Daved Thomson

The centered covered area that remained after the entrance moved, was not used for anything. Quite frankly, it looked very much like what it was... a former entrance.

That is correct. The ticket taker covered area was removed in 1978 and actual roofs (not tents) were added to the two end buildings (one housed restrooms and lost children). You can see in the picture of the antique car on Dream Street (taken in 1980) that the building in the background (toward the left) now had a real roof. I believe this is the same building appearing on the right (with a striped tent roof) in the picture of me with Spiderman (taken in 1977).

I think I just figured out how to create an album and post to it... I guess they have to be approved because they appear as "hidden."

I'm pretty sure about Cap N Crunch... If you look closely in the Magic Til Midnight commercial you'll also see him near the Flying Wave. How do I post pictures here? I have some of Spiderman, Keystone Kops, a stilt bike rider, etc. if you're interested in seeing them.

The character that is first on the left is Cap N Crunch (as in the cereal) and he roamed the park when the cereal sponsored the Aqua Spectacle (I believe 1978-1980). The character that you referrred to as Mayor Hock N. Swippit (I was always under the impression) was supposed to be a charicature of Warner LeRoy. I know that character was easily amongst the most visible in the park and he roamed the park from day one. Although not pictured here, there was also a giant chicken/rooster amongst the street characters (I personally found it to be terrifying as a child). Also, beginning in 1976 or 1977 Spiderman (who I had my pictures taken with) and Captain America were street characters as well, but I don't recall seeing them once Six Flags bought the park. Technically, I believe Kiddie Kingdom was originally called Marvel's Kiddie Kingdom (but I don't believe they actually had a licensing agreement).

Any idea whether these two people were related to Warner LeRoy, friends, or simply with the firm hired to do the logo for the park?

The stamp's artist is also the artist that created the original Great Adventure logo.

The second picture of the train is very interesting in that I do not ever recall the passenger cars being covered. The actual engine I recall seeing far more often than the engine in the first picture. Personally, I would really like to see a family attraction along these lines brought back to the park. The funny thing, though, is that I never road The Great Train at GA but did ride the trains at virtually every other theme park I went to back in the '70s and '80s.

I know for sure it traveled counter-clockwise, but I am guessing that it traveled both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotating seasons.

I'd have to say that would be false... I've seen paint fade, but I'm sure they were repainted at least once in the last 35 years.

I'm guessing this is 1981-1983 with a total of four Intam rides introduced during that period: Roaring Rapids introduced in 1981, Joustabout in 1982, Freefall and Parachuter's Perch in 1983.

The three sided signs you mention were added in 1978 for the first season of Six Flags' ownership. The signs showed not only rollercoasters, but scenes from the other four Six Flags parks as well. I believe there were only three of these signs (one near the fountain, one near the four tents, and one near Gingerbread Fancy). I remember a night time scene showing the Great Gasp at SFOG. I know they were still in the park as late as 1985. I remember when the GASM was added that its que had pictures and descriptions of other Six Flags coasters and I don't recall the three sided signs being in the park at that time. And, I couldn't agree more... They were a great way of cross promoting the parks, showed the uniqueness of each park, and made you want to go if you hadn't already been there before. If I recall correctly, they did not have the actual name or location of the park displayed on them, but simply the western style "Six Flags" text (with "Six" left aligned above "Flags") in the upper portion of the photo.

There was once an ATM located at this location before this shop was built.

What a coaster Rolling Thunder was for at least its first five years of operation!

For some reason, I am thinking the Runaway Train... But if not the RMT, was it the log flume ride?

I believe it was the ride that they had directly in the middle of Dream Street for a few seasons... The site where the paintball building now stands.

From what I understand, it's the animal quarantine area with the safari medical facilities being the buildings surrounded by trees in the lower left portion of the circle. The water pumping/treatment plant is located toward the right within the circle.

Great photo... 1979 or 1980 yearbook photo? As far as your thoughts on whether the star was to have been a functional building or work of art, I'd go with work of art. I'm saying that because it's located outside the park gates and the management's "constant need for revenue generation" with respect to any type of construction had not yet begun. Quite frankly, the GA was very welcoming and attractive. I remember my first visit with the new entrance and my mother saying "now why would they have Georgia's abbreviation instead of New Jersey's? That doesn't make any sense." LOL

You may recall, Harry, that the original Giant GA floral planting was located where the star is located on these drawings.

They moved the park's entrance from it's original location to its current locations, adding Avenue of the States (flying the flags of all 50 states) and Liberty Court (outer mall). The buildings on Avenue of the States were designed to look like those found in 1776. Here are two links to a New York Times story covering the changes for 1976. Please feel free to add these to your collection of articles. http://image71.webshots.com/71/2/51/37/264...99fgRqpN_fs.jpg and http://image69.webshots.com/569/7/63/33/23...99LyyYih_fs.jpg Enjoy!