Buckskin Joe Colorado Today

Buckskin Joe, Colorado

<<Previous 1 2 3 Next >>

The New Buckskin Joe

In the 1950's Karol Smith desired to restore Buckskin Joe, but did not find the people he needed to help him in his effort until sometime around 1957. It was at this time that he met Don Tyner and Malcolm F. Brown. Brown was an art director at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Tyner was the owner of the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway. Each was interested in the rebuilding of Buckskin Joe. It was decided the rebirth of the mining city would take place next door to the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway.

The investors purchased land approximately eight miles east of Cañon City where the present-day town of Buckskin Joe was recreated.

Buckskin Joe today, June, 2006, Kathy Weiser

Each building and structure represents the actual buildings from the original town of Buckskin Joe and all are original buildings from various ghost towns in the region. As each structure was acquired, it was dismantled at its original site, transported to the new site, and reassembled. Each structure was chosen to represent a different type of building, such as a saloon or a jail. The main town site is a long street with another street heading at right angles between the main street and the Royal Gorge Railroad.

Buckskin Joe opened in 1958 to the general public. The Tabor building was actually moved here from the original town of Buckskin Joe. It was the last remaining building at the time. In each case, an effort has been made to maintain the atmosphere of a mining town in the mid-1800's. No modern vehicles are permitted on the streets and the dress of the inhabitants is like that worn in the "good old days."

Today, the spirit of the Old West explodes to life at Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway. The park combines actual Colorado history with family entertainment, creating a truly unique experience. This authentic old west town is brought to life with hourly gunfights, some historical and some humorous, exciting live entertainment, barnyard animals for the kids, numerous buggies and wagons and one Concord type stagecoach. John Wayne was shooting movies here in the early 70's, and as recently as 2001, the History Channel was filming a documentary entitled "The Haunted Rockies" on location.

Activities at Buckskin Joe include tour the many historic buildings, great food in the Golden Nugget Restaurant, a brewsky in the Crystal Palace Saloon, gunfights and hangings in the dusty street, the Town of Terror, and the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway.

The town sits on the edge of the Royal Gorge canyon, and has a mountain gauge train that takes you to the edge to view the canyon and the famous Royal Gorge Bridge.

To reach the "new" Buckskin Joe, travel 8 miles west of Cañon City, Colorado on US 50, then 1 mile south on CR 3A (just follow the signs).

Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, © July, 2006

The Crystal Palace Saloon and Gold Nugget Restaurant

are open for business. June, 2006, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Old West view at Buckskin Joe Frontier Town.

June, 2006, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Buckskin Joe Sheriff's Office, June, 2006, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Tabor Store at Buckskin Joe, June, 2006, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

<<Previous 1 2 3 Next >>

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Custom Greeting Cards - Combining our great vintage photographs with words, wisdom and proverbs of the Old West, these photo cards are unique to the Rocky Mountain General Store.