A Trip to Pacific Ocean Park Late 1958

A timely addition to the collection is this set of slides from a visit to Pacific Ocean Park in late 1958 (the slides are dated January 1959 but I believe were taken earlier in 1958.) For those readers who do not know what Pacific Ocean Park (POP) was and want to know more or even if you know what POP was and want to know more, run to Amazon to order Chris Merritt and Domenic Priore's recently released book Pacific Ocean Park: The Rise and Fall of Los Angeles' Space Age Nautical Pleasure Pier . First image is of the iconic entrance to the Park with the starfish ticket booth and fountains. You can see how close to the street the entrance was located.

The second image is of the fountains surrounding the starfish entrance. The sculpture captures many of the strange creatures who live on the bottom of the sea.

Souvenir Friday- Disneylander Magazine May 1960 Nature's Wonderland

Continuing with the Nature's Wonderland theme for this week, here is the Disneylander magazine for May 1960. For those who do not know, the Disneylander magazine was the first employee magazine at Disneyland. The issues feature great information on employees and events that were happening at the time. They are a great resource for the history of Disneyland. I have an almost complete collection needing only Volume 1 Number 2 and Volume 1 Number 3. If you have those two issues and would like to donate (or sell) them to me, let me know. Enjoy the read.

Rocks Under Construction- Nature's Wonderland Mine Train April 1960

More construction images for the fans of pre-opening pictures of attractions. These two photographs document the construction of the rock formations and balancing rocks. First up is an overall view with the balancing rocks balancing on their tripods without the concealing rock work. In addition the model for the red rock formation is just sitting at the construction site. I guess it is easier to build off a three dimensional model than with blueprints. If I am not mistaken, I believe the rock structures still stand at Disneyland today at Big Thunder Ranch.

Next up is a slightly different view of the same construction. You can still see the model and the construction trucks in the foreground add a nice scenic touch.

More Nature's Wonderland Under Construction April 1960

First off let me note that I was off in my orientation yesterday. The images are from the load area for the pack mules, the load area for the Mine Train are in the background (thanks to reader MRaymond.)

Now to today's images, both feature the little mining town of Rainbow Ridge. First up is a distant view with the band stand for the Gonzalez Trio in the foreground. I am not sure what the two structures to the left are but they look like merchandise stands.

The next image is a close up of the mining town with painters and carpenters. The town looks almost completed and ready for action.

Nature's Wonderland Load Area Under Construction April 1960

Two more images from the contact print sheet showing construction on Nature's Wonderland. The images today are in the mining town of Rainbow Ridge and feature the work being completed for the loading area for the Mine Trains and also show the load area for the Pack Mules. First image shows the new decking for the load area. The railroad tracks are not put down yet. I believe the front of the train would be where the photographer stood to take this image.

The second image is a closer shot of the wood deck being constructed and painted with a nice shot of the empty load queue for the Pack Mules.

Nature's Wonderland Trestles Under Construction April 1960

During the long weekend I spent time with the many boxes that hold my collection. In doing so, I ran across a series of contact prints showing the construction of Nature's Wonderland that I had never scanned and posted. First up is a nice view of the long trestle over the river in Bear Country heading towards Cascade Peak. Note the construction truck parked in the river bed.

Next up is a short trestle over one of the many rivers and in the background is the natural stone arch. On top of the arch ran the trail for the Pack Mules.

Souvenir Friday- Wide World In Wax Wax Museum Anaheim California

Today's souvenir is a neat guidebook from the short lived Wide World in Wax Wax Museum in Anaheim, California. Originally featured at the New York World's Fair in 1964 and 1965, the museum was moved to Anaheim at the corner of Harbor and Katella near Disneyland. The guidebook is interesting in that it was the original brochure from NYWF and just has a new paper cover attached. According to Chris Jepson's excellent blog O.C. History Roundup O.C. History Roundup the building is now the lobby for the Radisson Hotel Maingate Anaheim. Enjoy this tour of the wax museum, I like the Superman figures and the French girls fighting.

Knott's Berry Farm July 1946

Sixty six years ago a fun loving group spent a day at Knott's Berry Farm and captured the day in photographs. First image is of Soldado Jose and an admirer. She appears to be punching poor Jose in the head.

Next image is the group posing on one of the many wagons found on the Main Street of the ghost town. In the background is the post office and the saddlery.

Final image is another view with a different group, this one waving friendly. The saddlery sign of the horse with Harness is a great piece of folk art.

Chicken of the Sea August 1959

The original photographer documented the location and date on these two images of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate ship. the first image shows the side of the ship with the cannons being very prominent. This is one of the best focused images I have seen of this vantage point.

Next up is the rear deck of the ship with the red and white sail and Cinderella's castle in the background.

Adventureland and Tomorrowland July 1966

The last three images from the photo album with pictures from a visit by a family in July of 1966. The first two pictures are kind of ho-hum, but are still pictures of vintage Disneyland. First up is an image of the elephant bathing pool on the Jungle River Cruise. The photographer did manage did get the elephant in mid squirt.

Next are the troublesome hippos waiting to attack the next boat of intrepid travelers. Remember they are only dangerous if they are blowing bubbles and wiggling their ears.

Final image is my favorite. Although not very scenic, the image depicts a rarely photographed location, the entrance to the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry in Tomorrowland. As an additional bonus, it appears that the building is vacant with plywood in the windows and door while the attraction was being removed. I am enthralled with the giant ball lights and the metal railings.