Main Street USA, June 1959
Today's post is dedicated to Main Street USA!
The Hub is at the north end of Main Street, and if you're in no mood to walk there, you can take a Horse Drawn Streetcar. The Matterhorn might not be operational yet, I can see a tiny crane in the distance that I am reasonably sure was there to put the finishing touches on the mountain. On another subject, does anybody know if the brass "finials" on top of the streetcar had any purpose other than as shiny decorations?
Here's a wonky view of Town Square, which was at the other end of Main Street. This shot was taken from the Train Station, and possibly even from a train. The souvenir stand to our left is busy selling priceless keepsakes!
Also in Town Square is City Hall, where you can go sign a registry, complain about the exorbitant price of ticket books (a 10-attraction ticket book with admission is about $5 for an adult), or just grab a seat, relax in the shade, and do a bit of people-watching. Notice that the globe lights are on even though it appears that there are still many hours of sunlight to go.
15 comments:
Do they need to have a function? I always thought they were bells. They're bell-shaped, why can't they be bells?
Can we go into City Hall and tell them not to even THINK about taking out the Pirate Ship in Fantasyland, the Mine Train in Frontierland, or the Skyway???
Or Toad?
The Registry resided at INA's Carefree Corner... I'm sure with all the Guest Relations business City Hall had to cope with at it's (relatively) tiny desk, the far more expansive 'hotel lobby' just off the hub was deemed far more suitable... and thematically appropriate.
Beauties Major. All appreciated.
Or the Country Bears!
Jim, are they thinking of taking out Mr. Toad?
Anonymous, of course they don't NEED to have a function, I was just wondering if they had one.
Dreemfinder, as soon as I read about the Carefree Corner registry, I slapped my forehead and said, "D'OH!".
TokioM: if Jim doesn't get back to you, he may be alluding to the removal of Mr. Toad in Disneyworld. I don't know of any plans to remove the attraction in Disneyland.
That's funny Maj - when I slap my forehead I say, "Oow!"
I think they left the outside porch lights on at City Hall to let peeps know it's not just a facade and for the "Motel 6" effect, to make it feel more welcoming. :)
I wish I could say "I meant to do that!", but it was a genuine and unforgivable lapse. What a bad week to stop sniffing glue.
Regarding the brass domes on top: I think they are just there for decoration, however, if this was a genuine 1890's, self propelled trolley, I would guess they would be sand domes: the same as the domes you see on the top of the steam locomotives. They contain sand that is led down to the wheels by pipe.
If the track is slick or icy, there's no traction and the train will just sit and spin its wheels. The sand in the sand dome is sprayed like a hose between the wheel and rail, roughing up the surface, and letting the train get a grip to move forward.
Katella Gate, I think you are on to something! I've learned about sand domes from reading some of those books about the Disneyland trains, and your theory rings pretty true. The only thing I'm wondering is that, since horse-drawn trolleys are pulled, it does seem like the traction would be needed for the horses more than for the cars themselves!
Major: yes I agree, in my original note above I mention "if this were a genuine 1890's, self propelled trolley". I suspect the false domes were added to brighten up the design.
what an interesting thread...i have learned some new information i hadnt known before
i personally like the wonky views...my daughter took a pic of Space Mountain last summer that a bit a-kimbo, and it looks like the thing is trying to take off!! its pretty cool if i do say so myself ;)
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