A Cold Dark Day in 1980

I usually do not even look at plastic sleeved slides as they are too modern. In addition, the views are usually of a trip around the world as most people had converted to regular film by the 1980s. However, I do find some interesting views in some of the slide collections. These are an interesting set, the first is of the Columbia taken in dock with the Fowler's Harbor building. I like the color set against the dark green leaves.

Staying on the Rivers of America is this shot of a nearly empty Mark Twain being loaded. It appears that Tom Sawyer Island was closed with several items under tarps.

While on the Mark Twain, the photographer took an image of Cascade Peak.

The best slide is this one of the Disneyland band in their 25th Anniversary uniforms marching down Main Street. The simplicity of the 25th Anniversary Celebration is shown by the simple lamp post plaques. No silver painted atrocities like the Golden Dumbo, Casey Jr., Jungle Cruise Launch or bling added to the Mark Twain or Sleeping Beauty Castle as was done for the 50th.

The Ford Rotunda in Dearborn Michigan

Another influence on Walt Disney to build Disneyland was Greenfield Village created by Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Located close to the Village was the Ford Rotunda. The Rotunda was the Tomorrowland to Greenfield Village's Main Street. The Rotunda was where the Ford dream cars were shown along with various displays of the process of manufacturing cars. Surrounding the Rotunda were small snippets of famous roads. Some of these elements were repeated in Tomorrowland in Disneyland, albeit with a different manufacturer. The Rotunda building was originally built at the Chicago World's Fair and then moved and constructed using more permanent methods near the Ford factory. In 1962 the building burnt down. For more information on the Rotunda.

Walt Disney Studios On the Lot

It is Saturday which means time for another photograph of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. This image shows the theater and the animation building with one of the landscaped lawn areas. This image came along with the other images I have shown over the last couple of weeks. I believe the photographs were all shot at the same time and the time was right when the new studio was being moved into by the company.

Souvenir Friday-Corriganville Movie Ranch

A while back, Ken at the Outside the Berm blog posted information on Corriganville run by Crash Corrigan. (The exact date is April 18, 2008.) Here is a nice brochure given out to the families that arrived at the park for a day of wild west fun. The back of the brochure lists the events. Saturdays were pretty mellow with no shows or events planned, but Sunday was the day to be there. One could even win prizes. The center of the brochure is the wonderful map of the grounds.

Here is a picture that could be taken when visiting the park.

A Bright Sunny Day at the Rivers of America

One of my favorite spots is right at the river bend on the Rivers of America. A very scenic view of not only New Orleans Square, but also of Tom Sawyers Island. The first shows the scene from the ground. I have never seen that much popcorn in one of the popcorn machines. And for those readers who remember my trivia quiz, the large stump is the petrified tree from Colorado.

The second image is from the top deck of the Mark Twain. I love the buildings for New Orleans Square in the background.

Indian Village Dancers 1960s

One of the most popular areas for photographers was the Indian Village located in Frontierland. I have seen several different series of photographs documenting the Native Americans performing their traditional dances to crowds of visitors. Here are a nice set of four photographs depicting one dance troupe. The crowd seems to be very appreciative of the dancing and appear to be totally involved. This is a part of Disneyland that has been lost. Now we have the cartoon version of Native Americans in the form of Pocahontas.

Fashion at Disneyland

Inspired by the Sex and the City film, here are two images of a very fashionable lady at Disneyland. Both slides have a written date of 7-55 on them. The first is from the Carnation Gardens side of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I like the wire planting fence and her purse is an ultimate western bag.

The second is the same person standing in front of the Red Wagon Inn. Definitely a hat that Carrie or Sarah Jessica Parker would wear (and maybe even Major Pepperidge!) I do like the sunglasses.

October 1980

A little trip back to the recent past of 1980. The first image is changing film at the Hallmark store on the edge of Main Street. I wonder what images were taken by that camera?

The second is of the long gone planter in front of Tomorrowland with the nice colors. This planter was much more inviting than the the current Logan's Run , Dark Crystal style of rock formation.

My favorite views are of Fantasyland prior to the 1983 rebuild. The last image is blurry, but still a nice shot with the Mad Hatter shop in the background.

Watercraft At Disneyland

Some views from and of watercraft at Disneyland. The first is from one of the Jungle River Cruise naphtha launches. The photographer chose the golden idol surrounded by some very scary monkeys. I actually like the out of focus people in the foreground to give the shot a further feeling of depth.

The next two photographs show two of the modes of transportation on the Rivers of America. The first is the stately stern wheeler Mark Twain rounding the bend.

Finally a nice shot of the Gullywhumper passing in front of the old fishing dock on Tom Sawyers Island.

The Original Animation Building at Walt Disney Studios Circa 1939

The building from whence came many classic films, the animation building at the Burbank Walt Disney Studios. I do like the well landscaped grounds with wide paths. I believe Walt achieved the campus like setting he was looking for.

Souvenir Friday- Pillow Cases

Back in the 1950s, fancy pillow cases were all the rage. Many were sent home by service men and women from their basic training camps, ships, military bases and even from overseas. Other tourist locations would sell the pillow cases adorned with graphics and sometimes poems about mom, dad, sister or brother alongside pennants and other souvenirs. Here are two pillow cases from Disneyland, one featuring early artwork for Tomorrowland and the other for Frontierland. I have seen others for the other lands (and am looking to add them to my collection as well.) The pillow cases would then be slipped over pillows and displayed upon the sofa in the living room (the room used only when guests would come over.)

Main Street Town Square Flag Pole

Not too many people took a picture of the large flag pole at Town Square on Main Street. Here are a couple of nice images, the first showing the setting of the flag pole. Dave- just keep a wary eye on that stroller as it may multiply years from now.

Here are the flags waving from that pole.

As an added bonus, here is a very early morning shot of the Coral Swim Club pool at the Disneyland Hotel.

A Quick Post

A quick post featuring two images from The Jungle River Cruise of the sacred elephant bathing pool. It is okay to look as they all have their trunks on.

And from the same group of slides is this crowded entrance to Frontierland. Gotta love those fashions!

Disneyland Hotel Under Construction

A shot of some of the first framing for the Disneyland Hotel with Disneyland in the background. The image was probably taken in May 1955. The best source for information about the history of the Hotel is Don Ballard's Disneyland Hotel blog and his highly recommended book on the Disneyland Hotel history. If you have not purchased the book and have any interest in the history of the hotel, go to his website and buy it now.

Chicago Rail Fair 1948 Slides Set Number 5

The final day of slides from the Chicago Rail Fair. I will start with some of the fair buildings and scenes, and then to more Railroad equipment. The first image is of the adobe in the Santa Fe Railroad exhibit.

Here is another one of the structures in Santa Fe, the first building.

There was also stations constructed for the display. Here is a typical station along the C.& N.W.R.R. (The Chicago and Northwester Railroad) with a diesel engine display sitting on the siding.

The Pullman company was also represented at the fair. The company sponsored and built a large tower. Pullman was one of the premier railroad coach builders along with running the sleepers on many railroads.

Finally a nice over view of the fair. I still like the looks of flags flapping in the breeze.

Now on to some more equipment. This is once again dedicated to Richard from Viewliner, Ltd. Also please correct me if I make any mistakes on the equipment. The first is the observation car from the Golden Rocket. The train was to be a high speed train jointly operated by SP and Rock Island. The route would be from Chicago to Los Angeles.

A gorgeous shot of an EMD (Electromotive diesel) engine from Southern Pacific in its bright yellow livery.

And to show it was not just passenger cars, here is a nice freight car from the Burlington Route.

Also a historic combination car from the Cumberland Valley Railroad, circa 1890.

One of my favorite images is the back end of this observation car from the Milwaukee Road of their Hiawatha train set.

Indianapolis 500 Race 1948

Jumping completely out of the realm of Disneyland, theme parks and Disney history to the race that was run 60 years ago...the Indianapolis 500. From the same photographer of the Chicago Rail Fair come these images of the race track and race. I have several friends who will not only watch the Indy 500 race but then also watch the Nascar race as well. As my friend said- 1100 miles of racing! Best of luck to the team you are rooting for....and Gentlemen and Ladies start your engines!

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