Stagecoach Scene, 1955?
I have a very nice and early (possibly 1955) slide that was listed on eBay as being from Knott's Berry Farm. But you and I know better!
As you can see, this is a great shot of a father and daughter on the back seat of a Disneyland Stagecoach. The afternoon lighting is warm and beautiful. Dad is holding his early-1955 guidebook (FOLDED) in his hand, though I have seen photos of those in the hands of guests in 1956 pictures. I suppose that sitting on that back seat would give one a different perspective on things, though I'd prefer to be facing frontwards if I had a choice. I guess we'll just have to ride twice in a row. Notice the Conestoga Wagon.
Meanwhile, who is that fellow walking toward us? His coat (possibly from the Pendleton store) is awesome, and quite distinctive.
It instantly reminded me of this scan that I shared a while ago - notice the man on horseback to the right. It has to be the same guy, don't you agree?
I wondered if he could be Owen Pope, who, along with his wife Dolly, was hired by Walt Disney in November 1951 to start putting together some livestock for his future park. They first lived in a trailer at the Studio where they raised and trained the first horses, and helped build wagons and coaches. During the construction of Disneyland, Disney gave them their choice of the houses being moved on the property, and they staked out a 10-acre site for the Pony Farm. Three days before the park opened, they moved to Disneyland but had to live in their trailer for a while until their house was ready. They were Disneyland’s only residents. The Popes continued with the company, running the Disneyland Pony Farm, and then moving to Florida in 1971 to start the Tri Circle D Ranch there. They retired in 1975. (From the D23 website).
I found this picture of Owen, and It is pretty clear that he is not the man in the plaid coat.
However, the excellent Disney History 101 website had this scan (presumably from a Disney publication) showing Owen and the assistant superintendent Day Sechler. Day happens to be wearing a string tie very much like the fellow in the plaid coat, which I admit is not exactly iron-clad proof that he is the same person. And due the different angle and facial expression I can't be certain that that photo shows Mr. Sechler. But I'm leaning towards "YES"! What do you think?
6 comments:
Major-
That certainly *could* be Marion Day Sechler, sporting that snappy sport coat.
Thanks, Major.
Hmmm the plaid coat guy could very well be Day …the ears and head with seem the same … it’s just his smile in the portrait makes it hard to confirm against the plaid coat stern face …
Pony farms are No laughing matter.
Head WIDTH
I think the dad and his daughter would also prefer to be facing forward; they're both craning their necks to see what's ahead. The guy with the "awesome" coat reminds me of an old cartoon where a down-on-his-luck guy would show up several times during the cartoon asking for a handout (or something). Can't remember if it was a WB cartoon or some other studio.
Hmm, I can't tell if the mystery man is Owen Pope, Day Sechler, or John Travolta.
I suspect this one will remain a mystery, but maybe not. Thanks, Major.
I'm wondering what that structure is in the distance, between the Stagecoach and Conestoga Wagon? Would that be a part of Rainbow Ridge that we are seeing? Although, the Rainbow Ridge Mine Trains didn't debut until 1956.
JB, that was a WB cartoon, and it was Humphrey Bogart asking Bugs Bunny for a handout. He had said that line in the film, "Treasure of the Sierra Madre."
^ Thanks, Tokyo!. I was pretty sure it was a WB cartoon.
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