Knott's in the 1950's

Here's a pair of fun vintage Knott's Berry Farm images!

First up, there's Chief Red Feather (in the lovely sky-blue shirt) posing with a visitor, and armed with an extra feathered headdress just in case. In the background, other less famous Native Americans (they must have worked at Knott's for much less time) are doing there thing too. Is that man with the smiling face (to our right) wearing a bison hat, complete with horns? Maybe he knows Fred Flintstone. This slide was dated "May 27 1956".

Well, readers of this blog have certainly seen plenty of images of the old Gold Mine, where you could "pan out your own gold". In this case, I just get a kick out of the people in this photo, from their clothing to the happy (or intensely interested) expressions on their faces. Maybe they'll strike it rich!

Tomorrowland, June 1960

Say, what gives? Only one photo? Yes, it's true. But at least it is a good one! A slightly gray and  cloudy sky provides contrast to the gleaming white Moonliner. I think it's just about to blast off! Giant "bird of paradise" plants and colorful flowers help to liven things up. This is one of those pictures that I don't have a lot to say about it, but it makes me smile.

Frontier Town, Maryland

Today we're going to revisit a Western-themed amusement park called "Frontier Town", which is still around. See the earlier post here, and visit the park's website here. It is only open from June 'til Labor  Day (this is the east coast, after all) so plan your trip accordingly.

This trio is having too much fun, and that stage coachy thing isn't even going anywhere. It obviously does sometimes, since the wheels are coated with mud. Don't point that finger, it might be loaded! This vehicle has a clunky new appearance, but maybe it is just a liberally-restored antique.

Hey, it's Handsome Brady's brother Todd! His turn-ons are: sitting on benches, sipping corn whiskey, and flirting with the ladies. Turn-offs: Phonies. 

I knew that those three would wind up in jail. Bad pennies, if you ask me. In true old-west fashion, they stole that station wagon and took it for a joy ride. The gallows to our left will be their ultimate fate, just you wait and see.

Speaking of pennies, how about some penny candy? I would like some wax lips (preferably with the buck teeth), some red hots, and some lemon drops. Might as well throw in some chewing tobacco for the wife.

If those two aren't sisters, I'll eat my hat. They've stopped for a snack, but are shocked at the prices. 50 cents for a sandwich?! Fortunately that big purse is full of egg salad. No need for a utensil, just reach in a grab a handful!

Clock of the World and Fowler's Harbor

There's the giant cocktail measurer (from August 28, 1965), also known as the Clock of the World. What time is it? Time to drink, of course! One interesting detail is the addition of the Telstar satellite above the "America the Beautiful" building.  Telstar 1 and Telstar 2 - vitually identical - were built by AT&T, Bell Laboratories, NASA, and the British and French postal services, and transmitted some of the earliest trans-Atlantic television images. Neither satellite is functional any more, but both are still in orbit!

I like this unusual angle over at Fowler's Harbor. It has a "movie set" or even "Universal Studios" quality, don't you think?

Here's my attempt at making a "wiggle vision" animated gif that alternates between the two different images of a stereo slide. The process turned out to be trickier than I expected. At what depth do you want the two images to "pivot"? I tried to pick something in the mid-range to avoid having either the distant or near objects jumping around too much. There were other problems too, but... no need to go into all the gory details. Anyway, it turned out "just OK", and sort of gives you the general idea. In a way it works better for me in the small thumbnail than it does as a larger version.

SO.... are you folks interested in seeing more of these "wiggle vision" gifs? Or do they induce nausea, nosebleeds, and headaches? Let me know... if the consensus seems to indicate a desire for more, I'll dig out the stereo slides and see how it goes.

Indian Dance Circle, August 1960

In the 1950's, Westerns (TV and movies) portrayed Native Americans in a fairly negative light most of the time. They were always attacking wagon trains and forts, and were shown to be cruel and bloodthirsty. So Walt's Indian Village was fairly progressive for its day, presenting an assortment of  shelters, crafts, spiritual beliefs, and family dynamics of various tribes, in a respectful manner.

Almost every photo of the Indian Dance Circle shows pretty good-sized crowds of curious onlookers, who were undoubtedly impressed with the exotic costumes, music and dances.

SATURDAY - Service With a Smile

Today's "Anything Goes" installment celebrates the humble Service Station. I was originally going to title this one "Got Gas?", but decided (uncharacteristically) to take the high road.

How often have you gone to a gas station and stopped to take a picture with the friendly attendant? Same here, NEVER. So I love that somebody thought to do so in this case. I wish I knew where this was, but at least I know when it was - September 1963.

Luckily this photo had a few clues that helped to identify the location. That awesome truck has an Idaho license plate (1954), and the Standard Oil establishment belonged to a man named Roy Percival - which helped to determine that Roy's place was in Idaho Falls, ID. I am guessing that our photographer  was passing through Idaho Falls on the way to (or from) Yellowstone National Park or the even-closer Grand Teton National Park, just over the Wyoming border.

Hug your gas station worker today!

More Disneyland Wardrobe Department

Who wants more stuff from the Disneyland Wardrobe Department? Huck has provided another batch of vintage awesomeness.

I love this costume, which would have been worn by a monorail ticket seller in 1970. This woman looks like she's performing in a broadway musical; the outfit is reminiscent of the kind stewardesses wore in the early 1950's. Maybe it's just the little hat!

Here's a men's Monorail costume (also from 1970), although it was not specified exactly what a fellow like this would be doing.  Goofing off mostly, is my guess! Just kidding, I'm sure this guy was courteous and helpful.

And now for my favorite wardrobe model (you may remember her from here and here) in an outfit that was, according the the title of the photo, for "Fantasyland Attractions". She's just too darn cute.

Thanks as always to Huck for these great images!

Around Main Street, September 1959

Vesey Walker is struttin' his stuff down Main Street. Not many people know that he actually raised the members of the Disneyland Band from babyhood, until they "imprinted" on him like baby ducklings. It was great when they were performing, but not so great the rest of the time. You can imagine. Notice the great signs on the lamp posts and hanging overhead!

Eliza Doolittle is selling flowers for 'alf a shillin'. I wonder if that wooden cart is around anymore, or if it was given away - or worse, left to decay backstage for years. 

Instamatic A-Go-Go

I think it's time for some more selections from a good old Kodak Instamatic camera. 

Here's a swell look at the Astro Jets and the Douglas Moonliner, probably from 1965-ish. The Astro jets has a nice little crowd waiting for a turn to spin and spin. This picture has great color!

I love this image of Tom Sawyer Island... not only is it bright and sunshiny, but it gives a wonderful sense of the place. Wander trails, explore caves, cross bridges, climb rocks, visit the log fort... TSI was interactive before that became a thing.

While waiting aboard the Disneyland Railroad at Main Street Station, you might just turn your head and see the futuristic Monorail passing by. In front of the ticket booths on the grassy area is a sign advertising Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.

Some of you maybe have noticed the addition of watermarks; many of my photos have started showing up on a major Disney park website, and somebody else (a dishonest blogger - don't worry, it isn't anybody we like) has been adding their own watermarks to my pictures. Long story short: from now on I'm watermarking everything. Unscrupulous people will just crop them off, but at least it's something.

Knott's Train and Calico Mine Ride, October 1967

How'sabout two great images from Knott's Berry Farm? You gots it.

I love photos taken from this angle looking down into Calico Square; the photographer was standing in the queue for the Calico Mine Train (smart man) and noticed how neat this looked from a giraffe's-eye view. The locomotive (one of a pair) is something that I never get tired of! Bad news though... you can't buy a Zima at the Calico Saloon.

Now we do the old switcheroo, and look up at the Mine Train from Calico Square. I did it just by wiggling my nose (which explains the xylophone noise you heard). The little ticket booth to our right was recently removed for some reason, but otherwise this attraction is very much like it was way back when. Thank goodness.