Six Flags over Texas: The First Fifty Years

This work traces the history of the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park, located in Arlington, Texas for over fifty years. Coverage begins with a discussion of the theme parks built around the country after the opening of Disneyland in 1955. The story proceeds to Six Flags’ initial planning and construction in the late 1950s and continues through its fiftieth anniversary season in 2011.

Presented are hundreds of facts and over 230 images. The images include concept art for the park; original postcards; tourist photographs; public relations photographs; souvenir documents; and original photographs by the author.

The book provides background regarding the individuals that designed and built the park. It covers each of the major attractions added each season. Typical information includes the manufacturer of each attraction, with the ride’s capacity, speed or height.

The author is an attorney in Tarrant County that worked as a ride operator in the park for four years. He has consulted newspaper articles, books, and old park souvenirs and artifacts to collect the information included.