Heritage Square
Encyclopedia
Heritage Square is a Storybook Victorian theme park shopping village at Golden, Colorado
. It was originally built as Magic Mountain in 1957-59 by a group spearheaded by prominent Wheat Ridge businessman Walter Francis Cobb and Denver sculptor John Calvin Sutton. They hired Marco Engineering, Inc., led by original Disneyland vice president C.V. Wood Jr.
to build the theme park, the earliest known to have attempted to spread the theme park industry beyond Disneyland. Several veteran Hollywood art directors who worked on Disneyland created the design of Magic Mountain, led by MGM veteran Wade B. Rubottom and Disney veteran Dick Kelsey
. The park is one of the world's foremost and best-preserved examples of Storybook design, a form of architecture translating to real life the stage and cinematic arts. Although Magic Mountain collapsed in 1960, it was eventually reopened by Woodmoor Corporation as Heritage Square in 1971. Today it features a collection of artisan shops, children's rides, the second alpine slide outside a ski resort in North America
, the Heritage Square Music Hall, Rio Golden train, and more. Admission is free, and it is open year-round.
just east of Golden, Colorado
to build, and purchased 460 acres (1.9 km²) of land to do so. The park's original concept at this location included a rainbow gateway guarded by giant genies, an enchanted forest, a Queen's Castle towering atop the mountain with an Old World court and fountains, themed refreshment stands including a pumpkin, polar bear and locomotive serving snacks via miniature train, a seafood ship, and a monorail
. However, this site met with sharp and unexpected opposition from the nearby residents of the new subdivisions of Applewood, who objected to the impacts of the development including traffic and building on the scenic mountain. Cobb soon complied with the community's wishes and walked away to an alternative location. Eventually this original location would become partly Rolling Hills Country Club and (upon the mountain) preserved scenic open space.
this had been part of the site of Apex, an early base camp community at an important crossroads of thoroughfares leading to the gold fields including the Apex Road which led up the gulch. At the same time Cobb learned of the new theme park creating firm of Marco Engineering, Inc., formed by Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood
, and hired them to design Magic Mountain at this location. Among the members of Wood's firm included several veteran Hollywood art directors, including some who had worked on Disneyland itself. The lead designers for Magic Mountain were Wade B. Rubottom and Richmond (Dick) Kelsey.
history, development and future. It was to be surrounded by an authentic narrow gauge train
of the type historic to Golden and the Colorado mountains, and the park included 6 themed areas:
Magic Mountain also was to include a ski slope upon Jackson Hill to its west.
rides in the world, was shipped in and put to use here. However, financial difficulties began to arise and further plans were changed or scaled back. One building of the Fairgrounds was built, the Forest River Ride area created in altered form, and Storybook Lane and Magic of Industry scrapped altogether. Arguably the most ambitious part did materialize, the Magic Mountain ski area, scaled down to a rope tow instead of a ski lift but nevertheless one of the first ski areas in North America
to be operated with artificial snow. The ski area was successful; unfortunately the theme park was not. After opening to the public in 1959, it encountered continued financial difficulties, and ultimately closed in 1960. Famed New York
developer William Zeckendorf
, and Cobb himself (who was not blamed for its financial downfall) attempted to save the park, but its fate was inexorable and its components auctioned off. Its rides went to newly forming Six Flags Over Texas
, while the core complex stood idle for some time.
led by G. William Oakley took possession of the Magic Mountain Play House in 1972 as the Heritage Square Players, and opened the Heritage Square Opera House. In 1973 they retrofitted the building across the main thoroughfare for an auditorium theater, while the Christmas Tree shop opened nearby, one of the first year-round Christmas shops in the country. Also that year upon Jackson Hill the second alpine slide
outside a ski resort in North America was built, which became another noted attraction. A historic Lakewood
school
house was moved to the head of the main street and became Heritage Square's wedding chapel.
Over time Heritage Square has grown and changed, and today continues to feature family attractions. In 1986 the Opera House was reborn under direction of actor T.J. Mullin as the Heritage Square Music Hall, which remains one of the most popular dinner theater
establishments in Colorado.
to make the buildings appear taller or larger than they really are (the buildings and blocks are 2/3 scale of their historic downtown Golden counterparts). Kelsey and Rubottom thoroughly studied and drew upon historic Colorado styles to translate into this medium, including several historically used in Golden and the Denver area such as Second Empire, Gothic Revival, Pueblo Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival, frontier log building design and more. It gave the feeling of an old west town which was friendly to children and other patrons through its creative and artistic design, unusually ornate and hand carved on site.
which also owns the quarry next to the complex. Lafarge bought Heritage Square early in the 1990s and currently runs the complex in the red as a tax write off and a buffer to the City of Golden. By using Heritage Square as a buffer to the city, Lafarge is able to prevent development near their active quarry and give room from the sound of the blasts used to break apart the rock. On quiet days, one can hear the blasts from the park and even feel them. The future of Heritage Square is unknown as it will no longer be needed as a buffer once Lafarge has stripped the quarry completely. However, this is not for another 20 years at least as of 2007.
show Unwrapped
was filmed at the Notz Landing Diner.
Golden, Colorado
The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
. It was originally built as Magic Mountain in 1957-59 by a group spearheaded by prominent Wheat Ridge businessman Walter Francis Cobb and Denver sculptor John Calvin Sutton. They hired Marco Engineering, Inc., led by original Disneyland vice president C.V. Wood Jr.
Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood
Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood , usually written as "C.V. Wood" and called "Woody", was an American developer of amusement parks and planned communities...
to build the theme park, the earliest known to have attempted to spread the theme park industry beyond Disneyland. Several veteran Hollywood art directors who worked on Disneyland created the design of Magic Mountain, led by MGM veteran Wade B. Rubottom and Disney veteran Dick Kelsey
Dick Kelsey
Dick Kelsey, by given name of Richmond Kelsey, was an important early animation art director and pioneer theme park designer and illustrator of children's books. His career spanned several of the most beloved Disney films in the 1940s-50s, after which he assisted in the design of Disneyland in 1955...
. The park is one of the world's foremost and best-preserved examples of Storybook design, a form of architecture translating to real life the stage and cinematic arts. Although Magic Mountain collapsed in 1960, it was eventually reopened by Woodmoor Corporation as Heritage Square in 1971. Today it features a collection of artisan shops, children's rides, the second alpine slide outside a ski resort in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, the Heritage Square Music Hall, Rio Golden train, and more. Admission is free, and it is open year-round.
Beginnings As Magic Mountain
Walter Francis Cobb, noting the great possibilities of family entertainment that the theme park concept had to offer, teamed up in 1952 with John Calvin Sutton to create such a place for Denver area residents to enjoy. The great success of Disneyland further fueled their ambitions, and in May 1957 they incorporated Magic Mountain, Inc., a stock offering company, for investment to build the new theme park.South Table Mountain Site
At first the new theme park targeted the northeastern alcove of South Table MountainSouth Table Mountain (Colorado)
South Table Mountain is a mesa located just southeast of downtown Golden, Colorado in Jefferson County, Colorado. Its most distinctive feature is its cap of basalt rock formed from ancient lava flows. South Table Mountain is a popular scenic and recreational destination of the Denver metro area,...
just east of Golden, Colorado
Golden, Colorado
The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
to build, and purchased 460 acres (1.9 km²) of land to do so. The park's original concept at this location included a rainbow gateway guarded by giant genies, an enchanted forest, a Queen's Castle towering atop the mountain with an Old World court and fountains, themed refreshment stands including a pumpkin, polar bear and locomotive serving snacks via miniature train, a seafood ship, and a monorail
Monorail
A monorail is a rail-based transportation system based on a single rail, which acts as its sole support and its guideway. The term is also used variously to describe the beam of the system, or the vehicles traveling on such a beam or track...
. However, this site met with sharp and unexpected opposition from the nearby residents of the new subdivisions of Applewood, who objected to the impacts of the development including traffic and building on the scenic mountain. Cobb soon complied with the community's wishes and walked away to an alternative location. Eventually this original location would become partly Rolling Hills Country Club and (upon the mountain) preserved scenic open space.
Apex Site
The new site selected for Magic Mountain was 600 acres (2.4 km²) at the foot of the mountains at Apex Gulch southwest of Golden. During the Colorado Gold RushColorado Gold Rush
The Pike's Peak Gold Rush was the boom in gold prospecting and mining in the Pike's Peak Country of western Kansas Territory and southwestern Nebraska Territory of the United States that began in July 1858 and lasted until roughly the creation of the Colorado Territory on February 28, 1861...
this had been part of the site of Apex, an early base camp community at an important crossroads of thoroughfares leading to the gold fields including the Apex Road which led up the gulch. At the same time Cobb learned of the new theme park creating firm of Marco Engineering, Inc., formed by Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood
Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood
Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood , usually written as "C.V. Wood" and called "Woody", was an American developer of amusement parks and planned communities...
, and hired them to design Magic Mountain at this location. Among the members of Wood's firm included several veteran Hollywood art directors, including some who had worked on Disneyland itself. The lead designers for Magic Mountain were Wade B. Rubottom and Richmond (Dick) Kelsey.
Themed Areas and Attractions
In the design dreamed up for Magic Mountain, the park was based on ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
history, development and future. It was to be surrounded by an authentic narrow gauge train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
of the type historic to Golden and the Colorado mountains, and the park included 6 themed areas:
- Cavalry Post and Stockade (frontier protection for settlers)
- Centennial City (Old West downtown)
- Fairgrounds (amusement facilities including a Mine Ride and Creation of the Earth Ride)
- Forest River (mountaineers, American IndiansNative Americans in the United StatesNative Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
and fur traders) - Magic of Industry (story of industrial progress in the American west including Outer Space Lines ride)
- Storybook Lane (fairy taleFairy taleA fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
land for younger visitors)
Magic Mountain also was to include a ski slope upon Jackson Hill to its west.
Construction and Demise
In 1957-59 the core of Magic Mountain was built, including the Magic Mountain Railroad, Cavalry Post and Stockade, and Centennial City. The historic Eden Palais, one of the largest carouselCarousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
rides in the world, was shipped in and put to use here. However, financial difficulties began to arise and further plans were changed or scaled back. One building of the Fairgrounds was built, the Forest River Ride area created in altered form, and Storybook Lane and Magic of Industry scrapped altogether. Arguably the most ambitious part did materialize, the Magic Mountain ski area, scaled down to a rope tow instead of a ski lift but nevertheless one of the first ski areas in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
to be operated with artificial snow. The ski area was successful; unfortunately the theme park was not. After opening to the public in 1959, it encountered continued financial difficulties, and ultimately closed in 1960. Famed New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
developer William Zeckendorf
William Zeckendorf
William Zeckendorf, Sr. was a prominent American real estate developer. Through his development company Webb and Knapp – for which he began working in 1938 and which he purchased in 1949 – he developed a significant portion of the New York City urban landscape.-Career:Zeckendorf's...
, and Cobb himself (who was not blamed for its financial downfall) attempted to save the park, but its fate was inexorable and its components auctioned off. Its rides went to newly forming Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas is a major amusement park located in Arlington, Texas , east of Fort Worth and about west of Dallas. It is the oldest park of the Six Flags chain. The park opened on August 5, 1961 following just a year of construction and an initial investment of US$10 million by real estate...
, while the core complex stood idle for some time.
Rebirth As Heritage Square
In 1970 the Woodmoor Corporation acquired Magic Mountain and set about to resurrect the park as Heritage Square, a theme shopping village of artisan shops and attractions. Opening in 1971, it featured several popular places, including the Metal Master, General Store, Glassblower, Gasthaus beer garden restaurant, and Cedar Chest. A group of comedy melodamatic players formed in Estes ParkEstes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is a town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. A popular summer resort and the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River. Estes Park had a population of 5,858 at the 2010 census...
led by G. William Oakley took possession of the Magic Mountain Play House in 1972 as the Heritage Square Players, and opened the Heritage Square Opera House. In 1973 they retrofitted the building across the main thoroughfare for an auditorium theater, while the Christmas Tree shop opened nearby, one of the first year-round Christmas shops in the country. Also that year upon Jackson Hill the second alpine slide
Alpine slide
An alpine slide is a long chute on the side of a hill, usually built by ski resorts to supplement summer income. A wheeled cart is used to navigate the slide. The ride is similar to a bobsled ride, except that it rolls over a smooth track—generally cement, stainless steel, or fiberglass—rather...
outside a ski resort in North America was built, which became another noted attraction. A historic Lakewood
Lakewood, Colorado
Lakewood is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous city in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Lakewood is the fifth most populous city in the State of Colorado and the 172nd most populous city in the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that in April 1, 2010...
school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
house was moved to the head of the main street and became Heritage Square's wedding chapel.
Over time Heritage Square has grown and changed, and today continues to feature family attractions. In 1986 the Opera House was reborn under direction of actor T.J. Mullin as the Heritage Square Music Hall, which remains one of the most popular dinner theater
Dinner theater
Dinner theater is a form of entertainment that combines a restaurant meal with a staged play or musical. Sometimes the play is incidental entertainment, secondary to the meal, in the style of a sophisticated night club, or the play may be a major production with dinner less important, or in some...
establishments in Colorado.
Storybook Architecture
Heritage Square is noted for being among the world's best preserved examples of a unique and artistic form of design born of the screen and stage arts. Storybook design, as it has become known, translates screen buildings to real life using architectural embellishments, whimsical distortions and forced perspectiveForced perspective
Forced perspective is a technique that employs optical illusion to make an object appear farther away, closer, larger or smaller than it actually is. It is used primarily in photography, filmmaking and architecture...
to make the buildings appear taller or larger than they really are (the buildings and blocks are 2/3 scale of their historic downtown Golden counterparts). Kelsey and Rubottom thoroughly studied and drew upon historic Colorado styles to translate into this medium, including several historically used in Golden and the Denver area such as Second Empire, Gothic Revival, Pueblo Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival, frontier log building design and more. It gave the feeling of an old west town which was friendly to children and other patrons through its creative and artistic design, unusually ornate and hand carved on site.
Current Ownership
Over the years, Heritage Square's ownership has changed many hands. Currently, Heritage Square is owned by LafargeLafarge
Lafarge is a French industrial company specialising in four major products: cement, construction aggregates, concrete and gypsum wallboard. In 2010 the company was the world's second-largest cement manufacturer by mass shipped behind Holcim.-History:...
which also owns the quarry next to the complex. Lafarge bought Heritage Square early in the 1990s and currently runs the complex in the red as a tax write off and a buffer to the City of Golden. By using Heritage Square as a buffer to the city, Lafarge is able to prevent development near their active quarry and give room from the sound of the blasts used to break apart the rock. On quiet days, one can hear the blasts from the park and even feel them. The future of Heritage Square is unknown as it will no longer be needed as a buffer once Lafarge has stripped the quarry completely. However, this is not for another 20 years at least as of 2007.
Amusement Park
The Amusement Park at Heritage Square features the following kiddie rides; Swings, Balloon Ride, Banana Squadron, Carousel, Crazy Bus, Himalaya, Miner Mike Roller Coaster, Python Pit Roller Coaster, Tea Cups, Tilt-a-Whirl, Scrambler and Ferris Wheel. The park also features kiddies, kids, adult and slick track Go-Carts. Special features include pony rides and magic shows with magician Chad Wonder on weekends.Railroads
Heritage Square's railroad, known successively as the Magic Mountain Railroad, High Country Railroad, and Rio Golden Railroad, has been operated by these steam powered locomotives through its existence:- Denver & Rio Grande Locomotive #42 (Baldwin, narrow gauge, 1889) - operated 1959-61
- Lima Shay Locomotive #3118 (Lima, narrow gauge, 1920) - 24 inch gauge,operated 1975-89
- Denver & Rio Golden Locomotive #463 (Ulrich, miniature gauge, 1998) - operated 1998-2006
- Rio Golden #1 (Gas hydraulic drive, weighs 3,000 lbs) - operated 2006–present
Honors
In 1975 the Jefferson County Historical Commission awarded Heritage Square designation as a Centennial Site. It was one of 25 places so honored as part of Jefferson County's part in Colorado's Centennial-Bicentennial celebration (recognized Colorado's centennial and the United States' bicentennial), in recognition of the site's history as the Apex town and Heritage Square's part in history.In Media
At least one season of the popular Food NetworkFood Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
show Unwrapped
Unwrapped
Unwrapped is an American television program on Food Network that reveals the origins of foods. It first aired in June 2001 and is hosted by Marc Summers. The show leads viewers on tours of factories and other food-related locations. Popular subjects include candy, breakfast cereal, snacks, and TV...
was filmed at the Notz Landing Diner.