stageco.html |archive-date=February 20, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Stampede
|[[Eli Bridge]]
|[[Scrambler (ride)|Scrambler]]
| 1966 || 1975
|Installed in 1966; removed for ''Tarantula'' in 1975.<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|30–31}} Originally "Wild Stampede".<ref name=71map/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/stampede.html |title=Stampede |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128054948/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/stampede.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Tarantula
|[[Eyerly Aircraft Company|Eyerly]]
|[[Monster (ride)|Monster]]
| 1975 || 1980
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontiervillage.net/pages/tarantula.html |title=The Tarantula |website=Remembering Frontier Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128055250/http://frontiervillage.net/pages/tarantula.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}

===Attractions===
*California Street (Dapper Dan's, Last Chance Casino, Shoe & Spike)
*El Sito Mysterio<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|50–51}}
*Front Street (Birthday Party Corral, Games, Hunter's Paradise Shooting Gallery, Ice Cream Gazebo, Skeeball)
*Indian Island (Archery, Fort Far West, Indian Island Stage)<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|63}}
*Main Street (Arcade, Cantina Murieta, Gunfights, Indian Goods, Marshal's Office, Picture Palace, Silver Dollar Saloon, Sweet Shop, Trading Post)<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|15}}
*Nevada Street
*[[Petting zoo|Petting Zoo]] Island (opened 1969)<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|57}}
*Reserved Company Picnics
*Rainbow Falls Trout Fishing (measured {{cvt|120|×|45|×|12|ft}}; stocked with 10,000 rainbow trout)<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|45–47}}
*Sagebrush Theatre
*School House Museum<ref name=Johnson13/>{{rp|48}}
*Frontier Auto Movie (behind the park on the southwest side) access was through the parking lot for the village. Drive in movie theater open all year round.

==See also==
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area}}

* [[American Old West]]
* [[List of defunct amusement parks]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.frontiervillage.net Remembering Frontier Village]
*[http://www.defunctparks.com/parks/CA/frontiervillage/frontier.htm Frontier Village at Defunct Amusement Parks]
*[http://sjlibrary.org San Jose Public Library's] California Room archive's [http://digitalcollections.sjlibrary.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/sjplfv Frontier Village Digital Collection]
* {{youtube |id=kAQxUITqUto |title=Frontier Village - The Lost Parks of Northern California}} (American Coaster Enthusiasts of Northern California; January 30, 2015)
* {{cite journal |url=https://sjpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S156C2836069 |title=Frontier Village ... in the Beginning |author=Jabaut, Gloria |date=2006 |journal=Pioneer Papers |series=Pioneer papers (California Pioneers of Santa Clara County) |publisher=California Pioneers of Santa Clara County}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/05/24/scenes-from-san-joses-frontier-village-1961-1980/ |title=Scenes from San Jose's Frontier Village, 1961-1980 |url-access=subscription |date=May 24, 2012 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News}}

{{Defunct Amusement Parks in California}}

[[Category:1980 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in San Jose, California]]
[[Category:Defunct amusement parks in California]]
[[Category:Economy of San Jose, California]]
[[Category:Event venues established in 1961]]
[[Category:20th century in San Jose, California]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 1961]]
[[Category:Amusement parks closed in 1980]]