Monorail and Alice, August 1969

Happy Birthday to GDB pal STU! And you just know that Sue B. has gone above and beyond the call of duty, and has provided a fun vintage birthday pic. A group of kids sits at a classic formica table (with matching chairs), enjoying an impressive cake. The kid to the right looks a little goofy, but then again, most kids do. Notice all of the clothing items piled on the radiator, perhaps it was a cold/rainy day and Mom was going to dry everything out before sending them home (after some "pin the tail on the donkey" and an hour of cartoons)

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Next I have some swell scans for you, starting with this beauty looking down from the Skyway (the image is impressively sharp and clear) at this wonderful scene. There's so much to dig, daddy-o! Do you like the Peoplemover? Check! How about the red Mark II Monorail? Check! We get the Autopia, along with a partial view of the Fantasyland Autopia sign (to the left); AND MORE!

Wowee, what a sight. I even enjoy seeing those three gas station signs poking up in the distance.

The colorful crowd is fun, and we get  TRIPLE GOOD LUCK with a trio of Matterhorn bobsleds. 

Was this photo taken from the Monorail? I labeled it "Alice from Skyway", but of course the Skyway is way above us. Whatever the case, it's a very nice view of the Alice in Wonderland attraction; all of the people who were in that first photo have gone home for liverwurst sammiches, there's hardly any other guests to be seen besides the ones aboard the snooty caterpillar. "Fan 2" is off to the right, as is the Pirate Ship.

Vintage Disneyland Ephemera

I picked two pieces of vintage Disneyland ephemera - perhaps an odd pairing, but you can handle it! I believe in you.

Way back in January of 1987 (37 years ago, folks), a little attraction called Star Tours debuted (Wikipedia says that the official opening was January 9th). Excitement from guests was off the charts! And the long lines stretched into the Pacific Ocean (needs verification). Amazingly, cast members got their own "premiere", lasting five nights in a row, from 7:00 PM until midnight, and they were given this folder that contained special tickets for the occasion.

My example has one ticket for each night, but I have no idea if that was standard; I'm happy to have one of each though, and they look swell together. I bought these many years ago (long before GDB was a twinkle in my eye) - I generally collect older Disneyland stuff, but it's hard to resist anything tied to a ride's opening.

Next is an odd item, a menu. It's not even that old. Well, I guess it is kind of old - it has a tiny "3/80" printed on the outside. 44 years ago, yikes. I bought this mostly because I'd never seen one like it before, and I have never seen another. It measures 15.5" X 7.25", and is laminated. It has that familiar, comfortable coffee-shop feel. It might even be bullet-proof.

I'm charmed by the "quilted" graphic style, which reminds me of the 1970s - and let's face it, the totally tubular neon 80s wouldn't come along for a few years. The menu offers a little bit of everything; hamburgers, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, omelettes, pot roast, jumbo shrimp... I'm getting hungry just reading it. 

Don't forget waffles, hot cakes, and french toast. With a side of bacon or sausage (or both). And you need a beverage to wash it all down, with a selection of juices, coffee, tea, or even hot chocolate. What more could you need?

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Mike Cozart sent a jpeg of a rare pre-opening Star Tours poster, I'd never seen it before! I did some Photoshopping on it, which might not be 100% accurate, but you get the idea.

Beautiful Frontierland, August 1960

I have a pair of very pretty Frontierland views from August, 1960. The photographer was standing on the western edge of Town Square, looking across the moat and toward the stockade gates and the guardhouse (perhaps it looks familiar). I wonder if that bunting on the gate is left over from the 4th of July? Above the entrance is a sign for the new Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland, which debuted on May 28th of this year. 

Next is this nice look at the Rivers of America; the slide was damaged (some of the emulsion had flaked off for some reason), so I just cropped that damage off. Draconian! But the scene is still great, with the Bertha Mae heading toward its dock on the western shore of the River. The Columbia is heading 'round the bend, and one raft is unloading at Tom Sawyer Island, while another waits to cross in the foreground. I wonder if that one will go to the raft landing visible just to the left of the Bertha Mae's bow?

Knott's Berry Farm, July 1978

Here's a selection of slide scans from 1978; I am reasonably sure that they are from Knott's Berry Farm, mostly because of this first photo of some energetic girls posing with two aloof flappers. The flappers were added as part of KBF's "Roaring 20s" area - do they have names? Were they sculpted by Knott's legend Claude Bell? Did he like eating at Taco Bell? So many questions. Cotton candy is a treat that I honestly don't recall seeing at Knott's, and have definitely never seen at Disneyland.

The next three photos show the girls on Antique Autos, I found these before I found the previous photo, and there are MANY amusement parks with similar attractions, so I was at a loss as to where these were taken. There are some steps in the middle of the picture, with guests coming down from someplace up above - was this part of some other attraction?

This looks similar to the previous photo, but I noticed that the car has two steering wheels, which is how they do things in Europe (or so I'm told). So... it's a different ride? 

Hello, Mom, nice to meet you! She's a good mother too, since she let the kid drive. It always amused me to see pictures of the Autopia where the kid sits in the passenger seat while Dad is at the wheel. But I suppose it's possible that a timid kid might prefer to take in the scenery and let somebody else worry about  Sunday drivers.

 

Orphaned Slides, and a Birthday

Let's start today by wishing GDB friend KS a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! As usual, Sue B. went above and beyond and sent this vintage scan from a vintage birthday party; two boys proudly show off their brand-new wiffle bats! Little sis is almost as happy as they are. Notice the velvet painting, a large and particularly stunning example of the art form. Is it a vaquero? Or perhaps a pirate? 

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Both of today's scans are the last examples from larger lots of scans; they sat in a folder, a dark, scary folder full of spiders and ghosts. But now they've found a home! I love a happy ending. 

First up is this picture of the Columbia, from "sometime in the 1960s". The ship is moored over at Tom Sawyer Island rather than Fowler's Harbor, and that is likely due to some sort of massive construction going on over on the shores of Frontierland/New Orleans Square (possibly in 1960 or 1962). If you look closely, you can see that some maintenance is being done, stuff is covered in gray tarps (probably made from walrus hides), and that rope ladder is just begging to be climbed by piratical guests. 

Next is this view of the Motorized Firetruck, from August, 1960. A few guests have sought shade on this hot August day, and there is not exactly a long line to people waiting to ride the Firetruck, for some reason. They were probably standing somewhere waiting for "Galaxy's Edge".

Faded Snoozles™

Today's Snoozles? Florida Man says that they "Aren't that bad". Thanks, Florida Man!

Two Skyway gondolas pass each other, like ships in the night (except that it is broad daylight). "Hello, neighbor". "Howdy, friend". That's the beginning and end of their relationship. It's sad, there was so much potential. Those crazy kids never had a chance, dammit (*bangs fist on table*).

In the 1950s, the Rivers of the World was filled with pipin' hot pea soup rather than water, thanks to a surplus (left over from WWII). Guests were given mugs so they could reach down and scoop up a serving, sort of like Willy Wonka's chocolate river. Some lost hands to crocodiles, but it was all part of the fun. 

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For those of you who might have missed it, GDB friend Matthew (I call him "Matt"!) chimed in (via the comments) about those "bad show" Mark Twain photos from a few days ago. It's very interesting! We also got a comment from the man with the cigarette, which was awesome! Check it out.

Allentown, PA - 1940

In a box of random slides, there were a few stray examples that were particularly old - "1940" was written on the cardboard mounts, but there was no further info. If you look at this first scan, that tall monument at the end of the street seems like a pretty good clue. And it didn't take too long to figure out that it is the Soldiers and Sailors monument in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which means that we are facing West on Hamilton Street. It's very cool to have a color photo of this street from 84 years ago!

Here's a screen-grab from Google Maps' "Street View". The building with the arches can still be seen to the right, as can the monument, which was unveiled October 19, 1899, on Allentown's Center Square at 7th and Hamilton streets, honors Union Army volunteers from Allentown and Lehigh Valley who were killed in defense of the Union during the American Civil War. The monument is topped by a statue representing the Goddess of Liberty. In 1957, the statue atop the monument was removed due to its state of disrepair and was replaced in 1964.

Our photographer did a 180º and took a picture looking East; there's the Americus Hotel to the left, another helpful landmark. 

And another Street View!

Park Entrance, June 1962

Well, what do you know, today is our friend Melissa's birthday. Melissa, if you are out there, please drop us a line, we love you. As usual, Sue B. has sent in something extra fun for the occasion - a lucky little girl with an impressive birthday haul. I was spoiled rotten, and I don't think I ever got this many presents! A phonograph, a stuffed dog, a purse, a doll and baby buggy, and so on. No idea what the "Clean up" poster is for. Maybe the girl was a slob!

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For many people, those first moments at Disneyland are among the most exciting. Buying your tickets (well, you don't really do that like in the old days anymore), and then waiting to go through the turnstiles - the feeling of anticipation is off the charts. And then you might have the Disneyland Railroad at the station, bell ringing, whistle blowing... so great.

Here we get a look at the front from just outside the original teensy ticket booths on a June-gloomy day, 1962. I was wondering where all the people are, but it's almost 3 o'clock. They're already inside! Is that parked van "bad show"? Technically he's outside the gates. Still, it's a little odd to see it there. Maybe some dad made a wrong turn. To the right, you can see a sign that we saw before, check it out HERE.

I'm unsure as to whether the lady in the foreground was the intended subject of this photo, but she's blurry, so the joke's on her. Other late arrivals are heading in, not even pausing to admire the floral Mickey Portrait. Visigoths!

 

Adventureland Scenes, June 22, 1965

Hey hey! Let's all wish GDB friend Grant a very Happy Birthday! Sue B. provided a hilarious vintage b-day photo, four kids (all siblings?) sitting at the kitchen table. Is the boy to the right the celebrant? If so, his sister is giving him some lethal side-eye. Hopefully Grant will have more fun!

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I'd say 90% of my Adventureland slides are from the Jungle Cruise, so I'm always grateful when I have other views from there.  

OK, I know that this one has "issues". Hey, so do I, and yet I am still humble and lovable. The focus is a bit soft, but it's still an unusual angle on the Tahitian Terrace - normally photographers are facing the stage, which makes sense. But in this view, it appears that somebody looked behind them (if you look carefully you can see some buildings from outside the Terrace). So... I'll take it! The waitresses stand out in their brightly-colored dresses. And that one kid ordered the always-popular Chunk o' Pineapple.

And now for something a bit more familiar - it's the Barker Bird and Uti. Uti looks stern, but inside she is a-burble with laughter. She has grown to love the Barker Bird and his little straw hat. I'm glad these two crazy kids are together. 

Knott's Berry Farm PETLAND

Today I am sharing photos of two very unusual Knott's Berry Farm souvenirs. They are both license plate toppers from PETLAND! OK, first of all, what is a license plate topper? License Plate Toppers are small porcelain (enamel) signs... that can be screwed over the top of your license plate. License toppers were very popular in the 1930's and 40's. These decorative items were attached to the top of a car's license plate and were designed to add a bit of style and flair to a vehicle.

And what, pray tell, was Petland? The Knott's Berry Farm Facebook page had a helpful history: The Petland pet shop opened at Knott's Berry Farm in 1954 and brought with it the Old MacDonald's Farm petting zoo. Within a few months, more critters found their way to the Farm in the form of 30 sea lions (30? I am skeptical)! In December 1954, the Knott's "seal pool" debuted, operated by Petland concessionaires Bill Yeager and Bill Smalls. The 130,000-gallon tank was described as the largest seal pool in the US and its rock work was sculpted by Claude Bell and Ross Yost. Guests could purchase sea lion food (Northern Herring) to feed the hungry and talented critters. The "seal pool" operated rain or shine from 1954 until its closure on February 3, 1974. No trace of the pool remains as it was buried, leveled, and covered in terrazzo for the Fiesta Village dance floor, which debuted the following May. NOW YOU KNOW.

This first license plate topper is a heavy sonofagun - iron, if you can believe it, and coated with porcelain enamel, the way many old gas station (and other) metal signs were made in ye olden days.

Somebody must have discovered a small stash of these, because I saw one on eBay, and it went for a lot of money. Then there was another, and that also went for a lot. By the time the fourth or fifth example went up, the price was a lot lower, and I finally got one. Hooray! 

It seems funny to me that visitors to Knott's would want to buy one of these signs (as awesome as they are) and put it on their car. In this case, the topper was never used.

Is it "Pet Land", or "Petland"? Well I'm not really sure,  though "Petland" seems to be the most common usage ("common" being a relative term). Anyway, it turns out that there is yet another Petland license plate topper; I think it's safe to say that this one is newer, because it is now stamped out of steel and painted - much less expensive to make. This one appears to have actually been used.  

If you are wondering where Petland was, check out this 1955 map - you can see that it was over near the North end of the park (North is to the right), near the little lake.

I hope you have enjoyed these Petland souvenirs!