Pioneer Village: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 13:51, 19 April 2025

Pioneer Village is a themed section of Lagoon Amusement Park, designed as a living museum showcasing Utah’s pioneer heritage. The village features historical buildings, artifacts, and exhibits that transport visitors back to the late 19th century. Originally established in 1938 near Salt Lake City, the collection was relocated to Lagoon in 1976, where it remains a significant attraction.

Description

Pioneer Village is a reconstruction of a frontier town, complete with rustic wooden sidewalks, historical storefronts, and period-accurate furnishings. Visitors can explore over 40 authentic 19th-century buildings, including a schoolhouse, church, blacksmith shop, and general store.

Buildings and Exhibits

Pioneer Village houses a variety of historical structures, many of which were relocated from different parts of Utah. Some notable buildings include:

Rock Chapel – Originally built in Coalville, Utah, in 1853, this structure has served as a fort, courthouse, schoolhouse, and church.
Erastus Bingham Cabin – A log cabin constructed in 1853, representing early settler life.
Gingerbread House – A Victorian-style home built in 1904, showcasing period furniture.
Village Blacksmith – A blacksmith shop dating back to 1858, featuring original tools.
Carriage Hall – Displays antique carriages and wheeled conveyances from the turn of the century.
Gun Collection – One of the largest collections of small arms in the country, including guns, slingshots, crossbows, and cannons.

Attractions

Rides

Rattlesnake Rapids - A river rapids raft ride

The District (New for 2025)

The District is a new area in Pioneer Village featuring family-friendly rides. It features a steampunk-inspired theme amongst the rides. Debuting in 2025, the District will expand the ride selection in Pioneer Village by introducing two new rides and relocating a third.

Time Tinker - A Zamperla Nebulas ride
Steamworx - An Art Engineering Wild Swing
Rivets & Rotors - Relocated and rethemed Helicopters ride

Other Attractions

Pioneer Photo Gallery – Offers old-time photo experiences, allowing guests to dress in Western or Victorian attire.
Ice Cream Parlour - An old-time ice cream parlour featuring Farr's Ice Cream

Old Attractions

Log Flume
Stagecoach
Pioneer Village Railroad
Lagoon Miniature Railroad

History

Pioneer Village was originally founded by Horace and Ethel Sorensen in 1938 near Salt Lake City. The collection was later managed by the Sons of Utah Pioneers, who struggled with funding and maintenance costs. In 1975, Lagoon purchased the collection for $275,000, covering moving expenses and integrating it into the amusement park as part of a bicentennial project. The village officially opened at Lagoon in 1976, alongside a Log Flume ride.

Pioneer Village remains a cherished attraction at Lagoon, offering visitors a glimpse into Utah’s pioneer past. Despite being part of an amusement park, the village maintains its historical integrity, with minimal commercialization. The collection continues to be preserved and expanded, ensuring that future generations can experience Utah’s rich heritage.

References

Escape to another time at Lagoon's Pioneer Village, Deseret News, 18 Aug 2011.
Pioneer Village, UtahRails.net

Attractions

Rides - Lagoon-A-Beach - Pioneer Village - Entertainment - Games - Frightmares - Other Attractions

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Pioneer Village''' is a "living museum" of Utah's pioneer times located at Lagoon.
+[[File:PV 2017 Tower.jpg|thumb|Looking down main street in Pioneer Village in 2017]]
+'''Pioneer Village''' is a themed section of Lagoon Amusement Park, designed as a living museum showcasing Utah’s pioneer heritage. The village features historical buildings, artifacts, and exhibits that transport visitors back to the late 19th century. Originally established in 1938 near Salt Lake City, the collection was relocated to Lagoon in 1976, where it remains a significant attraction.
-{{stub}}
+== Description ==
+Pioneer Village is a reconstruction of a frontier town, complete with rustic wooden sidewalks, historical storefronts, and period-accurate furnishings. Visitors can explore over 40 authentic 19th-century buildings, including a schoolhouse, church, blacksmith shop, and general store.
+== Buildings and Exhibits ==
+Pioneer Village houses a variety of historical structures, many of which were relocated from different parts of Utah. Some notable buildings include:
+* '''Rock Chapel''' – Originally built in Coalville, Utah, in 1853, this structure has served as a fort, courthouse, schoolhouse, and church.
+* '''Erastus Bingham Cabin''' – A log cabin constructed in 1853, representing early settler life.
+* '''Gingerbread House''' – A Victorian-style home built in 1904, showcasing period furniture.
+* '''Village Blacksmith''' – A blacksmith shop dating back to 1858, featuring original tools.
+* '''Carriage Hall''' – Displays antique carriages and wheeled conveyances from the turn of the century.
+* '''Gun Collection''' – One of the largest collections of small arms in the country, including guns, slingshots, crossbows, and cannons.
+[[File:PV Main 2017.jpg|thumb|A view of Pioneer Village looking from the south side of the village towards the north.]]
+== Attractions ==
+=== Rides ===
+* [[Rattlesnake Rapids]] - A river rapids raft ride
+==== The District (New for 2025) ====
+The District is a new area in Pioneer Village featuring family-friendly rides. It features a steampunk-inspired theme amongst the rides. Debuting in 2025, the District will expand the ride selection in Pioneer Village by introducing two new rides and relocating a third.
+* [[Time Tinker]] - A Zamperla Nebulas ride
+* [[Steamworx]] - An Art Engineering Wild Swing
+* [[Rivets & Rotors]] - Relocated and rethemed Helicopters ride
+=== Other Attractions ===
+* Pioneer Photo Gallery – Offers old-time photo experiences, allowing guests to dress in Western or Victorian attire.
+* Ice Cream Parlour - An old-time ice cream parlour featuring Farr's Ice Cream
+[[File:Log Flume.jpg|thumb|Old Log Flume ride. Used to be where [[The District]] now sits.]]
+== Old Attractions ==
+* [[Log Flume]]
+* Stagecoach
+* Pioneer Village Railroad
+* Lagoon Miniature Railroad
+== History ==
+Pioneer Village was originally founded by Horace and Ethel Sorensen in 1938 near Salt Lake City. The collection was later managed by the Sons of Utah Pioneers, who struggled with funding and maintenance costs. In 1975, Lagoon purchased the collection for $275,000, covering moving expenses and integrating it into the amusement park as part of a bicentennial project. The village officially opened at Lagoon in 1976, alongside a Log Flume ride.
+Pioneer Village remains a cherished attraction at Lagoon, offering visitors a glimpse into Utah’s pioneer past. Despite being part of an amusement park, the village maintains its historical integrity, with minimal commercialization. The collection continues to be preserved and expanded, ensuring that future generations can experience Utah’s rich heritage.
+== See Also ==
+* [https://lagoonhistory.com/project/attractions/pioneer-village/ Pioneer Village page] on Lagoon History
+* [https://www.lagoonpark.com/what-to-do/pioneer-village/ Pioneer Village page] on Lagoon's official website
+== References ==
+* [https://www.deseret.com/2011/8/18/20210386/escape-to-another-time-at-lagoon-s-pioneer-village/ Escape to another time at Lagoon's Pioneer Village], Deseret News, 18 Aug 2011.
+* [https://utahrails.net/utahrails/pioneer-village.php Pioneer Village], UtahRails.net
+{{Attractions}}
+[[Category:Attractions]]