Town Square and Da Hub, August 13 1960
Nothin' too exciting today, just some sleepy views from around Main Street, U.S.A. Like this shot in Town Square, with the Horse Drawn Streetcar. Who knew that horses could draw? But they were good, I have to admit. Whenever I see the Firehouse in these early years, I like to imagine that Walt is there.
And there's Sleeping Beauty Castle at the other end of Main Street, framed by olive trees and lovely flowers (pre-"Partners" statue). Looks like a beautiful August day.
10 comments:
The Horse-Drawn Street Car has plenty of clearance to roll down Main Street. Very rare today. I can see the Bekins Storage sign in the first image. Cool!
I love the floral display in the Hub. Didn't Walt Disney not want any statues or monuments in his Park? I seem to remember reading that somewhere.
K. Martinez, I wonder when these photos were actually taken... just because the date stamp says "August 1960", they could have been shot anytime before that. Doesn't look like a summer crowd, for sure.
Sometimes I have read that kids today don't know that Walt Disney was a real person, so maybe it is better that they have a tribute to the man who started it all, now that he has been gone for nearly 50 years.
And look at all those trees! Light Magic was the beginning of the end for shade on Main Street.
Oh, these are nice. I love the colors, very representative of the time.
Classic views of the streetcar in both pictures.
I don't mind the "Founders" statue, but I wish they could have made a niche for it somewhere instead of putting it dead center in the vista.
It seems like much of Disneyland is short on shade these days. Toontown is miserable hot, and don't get me started on DCA.
JG
I think the statue is fine. I just remember reading somewhere that it wasn't Walt's style.
Kevin, I never really thought about it, but it does seem like Main Street is lacking big beautiful trees. On the other hand, people want to see the castle and the Partners statue. Guess there is no "happy medium".
JG, I think Frontierland still has some shady areas, and I know that I tend to chill out in New Orleans Square. Toontown though... is there even ONE tree?
K. Martinez, I know what you mean, and I have been critical of the statue and its placement. It's not that I don't want a tribute to Walt, but I'm not sure that the statue is the best way. Just my opinion, as it seems pretty popular!
Walt's gone?
Actually, I think Main Street's shade problem started in late 1981, when they replaced the original Chinese elms in front of the shops with West Coast live oaks, the same kind of trees that line Main Street at WDW's Magic Kingdom. My understanding is that they were replaced because the original trees had grown big enough that they really messed with the forced perspective. Several of the original trees were left on the central plaza for shade, although I don't know if they're still there today.
While I appreciate and understand the desire to keep the originally designed forced perspective, I do have fond childhood memories of a shadier Main Street.
I love seeing the hub without the statue. I think the
various tributes to Walt and Disneyland history that have appered in the Opera House over the years do more to help us remember, or discover (for those under 40) Walt.
Chuck, sadly Walt is gone in body, if not in spirit! Chinese elms, huh? I had no idea. Anyway, it must be hard to balance a "tree-lined, old-fashioned avenue" with the demands of a theme park. Guests want to see the fireworks and castle, and I don't blame them really.
SundayNight, I'm sort of the same way; the Partners statue has never done it for me. And tributes like "The Walt Disney Story" seem more appropriate. Many people disagree, however!
Post a Comment