Happy 100th Birthday Ward Kimball

Yesterday was the 100th birthday of my favorite Disney animator, Ward Kimball. Kimball was definitely a renaissance man with varied interests. His interests included modern art, animation, music, trains, costumes, antique automobiles, antique toys and more. He influenced Walt Disney and the creation of Disneyland, re-igniting Walt's love of trains and traveling to the Chicago Rail Fair and Henry Ford's Greenfield Village with Walt in 1948. Ward created some of the most popular and innovative animation to be released from the Walt Disney studio including Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom and the Man in Space TV series. He also directed the Academy Award winning animated short "It's Tough To Be A Bird." Over the years I have posted several items related to Ward. One of my favorite items is a set of postcards that Ward purchased at Greenfield Village. The note to himself speaks of Ward's sense of humor.

Another favorite postcard is this color view of Ward's home train. Not content to have a toy train set, Ward was one of the first private owners of a steam powered locomotive. This train set can be visited at the Orange Empire Railway Museum located in Perris California.

Here is a broadside for an early train steam up. This may have been one which Walt would have been invited and learned to drive a train.

Ward was the founder of the Firehouse 5 Plus 2 Dixieland Jazz band. One of their important gigs was to march in the opening day parade on July 17, 1955.

The band also played the Dixieland at Disneyland events for many years. This is a copy of a poster that once was on display in Ward's train barn (from Chris.)

Happy centennial Ward and thanks for all that you did. I miss your wacky sense of humor at Disney events and your animation.

Frontierland Buildings on Tom Sawyer's Island 1959

Two more snapshots of buildings in Frontierland taken in 1959. First up is the fishing pier and shack on the island. This structure still stands as a restroom with a shortened pier so you can view the Mark Twain and Columbia around the bend.

Next image is one of my favorite buildings on TSI, the Old Mill. The original location was more rustic but now with the Fantasmic stage, the structure is not as interesting. Note the treehouse in the background.

Frontierland Street 1959

Some nice views of the Frontierland street from 1959. First up is the Frontier Trading Post with the cigar store Indian standing guard in front of the store. A place to purchase cap guns, cowboy souvenirs and other items. Captured in the snapshot is a guest walking by with crutches.

This image shows the guard block house at the entrance to Frontierland. I like seeing the spires of Sleeping Beauty castle in the background.

Souvenir Friday- 1980 Disneyland Ambassador

The Disneyland Ambassador program was started in 1965 to help promote Tencenniel and the park throughout the world. Chosen from the cast members, the ambassador would travel the United States and the World to publicize Disneyland. Many of their visits were with costumed characters to hospitals as well as to new station interviews. The program continues today and includes all Disney Theme Parks throughout the world. This brochure was given to Disneyland cast members in 1980 to meet the Ambassador for tea and conversation. I like the back showing the various Ambassadors since 1965.

Guest Transportation on Rivers of America Part 2

Continuing with two nice September 1959 snapshots showing guest transportation on the Rivers of America. The two pictures are one of Disneyland's most photographed attractions, the Mark Twain. The first image shows the Mark Twain coming in to the dock. Check out the Frontierland forest in the background.

The next image shows the back end of the Mark Twain passing by a loading dock for the Tom Sawyer's Island rafts. This is an unusual view as it shows not only the Adventureland canal but also an eating area that was once located at the edge of the Rivers of America and is now paved walkway.

Guest Transportation On the Rivers of America Part 1

A couple more snapshots from the same guest who snapped the pictures from the Skyway. The first picture shows the Indian War Canoes being paddled by guests in the foreground and a Keel Boat docked at Fowler's Harbor off in the distance. Photo dates from September 1959.

Next image is of the now gone Tom Sawyer's Island raft landing that was located next to the Frontierland dock. In the foreground is the canal that used to allow the flow of water from Jungle Cruise to the Rivers of America. Off to the side is an interesting set decoration with a mast of a ship with some boxes. In the background is another vehicle, the stately Mark Twain.

Skyway September 1959 Part 2

Two more views of the Skyway at Disneyland. This time the black and white snapshots are the views one could see from the Skyway. First image is of Fantasyland with the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship sailing and the top of the King Arthur Carousel.

Next image is of the Storybook Canal Boats attraction, more specifically the mountain side town where Cinderella is located and the fantastic castle of her Prince Charming.

Skyway September 1959 Part 1

Another purchase from the Disneyana Fan Club Disney Show is this nice group of black and white snap shots taken in September 1959. The first two images from the collection show the Skyway in it's former glory. The first image is of the endangered Fantasyland ride structure. Designed as a Swiss Chalet and hidden amongst trees and rocks, this structure housed the ride equipment and also the load/unload area.

The next image shows the Matterhorn and the holes that the Skyway buckets would go through to showcase the new ice caverns. The view also included a peak of Matterhorn bobsleds running up, through and down the mountain. I do not usually see the Fantasyland side of the Matterhorn. The image includes some nice foreground views of the Mad Tea Party and the Fantasyland facades.

Souvenir Friday- Monsanto Adventure Through Inner Space Triviia 1977

It appears that Disneyland ride operators for the Adventure Through Inner Space ride had lots of time on their hands as they created a 15 page trivia sheet about the ride. This sheet is the June 8, 1977 revision and it includes not only the ride spiel with the number of letters and words, but also all the signs, rivets, lights, doors, mats, and anything else you may want to know. I think this was used to settle bets in regards to trivia. Nevertheless, the document is a very interesting read and filled with information for those who love the Adventure Through Inner Space.

This unique piece was in with the Monsanto items. I think it may have once held keys to doors and to the attraction operating system and board.

Early Morning Rowing

One of my strongest memories of visiting Disneyland during my childhood was rowing the Davey Crockett's Explorer Canoes on the Rivers of America. Since we were a family of 5 boys and our cousins consisted of 4 boys and a tomboy girl, we would load up on one of the canoes and paddle as hard as we could. When I saw these images on Sunday with yesterday's teacups post, my mind went back to those fun times. The first image shows a canoe heading out to the wilderness with the Hungry Bear restaurant in the background.

The next image shows the guests having fun and working hard to paddle past Tom Sawyer's Island. I believe this picture was taken right about the Mark Twain and Columbia dock. Check out the little kid in hid black cowboy hat who is totally out of sync.

Mad Tea Party in the 1970s

Over the weekend I was at the Disneyana Fan Club show and sale. One of the dealers had a set of four photographs from the 1970s for me. The first two posts from this group are of the Mad Tea Party in the 1970s. I do not remember the fancy posts and gingerbread detailing on the lamp posts. Of course one of my favorite ship to nowhere the Chicken of the Sea Pirate ship is in the background.

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

One of my favorite type of photgraphs are cut out photographs or those with backdrops. These two fun photographs are from the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. The images feature an antique automobile with a painted backdrop. Parents could reminisce about their past and kids marveled at the archaic vehicle.

Carol Visits Freedomland- the End

Three snapshots today of the petting zoo found outside of the barn for Elsie the Cow. This is one part of Freedomland that was different than the model park of Disneyland. Some of the detailing and theming to a Western barn is nice with some great signs. The animals do seem to be well taken care of and well fed. The first image shows my friend's dad feeding a sheep. Note the nice rock work and the deer pen sign.

A closer look at the sheep eating.

Final image is of Carol feeding the sheep. Check out the crowd and the fence behind her.

Thanks again to Mike for sharing the photographs. My thoughts are with you and Amanda during this tough time.

Souvenir Friday- Mini Airling Bag for Monorail

A fun little souvenir from the time period when the Monorail opened at Disneyland is this miniature airline flight bag. The bag features a great image of a swooping Monorail. A neat touch is the Alweg name on the bag. The bag is made by an airline flight bag company. During the 1950s and 1960s, many airlines had flight bags with their logos. The bags would be given away by Travel Agencies to promote the airlines. Travelers would place their carry on items in these bags. This bag is a miniature size about a third of the size.