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| Pete Smythe |
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| Entrance to East Tincup, Colorado, on West Colfax Avenue |
East Tincup was a mythical creation patterned after an old
Colorado mining town, and used as the setting for Smythe’s show. The site of the
town was 12 miles west of Denver, and one-half mile east of the multi-million
dollar Magic Mountain, which was under construction at that time.
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| The "town" of East Tincup, Colorado |
You could pan for gold, there was a miniature mechanized farm layout with small figures with a man chopping wood, etc, and a room where the water ran uphill!
The site of the old East Tincup theme park today is the
Dakota Ridge RV Park
17800 West Colfax AvenueGolden, CO 80401
(303) 279-1625
www.dakotaridgerv.com
Posts
just would like to say the legend will live on with the opening of the New East TIN CUP MINI MARKET which is in the heart of "East Tin Cup".....on West Colfax Ave in Golden Co. ...good luck Easy and Big MONEY!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember the theme song was based on Pete Seeger's song Little Boxes about ticky tacky houses.
ReplyDeleteDid his jingle song say
ReplyDeletePut the key in the door
Oen up the store
Now were ready for business
Does anyone remember the place in East Tin Cup with all the miniature wood carvings like a dentist pulling a tooth in the old days, and there was a life size outhouse that when you pulled the door open a lady said something and us kids would jump back scared yet laughing. Where is this museum now? Someone thought it was somewhere near the Black Hills.
ReplyDeleteChris Beebe, I worked in the Theme Park, thought is was a terrific experience. We had set up robberies when the tourists were perfectly gathered and placed, rode through on a real stage coach and acted the part. Mayor Pete was an inspiration for everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 5 years old my parents contracted to open the western wear store in East Tin Cup. They later branched out and operated the candle shop. Eventually my mom took over Pete Smythe's General Store and the post office. My sister and I used to spend many hours running around East Tin Cup and I have many memories and stories of the place. The small wood carving exhibit JB refers to was Dr. Niblack's House of Carvings. Following the closing of East Tincup it was moved to South Dakota and billed as the National Museum of Wood Carving. I understand that the museum recently closed so I am not sure as to the location of the collection now.
ReplyDeletePete also had some connection with the Centennial Race Track in Littleton. I was a member of the Westernaires, and we did a recording of a song written by Pete called "Centennial", which was played before the start of racing at the track. Anyone know where I can get a copy of the recording of the song?
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ReplyDeleteThe article above indicates the site of East Tincup is now the RV Park at 17800 West Colfax Avenue, which is on the south side of Colfax (Hwy 40), but I remember it as being on the north side. Which is correct?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
I'm sure it was on the North side. My cousin worked there as a cowboy when I was 15. He brought his new friend in to meet me and that's when I got the autograph of Steve McQueen. Such a thrill.
ReplyDeleteI was on this show, sometime in the 1960 -1962, I sang a song, but I do not remember what song. Anyway can anyone direct me as to how I might find a copy of that show
ReplyDeleteI remember my dad bought stock in Magic Mountain. The hole thing went bust and my mom never let him forget it.
ReplyDeleteBeside Magic Mountain and Pete I remember Centennial Race tract too. Horse racing near downtown old town Littleton.
ReplyDelete