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N0KFQ > TODAY 01.08.13 17:33l 53 Lines 2385 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Today in History - Aug 1
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Sent: 130801/1456Z 2475@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQK1.4.55
Aug 1, 1961:
Texans head for the thrills at Six Flags
On this day in 1961, amusement park lovers "head for the thrills"
as Six Flags Over Texas, the first park in the Six Flags chain,
opens. Located on 212 acres in Arlington, Texas, the park was the
first to feature 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.
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. 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 Lone Star State's top for-profit tourist
attraction. Today, average annual attendance at the park is over
3 million.
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, Texas and the United States. The park's rides and
attractions were grouped into six themed sections 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.
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.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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