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Busch Gardens Europe opened in 1975, near the colonial capitol of Williamsburg, Virginia. Originally called “The Old Country,” planning for this park began in the mid-1960’s when the company started looking for a place to build a new brewery. In 1969, the company purchased a 3,000-plus acre tract of land just east of Williamsburg on the James River. According to a Sept. 17, 1969 Wall Street Journal article, the tract would be used to build a brewery, a residential development and recreation attraction. Company officials were quoted as saying the company “has been actively studying the land development business for the past 12 months as part of its long-range diversification program.” As a condition of the sale, Busch Gardens could not use an “early American” theme, since it could detract from the historical site located in Williamsburg. Construction of the brewery began soon afterward and was completed in 1971. Then in April 1973, the company’s board of directors approved plans for a 300-400 acre theme park on the site adjacent to the brewery. - From Official Site

Bush Gardens Europe Official Site

Bush Gardens Official Site

Thanks to VerySpatial

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