Six Flags Over Texas – Arlington, Texas

Six Flags Over Texas is a 212-acre (86 ha) theme park located in Arlington, Texas, east of Fort Worth and west of Dallas. It is the first amusement park in the Six Flags chain. The park opened on August 5, 1961, following just a year of construction and an initial investment of US$10 million by real estate developer Angus G. Wynne, Jr.

The park is managed by the Six Flags Entertainment Corp., which also owns 53.1% interest of the Texas Limited Partnership that owns the park. A similar arrangement exists with the partnership that owns Six Flags Over Georgia. Six Flags Over Texas Fund, Ltd, a private equity and asset management firm headed by Dallas businessman Jack Knox, purchased the park in 1969. Over the years the various companies that managed the park, exercised options to purchase an interest in the fund. Six Flags Entertainment has an option to purchase the remaining 46.9% in 2028.  Starting in 1991, the park was managed by Time Warner Entertainment. In 1998, Time Warner sold its interests in the Six Flags parks to Premier Parks of Oklahoma City, which later changed its name to Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc.

Kids Rides

Thrill-seekers come in all sizes. That’s why they have tons of great fun for little ones to enjoy on their own and with their parents. These rides spin, fly and promise to take kids on magical journeys that are perfect for their height and age.

Family Rides

Family fun is what they’re all about at Six Flags. So get ready to let loose and laugh. From the highest heights to the gentlest adventures, they’ve got plenty of rides you can enjoy together.

Thrill Rides

Looking for thrills? Well, you’ve found them. In fact, you’ve found some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, most gut-wrenching rides in the country — including a few record-breakers.

History

Following a visit to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, shortly after its opening, wealthy real estate developer Angus G. Wynne, Jr. decided that his home state of Texas should have a local park for entertainment. Planning for such a place began in 1959, under the leadership of Wynne and the Great Southwest Corporation, along with the backing of various New York City investors. Construction on the park began in August 1960.

The name “Six Flags Over Texas” refers to the flags of the six different nations that have governed Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America. Wynne originally intended to name the park “Texas Under Six Flags.” Various legends have attributed the name change to his wife Joann; a group called “The Daughters of The Texas Republic” — of which his wife may, or may not, have been a member; or his entertainment director, Charles Meeker, stating that “Texas isn’t ‘under’ anything.

” The original park was divided into six separate themed areas for each of the six governing entities that have ruled over Texas. Although additional themed areas have been added, the original six can still be found within the park.

Six Flags Over Texas opened its gates from July 29 to August 4, 1961, to several local corporations that Wynne had invited as part of a “soft-test opening.” The park held its grand opening ceremonies on Saturday, August 5, 1961. Dignitaries included the mayors of Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, and Irving. Park attendance reached 8,374.

Admission was $2.75 (equivalent to $24 in 2020) for adults and $2.25 (equivalent to $19 in 2020) for children; parking was 50 cents (equivalent to $4 in 2020); hamburgers were 35 cents (equivalent to $3 in 2020), and soft drinks were 10 cents (equivalent to $1 in 2020). On opening day, guests could visit the six original themed sections: Mexico, Spain, France, The Confederacy, Texas, and Modern (representing the USA). According to the 1961 Park Map, there were 46 “major attractions” listed. The park’s first season, lasting only 45 days and ending on November 25, 1961, was a success with over 550,000 visitors.

CHOCTAW STADIUM – ARLINGTON, TEXAS

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