Dancing in Frontierland, 1959

Here's three vintage color snapshots from 1959, featuring my favorite subject of all, the Indian Dance Circle! Man oh man, do I have a bunch of pictures of that thing!

The show is about to start; the anticipation is so thick you can cut it with a knife! Notice how all of these photos tilt to the right...


This photo shows a female dancer, which you don't see too often. At times there have even been very young Indian performers, possibly only 8 years old or so. Could they hold the record as the youngest Disneyland employees (something that others have claimed)?


Yep, there it is! I am glad that I got these out of my system.

Main Street, September 1959

It's time for a visit to Main Street USA, circa 1959. As you can see, this photo has some cool details, particularly that red sign strung across Main Street, touting the 6 fabulous additions to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. In addition, there are masonite signs hung every 50 feet or so, each with beautiful artwork for each new attraction. Oh, how I wish I had one of those! In the foreground, a ferocious kid brandishes his souvenir spear at us; you might think that he picked it up at Tiki's Tropical Imports, but we will see in a future post that he probably got it at Frontierland's Trading Post. I'll let you decide, when that day comes!


Another shot, a bit further up the street. There's the Gibson Greeting Cards store, and a stroller to torture Daveland. Mom's carrying an armload of bags, who knows what wonders they contain?

Universal Studios

Let's take a little detour to Universal Studios, shall we? Today's scan is from a 1968 souvenir guide (which is full of fun photos from the good old days). The centerfold spread consists of this nice artist's rendering of the Studios (why plural?) as if you were flying by with your rocket pack strapped to your back.I had to scan it in four pieces and nail them together, and I posted it especially large (sorry if it takes a while to load) so that you can enjoy the details. How many "Glamortrams" can you find?

Up at the top of the hill, just to the right of the Christmas tree (?!) is the "Crusades Tower". Nearby you'd find (but can't really see) the "Spartacus Courtyard", the "Hong Kong Waterfront", the "Pushbutton Snow Set", the Stunt Show, and the "Munster's Lab".

Down below (near the beautiful L.A. River) you'd find the various actor's bungalows, soundstages (including the world's largest soundstage!), and a whole bunch of backlots. To the left is "Falls Lake", with the Psycho house nearby. And if you let your eyes wander, you'll see "New York" streets, Medieval streets, suburban streets, and even the Courthouse made famous in "Back to the Future".

You'll notice that lots of things familiar to us are not there yet; no "Jaws" or "Parting of the Red Sea", no "King Kong", "Earthquake" or "Backdraft", not even the spinning ice tunnel.


In a later guide (1973), this big centerfold is reduced to fit onto a mere two pages, which made me cry. And then I laughed. And then I ate lunch.

Indians in Frontierland, February 1960

Frontierland used to feel a lot more frontierish back when there were gunfights, a saloon show, dead settlers, and real live Indians!

Disneyland generally had a surprisingly respectful attitude towards American Indians, who were mostly seen as go-to bad guys in a zillion TV westerns. The Dance Circle allowed average folks to learn a little something during their visit, and judging by the crowds, they enjoyed the experience.

In this first shot, the early-birds had arrived for the prime seats. Depending on who you were, a prime seat was either right up front, or in the shade.


I'll bet that on a hot day, that circle was a giant frying pan! A little butter, some shallots, some white wine... what were we talking about again?


I wonder if this photo was taken from a handy bench? If you're like me, you might like to sit a spell and do a bit of people watching while your feet get a break. Alert! Alert! Hat with giant feather! Alert!

Phriday Phun!

Today we're going to leave SoCal and travel all over the country to see where other folks go for a good time.

Let's start with this July 1968 photo showing the wonderful entrance to "Gatorland", in Orlando, Florida. This park opened in 1949, and is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles. Why, I can practically smell it from here! This photo was taken several years before Walt Disney World opened, and I am happy to say that Gatorland is still around (happy 60th anniversary!). If loving gators is wrong, I don't wanna be right.


This entrance to "Pioneer Town" appears to be out in the middle of freakin' nowhere (dirt roads, y'all!), but that only enhances the appeal of this place. Wherever it may be. That's right, "Pioneer Town" was just too generic for me to find on Google. Is one of the flags on top of the false-fronted building a state flag? That might help. Readers, I challenge ye!


Well, maybe I lied about going all over the country, because here we are in Orlando (April 3, 1973) again for a peek at Walt Dizzy World's extinct "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" attraction. Oh man, just look at that totally boss Nautilus submarine! I feel genuine sympathy for the folks on the east coast; Disneyland's submarine ride has been Nemo-ized, but at least we still have it!


And lastly, here's a photo from February 1962, showing two cute little girls munching on popcorn as they "ride" their pumpkin coach. Looks like they are stuck in the mud. I don't know where this park was (and presumably it was an amusement park; the cheerful barbed wire was intended to keep non-paying kids OUT) - but it was just one of many kiddie parks with a "Mother Goose" or Fairy Tale theme.

Yet even more Frontierland, February 1960

Ahoy mateys; things have been busy for the past few days, so today I am going to bonk this post out like there's no tomorrow. BONK!

Just look at this brutal winter day in Frontierland, circa February 1960. No wonder everyone leaves California to go live in Wisconsin. Ya gots a couple of rafts, a Keel Boat, the Mark Twain, and the Columbia (which apparently spent 90 percent of the time in Fowler's Harbor). The only thing that would make this picture better is if picturesque Harper's Mill was removed and a huge stage was built in its place.


The Mine Train should have been closed at this point, since the fabulous "Nature's Wonderland" expansion wouldn't open until the end of May - so, this photo must have been shot from the Disneyland RR. It's nice that Old Unfaithful still erupted for folks!

The Jungle Cruise, 1957

Today I have two nice images of the Jungle Cruise from 1957. Our photographer spent a little too much time at the Hills Bros. Coffee House, so he suffered from "the shakes". Too much caffeine, you know. Still, this is a great view of the busy loading dock and a classic Jungle Cruise launch. The cast members are wearing white pants, mock turtle-necks, and Thurston Howell III sailing hats. I'm sorry, I just don't feel safe with those guys in charge. Meanwhile, look at the kid sitting next to the skipper, he is so gosh-darned excited!


And here's another boatload o' tourists returning to civilization (and those California freeways, nyuk nyuk!).

Waikiki Motel Postcard

It's "souvenir day" today! I have oodles of Disneyland postcards, ranging from the early artwork-only "concept cards" to the beautiful Panorama cards and the fun Art Corner cards. Some folks have expanded their parameters to include the many hotels and motels that surrounded the park over the years. I haven't gotten into those really, but today's card is an exception.

The Waikiki Motel looks like your typical Southern California motel...two storys of rooms (clean and modern, maybe even with color televisions!) surrounding a rectangular parking lot that includes a small pool. I personally appreciate the separate pool for the kids to pee in. A few gently-swaying palm trees add a bit of tropical beauty. It actually looks like a pretty nice place! Notice the people goose-stepping down the sidewalk.


The real reason I like this card is the artist's depiction of Disneyland in the (very walkable) distance! It's a fairly nice illustration, although the castle looks a bit weird and the Matterhorn looks like it's in the wrong place. Still, there's Main Street Station and the Rocket to the Moon, and you can even see a tram in the parking lot. A little artistic license was taken with the mountains on the horizon (there are mountains, but not quite that close - or is it just the clear Anaheim air that makes them feel close?).


I found this next postcard on the internets, and as you can see, the Waikiki Motel was faithfully rendered on the other postcard. Little details differ, but still; I love the sign! The Waikiki Motel is gone, and as far as I can tell the "Desert Palms" and/or the Candy Cane Inn now stand where it used to be.

Adventureland & Tiki's Imports, September 1959

I don't spend nearly enough time in Adventureland, so today's photos are a nice change of pace. And there are no gaping hippos to be seen!

I originally thought that this little bridge was a shortcut between Frontierland and Adventureland, but I now believe that it crossed over an open waterway (now covered) that led to the rivers of the Jungle Cruise. Right after this picture was taken, the little boy fell into the water and was swallowed whole by an animatronic crocodile.


Just kidding! See? The kid is fine. Man, you guys are gullible. The whole family is checking out Tiki's Imports, where all sort of exotic keepsakes could be bought. Looks like there is a selection of sea shells, hats, Kodak film, and I'll bet there's a rubber snake or two in there somewhere. Or even a shrunken head, which every boy needs. Plus you can buy a big woven handbag to hold all of your treasures.

Frontierland in Black and White, 1959

It's vintage snapshot time; those little black and white photos that somehow seem to capture moments that were even more fleeting than the ones found in color slides. Maybe it's because they feel so "antique"? Anyway, all of today's photos involve Tom Sawyer Island in some way.

There's the island. How the heck are we supposed to get over there, swim? Nope, you can hop on one of those handy rafts for a brief trip across the river; that's one of the landings to the right.


The fishing dock is deserted, maybe they weren't biting that day. You can see one of the entrances to the mysterious caves, as well as Tom's Treehouse at the top of the picture.


Darn those squirmy kids, they don't want to pose for a picture when there's so much to do, so many interesting places to explore! I'm sure that this brother and sister would love to have a REAL treehouse like this. Come to think of it, so would I.


Here's a shot of the Mark Twain churning towards home. The photo was taken from one of the riverside trails, and it's a mighty fine sight!