The Wild West isn’t just a theme—it’s a survival story. In this episode of Only in OK, we are diving deep into the dusty, high-octane history of Frontier City. This Oklahoma City icon isn’t just a theme park; it’s a survivor that outlasted real estate developers, economic crashes, and even an F2 tornado.
We explore how a 1957 state birthday exhibit became the secret headquarters of the global Six Flags empire while the rest of us were just waiting in line for the Silver Bullet. Whether you’re a rollercoaster nut or a fan of Oklahoma history, strap in—we’re going back to the Old West, right off I-35.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- The “Boomtown” Origins: How Hollywood publicist James Burge saw Disneyland in ’55 and decided OKC needed a slice of the action.
- The Park That Refused to Die: How the 1980s oil crunch accidentally saved Frontier City from being demolished for a real estate development.
- The Six Flags Birthplace: The “Only in OK” fact—the company that bought Six Flags (Premier Parks) started in a small office in the Frontier City parking lot.
- Frontier City on Film: From the gritty streets of Dillinger (1973) to the cult horror of The Fun Park and the neon nights of American Ninja Warrior.
- Ride Deep Dives: The resurrection of the Wildcat, the “hand-me-down” pedigree of the Silver Bullet, and the interactive history of Quick Draw.
- The 2021 “Water Hero”: A look back at the guest who climbed the lift hill to save stuck passengers (and got a 5-year ban for it).
Frontier City Ride Guide
Ride Name Type Backstory
Silver Bullet Steel Looping A classic Schwarzkopf model with high G-force and only a lap bar…