Canoe Landing 1950s
Here's a pair of nice photos of the Canoe Landing in Frontierland (a part of the Indian Village), bustling with visitors on what was probably a cool winter day. Our photographer was standing on Tom Sawyer Island, I believe that he or she was at the top of the hill, near Tom's Treehouse, but not in the treehouse.
One of the Indian Warrior Canoes (later renamed the "Explorer Canoes") is just getting underway, and its looks like another one is coming up right behind it. There are 22 people on that Canoe, pretty impressive. On shore, more guests wait for their turn to explore the wilderness from the relative safety of a watercraft. Notice the highlights of red clothing, as seen in these photos.
Another interesting feature is that tunnel through the berm, I believe that that's where guests could enter the park from Holidayland.
Here's a zoomed-in view. I love the sign with the map of Tom Sawyer Island, that should be in my collection. Near the teepee to the right is the little ticket booth, where it appears that some cast member's red garments (hopefully not undergarments) are draped.
Well. Hmmm. Now I am rethinking my theory that the first photo was taken from Tom Sawyer Island, since this shot was clearly taken from the Mark Twain. The "Disneyland nerd" in me is pleased to get a good look at the slips for the Canoes. And look at all the people! The Indian Village was a popular destination back then.
13 comments:
Major-
I like the one, lone Mickey balloon, with dark blue ears seen in front of the teepee in the last image.
And just for Ken... at the very far left and in the far right of the 1st image - utility poles.
It certainly looks like a lot of exciting activity - in RED.
Thanks, Major.
Major-
Also - I think that tunnel thru the berm is way beyond the extent of Holidayland (too far west). It's opposite a CM parking lot SEEN HERE. I have read the entrance for Holidayland guests to the Magic Kingdom was via a road that cut through the berm, crossed the railroad track, and ended near the Chicken Plantation Restaurant. (Maybe MIKE can verify).
Hmm. At least half of the people clothed in red are men. Usually, it's mostly ladies wearing red coats. I don't know what that means, but it must be Earth-shatteringly important!
The lighting makes these photos look rather cheerless. It's putting a damper on my creativity. There aren't even any ducks to attract our attention. Maybe one trashcan.
I thought the canoer in the yellow shirt was sitting backward. But she's (he's?) just sorta turned sideways.
I think I'm suffering from ennui tonight. I just re-watched Disney's "The Haunted Mansion", with Eddie Murphy. I couldn't remember much of it... now I know why. Borrrring (and annoying). Nice set decoration though.
I think that tunnel is the most interesting thing here today, and I don't know where it goes. Maybe you're right about it leading to Holidayland, Major. Nanook thinks otherwise. Thanks for todays photos, Major.
Although I went to Disneyland in the 1950s I do not remember much about the Indian village or ever seeing these canoes. I don't remember Holidayland. Frontierland was my favorite land by far.
What I see here is the energy of people who were fully into the experiences that Disneyland offered. Us city kids (and parents) were having our "let's pretend" become real at Disneyland.
Thank you for continuing to post such great photos.
Nanook, the first thing I noticed was all the red. It must have been a fashionable color back then. 50's memories of the park are few and far between for me, but my sister who is 5 years older than me remembers Mom wearing red a lot in those days. Dad too probably. Jackets mostly. I do remember the canoes being a lot of fun.
That tunnel is a treat to see. Certainly looks cooler from inside the park rather than the outside entrance.
The lighting may be a bit cheerless JB, but I'd dive onto that pier in a heartbeat, along with my own personal cheer.
That guy in a beige top way far right in the first pic evidently discovered the secret of taking a good photo was to have your legs crossed using the time honored Muir bi-pod stance.
Thanks Major, unique photos.
The red clothing makes this photo so interesting. We’ve seen many from this era, and maybe even this year and season, without seeing so much of it. I wonder if this was just coincidence or some kind of promotion or special day, like the “Welcome Lutherans” sign posted some time back (not that Lutherans would necessarily all wear red, but some ladies would do on some Sundays to match the vestments, and I would be wearing a green tie of course.)
It’s a striking mix, like pimentos in a salad.
I don’t care where the tunnel goes, I just want to go through it. Anyplace at that time would be interesting.
Thanks Major!
JG
Nanook, the balloon represents death. That makes everything so artistic! Ha ha, Ken loves those utility poles.
Nanook, thanks for that link to the photo; it does look like the guests could cross the tracks much further south. Until now, I was never really aware of that tunnel seen in today’s photo.
JB, what can I say, I guess tomato red was the color of the moment. Just like hot pink is right now (I’m sure most of us are wearing at least some hot pink!). Disneyland photos are always best when taken on a sunny day, but I have to admit that overcast days can provide a nice even lighting, with no harsh shadows. It doesn’t bum me out, it just makes me think of fall or winter. I’ve never bothered to watch Eddie Murphy’s Haunted Mansion movie, I know I won’t like it.
Debbie V., my family NEVER went through the tunnel to the Indian Village, even though we could have gone. I don’t know if my mom and dad didn’t know it was there, or if they just didn’t want to walk that far. Of course the Village was removed in the early. Thanks for the nice words!
DrGoat, it’s hard to NOT notice all those spots of bright red. Maybe there was a red dye that was developed, and everyone wanted to use it. Probably not, but it’s a theory. The weird thing about that tunnel is that I have never noticed it until I saw these scans, even though I’m sure I’ve posted other photos that must have had it there. Now I want to go back and look for it… when I have time. I’ve never heard of that trick of standing with your legs crossed like that, does it really work? I could see being just as wobbly, or maybe even MORE wobbly.
JG, I also wondered if some of the people in red were part of a group, maybe a church group (as you said). Red seems very un-churchy! It’s Satan’s color, after all. Reminds me of a joke on “30 Rock”. “Warm? That’s the Devil’s temperature!”. Yes, I would also want to go through that tunnel - just as long as I knew I could get back into the park.
Twenty-two to a canoe, and twenty-three skidoo with a zoomed-in view!
Major-
If you believe everything on the internet [and who amongst us doesn't-?] apparently the 1950's were an "exuberant time". Perhaps to 'go-along' with all that exuberance was the color red, as described in an October 14, 1953 issue of Quick Magazine, under the title of Red Makes Fashion News... "Red is the color which is going to add excitement to the fall scene. In a season when black is everywhere, the woman who wants to stand out is going to turn to red to express her own sense of drama. Red will be seen in suits, in coats, in after-dark dresses. The color itself is so dramatic that designers rely on cut and line for interest."
Evidently, all that red as seen on the 'gents' in the crowd was so they wouldn't feel left-out of all that exuberance. (Now - what to do with all that 'black' in my wardrobe, now that 'red' is evidently the thing...)
OK...you 22 passengers..."If you don't paddle for us....then we will have to paddle you!" Or however the natives said it back then! The transformation of the area to today is really quite stunning. It was more convenient to have canoes load and unload from a traditional dock than the slips which required a back paddle...or more likely the front guide to pull the canoe back. With the standard dock used today both the front and rear guides can pull the canoe. KS
Around this time my Dad had a red plaid jacket with a big pattern, sort of a lumberjack look, with a fake fleece lining. It would have been very appropriate in Frontierland.
I don't remember it new, I must have been too young, but I do remember him wearing it camping and around the farm. I wore it for several years when it came down to me, but eventually it wore out and I had to let it go.
I still think the red mix in these photos means something unusual going on. Wear a red shirt or coat and get in free or a free hot cocoa or something, or yes I am part of this particular group or event. Otherwise why did we not see more of this in other photo sets?
JG
Melissa, So true
Nanook, I do believe everything on the Internet, because so far I have never found anything that isn’t true. “Quick Magazine”, who remembers that one? Not me. I would imagine that plenty of men would not wear red exactly because of that “exuberance”. “Brown, black, and gray are good enough for me!”. Maybe some plaid on a crazy day.
KS, I’m afraid I don’t know what the Canoe docks look like today, do they pull in, with the ability to continue forward to go out onto the river? If you want to back our of the docks in today’s photos, maybe somebody ashore gave the Canoe a shove.
JG, it’s funny, my dad was always pretty subdued with his wardrobe, but after he retired he really got into Aloha shirts. If I had no other ideas for a birthday present, he’d get a Tommy Bahama shirt. By the time he passed away he had quite a few in his closet. It’s possible that the red fad (or whatever it was) only lasted one winter season, and then it was on to the next thing (which was fur pants).
Majoe, It's just a run-through dock. Enter from one end, unload, pull forward to load and pull forward out into the river. KS
Post a Comment