Monday, November 10, 2025

Random Main Street, 1950s

As a rule, I am pretty happy to have (and share) any photos from the 1950s; that being said, I admit that today's examples are not "top shelf" images. Still, there's details to be enjoyed if you squint hard enough.

We've sure seen plenty of photos of the Horse Drawn Streetcars over the years; in fact, they are probably right up there among the "most photographed features" at the park when you think about it. People just love horses! The only thing remarkable about this picture (as far as I can tell) is that there are no less than three Cast Members seemingly involved in getting this streetcar loaded and ready to go. Nowadays, there might only be one, and he'll have a cudgel to make sure guests follow instructions.



From a different lot (but also from the 50s) comes this photo of the Wurlitzer shop as the Disneyland Band marches past (Vesey Walker is to the left, in the shadows). The lady with the classic striped popcorn box got whiplash from turning her head so fast. To the extreme right, it looks like a few folks are taking a peek at the little viewers that showed concept for the never-built International Street.
 

2 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-
As both the "upcoming" International Street preview wall and Maxwell Coffee House are both seen in the 2nd image, it is probably taken before 1958.

Thanks, Major.

JB said...

We can't really tell if the CMs vests are buttoned. For Bu's sake (and sanity) we'll just say they are. One CM is to make the horse start moving. Another CM is to make the horse stop. And the third is to make the guests behave, with his cudgel, like you said. (I think Disney switched to cattle prods sometime in the early sixties.)
I think the horse is throwing up.

I wonder what the Band is playing?... That's a trick question... they aren't playing anything! Second Band question: Where will they eventually end up before they start playing? The little girl on the right is wearing an interesting black & white poofy dress. Her mom is dressed in a sophisticatedly stylish manner as well.
I wonder if the Wurlitzer shop sold pipe organs? Nothing too large, mind you; maybe just a thousand pipes... two thousand tops. Although, lugging around a 16 foot metal, or wood, pipe all day could be problematic.

OK, I got kinda silly with my comments today... it happens. Thanks, Major.