Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Trip to Disneyland, July 1958 - Part Two

Continuing from yesterday, we are still exploring Main Street U.S.A. First up is this nice overview from the steps of the train station.


What a great shot of Main Street! I love that banner for the Columbia overhead. The two gentlemen to the right in vests and shirt sleeves must be cast members, probably having something to do with the various Main Street vehicles. That's my guess, anyway!


The Fire Department building looks comfortingly solid and sensible. Did that bell on top ever ring? Who knows, Walt might've been up there in his apartment when this picture was snapped. I'm wondering if that balcony area to the left was used by the Disney's while entertaining guests?


Good old City Hall... I don't know what went on there back in 1958; I believe that you could sign the guest book, at least. With the tri-colored bunting and bright sunshine, it would be pretty easy to believe that this was a photo from some real midwestern town around the fourth of July.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, take away the castle, and you could be in a real town. Fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Yeah! A very nice town.

I think it's so telling that Walt didn't choose City Hall for his place. He chose to "man" the fire dept. Probably felt a bit like that, being "on call" so much. But more than that, tho' he was ostensibly The Boss, he wanted to be part of it not just command it if y'know what I mean. :)

The Viewliner Limited said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Viewliner Limited said...

The greatest Main Street in the USA.

Thufer said...

agreed, town square and main street usa are a major influence on everyone's visit to the park. funny, "experts" of the time told walt that the single entrance to dl was a mistake. ha!

what an interesting thought. why walt put his apartment above the firehouse, as appose to any other place he wanted.(?)

on my first visit to the park and all after that, my parents signed the guess book at city hall and to it's subsequent locations. i remember the large books by states.

Nancy said...

its fun to think that Walt might have been "home" when this photo was taken....

our photog certainly had a good eye. these pictures are wonderful...im so excited that he/she didnt walk past the lovely banner before making the image :)

Glen Banks said...

Walt did use the adjoining area for entertaining- but mostly as a viewing stand for the parades.

Jason Schultz said...

Main Street is so full of life here!

I know that some of the state books from Carefree Corner were saved (after being stored in the City Hall attic for many years). More recent guest books from The Walt Disney Story Featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln didn't fare so well, although I do have one from ca. April 1998.

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