Indian Village, 1950s
I have two nice Indian Village pix for you today, probably from 1956 or '57. They are scans from Kodachrome slides, but for some reason they have all acquired a warm color-cast, which is not the worst thing in the world.
First up is this shot of the lovable Wigwasigamig, an ingenious birch bark structure that guests saw up first emerging from the tunnel that led to the Indian Village. As you can see, a Native American (one of the off-duty dancers?) stands by the doorway, I wonder if he could answer questions, or maybe even give guests a tour if they wanted?
Next is this little curio/souvenir stand. It's hard to see individual items with much clarity, but there appears to be some kachina dolls, miniature teepees, feathers headdresses, and some things to the right that might be leather belts (?). And while I can't see any here, I'd imagine that there were rubber-tipped spears (with colorful feathers adorning them) and maybe a bow and arrow set too.
15 comments:
I assume that the Disneyland birch bark lodge wasn't made with actual birch bark; even though it looks very convincing. So, what was the covering made of?
Major, I don't think that First American is part of the Dance Circle troupe. I think he's the real thing; slipped through a tear in the space-time continuum from 25,000 years ago. I've been watching "La Brea", so I know these things.
The souvenir stand's left-most bin looks like it's filled with bananas and banana peels. The belts look like they come in both 'his' and 'hers' varieties. 'Hers' are predominantly pink, while 'his' are a yellow ocher color.
Thanks for the Kodachrome trip to the Indian Village, Major.
@ JB-
That 'birch bark" is actually made from a modern, post-war miracle material: Marbola-! Not quite marble, not quite plastic - but an incredible melding of two great materials. The Native Americans discovered it first.
Fort Wilderness is saying, "Peek-A-Boo!" in that second photo.
I wish I had a kachina doll. I would name it Katrina.
TM!, as long as it’s not a Zuni fetish doll, I’m in support.
Well, I have no memory of the Bark House, which isn’t surprising I guess. Low marks for style, but strong on utility, with operable windows and a sturdy (mostly) waterproof roof. Frank Gehry would be proud.
The curio dealer almost looks like the poolside (canoe-side?) bar. “Garçon, another gin-&-tonic silvoo-plate.” (That’s me being all Continental fancy).
Major, I’m sure those are belts, or possibly flayed snake skins, or dried eels. I always wanted a belt with the fancy beadwork, too expensive. I’d sure buy a kachina figurine today. The Phoenix art museum has a huge and fascinating collection of those dolls.
I remember a rubber-tipped toy spear with a bamboo shaft and colorful feather bundle at the haft, also some toy arrows with suction cup tips. The spear tip was faceted to look like chipped obsidian and I carried it several years for Halloween. I bet the spear came from either Disney or Knotts, but I’m less sure of the arrows.
JG
I slightly remember the Bark House. Dad said no to the spear. I already had a shrunken head from the Bazaar and my sister had a bunch of stuff so he was ready to carry the stuff to the car.
I kind of like the little teepee right there on the end of the counter.
JG, real Katchinas are pretty pricey. We've got a couple my Mom got through the Valley National Bank when she retired. They were the bank's version of a gold watch. Sister got one and mine sits proudly on the shelf next to the Donald Duck mug I got back then. Still has it's little blue price sticker on the bottom.
Thanks Major
JB, I’m reasonably sure that the birch bark lodge was fashioned from actual birch bark. Remember, this was before “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Bark!” was in stores. I’d like to know how that man slipped through that tear in the space-time continuum, because I want to go back in time and retake some tests from school. “La Brea”? Whuzzat? I’m thinking that some of those belts appear to be snakeskin, which is rad (as the kids say).
Nanook, Marbola? Developed by NASA! In emergencies it can be eaten, too.
TokyoMagic!, I wonder what Fort Wilderness’ voice sounded like? Did it have a western drawl? Did it sound like Slim Pickens? I need to know! Katrina Kachina, I like it!
Chuck, just turn the switch on the back of the Zuni fetish doll from “EVIL” to “GOOD”, and you’ll have no problem!
JG, since my family somehow never made it as far as the Indian Village, I definitely have no memories of the Bark House, but I think it didn’t last very long compared to some other structures. I wonder why? If the curio stand existed today, you can guarantee that it would serve alcoholic beverages, with a “glow cube” for a little extra. Chapek wants to add gambling to the Disney brand, which I’m sure Walt would love. How about some recreational drugs too? I’m almost certain that we had either a feathered spear or a bow and arrow set, or maybe both, but that’s going back a LONG time.
DrGoat, you have to admit that your shrunken head was the apex of Disneyland toys! I'd love to have one today. I like those little teepees too, especially if they had a Disneyland price tag on them, or anything else that indicated that they are from Disneyland. Very cool that you have those Katchinas!
I see some small drums at the souvenir stand. Those teeny tiny teepees are great, some look especially small but they’re probably on a lower shelf and we’re just seeing to tops of them. Look through the stand to see a guest posing with a man in a headdress! Thanks for the photos, Major.
Dr Goat, how cool to have those kachinas!
A shrunken head (!!) AND a Donald mug with the price tag intact. I love those stories. I have a Mickey mug on my desk that I bought in high school, but I used to use it to drink from, so the price tag is long gone. It's full of pens and tiki bar swizzle sticks now.
If I buy a kachina, it will be one of the cheap knock-offs, don't worry!
Major, Disney already has gambling, when you get in a stand-by line that says 25 minutes and you gamble on ordering food, and then they let in hundreds of Lightning Lane people ahead of you so the 25 minutes turns into 2 hours. The whole Park is a giant craps-shoot unless you pay the most possible money.
JG
Major, I think you've said that you don't watch 'regular' TV anymore? La Brea is an NBC sci-fi series (now in its 2nd season). The concept: A bunch of people fall through a sink-hole that opened up in modern day La Brea. They find themselves still in La Brea, only in 25,000 BCE.
Kathy, oh yeah, I'm sure little tom-toms were a popular souvenir. Until the kids got them home and made a racket for days! Then they'd mysteriously "disappear". I'd LOVE to find a souvenir teepee with a "Disneyland" sticker on it! Sadly, there is a seller on eBay who fakes such things.
JG, I don't drink coffee, but for some reason people keep giving me mugs. They do make perfect pencil holders! Swizzle sticks too. My mom had a really neat Kachina doll that must have been from the 1940s, but I haven't seen it in ages, maybe it got lost during one of our many moves. The whole Lightning Lane thing is flawed (as I know YOU know), and boy is it frustrating when you are waiting in line like a normal person, only to see hundreds of people getting in front of you.
JB, it's true, I don't even have a TV! I just watch stuff on my computer or iPad (I get antsy and have a hard time sitting through an hour-long show or two hour movie). I have to admit that the concept behind "La Brea" sounds pretty cool.
I haven’t sat in front of a TV in several years...too much other stuff to do. Gorillas Don’t Blog is at the top of the list.
Thanks, Major.
Sue
Sue, AWWWWW!
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