Stuff from the Park

Cascade Peak From the River

One of the more scenic elements on the Rivers of America was Cascade Peak with the three sisters falls. A nice image of the falls as taken from the front of the Mark Twain in the early 1960s. This is approximately where the old Mine train now rests.

More Opening Day July 17, 1955

Continuing with the images from the viewmaster reels. The first image shows the Teacup ride with no doors and no chain. I believe a chain was added shortly afterwards and a door added in the 1960s to keep people from spinning out.

The second, third and fourth image today are of the Horse Drawn Street car. I love the worker carrying the large mirror used to lighten the area for filming.

There must be someone on the trolley the photographer knew or was famous. Any body recognize a famous face?

More Opening Day Activities July 17, 1955

The park opened at in the early afternoon prior to the telecast. Most people hung out on Main Street to have a view of the parade and festivities. The first image is from the stairs leading to Main Street Station showing the Opera House and the early crowds. I wonder if they all kept their tickets?

A similar shot down Main Street showing Town Square decorated for the festivities.

Another shot of the forklift method for the camera. I believe they are testing the camera and the set up.

Opening Day July 17, 1955 Main Street

Several years ago I purchased a lot of opening day paper items from the Anaheim newspaper. This was kept by a photographer and his son was selling it on E-Bay. When I picked the items up, I asked if there were any other Disneyland items. The gentleman who was selling the items said yes, there were Viewmasters that were marked for opening day July 17, 1955. Of course I purchased the viewmaster slides as they were personal reels with the opening day in 3-D. To celebrate the 53rd year of Disneyland, here are a couple of images from Main Street on opening day. The first shows Town Square with the International Street sign up on the wall by the Opera House.

The second shows one of the camera set ups they used to get a taller view of the festivities. Of course KABC was the Los Angeles ABC affiliate.

Unfortunately I did not get the slides and another dealer purchased them and broke them up. I do know several of the people who did purchase the slides.

Fantasyland September 28, 1962

A rather empty Saturday morning shot of Fantasyland with the Matterhorn in the background dated September 28, 1962. According to the day in history for Disney, this was the day of the 3rd Annual Dixieland and Disneyland so everyone must be sleeping in for tonight's festivities. I can only count 5 people in the photograph!

Just a note that the blogging may be sporadic as I make my way to California for the National Fantasy Fan Club and Disneyland birthday. I do have some nice surprises up my sleeves for those times I can post!

Souvenir Friday-Jimmy Starr Letters

Here are two interesting letters that were sent to Jimmy Starr from Disneyland. Jimmy was one of the original park lessees, operating Jimmy Starr's Show Business. The store specialized in Movie Memorabilia such as photographs and postcards of stars. He also had a small display of movie wardrobes and props. Jimmy was also the Hollywood entertainment reporter for the Los Angeles Herald Express. The first letter is a letter of appreciation for the positive review of Disneyland from opening day.

The second letter introduces Jimmy as a lessee at Disneyland. The letter would have been used by manufacturers to verify that he was legitimate and credit worthy.