Wild West City, Netcong, NJ History & Memorabilia
Wild West City is a Western theme family amusement park that
continues in full operation in 2022.
This page of our
Netcong, New Jersey historical website celebrates the history and
memorabilia of the park. |
1960 Wild West City Grand
Parade of horses, cowboys, cowgirls, stagecoaches and covered wagons
From the time of
the 1890s, the Lake Hopatcong region was a premier summer resort
area for the entire northeastern United States. In the early years
grand hotels dotted the shore of the lake, and the wealthy & famous
summered in large "cottages" they built around the
shoreline, homes so large they would be classified as mansions
anywhere else. The 1930s
brought a leveling of the playing field as beaches and attractions
opened that catered to everyone. In the aftermath of World War
II, the growing availability of personal cars put many resort areas
within a few hours drive of the crowded New York / New Jersey Metro
area. Vacation hotels and parks in the Catskills and the Poconos became
popular, as well as many dozens of small amusement parks and novelty
attractions, marketed to a population with growing leisure time and
income in the midst of having children. |
A window stick-on decal sold in 1967
The shows
at Wild West City were live, and in an era when Americans were
watching Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, "America's Singing Sweethearts" on
TV, Dot & Bill Greene were the local substitute at Wild West City. The postcard above is circa 1964 (yes, area codes were in use then), and Dot & Bill autographed it on the back. HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, 'TILL WE MEET AGAIN !! |
|
Looks like Texas Jim Robertson was a singing cowboy who also practiced his craft in New Jersey. |
All the kids got the proverbial 'Tin Badge'
|
Keychain
|
WHOA!! Looks like some some
bandits are robbing the stagecoach !! Put your hand in the air !! Try not to
grin !!
Felt banner, 14 inches long,
circa 1970, pristine stored
These postcards were sold as souvenirs, the scan below is from the
back of the card above. A historical artifact of the 1960's. |
Chief Iron Horse may be
a bit lost in Jersey, his headdress and teepee are the style of the
Great Plains Native Americans, not the Lenape Delaware Nation of
this area. |
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Caption on the back of this
circa 1964 postcard: THE SLAYING OF THE FRONTIERSMAN'S SON
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Wild West City website: www.wildwestcity.com
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