Lion Country Safari, 1970 & 1971

I have a few photos from the long-defunct "Lion Country Safari" in Irvine, California! The first LCS opened in Florida in 1969, while the Irvine location opened in 1970. At one point there were six LCS locations (!), but only the Florida example remains today.

The concept of Lion Country Safari was that it would be a "cageless zoo" in which guests could enjoy a safari experience from the comfort of their family cars. Here's a great shot of a giraffe; we're so used to seeing these on TV, but what amazing animals they are!

Awwwww! Two lionesses are probably tired of being stared at, and one has picked up her cub by the scruff of its neck. Totes adorbs. Let's open our car doors and see if they want to snuggle! (The Florida park finally had to put a fence between the animals and the cars in 2005, because guests refused to follow the rules about keeping doors and windows closed).

These next three are date-stamped "September 1970", so LCS was only a few months old at this point (having opened in June). The large building housed "Trader Robbie's African Curios". I wonder what was hidden beneath that ominous black tent?

As a kid, I thought these zebra-striped jeeps were about the coolest thing ever, and I was very jealous of the employees who were allowed to drive them. 

I'm not sure what purpose was served by this pretty pond - maybe it was home to flamingoes. Or perhaps this was "Lake Shanalee", where one could take a hippo-shaped, leg-powered paddle boat.

Seems like a good time to repost this faded 1971 snapshot of my Mom, riding one of those hippo boats with my little sister and brother. It sure looks like Lake Shanalee!

By 1984, Irvine's Lion Country Safari closed, due to high costs and low attendance.

Fabulous Tomorrowland

Aw yeah! Howsabout some classic Tomorrowland for your Friday? It's my favorite. The slides are undated, though my guess would be that they are from the very late 1960's.

Let's start with this awesome photo of the beautiful Mark III Monorail Red at its revamped station with the zig-zag roof line in Tomorrowland. As we all know, the Mark III Monorails debuted in 1968 (right, Chuck?!), and they were still sponsored by Alweg. Below the Monorail is the queue for the Submarine Voyage - I love that the sign still alludes to the fact that those gray subs were supposed to be nuclear powered. 

If you could only ride one of these two attractions, which one would you choose?

You all know bands such as "Sunshine Balloon", "The New Establishment", "The Better Half", and "The Entertainment Committee" (to name but a few), but I'd like you to meet "The New Descendants" (they predated the punk band "The Descendants" by a decade or so). The fact that they had two gals on guitars plus the usual female singer is pretty awesome. 

As always, the Rolly Crump stage is as perfect as can be.

I like their coral orange-pink jumpers and beribboned pigtails. And those colored translucent plastic panels are very cool as well.

Steve Stuart at P.O.P., July 1962

Hi guys and gals... I just wanted to let you know that I will be out of town for the next few days - as always there will be new posts for you, and I will try to respond to comments when I can. Meanwhile, on with today's post!

Here are three great photos from the personal collection of Steve Stuart, from a visit to Pacific Ocean Park. These are very rare views! As always, Steve has also generously provided some great commentary as well.

Here I am [I believe] beginning a ‘harrowing ride’ on POP’s-version of the Autopia - The Ocean Highway – sponsored by Union 76.  Although some of the vehicles of the Ocean Highway were manufactured in Germany, and had a front end more resembling that of a bullet-nosed Studebaker, my “stylish beauty” – the Streco Turnpike Cruiser – was made stateside by the Streifthau Manufacturing Company of Middletown, Ohio.  Off to the right appears to be a rubber-tired version of a “train”, the Union Flyer – also sponsored by Union 76 – but I’ll be damned if I can find any info on it, whatsoever.  

Portions of the trackage for the Sea Serpent Roller Coaster (the former High Boy) can be seen in the background, along with a “cast member” apparently lounging on the job...  The High Boy was seen in many a TV show and movie, most-famously, I suppose, was its inclusion in the 1953, 3D film Man In the Dark.  (And oddly-enough, it’s available on Blu-ray in 3D.  Definitely fun to watch for the opportunity to see the sights of a 1953 Ocean Park Pier, complete with a wonderful Laffing Sal, and the 3D effect used to great results while capturing the action on The Whip).

In this shot it looks as if Jeff was just released on his journey, with Don still being restrained by the “big, long, white/black arm”.  It’s sort of an odd design, quite-obviously pushing the cars off to the right side of the “roadway” to prevent them from moving forward, necessitating each driver to ‘correct’ his steering before proceeding.

In this final image of the Ocean Highway, the only question I have is – just what does that woman who is walking next to my cruiser have in her hair, or covering her ears-??  Could it be a ‘stylized version’ of a tin foil hat; and if so, just how is that working out for her-?

Those miniature automobiles are quite a bit clunkier than their Disneyland counterparts, but that just makes them all the more charming in my opinion. And if that lady needs a bit of tinfoil to keep the Russkies from beaming bad thoughts directly into her head, what's the harm? 

Thank you to Steve Stuart for sharing these awesome photos.

Knott's Berry Farm Postcards, 1970's

It's time once again for more vintage postcards from the collection of Ken Martinez! This time he is featuring cards from Knott's Berry Farm from the 1970's - so they are near and dear to me. Here's Ken:

Knott’s Berry Farm – After the Gate and into the 1970’s

It’s time for another vintage visit to Knott’s Berry Farm, this time just after Knott’s erected a fence and started charging admission to enter the park.

The Calico Log Ride (now known as Timber Mountain Log Ride) opened in 1969 with John Wayne being on hand for the festivities.  The Bud Hurlbut funded and created attraction still remains popular today.  It’s a true Knott’s classic.  The attraction’s animatronics were revamped by Garner Holt Productions in 2013. 

Fiesta Village opened the same year as the Calico Log Ride in 1969.  It was the second theme area constructed and opened after Ghost Town.

Here’s another postcard featuring the Fiesta Village.  Perhaps a reader can chime in as to what the boats were used for.

Pictured here in this split-scene postcard are some of Fiesta Village’s attractions like “Montezooma’s Revenge”, the “Antique Merry-go-Round”, the “Happy Sombrero” (now Hat Dance) and the “Auto Ride/Tijuana Taxi”.  Other past attractions in Fiesta Village included “Fiesta Wheel” a Chance Trabant, “Mexican Whip” a Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl and “Tampico Tumbler” a Fireball ride.

Montezooma’s Revenge which opened in 1978 was Knott’s third roller coaster.  It is now significant in that it is the only Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop roller coaster still standing and operating in the United States.  Let’s hope the current management of the park keeps it running and operational for some time to come.

Here’s a long gone but not forgotten Knott’s classic.  Knott’s Bear-y Tales was designed by Disney Imagineer Wally Crump and opened in 1975. It was replaced by “Kingdom of the Dinosaurs” in 1987.  I believe this postcard features the Bear Family Raz, Elder, Boysen, Girlsen and Flapper Bear-y.  The “Voyage to the Iron Reef” dark ride now occupies the building that “Knott’s Bear-y Tales inhabited. 

The “Roaring 20’s Corkscrew” which opened in 1975 was the world’s first modern inverted roller coaster.  Apparently Knott’s thought a Vekoma Boomerang was going to refresh the area so they removed the Arrow Corkscrew to make room for it.  If you still want to ride this historical rollercoaster you can visit Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho.

Here’s another split-scene postcard featuring some of the attractions from the Roaring 20’s Airfield area.  Featured here is “Propeller Spin” a Hrubetz Super Round-Up ride, the “Sky Jump” an Intamin parachute drop ride and the “Loop Trainer Flying Machine” an Enterprise ride.  The Roaring 20’s area was replaced by The Boardwalk.

Hope you enjoyed another visit to Knott’s Berry Farm of the past.

Thank you Ken! I have the feeling this is going to be a popular article.

1964 New York World's Fair

While my supply of slides from the 1964 New York World's Fair is dwindling, I was very happy to find almost 100 of them in a box that I'd completely forgotten about. So... hooray! There's nothing super unusual in the batch, but I'll take 'em. 

I'll start with this shot of the New York Pavilion with its "flying saucer" observation decks. This structure still exists, though it is crumbling. Hard working fans are doing their best to bring the pavilion back to some semblance of its former glory.

We're looking up the Avenue of United Nations (South), with the Missouri pavilion in front of us, along with an impressive avenue of flags. The partly-obscured white dome is the "igloo" from the Alaska pavilion. 

Next is the impressive Port Authority building, which had a helipad on the roof. Which is pretty cool! I'm not sure if "Brutalist" accurately defines the architectural style of this building, but it seems apt to me. You could go to the "Top of the Fair" restaurant and cocktail lounge, which sounds pretty sweet to me. This building can also still be seen, and it is apparently used as an event space.

The colorful objects in the foreground are all part of the Chrysler pavilion.

And finally we have this hazy view of the Travel and Transportation building with its fun, cratered moon dome (which housed an 18 minute Cinerama film). To our left is the U.S. Rubber Ferris wheel, and those strange hoops with cloth ribbons hanging from them are part of the Lowenbrau Gardens. In the distance the giant canopy façade of GM's "Futurama" can be seen, with the Chrysler pavilion to our right.

Stay tuned for more photos from the New York World's Fair!

Random Disneyland Stuff

I photographed and scanned a bunch of random Disneyland souvenirs and ephemera, and thought it would be fun to share an assortment today.

Let's start with this chunky brass sheriff's badge - this thing is nice and heavy, a quality piece of merchandise! Not to mention that possession of said item grants me the authority to enforce the law in all 50 States and all U.S. territories. I wish it was dated, but the small shield says "Walt Disney Productions", so it is at least pre-1986, though I suspect it is from the 1970's, if not the 1960's.

Now here's a piece of ephemera! It's an individually wrapped toothpick from the Red Wagon Inn or the Plantation House (both sponsored by Stouffers). I got this for next to nothing on eBay - maybe they are common, but I don't recall ever seeing another one.

And finally, here is a nice gate handout, dating from 1966 (when "It's a Small World" debuted). The "Primeval World" dinosaurs were added to the Disneyland Railroad on July 1st, 1966, so that narrows down the date even further.

Here's the inside - brown monochrome representations of two famous attraction posters, plus some fun text to get you all pumped up. Looks like they used a Haunted Mansion font ("Ravenscroft", though I suspect that it had a different name in 1966) for the word "Fantasyland".

And on the back, just look at all that quality entertainment, all included with your admission to the park! 

Castle Courtyard, July 1958

If you have looked at today's photos and are feeling a ferocious sense of déjà vu, don't worry! You have indeed seen similar photos before. 

The lady to the right of the trash can is my favorite, she has a real sense of style. Maybe she's a cool teacher or something. I always loved the old castle courtyard, because pre-1983, it was the only place where the surrounding buildings were more fully finished, in contrast to the flat façades of the old Fantasyland (which I also loved!). Just look at Merlin's Magic Shop, to our left. It's right out of a German Expressionist silent movie. "The Golem", maybe. 

And I know that a lot of people like today's more gaudily polychromatic park, but I look at this version of Sleeping Beauty Castle and think that, even though it is a fairy tale castle, it feels more "real", if that makes any sense at all.  

Old Locomotives

Who loves old trains? If you raised your hand, then you'll like today's post. 

Let's start with this nice photo of a huge locomotive (circa 1971) as it passes through some unknown location. This was known as the Nickel Plate Road 759, a 2-4-8 "Berkshire" type locomotive, built in 1944 in Lima, Ohio. It was a fast freight locomotive, and was in service until 1959, when it was placed into storage. I would imagine that by 1944, traditional steam locomotives were already on the wane, with diesel becoming increasingly popular.

In 1965 it was purchased by F. Nelson Blount for display at Steamtown U.S.A. in New Hampshire, where it was restored to operating condition. It was used for hauling his Golden Spike Centennial Limited for the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. According to Wikipedia, it was used for numerous excursions until it was retired once more in 1977.

Here's a modern day photo of the same locomotive on display at Steamtown in Scranton, PA. It looks fantastic!

This next photo was taken in November, 1973 - once again, the location is unknown. This odd looking contraption is called the "Best Friend of Charleston", and according to my pal Mr. Wikipedia,  "It is widely acclaimed as the first locomotive to be built entirely within the United States for revenue service". It was built in 1830, and was used in regular passenger service along a six mile demonstration route in Charleston (South Carolina). 

The "Best Friend" was also the first locomotive in the U.S. to suffer a boiler explosion, killing the fireman (the engineer survived uninjured). Salvageable parts were used to build another locomotive known as the Phoenix, which ran up until the Civil War. 

SO... this is clearly a replica of the original "Best Friend". One operable replica was built in 1928 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road; I suspect that's the one shown in the photo below. 

Here is an early diagram showing the "Best Friend"...

I hope you have enjoyed these vintage choo-choos!

Bear Country Construction, 1971

I have nine vintage snapshots showing construction of the newest "land" at the park, "Bear Country" - home of the upcoming "Country Bear Jamboree"! Today I'll share three of those with you.

I love the sign in the lower foreground; in the background, dirt, dirt, and more dirt, along with some concrete forms, a crane, and those vertical steel posts, presumably some kind of structural supports. It's all pretty raw at this point. 

Hey, there's the Disneyland Hotel!

Is this the Hungry Bear restaurant? Or is it the Country Bear Playhouse? Or some other structure? How many questions in a row can I ask? Four, apparently. I am intrigued by the concrete "bunker", which I assume was not an area open to the public. Maybe it's where they kept all of the bad bears when they misbehaved.

Here's more of that same structure. the large deck makes me think it's the Hungry Bear. While I am sort of surprised at how much wood was used (rather than steel), wood is nice and flexible - handy in a land prone to earthquakes.

Stay tuned for more photos from this batch!

Steve Stuart's Disneyland Files, March 1961

It's time for two more slides from Nanook. You know, Steve Stuart! We're back at Disneyland.

A word from Steve: Here’s a [solo] shot of me standing along the railing of the Monorail Load Platform - again from March, 1961, obviously with the Matterhorn in the background – then featuring its many active water features-!  The sweater, which we’ve spotted in other shots, I believe is a ‘cable knit’ sweater, and I remember it well.

Man, I would give anything to have a photo of myself and the Matterhorn when I was the same age!

Seated just this side of the Petrified Tree in Frontierland is my aunt and Mom.  Off to our right is the Golden Horseshoe Revue, with bits and pieces of ‘the little mining town of Rainbow Ridge’ scattered-about in the background.

I particularly like this great portrait of two important ladies in Steve's life.

Thanks so much to Steve Stuart. Next time... more P.O.P.