My friend ("Mr. X") had heard the news that the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor was going to close in January of 1997. So in November and December of 1996, he made a point of taking some photos of the interior, and I'm glad he did!
Here's a great view of the main counter, all dark wood and genuine marble. From what I understand, it was a genuine antique, salvaged from some old drug store or ice cream palace. The interior had been repainted at least once since the 1950's, and there is something about that pink that reminds me of my grandma's house after a decorator got done with it in the 1980's.
I would not be able to resist trying to slide a full milk shake down that polished marble surface! The inevitable cleanup would be a breeze, fortunately. The place looks tranquil in these photos (taken in the morning, perhaps?), but you can be sure that on a busy day it would be jam-packed.
The next two pictures are from December '96, which explains the Christmas decor. Here's a very nice closeup of the old soda fountain; I don't think those nozzles were actually used during its time at Disneyland, but back in the day they must have held quite an assortment of sauces and goops! Butterscotch, caramel, chocolate fudge, marshmallow cream, strawberry, blueberry, snozberry, and 10 more from the look of things.
I'm sure most of these people had no idea that the ice cream parlor would close forever in a matter of weeks. But I am happy to be able to see it in pictures 15 years later!
Another place I wish I'd paid more attention to while it was still around. If I'd been on the demolition crew, I'd have been fired on the spot -- I would've stood there with my sledgehammer and burst into tears..."I can't do it!"
ReplyDeleteBoy, do I miss this place.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember reading somewhere (Van France's "Window on Main Street" maybe?) that the soda fountain had been designed and built according to instructions from Walt and that the soda taps were never used.
Many thanks to Mr. X. I can't understand why they take this out...it is the total essence of Main Street to have an ice cream parlour like this. The Gibson Girl just doesn't cut it when compared to this.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful pictures. These were taken in the dark years when i couldn't visit, so I appreciate them even more.
ReplyDeleteIn the remote Northern CA town of Aetna, there is a drugstore that still had the original soda fountain with marble counter and taps very similar (but much smaller). At least it was there about 15 years past. Who knows, maybe they hired the same demolition team in the interim.
Thank you Major.
JG
Carnation Ice Cream Parlor is one of those places I went to as a kid in the 1960s, but never again after that. One of Disneyland's major losses.
ReplyDeleteA big THANK YOU Major! I appreciate all the hard work you do assembling, cleaning and posting your collection everyday on your blog site.
You've made 2012 a more enjoyable year with your generosity and humor. I look forward to more in 2013.
Happy New Year to you and to All!
Rich T., it's always the way... we don't appreciate things until they are gone!
ReplyDeleteChuck, I have that Van France book, I'll have to see if I can find that bit about the soda fountain.
Daveland, I assume that the removal happened during the Pressler era, though he may have had nothing to do with it.
MG, there is a drugstore in South Pasadena that is authentically old, I need to go check it out.
K. Martinez, didn't you like ice cream anymore?! Actually, I remember getting ice cream sandwiches from the carts more than I remember going to Carnation. Thanks for the kind words!
Major, It was frozen bananas from the carts for me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of yet another place that was gone before I ever made it to Disneyland in 2001. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for posting so many great images and your fun comments for all to enjoy.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
These are fantastic shots of yet another rarely-seen Disneyland element from years gone by! Love them, so thank you Major!
ReplyDeleteIn addition, a very happy New Year to you and yours. Keep up the awesome work on this site, love your image caches and finds.
The soda fountain was actually a set piece for the 1967 film "The Happiest Millionaire" starring Fred MacMurray, Greer Garson, John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren, and Tommy Steele. Angie (Davidson) takes Cordy (Warren) to the soda shop where he tells (sings) her his dreams of forgetting the family business (tobacco) and heading to Detroit where he wants to design motorcars.
ReplyDeleteThe central unit of the soda fountain is still visible at the back of the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor with changes made to the flanking units.
Nancy, Happy New Year to you as well!
ReplyDeleteLillian K, I'm glad you enjoyed these!
Todd, that soda fountain has been in the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor since 1955; is it possible that the one used in "The Happiest Millionaire" can be found elsewhere in Disneyland (or possibly WDW)?