Book Description

Frontier Town Abandoned Theme Park Then and Now is a coffee table style book that documents the conception, life, and closing of the beloved Adirondack Mountain's historically based theme park called "Frontier Town." With America being romanced by Western movies on the big screen and television, the country was ready for a western themed amusement park. Arthur Bensen, Edward Ovensen and Magnus Anderson, three Long Island Norwegian-American friends came together to open America's first western themed amusement park located in North Hudson, NY yet it was set to the traditions of the 1800's old west while offering local trade crafts and wares. The first year it drew over 40,000 visitors with little advertising. Over the next 45 years the park continued to host millions of visitors, and averaged over 300 employees and volunteers per season. The park included a collection of genuine log buildings which formed a traditional frontier town, a professional rodeo arena, a historical industrial section that included a grist mill, saw mill, forge, and ice house. It also included a traditional Native American village, animals, stage coach rides, and a fort with a full cavalry. This book documents the history of Frontier Town through professional photography as well as visitor's snapshots that are combined with historical storytelling that give the reader a feel of what Frontier Town was all about! Tammy Whitty-Brown's gift of gab and historical connections combined with her storytelling abilities and Jennifer Renee ST.Pierre's equestrian background and photography are showcased with their love of Adirondack history