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Fort Cheyenne

Classic Western Playset

Toy soldier manufacturers were quick to compete with Marx's "Fort Apache" Playset. The time was right for Western Toys, since the "Wild West" genre was the biggest draw on Television and the Movies. Ideal's response was a plastic box, covered with printed vinyl. The covering was printed with the details of a Western fort. Inside was a vinyl fort and a vacuformed plastic Indian village. Vacuformed rooftops were included for the fort's towers.

Ideal's playset fit nicely into a box. Bright and colorful, it was easy to set into action. A child had only to open the box, and he had the fort and Indian village in place. From there, he needed only to emplace the rooftops, and set up the cavalry and Indians. It was neat, simple and light. Our example is in very good condition, showing this fort pretty much as it looked when originally sold. The two towers and most original figures are missing.

This is the box, unopened. This scene becomes the bottom of the box, when opened.

Box side shows exciting images of a Western fort.

Inside the box is a complete fort and village. Great colors enhance the toy. The figures here came with the set that was sold to us, but may not be original.

Inside the fort is a well, and outside is the river and tepees.

Indian village is vacuformed plastic, painted in bright colors.

Close up of tower. Like tin-litho, the vinyl has plenty of "printed on" detail.

Shadow the Cat inspects. Note the gateway with opening vinyl doors.

The Ideal toy was a competitor to Marx's tin-litho "carry-all" verion of Fort Apache. The Marx toy was a folding metal box that could be opened into a fort.

Box bottom. Most boys in 1955 - 1965 would recognize the Kentucky long rifle, tomahawk, Bowie knife, revolver and peace pipe.

Click here to see figures that came with the set

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This is the box, unopened. This scene becomes the bottom of the box, when opened.	Box side shows exciting images of a Western fort.
Inside the box is a complete fort and village. Great colors enhance the toy. The figures here came with the set that was sold to us, but may not be original.	Inside the fort is a well, and outside is the river and tepees.
Indian village is vacuformed plastic, painted in bright colors.	Close up of tower. Like tin-litho, the vinyl has plenty of "printed on" detail.
Shadow the Cat inspects. Note the gateway with opening vinyl doors.	The Ideal toy was a competitor to Marx's tin-litho "carry-all" verion of Fort Apache. The Marx toy was a folding metal box that could be opened into a fort.
Box bottom. Most boys in 1955 - 1965 would recognize the Kentucky long rifle, tomahawk, Bowie knife, revolver and peace pipe.