Nice 1950s Views
I have a pair of better-than-usual scans for you today - early views, likely no later than 1956. Check 'em out!
This first photo fascinates me, mostly because I can't figure out where our photographer was when he/she snapped it! We've got the train tracks to our left, along with that crossing that took guest back to the real world (aka "backstage"), and that roadway that parallels the tracks. THEN we get an interesting look at the Passenger Train making a turn. There's no river in sight, so this can't be Frontierland (or can it?); the berm to our right is puzzling. Looking at vintage aerial photos didn't help me. Is the train approaching Tomorrowland? Chime in if you know!
Meanwhile, let's enjoy this nice early view of the Passenger Train.
Also from the same batch comes this neat shot of a Stagecoach, it appears to be returning from its journey through the wilderness. This brings back good memories of when I took a stagecoach to school every day, boy what fun! We'd eat candy made out of tallow and sorghum. But I digress. One website mentioned that For its first year of operation, the Rainbow Mountain Stagecoach was known only as the “Stagecoach Ride”. The Stagecoach adopted its longer name in 1956 when the Living Desert expanded and become the highlight of the trail ride. I believe this is from before the Stagecoach went through the Living Desert, but could be mistaken.
And, why not enjoy a closer view? I love that there's nothing in the background except rugged hillsides, it really does feel like the WILDERNESS! Hey, could that be Day Sechler at the reins?
5 comments:
Major-
I loves me those early images of the Park-! My vote for the first two images is near [what would be] the NW corner of Nature's Wonderland (on the right). Okay - the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train.
Thanks, Major.
I say the image is flopped. The train got confused at Main Street station, turned around, and started going counter-clockwise, back to Tomorrowland station. This is the backstage area between Main Street and Tomorrowland....... That's my theory and I'm stickin' to it! ;-)
It really is an odd photo; doesn't look like Disneyland at all.
Major, tallow and sorghum candy will rot yer teeth.
I hope your mom packed a nice lunch of hardtack biscuits with lots of crunchy mealworms inside for protein. A growing boy needs protein!
I'm amused by that little weeping willow(?) sapling to the left of the Stagecoach. I wonder if it's still there; huge and majestic?
Are those kids on top of the Stagecoach shootin' bears? Or elk?
Is this about where Cascade Peak will one day be?
Early Disneyland pictures are so odd and wonderful looking; it's like it's another Park. Thanks, Major.
In the Stagecoach pic, that land across the river appears to be the island property, prior to it's development into Tom Sawyer Island. So if these are from that early in DL history, I'm guessing that the berm on the right of the train pic, is the backside of Canal Boats of the World, and that elevated mound is where the rockwork with Cinderella's Castle on top would eventually go.
@ JB-
Cascade Peak is farther 'up the bend'. The green structure, on the far right HERE can just barely be seen in the 3rd image, obscured by the angled wooden 'beams'.
@ TM!-
You're probably correct about the Cinderella's Castle location...
I'm 'anonymous', naturally.
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