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🐴 The years we yee-hawed

San Jose’s long-lost amusement park: Frontier Village

Frontier Village's "Central Square" with the Frontier Village Railroad station.

Guests would be brought into Central Square on the Frontier Village Railroad. | Photo via History San José

It’s about time we talked about one of our city’s most beloved attractions that brought national attention to the great 408.

So saddle up, because we’re taking you back in time to San Jose’s long-lost amusement park — Frontier Village.

The happiest place in San Jose

Following a family trip to Disneyland in 1959, Palo Alto entrepreneur and businessman Joseph Zukin Jr. became inspired to build his own piece of magic in the great 408.

After purchasing 60 acres from a doctor who owned Hayes Mansion, he and amusement ride designer Laurie Hollings went to work to create a Western-themed park for all ages.

In October 1961, Frontier Village opened to the public — charging visitors only 25-90 cents for admission.

Costumed employees put on a show for a crowd of children and their parents. — Costumed workers would often put on shows where an outlaw was caught by Frontier Village’s Marshal Ron.
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Photo via History San José

Cowboys, marshals, and miners, oh my

Once inside, you’d find yourself in the middle of staged gunfights between marshals + outlaws or watching Can-Can dancers from the park’s Silver Dollar Saloon waltzing around.

If you were lucky, you might have had a celebrity encounter — stars like Bing Crosby, Lorne Greene, Nat King Cole, and former vice-presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey walked through the saloon doors.

Many visitors who saw the park in its heyday claim that its success was built off of the attention to detail and accessibility — parking was always free, ticket packages were offered for every budget, and Kodak even provided free loaner cameras for park-goers who forgot them.

The Edenvale Garden Park benches underneath a mock railroad station awning. — Edenvale Garden Park’s design is inspired by Frontier Village.
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Photo via @chunhua.meeko.liu

And the rest is history

Unfortunately, Frontier Village was short lived. The park closed in 1980 due to the emerging Great America, and the city of San Jose’s unwillingness to fund the property’s expansion.

Today, the 19.5-acre Edenvale Garden Park sits in its place, drawing its railroad theme from the beloved Western attraction.

If you’re still reeling from its closure, we recommend joining other reminiscent fans.

Events

Friday, April 14

San Jose State Baseball vs UNLV | Friday, Apr. 14 | 6 p.m. | Excite Ballpark, 588 E Alma Ave, San Jose | $10 | Let’s play ball.
Cristela Alonzo | Friday, Apr. 14-Sunday, Apr. 16 | Times vary | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $25 | This comedian made history when she became the first Latina to create, produce, and star in her own network sitcom, “Cristela,” for ABC.
“Considering Matthew Shepard” | Friday, Apr. 14 | 7:30-9:10 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose | $10-$40 | This production reflects on and responds to the event that led to Matthew Shepard’s death, while also compassionately emphasizing how his life and legacy have shined brighter.
Banda Cuisillos | Friday, Apr. 14 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Civic, 135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose | $75-$125 | Get ready for the Mexican banda group, hailing from the city of Cuisillos, Jalisco.

Saturday, April 15

Touch-A-Truck | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose | $10 | This family event invites you to climb on, explore, and learn about your favorite vehicles while also enjoying food, entertainment, and more.
Honoring Cannery Workers | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 1-4 p.m. | Gardener Neighborhood Community Center, 520 W. Virginia St., San Jose | Free | Enjoy a lowrider display, folklórico performance, an art exhibit, and a documentary screening.
Selenabration No. 9 | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | Sonic Runway, 200 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose | Free | In this tribute to Selena Quintanilla Perez, enjoy music, food trucks, lowriders, and a Selena look-a-like contest.
“Tosca” | Saturday, Apr. 15-Sunday, Apr. 30 | Times vary | California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose | $55-$195 | Follow the tragic story of an opera singer and her artist lover, whose passionate involvement with a political prisoner has made them targets of the chief of the secret police.

Sunday, April 16

San Jose Mustangs Cars and Coffee | Sunday, Apr. 16 | 9-11:30 a.m. | 859 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose | Free | Browse classic + new cars, while enjoying a cup of joe.
Oakridge Farmers Market | Sunday, Apr. 16 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Westfield Oakridge, 5420 Thornwood Dr., San Jose | Free | Get fresh produce, live entertainment, and more at this year-round market.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Finance

7 common mistakes when hiring a financial advisor

An older couple sits on the riverbank peacefully.

Avoiding these blunders could help you prevent years of stress and heartache. | Photo by SmartAsset

Life should be a balance of adventure and relaxation — not finances. Enter: Working with a financial advisor. But choosing the wrong one could potentially wreak havoc on your retirement and investments.

Avoid these seven common mistakes when hiring one, so you can work towards more radiant golden years.

Pro tip: For simplicity, try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*

Get started

News Notes

Development

An 85-unit housing development is being proposed to replace the 67-year-old San Jose Swim & Racquet Club in Willow Glen on Pedro Street. The project plans to demolish existing buildings on the 3.3-acre property — no further development plans have been announced. (The Mercury News)
Cupertino-based real estate firm KCR Development has proposed a 206-unit, 7-story residential complex near the Fruitdale light rail station on Elizabeth Drive. The now-vacant building once operated as an assisted living center, but developers are looking to create high-density housing with numerous amenities. (The Mercury News)

Travel

San Jose City Council granted Spirit Airlines ~$1.7 million in fee waivers + marketing funds in an effort to attract more airlines to come to Mineta Airport. Spirit is the only domestic, low-cost carrier at SJC, and just arrived in February. City officials hope this push will increase leisure travel revenue. (San José Spotlight)

Civic

The city of San Jose has assigned one of its business development officers, Nathan Donato-Weinstein, the new role of downtown manager to help revitalize downtown’s economics, retail, dining, housing, and more. Beginning Monday, April 24, Nathan will assume his role and start work on the post-COVID-19 downtown scene. (SiliconValley.com)

Sports

PayPal Park will host the United States Women’s National Team for its World Cup send-off match against Wales on Sunday, July 9. This will be the first time that the two countries meet in women’s soccer, and you can catch all that action on TNT or in-person — ticket sales begin Monday, May 8. (NBC Bay Area)

Shop

It’s shower season, and it’s time to celebrate the soon-to-be parents in your life. From onesies to burp cloths, our online store (Six & Main) has all the essentials for new parents. Shop for the bundle of joy now.

Today Is

National Gardening Day. Treat yourself to a new gardening set — complete with five essential tools, gloves, a mister, and a durable tote bag. Don’t forget the seeds. This kit comes with vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. If space is tight, grab this vertical planter + some highly-rated potting mix.

Outdoors

🌱 Just garden things

4 community gardens in San Jose, CA

Youth Garden at Veggielution | Photo via @sj_cactus_succulent

Today is National Gardening Day, so we’re here to herb your enthusiasm with a roundup of community gardens to cultivate your green thumb.

Whether you’re looking to work with a group and share the fruit or solo grow your harvest, these local spots are tilled and ready to turnip this growing season.

Editor’s note: Many community gardens offer seed share programs + community shared tool sheds, but check with each garden for specifics.

🌸 Veggielution, 647 S. King Rd.

Explore gardening with the whole family every Saturday from 10-12:30 p.m. at the Veggielution Youth Garden or volunteer at their farm. Experience garden maintenance, composting + crafts.

🌸 Berryessa Community Garden, Cape Colony + Commodore Dr.

The Berryessa School District owns this property and partnered with the City to maintain its 2-acre plot, one of the largest community gardens in San Jose.

2 more gardens

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alyson

From the editor

Happy Friday, everyone. As I was writing the Frontier Village story, I couldn’t help but think about what kind of amusement park would sprout next for San Jose. As you may know, Great America will say sayonara in 2033, so let’s brainstorm — what would the South Bay’s next amusement park look like?

Missed the last newsletter? We broke down the stats of 15 school districts in the 408.

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