Six-Gun City, Jefferson, New Hampshire.
Six-Gun City in Jefferson, New Hampshire, was a Frontier Western-style amusement park that thrilled young cowboys and cowgirls for almost 60 years. Where once there were gunfights, saloons, an Indian Camp, and more, the smoking pistols are gone today.
Barn at Six-Gun City in Jefferson, New Hampshire. Photo by John Margolies, 1996.
This popular family attraction was opened in 1957 by James and Eleanor Brady. The couple and their eight children built the park on their 400-acre farm. The family moved to Jefferson in 1941 and operated a dairy farm until 1955.
The Western theme park started small with a dairy bar operated by Eleanor, who loved to cook. It also had an Indian Camp, cowboy skits, staged gun fights, a stagecoach, pony rides, and a gift shop that sold hats, boots, bandannas, belts, and toy guns. Many Western artifacts on display entertained visitors.
In the following years, they kept adding on until the park featured a Western Main Street, a petting zoo, trails in the woods, carnival-style rides, such as water rafts, a small roller coaster, bumper boats, and other outdoor activities.
Indian Camp at Six-Gun City in Jefferson, New Hampshire.
The family was also known for preserving historic carriages, wagons, and sleighs, including some historic ones from the White Mountains. Many of these were displayed at the park, along with old farm implements and other Western artifacts.
Over the years, the park employed thousands of people.
In 1988, they added waterslides, and water rides, becoming the first dry park to add such attractions.
In 2006, the family purchased the adjacent Jefferson Campground.
On November 25, 2007, James P. Brady Sr. died at the age of 90. Six Gun City celebrated its 50th anniversary the same year.
In 2008, James and Eleanor were inducted into the New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to tourism in northern New Hampshire.
Six-Gun City Ad
Stagecoach at Six-Gun City in Jefferson, New Hampshire. Photo by John Margolies, 1996.
Town Hall at Six-Gun City in Jefferson, New Hampshire. Photo by John Margolies, 1996.
Logboat ride at Six-Gun City in Jefferson, New Hampshire.
In 2009, more than 18 buildings were renovated, a picnic facility was built, and the “Giddy-Up-Corral” merry-go-round and a boot hill were added.
In 2014, the amusement park became the Fort Jefferson Fun Park and Campground, with water slides, laser tag, and cabins. The cowboy skits were discontinued, but go-karts and a runaway train roller coaster were added.
Eleanor Ruth Brady, 99, died on August 18, 2018.
By that year, the Fort Jefferson Fun Park had closed.
Today, most of the Six-Gun buildings still stand along the highway, and a Jefferson Campground still welcomes visitors a short way down the road. But the horses, wagons, stagecoaches, and cowboys have moved to another range.
Six-Gun City was located at 1492 Presidential Highway, Route 2.
Six-Gun City Brochure
Also See:
New Hampshire – The Granite State
Sources:
Conway Daily Sun
D&D Travels
Disappointed Tourist
New Hampshire Attractions
Gunfight at Six-Gun City