Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Jungeland - Thousand Oaks - April 1959

Today I am posting the remaining batch of Jungleland photos from April 1959 (see the other installment here).

I get a kick out of these because the hillsides in the background are so familiar to me, having lived in Thousand Oaks for many years. And because I have fuzzy (but fond) memories of Jungleland from when I was a tiny tot.

I wish I knew more about the performers seen in these photos. From the looks of things, they were just passing through with their trailers. Maybe they were only at Jungleland for a week or so, who knows. As you can see, a crowd has gathered 'round to watch the antics of a performing chimpanzee.


Man, that chimp is talented! I can't do that pose standing on the ground, much less atop a pole. Believe me, I've tried and tried, especially at funerals and job interviews.


It's an elephant conga line! At least I hope that's what it is.


Until I saw these photos, I never knew that there were trapeze artists at Jungleland. But I can't be too surprised, since the park straddled the line between zoo and circus.


They fly through the air with the greatest of ease. You may think they are using a safety net, but that is actually a net made of piano wire. One slip and they will be reduced to meat cubes. Lions love meat cubes.


Man, I gotta get into that trapeze racket, check out the babes! Don't worry, I respect them for their minds, which makes me awesome.


I hope you have enjoyed your visit to JUNGLELAND U.S.A.!

9 comments:

Nanook said...

It's hard to believe Jungleland U.S.A. was a permanent attraction - what, with the way many viewers are merely standing around behind ropes, squinting their eyes to stop the bright rays of Mr. Sun from spoiling their view of the elephant conga line, or the antics of a multi-jointed chimpanzee. No wonder Walt had 'other ideas' for a family entertainment "park".

Rich T. said...

Your commentary about the chimp, conga line and trapeze gave me the best laughs I've had in a week. Thank you!

Shawn said...

Those are some great pictures (being over 50 years old). Thanks for sharing.

Katella Gate said...

Mmmmm.... Meat Cubes

K. Martinez said...

The elephant conga image is really cool. I love the trees in the background. Great set today!

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, in a way the fact that the public could get so close to the animals (nothing separating them from those elephants except for a foot-high ring) is what made it great. It's just one more charming little park that couldn't survive the rising costs - and probably low attendance - and closed 10 years after these photos were taken.

Rich T., thanks!

Shawn, I'm glad you liked these.

Katella Gate, they are perfect for stews!

K. Martinez, those scraggly oak trees are all over the place out there, and I love them too!

Melissa said...

The men ain't so bad, neither. Whoo-wee!

Debbie V. said...

Hey it's a small world after all - we lived in T.O. from 1998-2003 in St. Charles Oaks apartments near the Janss Mall. My daughter graduated from TOHS in 2004 (we lived in Camarillo her senior year) but since I still worked in T.O. I brought her over the grade every morning on my way to work and back again in the afternoon.
Where was Jungleland located?

outsidetheberm said...

From the way the cars and trailers are parked on the property (and the lack of any fixed structures), you'd wonder if this was a special event of some kind.

Need I mention you are one funny fella, David? Thanks for a good laugh.