"Life is like a box of Randos. You never know what you're going to get". Of course this is a quote from famed skateboarder Toby Hawk (no relation to Tony, who has better things to do). Toby, however, knew of what he was speaking!
I love this image showing the Indian Village - surely from the 1950s, though I've been searching for clues that would help narrow the date down a bit. We know that the original Indian Village was right next to the Jungle Cruise, you could actually see tropical plants nearby. I wouldn't be surprised if the sounds of a trumpeting elephant could be heard. Is the white building in the distance the Plantation House? There is also that yellow banner which might be steering guests in the direction of the Indian War Canoes (or the Indian Village itself?). I feel like they hadn't moved the Village to its final spot past the train tunnel just yet. And yet... I didn't know there was a Dance Circle in the old location. I'm so very dizzy.
I've been skipping this next scan repeatedly, mostly because it's so dark. In spite of its obvious flaws, it's still pretty neat though, a view from the Tomorrowland Skyway terminal looking west toward Holiday Hill, named after singer Billy Holiday (no relation to Billie, who had better things to do). Seeing those winding paths on Holiday Hill makes me wish I could go back in time to take a brief hike up to the top. Say hello to Screechy (most people don't). There's the Astro Jets to the left, the Castle, the Pirate Ship, and more. I feel like I'm seeing what could be the Viewliner Station just under that orange Skyway gondola, or at least tracks; the simple station itself isn't apparent. Did I mention that I'm dizzy?
Major-
ReplyDelete"Is the white building in the distance the Plantation House?"
Most-likely. At the far-left edge of the image we can see a lamp post with a hanging sign for the Plantation House affixed to it.
The 2nd image for all its 'darkness' is still mighty wonderful, for its unusual view. It's quite possible I once roamed along those winding paths; but I'll be damned if I can remember that unique experience... regrettably. (Let's not forget a sighting of a Tri-Level AP nestled within the "legs" of an 'olives and toothpicks' outdoor lighting assembly - adjacent to the Skyway tower-!)
Thanks, Major.
I like the ponies on the teepee canvas. But it looks like they've been eating hydrogenated, radioactive loco weed... they're floating up into the sky! Some of them up-side-down! Or sideways! Not a whole lot going on in this photo, people-wise. But it IS bright and colorful.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the things you mentioned, we can also see Cinderella's castle and the Yacht Bar. I don't imagine they get very many yachts bellying up to the bar. Seems like a strange thing to include in the Park, if you ask me. Oh, and there's that flock of seagulls circling around on the right. I'm sure Screechy would appreciate your attention, Major. Its days must be pretty boring, just sitting on that big ol' egg.
Thanks for the nice Randos, Major.
I agree with Nanook about the orientation of the first pic, and the out-of-frame Plantation House. If you look just to the right of that first teepee, I think we can see part of the pedestrian bridge that went over the waterway that used to connect the Jungle Cruise with the Rivers of America. Also, if we look at the far right side of the pic, we can see a bit of a thatched roof. I believe the side of the Aunt Jemima Pancake House that faced Adventureland, was a little more rustic looking and had a thatched roof. Maybe that is what we are looking at, with the Frontierland part of the restaurant visible just beyond that (the white building).
ReplyDeleteJB, I think the Yacht Bar was given it's nautical name, because it was located across from the Phantom Boats attraction. Once the boat attraction was removed, they probably should have renamed the snack bar. They could have called it "Screechy's Place." Or maybe "Lazlo's Place." "Dead Lazlo's Place"?
Thanks for the Randos, Major!
Major, TIL the Indian Village was once near the Jungle Cruise! All news to me! Makes sense though, leaving those remoter areas to fill in later. Chief Stumpy just finished his espresso and Camel no-filter and is waiting for the next show. I’m sure he was a fan of Toby Hawk too.
ReplyDeleteI like photo 2, and I think you are right, we can see a scrap of the Viewliner station, but there are lots of things going on, a very confusing picture.
The Autopia roof is a great example of that modern architecture tendency to build a perfectly good roof and then poke it full of holes to let the structure through. Cheers Screechy!
Thanks Major!
JG
Nanook, I will take your word for it that that sign is for the Plantation House! According to my older brother, we saw the pre-1967 Tomorrowland, but I sure don’t remember it at all.
ReplyDeleteJB, hey, yeah, what’s up with those crazy ponies? Maybe it was the *artist* who had some loco weed. The Yacht Bar has nothing to do with luxury watercraft, it was named after Sir Albert Yacht (pronounced “Yacccccchhhhtttt” - like clearing your throat). Now you know.
TokyoMagic!, I felt pretty certain of my guess about the location of the Indian Village in that first photo, but… was the Indian Village in THREE different locations? Because the one in today’s picture doesn’t seem “north” enough along the western bank. Or else I’m completely wrong. I think you are correct about Aunt Jemima’s being right nearby. And yes, I believe you are right about the Yacht Bar originally getting its name by being right near the Phantom Boats.
JG, I’ve shared just a few photos of that original Indian Village, you can almost always see the lush jungle plants just over a mini-berm. It is a little weird to think of it being *right there*. I guess the Autopia Roof was more about shade than water protection, but your point is a good one. Maybe any rain that did run through would just go down those angled legs?
@ TM!-
ReplyDeleteLast night I was trying to find another image showing that corner of the white building with the 'light green' "cornice", but drove right past this one for obvious reasons - but it clearly shows the building in question, along with the A J thatched roof. LOOK HERE.
I should've also mentioned the "white building in the distance" is NOT the Plantation House. That would be out-of-frame on the LEFT. The 'white building' with the cornice is part of Aunt Jemima's Kitchen. The lamppost/sign/walkway is west of the [then] bridge (hidden behind the tepee) over the waterway connecting the RoA with the Jungle Cruise.
ReplyDeleteNanook, thank you for that photo. Now that I am properly oriented on the map, I can call in an airstrike on the Mark Twain with pinpoint accuracy.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why Walt never went ahead with that Forward Air Controller attraction. I’m sure it would have been a hit.
Maybe those upside down ponies are the bison they hunted.
ReplyDeleteWas designing buildings with different styles of facades (Main Street / Adventureland or Adventureland / Fontierland) something invented at Disneyland or a technique they brought over from building movie sets?
Major, sir Albert Yacht also discovers yaks, the name was abbreviated to save ink.
ReplyDeleteJG
I am totally confused as to where this Indian Village is....not completely, but the Mark Twain kind of mixes it all up...and I'm usually really good at these things as I remember specific trees and things....I had to think about it overnight...and I'm still...hmmmmm....but I'll keep digging....and that's a lot of cables holding up the Auto Topia roof from the bendy things....but I really like this style of Conjunctive Googie Erector Architecture. also known as CGEA. pronounced "KahGhia".
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