A landmark Wild West theme park nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina will remain open through 2010, despite skyrocketing land prices that threatened to shutter its doors.

The Tweetsie Railroad theme park was up against a 2007 deadline to renew land leases or close, but owners negotiated deals so the family-run park could operate for at least a few more years at its current location in Blowing Rock. The park, which opened for the season May 4, celebrates its 50th season of entertaining families this year.

The vast theme park has live shows, an animal park, amusement rides and its main attraction and namesake - a historic steam locomotive called Tweetsie No. 12.