DLRR at the Station, June 1970
I have some swell photos from June 1970, all taken from the little entry plaza between the turnstiles and Main Street Station. Even though these were clearly taken in the late afternoon, they still evoke that initial excitement I used to feel when first arriving at the park.
Our photographer was happy to see a train a-comin', having just completed the Grand Circle Tour. It's more of a rounded triangle, but I won't sue anybody. YET.
Zooming in a bit, we can see that the train is the ol' #3, the "Fred Gurley", and it's passing above the east tunnel. "Welcome Friends of All Nations"? Even Sweden?? Just kidding Sweden - I kid because I love, my grandmother's family came from there (yes, I know that the entire country of Sweden reads GDB). If you look just to the right of the train's boiler, you can see lettering on the south side of the Bank of America - I don't think I've ever noticed that before.
If you've ever been to the park with me, you'll know that I jump up and down and yell "Choo choo!" whenever I see a train. Some say it's endearing. Others might have a different opinion.
The engineer is carefully applying the train's brakes, which are whittled out of coal just like in the old days. In fact, the entire train is made out of coal. The "population" sign says 85,000,000, so the lines are probably going to be a bit long.
19 comments:
Major-
That BofA sign is a new one on me. I certainly hope "all nations" also includes Franistan... "tucked right in between Switzerland and Persia"-!
Thanks, Major.
Major, that "rounded triangle" shape of Disneyland is one of the most iconic things about the Park to me. From an early age, whenever I see a map of Disneyland, its triangular shape gives me a feeling of excitement and nostalgia.
In the close-up, the guy walking toward us in the white shirt and blue jeans is adjusting his Bluetooth headset. Good luck, fella!
In the next pic, that little kid in the bottom left is directing his attack swallow (just to his right) to fly down Main Street, seek out the balloon vendor and bring back a red Mickey balloon, grasping the string in its nasty, sharp little beak. And then the kid will instruct the bird to fly up floral Mickey's nose... just 'cuz he can. The kid is on a power trip.
Thanks, Major.
Franistan can't be a real friend until the Maharincess gets a tour of Disneyland.
Looking at the ladies sitting on the planter in #1, bookended by the lady in the white hat ad the lady in the pink hat - was that style of hat sold in the park, or did they just show up with those nearly-matching hats? They don't seem to be together. The lady with the white headscarf is wearing a dress made out of my parents' old dining room wallpaper.
Ah, the entry wall, post-attraction posters and pre-brick veneer. Mickey is composed mostly of alyssum.
The captain of the basketball team is sporting the team socks and Carol Burnett is front and center looking pretty sharp in her orange pantsuit. Harvey Korman and Lyle Wagoner are not far off, but Tim Conway is in Frontierland playing “Rango”.
I’ve never noticed the B of A lettering before, but it resembles their corporate font, not a themed Disney look.
Melissa, that lady’s dress is a perfect match for the flower bed. My Mom would have loved that dress.
Thanks Major, let’s go yell “choo-choo” together.
JG
1st pic: Dad on left - left his kid somewhere?!?!
Melissa, Ms. Wallpaper Woman has a coordinating stylish sister standing in front of her. I love the gift bag that the person to her right - and also the tree on her left - are carrying. One of my favorites.
“Choo-Choo!”
—Lou & Sue
Cool pics. Who doesn't love train photos? I sure do! They remind me of the countless hours I spent riding around and around the park.
Nanook, yes, we must make sure Franistan is included! And also of course, The Duchy of Grand Fenwick. :)
And to divert back to yesterday's photos...
Major said: And as an added bonus, here's Fletcher's dad in a pretty cool photo - he was an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam era. Why, this picture is almost as cool as one that I have of me posing with my Honda Civic.
Major, I know we ALL want to see that photo!! :D
Nanook, somewhere in the back of my brain, I feel like I must have seen that BofA sign before, but if so, it is fossilized.
JB, yes, early Disneyland souvenirs and postcards often used that triangle shape, which I’m sure helped to contribute to my associating it with my favorite place. I thought that the guy was listening to the Dodger game on his transistor radio, it never even occurred to me that he had a Bluetooth headset. Attack swallows, duck ruckeses, killer swans, what is up with the birds at Disneyland?
Melissa, that lady’s hat DOES look like a souvenir, and you’re right, the lady with the white hat appears to have the same style. I can only assume that they were bought in the park, but the pink hat matching the pink shirt seems almost too good to be true.
JG, I have already made my amazing “Alyssum Milano” joke, so I guess I won’t do it again. I thought that the white sweat socks didn’t really become a thing until years later, but that kid proves me wrong. I’m glad Carol Burnett had time to take a break at the park.
Lou and Sue, I wonder if that dad just rented that stroller and was taking it over to wherever his wife and kid were? It’s funny, I’ve seen other photos from around 1967 (to about 1969) that show women wearing those bold floral prints, it was definitely a style at that time!
Lou and Sue, you have to say it like you mean it!
Grant, that photo of me with my Honda Civic was donated to the National Archives, so I don’t have it handy. They wanted to preserve it for posterity, you know. So much historical value!
Sue, Inspector Clouseau is looking down at the Dad's stroller. Maybe he sees a little 'minkey' sitting in the stroller.
Major's theory about the empty stroller sounds plausible, but I like the little monkey theory better.
Yes, I like the ‘little minkey monkey’ theory better. Definitely.
If the minkey truly is in the stroller, he's pretty well-hidden. Can't see hide nor hair of him.
People go to the Disney parks looking for Hidden Mickeys. What they should be doing is looking for Hidden Minkeys. I bet they're everywhere!
LOL at minkey's.
Grant, just wanted to say again how much I enjoyed the pics in yesterday's post.
The funny distortions from the enlargement added to the interest.
I loved the transformation of the typefaces, and the glimpse of the neon sign of the Sir Rudimar Motel was a real highlight. Only thing missing from that sign pic was a view of Chao's.
JG
Major, I guess we'll have to organize a field trip to the National Archives and live stream the photo unveiling.
JG, you are most welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the pics as much as I did.
Ah yes, Chao's. Right next to the ParkVue Motel. I remember it well.
Grant, Chao's was an IHOP the last time I was on Harbor Blvd.
On my first trip back to the Park with my young family after a 20 year hiatus (early 90's), we were too tired on arrival to go out for dinner. We were staying at the Grand Hotel (formerly the Crest), and I went to Chao's for takeout since they were the closest restaurant.
Lets just say that you did not go to Chao's for the food. CM's of the classic era have commented that the drinks were strong however. I can't confirm.
JG
I don't remember going to Chao's but I definitely remember it as I made that U-turn on Harbor every day. Possibly not remember going to Chao's may indicate the drinks were strong. If the drinks were strong, and we knew about it, I am amazed I don't have a recollection of going to Chao's. There were probably "pods" of certain DL departments that went to Chao's. Every pod had their place. The pecking order was alive and well and living in 1985. We generally started out at the Sheraton Anaheim...now I think the "Majestic". That was a weird castle-y place, and a hang out for the suits. I wasn't a suit at that point, but became a suit later. After the excitement of the Sheraton (they had an employee secret drinks price....I actually never remember paying for a drink there...) we headed to The City mall where TGIF's was. This was a relatively new phenomenon back then. Drinks were served in schooner glasses. I weighed 140, but could put it away. After that we would continue to Belisle's- awesome place. We would have dessert: the biggest eclairs known to man...after that we would go somewhere for Karaoke or something....or someones house...or party crashing...or all of the above. There was one place where you ate dinner on one level and then a slide would take you to the middle of a dance floor...what was that place? Somebody knows. Mama Cozza's was another hang-out (and apparently still around). There was another hang-out up near the Fullerton Train Station on Harbor. It wasn't close, but it wasn't far. Events were often held at the Orange Hill or the Orange County Mining Co. Both have great views and you can see the fireworks from there. Food: marginal, drinks: marginal. Amazed they still exist. Today I think (among other things...): where the heck did I get the money to go out EVERY day after work? Thanks for the evening memories!
Nice pictures. Reminds me of arriving in the evening on a Friday night after work, or popping in after doing something else in the “general vicinity,” which really meant “anywhere between the Pacific Ocean and San Bernardino.” Like the time we went to Laguna Beach for the day with a church group and then “dropped in” on the way home, found an empty parking space along the fence up against West Street, made and ate PBJ sammiches in the parking lot, and then got home about 1:45 a.m. Ahh, to be young, married, and spontaneous again (I only meet one of those criteria anymore).
Nanook and Grant, we can’t leave Carpania out of our list of all nations. Not with this crowd.
We might as well throw in Freedonia.
Bu, I hope I helped with that set of memories. Cheers!
JG
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