Old Tucson, the Western-themed attraction that was the filming location of more than 400 feature films and TV shows, has closed indefinitely, with its future to be determined by Pima County.
The decision to close the Arizona landmark “was made with a heavy heart,” according to Old Tucson general manager Terry Verhage, who said in a Tuesday news release that the theme park would have remained in business “if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“We know how important Old Tucson is to our community, guests and employees,” he said. “We did everything possible to keep our loyal fans safe when we were open, but the ongoing COVID-19 public-health protocols and restrictions limited park attendance to the point where Old Tucson could no longer stay in business.”
Pima County will take over responsibility for the theme park on Sept. 14. It “will seek ideas from potential operators and lessors about what Old Tucson could be in the future,” the news release said.
“Old Tucson is a cultural and historic icon, not only for Pima County and Arizona, but for the country. A huge part of our nation’s film history is embedded in the land and scenic vistas of the Tucson Mountains. Whatever the park’s future may be, the county will endeavor to preserve and honor that history,” said Ramón Valadez, chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
The county owns the land for the park west of Tucson and leases it to Old Tucson Company for the attraction. The lease agreement, which was initially entered into in 1973, was last amended in 2003 and runs through 2023. It stipulates that Old Tucson would pay the county a minimum of $50,000 annually in rent and remain open a minimum of 150 days a year, according to the contract.
Old Tucson Company, comprised of a group of local owners, had been making its lease payments until the county paused leases on all its properties during the pandemic, according to chief deputy county administrator Jan Lesher. She added that county supervisors have to vote to terminate the contract.
Lesher acknowledged that revenue and attendance at Old Tucson had been waning over the previous years, but that the venue had managed to adapt with new events and upscale dining, as well as a zip line. But this year was just too much to overcome, she said.
A few of the things that happen on Tucson summer days.
Asked what the future might hold for Old Tucson, Lesher said it’s too early to tell, but that the county would like to occupy the space with something that stays true to the surrounding desert and mountains, but also complements the nearby Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
She said the county may have a better idea about the venue’s future in eight to 10 months.
“Theme parks today are not what they were 50 years ago,” she said, adding that the county will provide minimal staff for security and to maintain the grounds.
“What we do needs to be forever. I don’t know what that is going to look like yet but I bet there are people out there with some good ideas.”
Old Tucson’s murky future marks a potential final moment in the up-and-down history of the site that has been a signature spot in Tucson for more than eight decades.
Originally built in 1939, the location, down Gates Pass and nestled adjacent to the Tucson Mountains, was used to film some of the most well-known Western movies of the next several decades, including “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” “Rio Bravo,” “El Dorado,” and “¡Three Amigos!” as well as the TV series “Little House on the Prairie.” The actors who walked its roads include John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Gene Autry, Kurt Russell and Sharon Stone.
The site was expanded to a tourist spot in the 1960s.
It suffered its first big blow three decades later when more than 40 buildings in the 360-acre park were destroyed in a massive 1995 fire, causing an estimated $10 million in damage, with fire officials determining the cause to be arson. It remained closed until 1997 after more than 200 workers helped rebuild 16 structures and install fire hydrants in the park.
Despite its reopening, Old Tucson’s financial struggles anew in the new millennium, spurned mostly by the nationwide tourism decline and the Great Recession, but also when filming at the site nearly ceased completely after changes in state laws eliminated support for filming in Arizona and increased operational costs.
Then came the pandemic, with much of Old Tucson remaining closed since Memorial Day due to local restrictions necessitated by efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Old Tucson recently had announced the cancellation of its signature event, Nightfall, which drew more than 34,000 last year and helped cover operational costs throughout the year.
Old Tucson did receive a loan of between $150,000 and $350,000 through the federal paycheck protection program that was used to save 26 jobs, records show.
A spokeswoman for Old Tucson did not respond to an email on Tuesday regarding how many people were employed by the attraction and whether they had been furloughed or laid off during the pandemic.
Even with its recent financial troubles, Diane Frisch, Pima County Attractions and Tourism Office director, said the county “has a responsibility to maintain and protect this valuable asset.”
“Old Tucson was and has the potential to still be an important contributor to the regional tourist economy,” she said in a statement.
Photos: Moviemaking at Old Tucson Studios
Visitors at Old Tucson often have a chance to watch actual movie or television filming. Shown in the foreground, they watch actor Cameron Mitchell at work in July 1977. John Wayne, Paul Newman, Glenn Ford, Clint Eastwood and Kirk Douglas are among the stars that have filmed there.
James Coburn during production of "The Last Hard Man" at Old Tucson on November 6, 1975.
Lee Marvin, right, talks with Jack Palance during a break in the filming of "Monte Walsh" at Old Tucson in 1970. For this film the production company built the town of Harmony 35 miles east of Tucson. The set there is now the Mescal location and still used today.
Old Tucson Studios in 1980.
Night scenes for the John Wayne classic, "Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson on May 24 1958.
Building the soundstage at Old Tucson on June 11, 1968.
The cast of the televsion show "High Chaparral" on set at Old Tucson in May, 1968. From left, Henry Darrow, Leif Erickson and Don Collier, who lived in Tucson and showed up in local TV commercials later in life.
Glenn Ford at Old Tucson on October 1966 during production of "Pistolero" Upper Sabino Canyon was also used for filming. The classic Western actor also appeared as the bad guy in the original "3:10 to Yuma," also filmed at Old Tucson.
Dean Martin hangs on to Ricky Nelson as John Wayne takes a swing with a blanket on the set of Rio Bravo at Old Tucson Studios in 1959.
Actor Max von Sydow gets makeup on the set of "Reward" on June 15, 1964. A section of the Old Tucson in Tucson Mountain Park was remodeled to depict a street in a small Mexican town. Two of the movie's scenes were filmed at Old Tucson.
Actor John Saxon, left, and director John Huston during production of "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean" at Old Tucson in December, 1971. The film starred Paul Newman.
An Andy Warhol Western? Yep. It was "Lonesome Cowboys" and it was filmed at Old Tucson in 1968.
The streets of Old Tucson transformed for the movie "McLintock!" starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in December, 1962.
A film camera truck pulls a stagecoach on the set of "The Lone Ranger" near Old Tucson in 1957.
Sidney Poitier with Lilia Skala on the set of "Lilies of the Field" Movie in December 1962. Poitier was the first African American actor to win the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Homer Smith in the movie.
On the set of "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" in 1957. It starred Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas and was directed by John Sturges, who directed several other movies at Old Tucson.
Actor Paul Newman has his photo taken by his wife Joanne Woodward during a break in filming of "Hombre" at Old Tucson in 1967. Woodward said, "Being married to Paul is being married to the most considerate, romantic man." Newman died in 2008.
Director John Sturges, left, confers with actor Clint Eastwood during production of "Joe Kidd" at Old Tucson on December 2, 1971. Sturges was a well-known action film director with such hits as "The Great Escape" and "The Eagle Has Landed."
Noah Beery Jr. at Old Tucson on June 5, 1968. He played James Garner's father in the TV series, "Rockford Files."
Walter Brennan snd John Wayne during filming of Rio Bravo in 1958. These ruins are leftover walls from the Mexican Village built for the film "Arizona." John Wayne filmed four movies at Old Tucson.
A building is expanded during set improvements for the movie "El Dorado" starring John Wayne and Robert Mitchum at Old Tucson on September 28, 1965.
The church is changed using adobe bricks during set improvements for the movie "El Dorado" starring John Wayne and Robert Mitchum at Old Tucson on September 28, 1965.
Robert Shelton (left) then president of Old Tucson talks with art director George Chan (right) from 20th Century Fox during building construction in 1964.
A scene from the 1940 film "Arizona" for which Old Tucson was built. The look and feel of the town was more authentic than any Western filmed to that point..
James Arness rides through Old Tucson as Sheriff Matt Dillon in TVs Gunsmoke. Gunsmoke ran from 1955-1975, though most episodes were filmed in Southern California.
Kirk Douglas shows other actors how to draw and whirl during the filming of "Posse" at Old Tucson in October, 1974. Douglas was the star and director of the film.
Actor Josh Brolin, who played Jimmy Hickok in the television show "The Young Riders" on the set at Old Tucson Studios in August, 1989. Brolin is an accomplished actor, with credits like "No Country for Old Men."
Moses Gunn (left) and Merlin Olsen (right), rehearse a scene from one of the many episodes of "Father Murphy" filmed at Old Tucson from 1981-83. Olsen was a Pro Hall of Fame tackle for the Los Angeles Rams.
Actress Michelle Carey (best known for her role in "El Dorado" with John Wayne) on the set of "Scandalous John" at Old Tucson in November, 1970. Carey spent most of her career in supporting TV roles, including three appearances in "The Wild Wild West."
John Wayne, on the set of "Rio Lobo" in Old Tucson in June, 1970, confessed to Tucson Citizen movie critic Micheline Keating that he was nervous about the Academy Awards show the next night. He won Best Actor for "True Grit." Rio Lobo was his last film at Old Tucson.
An extra catching a snooze in the warm sun on the set of "McLintock!" at Old Tucson in 1962.
Writer-director Burt Kennedy, right, on the set of "Young Billy Young," aka "Who Rides with Kane" at Old Tucson in July, 1968. Actor John Anderson is at left. Kennedy, a decorated WWII veteran, also directed "The War Wagon," "Support Your Local Gunfighter," and episodes for several TV show.
