Trail Dust Town facts for kids
Trail Dust Town is a cool place in Tucson, Arizona. It's like stepping back into the Old West! You can shop, eat, and have fun here.
Even though it's a shopping area, Trail Dust Town has many old and interesting things. One special item is an Allan Herschell merry-go-round. It was made in 1954 and still has its first horses and seats!
Contents
The Story of Trail Dust Town
Trail Dust Town first opened its doors in 1961. A builder named Howard Hamm created it. He built it on an old movie set. This set was for a 1951 movie that was never finished.
When it first opened, Trail Dust Town had many shops. In 1962, the Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse was built. It quickly became a very popular restaurant. The restaurant was even shown on the Man v. Food TV show in 2019.
Playbox Theatre: A Stage for Fun
From 1961 to 1982, Trail Dust Town was home to the Playbox Theatre. This was one of Tucson's first community theater groups. The theater moved to Trail Dust Town to grow bigger. The building where it was located is now called The Savoy Opera House. Today, people rent it for parties and other events. The original stage is still there!
Museum of the Horse Soldier: A Look Back
Trail Dust Town also used to have a special museum. It was called the Museum of the Horse Soldier. This museum told the story of U.S. soldiers who rode horses. It had one of the biggest collections of items from the time of military horses. You could see old saddles, uniforms, and weapons.
The museum started in 2013 and became famous worldwide. It was featured on the BBC, History Channel, and Discovery Channel. Some cool things there included a Civil War collection. It also had rare U.S. military saddles from the 1830s to today. The museum moved out of Trail Dust Town in June 2019. It is still looking for a new home.
Fun Things to Do at Trail Dust Town
Trail Dust Town Railroad: All Aboard!
The Trail Dust Town Railroad is a small, motorized train. It runs on a 24-inch track that goes in a loop. You can get on the train at the train depot. This depot looks like an old station in Wallace, New York.
The train engine is named "C. P. Huntington" and is number 287. It pulls two passenger cars around the town. The train goes through different themed areas and two tunnels. It also crosses several small, working train crossings.
Pistoleros Wild West Show: Action and Laughs!
You can watch the Pistoleros Wild West Show twice every evening, from Friday to Sunday. This show is a funny slapstick comedy that celebrates the wild west. The shows last about 20 to 30 minutes. They happen on Dragoon Street, at the north end of Trail Dust Town.
The outdoor theater has metal benches for about 175 people. Many shows feature exciting stunts. You might see actors fall from two-story buildings. There are also cool dynamite explosion effects. Plus, you'll see many "rough and tumble" choreographed fights!
