Two Beauties from 1959
Today I have two extra nice photos from 1959! We'll start with this cool closeup of the Monsanto House of the Future. The composition is pretty nice, with the zig-zag walkway in the foreground, along with the little waterfalls and lovely landscaping.
As I have said before, this house was small, but I'd bet that many people would be thrilled to own such a home!
The plastic house was occasionally redecorated to keep the interior as fashionable as possible, and I am assuming that this photo was taken during one of those remodels. Note the ladders (at least two), along with those boxes at the top of the stairs.
Sleeping Beauty Castle made for an interesting juxtaposition with the futuristic house; this is kind of a neat angle, with the moat flowing past us, and all of the beautiful bushes and trees. I noticed that the lights along the moat are pointed down toward the water, which probably resulted in lovely reflections on the smooth white walls of the Monsanto house at night!
9 comments:
All three pictures are wonderful, but the last one has the look of a scale model. Almost toy-like.
Major-
The last image really is a beauty - complete with a sailor.
Thanks, Major.
It would've been interesting if the House of the Future would've been allowed to survive through Disneyland's History. If it was still standing it would've been sixty years old next year. In other words an older house. Like all aging houses, I'm sure it would've had its own set of problems. Wonder what kind of repairs would've been needed. I agree with the others about the last image. It's not a typical view which really makes it nice. Thanks, Major.
walterworld, the trees look like the kind you'd see if a miniature train set. Dyed sponges!
Nanook, notice that the sailor is gazing longingly down at the water. He can't stand be ashore.
K. Martinez, I actually have thought about that! You know those acrylic (or whatever) windows would have eventually turned an unpleasant yellow. And who knows if those cantilevered wings would have stayed so strong? Even "Fallingwater" needed major cantilever work. The house certainly would have required maintenance, but I get the feeling that it would have held up pretty well, structurally. Who knows!
Nice stuff, Major. So it looks like the water in and around the House of the Future was part of the Dark Water system. I love finding this kind of thing out. I guess I'll have to find that copy of the E Ticket that discusses the whole arrangement.
If Nanook hadn't pointed it out, I'd have missed the sailor. And if I hadn't had Photobucket set to 400% from analyzing that photo of the Airman from a few days ago, I wouldn't have noticed the Marine - walking with what was no doubt a very pretty girl - immediately behind him on the East Castle Walkway (or whatever you call the parade route).
Loved today's shots, Major!
Absolutely brilliant design! From the open floor plan, to the tiny footprint, this is STILL the house of the future. Sure the furnishings inside were too plastic, and who needs a sink to move up and down? But they got the huge flat TV screen right. It could have easily been upgraded to collect its own power and water. While floating over its own garden, the building fits into the futuristic cityscape, or the remote snowy mountains, and even compliments the blingy neighbors. Why aren't these everywhere? I'd be thrilled to live in that house any time, anywhere, but this location is the real dream come true. I can almost smell the marigolds.
Patrick Devlin, “dark water” sounds so haunted. Yes, that “E-Ticket” issue is really great - but then again, they all were.
Chuck, good grief, even when I zoom in that Airman is just a smudge! I would have never spotted him.
Anonymous, I totally agree with you! I know that the design is unusual, even by today’s standards, but housing is so expensive, and land is at such a premium, that I think that a pretty little home like this would appeal to a lot. Plus, the house was designed to be modular, so additional wings and cores could have been added for more space if needed. I really do wonder how much one of these might have cost if they’d gone into production. They’re almost begging to be placed somewhere up on Mulholland Drive so that they’ll have an amazing view of L.A. or the Valley.
My first thought when looking at the first picture was, "I wonder if that waterfall is connected to the clear water or dark water system."
I guess I've been hanging out here a lot...
And of course, someone already answered it.
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