I am finding all sorts of awesome things today as I do my research for my short story. Here's the article in the May 9th, 1960, edition of The Billboard, chronicling the opening day of Silver Dollar City:
http://books.google.com/books?id=vh8EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA103&ots=gqYiTfuYRo&dq=Missouri%20Spot%20Opens%20May%201%3B%20Draws%2018%2C000%22%20(May%209%2C%201960)&pg=PA103#v=onepage&q=Missouri%20Spot%20Opens%20May%201;%20Draws%2018,000%22%20(May%209,%201960)&f=false
18,000 people... Can you imagine how many people are going to be there next year, exactly 50 years later? I can't wait!!!
Joy
Wow! That is an excellent find! ;D I'm certainly glad the parking and access routes have improved. I can't imagine waiting in a line of either five miles or two miles to get to the park. :-\
Wow, considering the size of the City then, compared to now, they must have been packed in there.
Yeah, it had to have been pretty insane. I mean, that's a busy day even now!
Joy
It says they had two TV stations that filmed it. I would like to see that!
I was not there for that traffic jam. I was in one with my family back in the late 70's or early 80's. We all got together for the craftsmen fest in Sept. When we were pulling out of the park Jack Buck was welcoming all to another broadcast of Cardinals baseball. After three plus hours he was signing off from the ballpark and we still were not to the light at Shephard of the Hills Expressway and 76. That was one long car ride. It can't be more that five miles?????? Six adults in one car no drinks, no bathrooms, no room on the side of the road. Great family times.....
Such a great thing to find. What a rich history. I love the Ozarks and the City. I know some people say its 'just a theme park', but truly its so much more.