Preserving The History of Six Gun Territory

Six Gun Territory: A Glimpse into the Past

**The Origins**

Six Gun Territory was brought to life through the vision of R.B. Coburn, a developer with a passion for Western-themed attractions. His sister-in-law, Toni Wilson, recalls that Coburn selected Ocala for this venture due to its proximity to Silver Springs, an established tourist destination. He believed that visitors to Silver Springs would be drawn to a nearby attraction featuring gunfights, can-can dancers, and the wholesome spirit of Middle America.

Terry Roberts, a local friend and occasional cast member, noted the charm of Six Gun Territory's clean and genuine identity, a rarity in today’s world. 

Construction of this authentic Western town was overseen by Toni's husband, Jack Wilson, who had previously helped build a similar attraction in North Carolina. The design, led by Oklahoma architect Russell Pearson, focused on true-to-life structures rather than mere facades. Six Gun Territory featured a variety of attractions, including an Indian village, a Mexican village, and even carnival rides.

Unique for its time, Six Gun Territory boasted a 60-foot mountain made from two-by-fours, chicken wire, and mud. Sonny Foster, who worked at Six Gun as a teenager, fondly remembers repairing the mountain after storms, marveling at its impressive construction.

The town included 40 buildings, replicating a bustling Old West city. Visitors could explore a courthouse, saloons, the Frontier Hotel (where visiting stars stayed), a jail, a cafeteria, a schoolhouse, and the non-denominational Frontier Community Church, which drew crowds every Sunday.

Guests could take a train ride from the entrance, where Bealls department store stands today, only to be ambushed by bandits, leading to daily shootouts that kept the town's comical undertaker, Digger, busy. In the early years, admission was just $2 for adults and $1 for children, eventually rising to $5.95—a bargain compared to modern theme park prices.

Coburn's vision was simple: to create a place where people could have fun. He believed in the importance of enjoying life with others, stating, “Mrs. (Jeanette) Coburn and I like people. We decided years ago that we wanted to find a business which would give us the chance to spend our time with people who are having fun.”

However, as time passed, the magic began to fade.

**The Day Disney Came**

On November 22, 1963, just ten months after Six Gun Territory opened, Walt Disney visited Ocala to scout locations for what would eventually become Walt Disney World. This pivotal moment marked a significant shift in the landscape of Florida's attractions.

Six Gun Territory remains a cherished memory for many, embodying a unique blend of nostalgia and the spirit of the Old West.