Six Flags Over Texas Then & Now

Series Three | July 2017

Then: Circa 1960s

Now: 2017

Court House Stage

Court House Stage has been a staple of the park's Texas area theming since the beginning. Some details have changed from the 1960s as the porch and building signage have been modified. There is no longer a grassy area with a lamp post and the court house also now has a different paint scheme. Several of the surrounding building fronts have been remodeled/modified since the "then" photo. What remains the same? Guests can still enjoy a classic gunfighter show during the spring and summer months.

Then: Circa 1968

Now: 2017

Southern Palace Theatre

Southern Palace Theatre is the park's prime indoor location to enjoy live entertainment throughout the season. Prior to 1968, Southern Palace Theatre was an outdoor venue. Brutal summer Texas heat led Six Flags in the direction of enclosing the performance space. Not much has changed since the 1968 season when it comes to the theatre’s structure. The doorways, pillars, gardens and lighting fixtures remain in tact. Though the signage at the top has changed, it still resembles the original. Guests enjoying live productions here are sitting on the original outdoor Amphitheater benches, which were repurposed with the addition of Southern Palace Theatre. One main difference, besides the maturing trees, is the support post sticking out of the top of the building. This was part of the park's Astrolift attraction, which was removed after the 1980 season.

Then: 1979

Now: 2017

Good Time Square/Gotham City

The comparisons between Good Time Square and Gotham City feature the biggest change in landscape from this series. The "then" photo shows off a view of Good Time Square, likely from 1979. The Bumper Cars sit to the left and the Rotodisco building is to the right. Several changes have occurred to this particular area of Six Flags Over Texas. The late 1980s brought in the Flashback! roller coaster and the 1950s-themed transformation into Goodtimes Square. In 2016, the park's Gotham City section was quickly expanded and Goodtimes Square was no more. Today, Catwoman Whip stands in the area once occupied by the Bumper Cars. The green attraction to the right is The Riddler Revenge, which took over the location previously home to Rotodisco and Flashback! The winding purple and green roller coaster, The Joker, now sits in an area that would have been behind Bumper Cars. The only thing that remains the same is the tree that sits in the flower bed of both photos.

Then: Circa 1970s

Now: 2017

Chevy Show/Lone Star Theatre

In 1969, Six Flags Over Texas built the Cinesphere Chevy Show. This advanced technology gave guests an IMAX-like experience with a video feature playing on a 180-degree curved screen. While outside, guests could catch shade under the shown gazebo structure and view current cars from Chevrolet. After 1985, the Cinsephere Chevy Show was removed and the venue became home to Lone Star Theatre. Lone Star Theatre features many of the same characteristics as the building’s original design. Even the covered area still exists, though it looks to have been remodeled since the original construction. Unfortunately, Lone Star Theatre is not utilized often and mainly serves as a relic of the past.

Then: 1961

Now: 2017

Old South Pillar Gateway

The entrance to Old South is one of the mostly unchanged features found at Six Flags Over Texas today. Pictured on the left is a man named Randall Duell. Duell was responsible for much of the original design of Six Flags and had quite the resume to back it up. Besides his three Academy Award nominations, Randall Duell also designed for films such as Romeo & Juliet and Singin' in the Rain. When comparing both images, most of the original buildings, though slightly remodeled, fit to their original theme. To the left is the ice cream parlor, now Cold Stone Limited. To the right is the Historical Press Bookshop, now Primo’s Pizzeria. The pillars still exist, signifying the entrance into Old South.