Nice Frontierland, November 1958
Today I am happy to present two very nice vintage views of Frontierland. The frontieriest land around!
This first picture feels like it was almost an accident - what exactly was the photographer trying to capture? But that's what makes it different. It's hard to believe that there were large grassy parklike areas - the little bushes were presumably there to keep people off the lawn (no more little wire fences to trip over), but it looks like that strategy didn't necessarily work.
The restaurant to our left is The Oaks Tavern, which became the Stage Door Canteen in 1978. Mostly obscured in the distance would be the Silver Banjo Barbecue. I'm not sure if the blue building toward the center was The Wheelhouse at this time.
Sure, we've seen a million photos of the Mark Twain, but I think you'll agree that this one is especially nice! It looks like some kind of dream, practically incandescent in the bright sun. And the barren shore along that stretch of river is strange to see when compared to today.
Starting today I'm going to be out of town for the next four (or five) days. It's very possible that access to the internet will be minimal, so I might not be able to respond to comments until Monday or Tuesday. But there will be new posts for you every day, and I look forward to checking in when I can!
11 comments:
Major-
Our young friend appears to be faking a broken arm of some sort - perhaps to gain sympathy for a front row seat at the Golden Horseshoe. Love the 'flattop' themed trash can.
The Mark Twain does look kinda 'dreamy' now, doesn't it-?
Thanks, Major.
I zoomed into the second picture, as I do, to look at people and clothes. I was all, like, "That guy's got a red jacket and a white hat, oh, and the next guy's got a red jacket and a white hat, and... Oh, right. It's the band." Takes me a minute, but I get there! And it was nice of the crowd on the shore to color-coordinate themselves in blues and grays.
@Nanook, maybe he's just trying to make fart noises with his armpit
Lovely, sunny pictures overall. Safe travels, Maj!
@ Melissa-
How rude can one get-??!!
I really like the first one, with that late-afternoon sun and the pleasant green expanse. That poor kid's got pitcher's arm; he poured one too many root beers for the family at the Golden Horseshoe. His pro drink serving days are over, I'm afraid.
Suddenly reminded of what I think was my last childhood meal at Disneyland. I have no idea what I ate, but I remember it was in that outdoor seating area after dark, watching the Twain churn on by, gazing over at the Haunted Mansion with its dramatic nighttime lighting, and enjoying the "firefly" effect in the trees.
Melissa, band on a boat = a better boat. Always.
Thanks for the fun ones today!
@ Chuck-
What a great memory - now ‘lost to the ages’; thanks in no small part to the encroachment of that “little ‘ol nighttime spectacular”, which has destroyed much along the banks of the RoA.
Interesting to see how the building facades and details anticipate the New Orleans Square to come. This little corner of the Park has been mostly terra incognita to me. I don't think I have ever sat on this patio or eaten at any of the snack bars, if so, I don't recall it. I've always thought of this area as "rustic" themed and it isn't at all. The trash can almost clashes with the rest of the scene, which is unusual in Disneyland.
Chuck, that is a great story and memory. It's why we all come to GDB. My last visit was more fun since "Fantasmic" was shut down. I detest that show.
Also I have never seen the band on the MT, although I have seen many pictures. What fun to have experienced that. Photo evidently predates construction of Cascade Peak and shows how important that mountain was in setting the scene.
Thank you, Major. Have a good holiday time-off everyone.
JG
Great pic of the Mark Twain. Glassy water, a band and all eyes on her. Don Defore's BBQ place is something I missed as a kid. I have read about it, it wasn't around long. Do any of the GDBers know what it is today? Thanks Major, happy travels.
@ JC Shannon-
To quote from Yesterland... The Silver Banjo Barbecue is located right next door to the Aunt Jemima Pancake House... It closed in 1961 to allow expansion of the neighboring Aunt Jemima Pancake House. With subsequent name changes and remodeling, the restaurant became Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen, the Magnolia Tree Terrace, and now the River Belle Terrace.
Coming in a little late...I've been away for a while myself. Many times as CMs, we'd get a burger and fries at Oaks Tavern. It was quicker than going over to The Pit or Inn Between for a lunch or snack. We'd stand in line in our costume with the guests, then go back behind the gate and up to the break area above AJ's (as we called it). Left just before they changed the Oaks name in '78. KS
Hey, there's Nanook, again . . . or else it's another kid with great taste, in pic 2!
Sue
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