Would you visit a reproduction Old West town?

[Tony0311]

A quick poll will help me in determining whether to pursue building such a place or not. Give input on what you would like to see in such a town, activities and amenities, etc...

[Dawn Patrol]

Horseback ridng
fishing
spa/(I'd need it after all that time on a horse)
pet friendly
and great Texas size steaks
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[OnThePike]

Depends. As a novelty with an old west facade, but with all modern technology, probably not for me. However, if we're talking about a true reproduction with all amenities equal to the time period, then yes, I'd be interested and make it a destination.

Something similar to Pennsylvania Dutch, with no television, no cable, no phone (depending on the date of course), no motor vehicles, really nothing in the way of any modern technology would be (for me) a breath of fresh air and something I'd make a point to visit and promote.

Dusty trails, horses, corrals, the saloon, the hotel and whatever else equates to your selected time period definitely works for me.

What is your idea exactly?

[Tony0311]

We'd definatley have all the things you've mentioned. The state requires us to have all the modern conveinces, for safety and health issues but we will try to camoflauge them as best as we can. We can look into having a seperate lodging area for those who want to go "all the way" back to the primitive pioneer lifestyle.

[OnThePike]

What town are you planning this for? Is this undeveloped acreage? If so, how large?

To give you an idea of something that I'd personally be interested in, take a look at the "Museum of the Mountain West" on US-50 in Colorado. That museum is actually a collection of original buildings -- nothing reproduced anywhere on the grounds. The only thing they don't have is a working hotel.

Again, personally speaking, a facility that took me back to those 1880's Pioneer days with no (or as little as possible) modern conveniences would definitely be of interest to me. And it should be its own entity and attraction -- a town so to speak, with culture and activities based on the determined time period.

[paul]

[Tony0311]

True most people who click here on this thread would already be interested, but that's kind of the point. As I can see so far, not too many people who frequent this site are. That's ok too, I'm just curious as to the percentage rate of this forum's readers were interested in something like this.
As for the town itself: it would have about thirty buildings all together, such as, hotel, saloon, general store etc.. The property is approximately 2,500 acres in the Tx Hill Country so there's plenty of room to move around. The town would be a focal point to the place but by no means the only thing to do.

[OnThePike]

I know a group of people who would salivate at something like this, provided it's as realistic and "rustic" as the law allows.

I road trip out of New York at least 6 times a year; probably 4 of which are through Texas in one way or the other. I would absolutely give it a test drive if it's unique enough. At the very least, a pass-through inspection. In either case, you have my attention.

I'm not all that familiar with Texas locale names, so "Hill Country" doesn't mean much to me, but if you're along or close enough to I-40 and old US Route 66, you have a gold mine and don't know it.

[briggl]

If something like that were in a place I was visiting, I would probably go to it, but I would not use it as a reason to go to a particular area.

In Arizona, there are two that I have been to:

Goldfield near Phoenix which is a reproduction of an old mining town in which most of the buildings were moved to this location from an old town nearby. They had to move because the original mine became flooded, but there is a reproduction of the mine there too.

And Old Tuscon Studios, near Tucson, which is a movie set that is a reproduction of an old west town and has been used in many movies and TV shows, and is still being used. The most recent movie I know of that was filmed there is To Kill A Memory (Freewill Films) which wrapped filming on June 1, 2011. (I don't know when it will be released.)
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