The last Frontier Town

Wild West City marks half century of celebrating the ‘Old West’,By Jane Primerano Byram - Back in the mid-1950s, Westerns were all the rage. Radio shows like “The Lone Ranger” were moving to television, the now considered politically incorrect game of cowboys and Indians occupied many hours of children’s time, and, perhaps most important of all, the post-War era of the automobile was in full swing. Putting these facts together, a number of clever entrepreneurs built Western-themed parks either down the shore or around other resort communities. One such theme park, Wild West City, was built in Byram, just off Route 206. Wild West City, celebrating its 50th anniversary season this year, remains one of the most cherished day trip destinations to this day. Riding the wave of the Western craze, Wild West City boomed like San Franciso after the gold strike after it’s opening on Easter Sunday 1957. Built throughout the construction season of 1956, it was a replica of Dodge City in the 1880s; the owners had even ventured to Kansas to check out the real thing. Long before the term “living history” was coined, Wild West City presented 22 shows of live entertainment, using the Main Street as the stage. Many of the shows, such as the daily climactic, “Gunfight at the OK Corral,” are based on historical events. The twice-daily Pony Express run through town accurately represents early mail delivery (at only $5 an ounce!), and the sagas of Jesse James and Doc Holliday are only lightly embellished for the crowd. Fortunes slowed a bit after the initial rush, but a turnaround came with a change of ownership. Mike and Mary Stabile, known as “The Mayor” and “The Missus,” bought into the park and put their hearts and souls into making a go of it. The five Stabile children pretty much grew up in the park and two of them, Michael, Jr., and Mary Stabile Benson, are now the owners and operators of Wild West City, with another generation following in their footsteps. Blast from the past The third generation of visitors comes to the park every summer as well. The comment, “It hasn’t changed a bit,” can be heard from mothers, fathers and even grandparents as they bring their little ones to be deputized after the stage holdup. Even while they say it, they realize that some things have changed. The Golden Nugget no longer features an unknown Jersey kid named Floyd Vivino as the piano player, long before he was “Uncle Floyd” of TV fame. And the cap guns now have orange plugs in the barrels (at least until the kids get them out). But, for the most part, Wild West City is a true “blast from the past.” It is also, to quote many of the guest comments on its Web site, the least “politically correct” place in America. And that may well be its number one selling point: Gunplay, whiskey bottles during the saloon fight, Virgil Earp’s cigar and a funny skit about the undertaker are all reminders that the world isn’t a squeaky-clean place where no one’s sensibilities are threatened. After all, the West wasn’t won without Samuel Colt’s most noted invention, and history lessons shouldn’t airbrush the truth. That said, the educational programs presented to school groups each year also emphasize the many contributions of the black and Hispanic cowboys, who were never seen in those old TV Westerns. More to come To celebrate the 50th full season of operation, the family is planning a series of events. Wild West City is too big and too diverse to allow for only one celebration, although a gala is planned for the fall. The first in the series is slated to become an annual event: “Buttons ‘n Bows Days,” coined from the title of that Oscar-winning song, is a craft fair slated for Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. Featured will be spinner and wool artist, Lydia Chiapini, as well as a potter and lace makers from the Lost Arts Lacers, who will appear in costume demonstrating several different techniques of that fine art. Quilting will also be demonstrated. Cranberry Cross Crafts will display special Victorian crafts. The dress shop, always open as a museum, will be a center of activity that day. It features a working treadle sewing machine from the early 20th century. Special rates for senior citizens are planned for this event. A Civil War encampment will be held June 10 and June 11. The following weekend the American Indian Cultural Museum of the Lehigh Valley will have an exhibit and presentations. On the weekend of July 22-23, Women of the West will be honored. Calamity Jane will be present and special appearances are expected by Annie Oakley and the “Girl of the Golden West” herself, Lotte Crabtree. Crabtree retired to the Lake Hopatcong area and her home, one of the most important of famed architect Frank Furness’ residential projects, is the anchor of Mt. Arlington’s National Register Historic District. Reporter Mary Hunter Austin is expected to cover the proceedings for William Randolph Hearst. Wild West City’s own Nicole Smith will present a fashion show of authentic clothing from the 1880s and 1890s. Cowboy Tribute Day is always held the third Saturday in August, which falls on August 19 this year. On that day, Wild West City honors its late founders and others who worked and loved this unique theme park and who have passed on. Special guests will be on hand and a number of events are planned to make the tribute even more meaningful this year. A dedication of the new barn is also planned, as are some “old west” church services in the Wild West City chapel. As more events are added for the 50th anniversary season, they will be advertised and posted on the Wild West City signs on Route 206. The regular Wild West City shows will also continue this year. Mary Jane Webster will present education in the old West in the one-room schoolhouse. Alice Harrison and Paul Mandeville will continue to cook up their Western specialties in the chuck wagon. Shows from the American Inter-tribal Dancers and Mark Allen and his trick ropers will be scheduled throughout the summer. The Arizona Territorial Rangers will also continue to be an integral part of Wild West City, and will be on hand throughout the summer. For information, call 973-347-8999 or log on to wildwestcity.com.