Ponderosa Ranch R.I.P. (Soon) - Beyond Tiki

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Mon, Aug 16, 2004 9:41 PM Well, there is still the nearby Virginia City, which although somewhat touristy, still has the look and feel of an old Western town. Which makes sense, because it has been around for nearly 150 years, while the Ponderosa Ranch has only been around for perhaps 40 years. Although I've never been to the Ponderosa Ranch, I have fond memories of the old Fort Dells attraction in Wisconsin Dells, which has long been torn down in favor for a stretch of fast food restaurants. Perhaps these old Western tourist parks are more similar than we might think ..... they peaked during the late 50's (when westerns were huge on TV), but are now disappearing because they are no longer considered relevant. Last week I drove through the Wisconsin Dells region again -- the biggest line I saw was for a Wizards/Lord of the Rings fantasy-like attraction .... oh how times change. Vern

Well, there is still the nearby Virginia City, which although somewhat touristy, still has the look and feel of an old Western town. Which makes sense, because it has been around for nearly 150 years, while the Ponderosa Ranch has only been around for perhaps 40 years.

Although I've never been to the Ponderosa Ranch, I have fond memories of the old Fort Dells attraction in Wisconsin Dells, which has long been torn down in favor for a stretch of fast food restaurants.

Perhaps these old Western tourist parks are more similar than we might think ..... they peaked during the late 50's (when westerns were huge on TV), but are now disappearing because they are no longer considered relevant.

Last week I drove through the Wisconsin Dells region again -- the biggest line I saw was for a Wizards/Lord of the Rings fantasy-like attraction .... oh how times change.

Vern

Post #108742 by ikitnrev on Mon, Aug 16, 2004 9:41 PM