| City/Town: • Sand Springs |
| Location Class: • Theater |
| Built: • 1976 | Abandoned: • 2014 |
| Status: • Restored (2022) |
| Photojournalist: • Billy Dixon • Johnny Fletcher • Emily Cowan |
Since 1976, the Discoveryland amphitheater has brought family fun and musicals to Sand Springs and the surrounding area. Most popularly known for its showing of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma!”. Construction was underway in the area of “Coyote Trails” with architect Frank Wallace, contractors F&D Construction Co., and developer World Changer Inc. After completion, it would feature seating for 2,000, parking for 800, and a “trading post” where one could buy tickets, knick-knacks, concession stand, and camping area.
The debut musical was Dust on Her Petticoats with a cast of around 80 and a crew of 45. In addition, it was the first production in the area to feature womanhood while having a woman director. More popularly known, was its production of Oklahoma! The success was what put Discoverland on the map, so much so that they were awarded the 1979 Governor’s Tourism Award. It was because of the success that in June of 1980, the musical found its way back home from Broadway to Discoveryland. It was proclaimed home of the “Oklahoma!” production. “Naturally, we’re delighted and honored that Rodgers and Hammerstein have paid Discoveryland the tribute. But equally important to us is the fact the show will now be presented in its “home” state on an ongoing basis,” Bill Jeffers, General Manager of Discoverland said. The seasons lasted 13-weeks from June-August, for dinner and a show it would run you about $10 per adult making it the ideal spot for a whole summer full of family entertainment.
In 1987, Discoveryland hit some bumps in the road when the IRS seized the property threatening to sell it at auction unless the owners paid the more than $173,000 they owed in back taxes. World Changers Inc., the owners of the property, paid the amount shortly after causing the auction date set for the amphitheater to be canceled. They also owned the state more than $130,000 and over $30,000 in penalties and interest from a suit filed in February for withholding tax. Shortly after all the money troubles began, in 1992, the owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect creditors from closing the production.
DiscoveryLand came to an end in the summer of 2011 unknowingly. Owners at the time said record heat and money were to blame. It would stay closed for two more summers after that before announcing official closure in 2014. The amphitheater held the production of Oklahoma! there every summer for 34 years, making memories for hundreds of thousands of people. In 2018, a $20 million dollar membership-only “Discoveryland Range and Resort” were attempted at the Discoveryland grounds quickly becoming a failed endeavor. Some thought that maybe the property would never come back and would forever be just a memory.
Discoveryland Ranch Wedding and Event Venue
But then Jason & Kayla Shipman came along as a saving grace. Purchasing the property in 2019 for $1.7 million dollars in hopes of making the 525 acres their dream property. With a vision for a new multi-use event center and a significant remodel of the Amphitheater and Picnic Pavilion, construction on the property started in late 2020. Some of the older buildings such as the gift shop, BBQ pit and costume house were too far gone to salvage. The Event Center sits where the “Indian Trading Post” once stood and is a beautiful testament to the hard work and dedication that has gone into making this a place for Oklahoma families to continue to enjoy once again. The Picnic Pavillion still stands and is in the process of having a pond with a built-in water feature beside it to not only give a stunning view but create a perfect background for photos to capture these lifelong memories. The Amphitheater, the heart of Discoveryland, was stripped to the bare bones and looked quite dull for some time with its lack of glam. Now, it’s as if it was built brand new, the front face of what was previously the lighting and sound booth was given an update with light rock and new windows. The booth will now serve as an open bar for guests. Other updates made to the amphitheater were rock benches put in, new concrete staining, rails along the ends, new concrete terraces to allow for seating, a new stage, and a new long-lasting roof.
We are so excited for the grand debut of the Discoveryland Ranch in May of 2022 and to watch this land receive even more love from the community. To follow along with their updates Click Here to follow them on Facebook or Click Here to check out their brand new website!
Gallery Below of Discoveryland
“18 Nov 1987, 3 – Sapulpa daily herald at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/662121757/?terms=discoveryland.
“20 JUL 1992, 1 – Sapulpa daily herald at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/662245229/?terms=discoveryland.
“20 May 2018, 19 – the Daily Oklahoman at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/452687079/?terms=discoveryland.
“31 JUL 1977, 165 – the Daily Oklahoman at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/451613028/?terms=discoveryland.
“31 JUL 1988, 11 – Sapulpa daily herald at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/662214352/?terms=discoveryland.
“6 Jun 1976, 7 – Sapulpa daily herald at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/661838181/?terms=discoveryland.
“7 Jun 1980, 24 – the Daily Oklahoman at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/452470209/?terms=discoveryland.
Jeffers, B. “Discoveryland in sand springs closed permanently.” KOKI, 31 July 2014, www.fox23.com/news/discoveryland-sand-springs-closed-permanently/109231533/.
Argo, Jim. Discoveryland, photograph, July 1993; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1641587/: accessed July 10, 2020), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.
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Anyone remember Camp Cute and Spooky? Such a fun time for Halloween on this property with my “city kids” A magical forest, campfire, smores, horses, and pumpkin painting! I also remember going to the plays every year! Please restore this for future generations!!
When I was in 7th grade, my junior high school spring play was Oklahoma. I played the character Will Parker. That summer, my parents took me to Discoveryland to watch their production of Oklahoma. After the show, we were allowed to come on stage and meet the performers. I immediately found the actor that played Will Parker. I’m 53 now. That’s something I will remember forever.
My mom worked there for so many years. She loved it! She passed in 2012 and it’s like a part of this place passed with her.
Worked at Discoveryland for a few summers. Some early mornings and sometimes into the wee hours of the night. Always great fun and always unexpected adventures. Robberies and overnight camping. Horse wrangling and wildlife management. Lots of BBQ and strawberries with ice cream. Not to mention coworkers and visitors. These things combined made for a lifetime of memories and unending stories.
Our daughter performed here for six years. We enjoyed every performance. It was a wonderful event with something for the whole family!
It was sad when it closed.
I performed there a few times. They always failed to pay us so we stopped coming.
I actually live by this. We use to be able to hear the plays in our back yard and our parents took us to their halloween event. Its sad what the new owner tried to do with it and I hope the new new owners can revive it
I helped build the place when I was a kid!
So sad to see this once-thriving venue now in ruins. My wife and I saw their production of Oklahoma! twice and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. We really enjoyed the dinner meal and pre-show entertainment and activities. As I remember it was really hot the last time we visited but their ice cream was a welcome relief if eaten before it melted! At least we still have our good memories of visiting this family oriented place!
Pretty sure one time i went there years ago and they were selling snake meat at the concessions. I liked that place it had character
Oh no! We went and saw Oklahoma! the musical there years ago. It was wonderful
Every summer dad wanted us to go finally one summer my family went we got there in our seats waiting for it to start and in came a huge storm we all had to leave and never got to go!
I wihs it had hung around long enough for me to take my kids! I loved going when I was a kid!
That place was so cool and had some decent bbq sandwhiches. It was such a great place to take friends and family from out of town. So bummed it shut down.
Loved this place!
I regret not visiting the place before it closed. It is in my town and intended to visit when I moved here but never got around to it. My vet and her husband purchased it. I am happy that a very nice family have got it, it will be interesting to see what they will do with the place. I did hear it was going to be turned into a working ranch.
LOVED Discoveryland!!
Ive seen Dust on Her Petticoats there several times!
So sad to see it gone! Always loved going to Discoveryland
We went several times during my childhood. I absolutely LOVED it. Wish they could revive it again
I remember going there with my grandma when i was little i always loved it
What a great place that was!!!! And the musicals were such quality performances!
I grew up not far from here and attended each summer. This makes me so sad.
Went several times as a kid. Big open BBQ dinner where you’d meet new people and kids could play while adults talked. Then the show kept all ages enthralled!
They put on alot of wonderful show. Lots of great talent.
I worked there during a summer and my mom worked in the ticket booth for several summers
Sooo sad that this closed! Loved seeing Oklahoma! and also Seven Brides for Seven Brothers there. What a gem lost.
This was a great venue for a night out. The dinner was fabulous! And the production never disappointed. Someone please reopen this gem in green country!!!
I miss going there during the summer. Now my granddaughters are old enought to enjoy the play, its so sad its not there anymore. I hope someone will revive Discoveryland with all the fringe and horse
Im so sad this sint around anymore for our grandkids to enjoy. We LOVED going to see the shows there.
brion and jennifer owned it be for shipmans. i used to go over there every day and ride my 4 wheeler and help steve over there
I was an usherette the first season it opened. I was 15. Enthralled by the behind the scene production. Loved it!
My dad made us go and as a teen, I’d have rather cut off my pinky finger than go here. I didn’t realize the seating capacity, pretty cool!
I saw 7 Brides for 7 Brothers there
I took my son to see that there. He loved that play/movie.
So many good memories. We went every year and lived around the corner on 209 W. Avenue. -former part of Tulsa Boys Home old ranch. Anyone remember that from early 70’s?
When I went there, they didn’t have seats like that.
I would have sworn they were orange
I thought they were just wood planks.
I worked there for 2 summers in 2009 and 2010. All the trash left there is sad to see.
I only went once but I have great memories.