With cowboys, Indians, and a real saloon, the Wild West comes alive in Frontierland. So don your cowboy hat and brace yourself for an exhilarating Wild West adventure that's just waiting for you.
A dense forest opens up behind Main Street U.S.A., right next to Central Plaza. The wind blows through the trees, and you can hear the birds twittering. A few teepees are hidden among the trees, and a little further along the path is a large fortification: Fort Comstock. The fort was built from big tree stumps to ward off attacks from the Indians.
The small town of Thunder Mesa is located behind the gates of the fort. The mining town was founded around the middle of the 19th century, when the gold rush swept across the world, drawing people from all around the globe to California. A few people already lived in this area before them, especially poachers, farmers and smugglers. You could buy all the necessary equipment from Tobias Norton & Sons, the first shop in Thunder Mesa. Around 1850, Henry Ravenswood discovered gold in Big Thunder Mountain. This great mountain rises high above the city, and in the waters of the Rivers of the Far West, where not only elegant paddle steamers make their rounds, but also smugglers and other dodgy people can be found. Ravenswood founded the Thunder Mesa Mining Company, and as news of his gold discovery spread, people from all over the world came to Thunder Mesa. New stores, such as the Thunder Mesa Mercantile Building, opened to meet the diverse needs of the new residents. Of course, the town also needed a saloon in which the miners and treasure hunters could relax in the evening: The Lucky Nugget Saloon was born and quickly became the central point of contact in the town. The Silver Spur Steakhouse on the other side was the most exclusive restaurant in the area. All those who did not have much money or liked the more sinister atmosphere met every night in the Last Chance Café.
The fate of the city was primarily influenced by Indian gods. In the Indians' belief, a thunderbird, a powerful and majestic creature, protects Big Thunder Mountain. As soon as someone tries to steal the treasures from this mountain, the thunderbird will rise and send lightning down to earth. The gold miners, who had only their possible wealth in mind, did not care and continued to mine. But one day, an earthquake, in which Henry Ravenswood and his wife lost their lives, shook the mine and the whole city. The mine had to close, and many residents, including the Ravenswoods, left Thunder Mesa. The Ravenswood family left behind a magnificent property - Phantom Manor - a little out of the way, and the remaining residents spend most of their time farming again. The district of Cottonwood Creek Ranch testifies to these activities. On special occasions, the villagers would gather in the large barn to celebrate together, each guest bringing their own chair.
Thunder Mesa, with its gold rush history and the enduring connection to the railroad, stands as a testament to the resilience of its people. Despite the challenges, it was never entirely abandoned, a story that continues to inspire visitors.
