Friday, May 30, 2014

Souvenir Friday- Metal Perpetual Calendar

A common desk accessories during the 1950s was a metal perpetual calendar. This calendar would be used to designate the date and day...an accessory needed prior to the proliferation of computers and cell phones that have this feature built in. Made out of chromed metal, it is a difficult piece to photograph. On the main body is a graphic of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the base has Disneyland in its great font. The main body flips and the dates flip and change. As you can see, it is always Sunday July 17th at my house.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Knott's Berry Farm Visit 1960 Parking Lot and Seal Pool

Two more views from Knott's Berry Farm in 1960. First up is a nice view of the parking lot in the background and the flamingo pool in the foreground. I like the hut for the nesting flamingos.

Next up is a great view of the seldom seen Seal Pool. Quite a crowd at the pool to feed the seals. I like the fountains for the seals on the rocks.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Let's Visit Knott's Berry Farm in 1960

A fun series of snapshots featuring a visit to Knott's Berry Farm in 1960. The first image features Ghost Town with the family taking a popcorn break. I like the Native American figure sitting on the ground.

The next image shows the two kids sitting in front of the old prospector at the entrance. I like the Ghost Town sign in the background.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Friendly Indian Village

Two slides of the friendly Indian village found on the back side of the Rivers of America. The village has changed over the years with more active figures now populating the village including women working as well as the shaman telling the history of the tribe. I always enjoyed the boy fishing on the overturned canoe and the compact village in the background.

The next image shows more detail of the village. The photographer quickly took this photo to get a nice view of the village between the two images.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Finale of the Space Mountain Construction Photographs

Well I have come to the end of the images for Space Mountain construction. The last three are nice (and I did not preview all the photographs, just the last ones are randomly this nice.) First up is a great view of the building with an interesting parking cone design in front.

Next up is a shot of the roof from the Administration building. I like the color of the roof at this time.

The last image is of the concrete crew pouring concrete (what else!) The crew has a lot of work to accomplish.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Souvenir Friday- Pause Prints Third Quarter 1958 POP

A neat piece with some behind the scenes images of Pacific Ocean Park is this copy of the Los Angeles Coca Cola Bottlers employee magazine Pause Prints. The magazine is dated Third Quarter 1958 and features many scenes of Pacific Ocean Park and also the Sea Lounge and Neptune's kingdom. My favorite shots are of the Coca Cola employees delivering product to the various restaurants and food stands throughout POP.

A post from years ago is this sign from the attraction. I believe this was at the exit.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Square Dancing at the Long Beach Pike 1949

Two more images from the Long Beach Pike in 1949. These images focus on a kid's square dancing group who visited the park. First up is a nice shot of the group dancing in front of the Mother Goose Garden. The kids are wearing their best western outfits, the boys dressed up as cowboys. I wonder what happened to the wonderful sign. Note that in the background is a miniature train ride.

The second image shows the same group visiting a petting zoo at the Pike. Check out the airplane ride in the background.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Long Beach Pike 1949

A visit to the Long Beach Pike in 1949. First up is a spectacular night shot showing part of the midway. Many attractions can be seen in this image. Some of my favorites are the Auto Skooter building, the Fish and Bowl game, and the carousel in the middle. Also the great neon signage.

Next image from 1949 is the winner of the Easter egg hunt. I can't decide what I like better, the brand new wagon in the box or the two cute bunnies and one very frightening bunny.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Rivers of America Scenic Elements

Two slides featuring the scenic wonders on the Rivers of America. First up is an image of Cascade Falls with quite a flow. It must have been after one of the rare Southern California rain storms.

The next image is of the old mill on Tom Sawyer's Island. This is one of my favorite less visited spots in the park. I love watching the wheel and the grinding mechanism on the inside of the mill. Both of these elements are part of the Disneyland waterways and help to aerate the water keeping it clear of growth.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Burning Cabins and Santa Fe Disneyland Railroad

Two nice slides taken from the Mark Twain of the scenes along the Rivers of America. The first image is of the iconic burning settler's cabin. If you look closely, you can see the poor settler in front of his cabin with arrows sticking out of his body.

The next image shows a nice view of the C.K. Holliday pulling the excursion train through the forests of Frontierland. The bright red color of the engine and tender show nicely in the image.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Souvenir Friday- Pirates of the Caribbean Snowglobe

A fun bottle shaped snowglobe featuring the dunking mayor scene in the Pirates of the Caribbean. Originally sold when the attraction opened, this example is now dry. The inside is a great little diorama of one of the major scenes in Pirates. The Pirate ship and burning city in the background add to the feeling of being on the ride.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Night Disneyland 1966

Three photographs of Disneyland at night during the Christmas Holiday season in 1966. First up is Main Street USA with the nice popcorn lights. Note the large Christmas Tree at Town Square and also the bell decorations and Christmas lights across the street. The lit Sunkist sign is a rare sight.

The photographer was very daring, attempting to snap images of the attacking hippos on the Jungle River Cruise. First photograph is of the hippo preparing to attack.

Next image is of the attacking hippo.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Santa's Village 1962

It has been a while since the kids were packed into the Station Wagon and driven up to the mountains to visit Santa's Village in Lake Arrowhead. The first image shows the man of the park, Santa Claus, posing with a guest. Check out the man hanging out in the trees...

Next is my favorite part of Santa's Village is the North Pole. Basically a frozen pole kids could touch and say they had seen the North Pole. Note the elf on top of the pole.

Final image is of the Fire Engine that kid's could climb on and imagine they were responding to a call.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Saucers and Cinderella

This nice image was taken while waiting for the start of the Flying Saucer attraction at Disneyland. The photographer was on one of the Flying Saucers in the boom loading area. Quite a nice you are there look.

Next up is not Disneyland related, but still a great image of how pervasive Disney merchandising has been throughout the years. On Halloween, little girls could dress as their favorite princess and go out trick or treating.

Friday, May 09, 2014

Souvenir Friday- Send A Disneykin From Disneyland

Three rare postcards featuring the Marx Disneykin figurines being sent from Disneyland. Though sold at Disneyland, the graphics are not specific to any attraction. Still the artwork is fun, the Disneyland font is correct and of course the postcards are almost impossible to find.

Thursday, May 08, 2014

The Steel Frame of Space Mountain

Two more great images of Space Mountain during construction. First image shows the steel girders of what I think is the walkway.

Next up are the main steel girders for the building.

Wednesday, May 07, 2014

Tomorrowland Construction Walls

A quick post today showing the construction walls around Space Mountain. The photo captures the great Rolly Crump ticket booth along with the neat Space Mountain advertising poster on the wall.

Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Hard Hats Required

Even more Space Mountain construction photographs. The first image shows the construction fence around the site and a peak into the interior as the walls are being installed.

The second view is a broader view of the construction site with many construction vehicles on the site.

Monday, May 05, 2014

Security at Space Mountain Construction

Continuing with photographs of Space Mountain Construction. The first image shows a Disneyland Security Officer observing employees and the construction. Based upon the smiles on the construction workers it is quitting time.

The next image is a great image of the dirt work required for the attraction. I like the background with the Matterhorn and Rocket Jets in the background.

Friday, May 02, 2014

Souvernir Friday- Hand Painted Adventureland Snow Globe

The companion piece to last week's souvenir Friday snow globe is this one featuring the Jungle River Cruise in Adventureland. The graphic is hand painted and based upon an original WED pre-opening concept painting featuring the Jungle boats at the dock and station.