Columbia and the Matterhorn

Two nice views from Disneyland from 1961. First up is a nice view of the Columbia at the Frontierland dock. Note the fishing shack in the background. Of course my eyes focus on the figure head.

The second image is of a dapper couple posing in the landscaping with the Matterhorn in the background. I love the Ike jacket and tie combination. I can not make out what the girl in the right hand side of the picture is holding, maybe a brochure from the Monsanto House of the Future?

Views From Disneyland Flower Market 1961

Two somewhat dark views of the Disneyland Flower Market on Main Street. First up is a dapper group posing in front of the flower cart surrounded by great flowers. All the guests in the background are also dressed in their Sunday best.

The second image shows a better image the Disneyland Flower Market cart and lots of lovely fake flowers.

George Washington and Princess Aurora

Two slides from 1961 featuring Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. First view is a nice shot of the Submarine Voyage with the George Washington taking center stage. In the background is the colorful world of tomorrow including the kinetic skyway sign and the Monorail station.

The second image is of the guest posing in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. The guest is in a fifties staple of clothing, the patio set based upon the Navajo clothing style. She can be seen posing in the same outfit on my other blog- The Corner Cafe. She is a model for those readers thinking what should I wear for Dapper Day?

Souvenir Friday- Playland at the Park Advertising Poster

Another recent find is this advertising (one could call it an attraction) poster for Playland at the Park located in San Antonio, Texas. The park was open from 1947 until 1980. The major draw was a fantastic wooden roller coaster named the Rocket. The coaster first hill was 78 feet high and 3200 feet of track. When the park closed in 1980, Knoebbel's park in Pennsylvania purchased the coaster and rebuilt it as the Phoenix. The poster features the coaster and the Dipsy Doodle with a nice clown face. The poster would have been placed in windows of local stores to advertise the amusement park.

Even More Knott's Berry Farm Snapshots

The last two snapshots from Knott's Berry Farm. First up is a guest posing by one of the many rusty farm vehicles and implements that were on display throughout Ghost Town. I do not remember this piece of International truck sitting in Ghost Town or even seeing an image of it prior.

The final image from this trip is the Old Prospector with his mule in front of the Ghost Town Gold Mine. Knott's had lots of walk around characters at this time to add flavor and entertainment to Ghost Town.

More Knott's Berry Farm Views

Two more black and white snapshots from Knott's Berry Farm. These two images have a similar point of view and appear that a young kid was taking the pictures. First up is a crowd looking at one of the peak ins, the structure is a cabin so I am not sure what was inside the cabin it may have been Granny's Cabin...maybe one of my readers can assist?

The second image is in front of the popcorn vendor in Ghost Town. The sign on the machine states that you order from the other side. I like the way the popcorn wagon is placed into a rustic cabin like cover.

Knott's Berry Farm Views

A couple of interesting black and white snapshots of Knott's Berry Farm. First up is the water wheel that fed the Pan for Gold attraction. When the coaster Ghost Rider was built, this scene was removed and the Pan for Gold attraction was moved.

Next up is an image of what I think is Virginia's Gift Shop. In the windows are various souvenirs, plates and vases. I like the exit sign just to the left of the lady.

Space Family Posing

One of the best snapshots I have found in a while. Unfortunately, no other Disneyland photographs were with this image. Note the lovely squeeky Donald Duck hat on the young guest. The photograph is dated 1958.

Souvenir Friday- Dixieland at Disneyland1966 Poster and Carnation Menu

Two items for souvenir Friday today. First up is another great purchase from the Disney show. This poster was placed at local stores where guests could purchase advance tickets for the 1966 Dixieland at Disneyland show. The show featured Louis Armstrong and a plethora of Dixieland bands, including my favorite the Firehouse Five Plus 2. This was most likely printed in the Disneyland print shop like the various posters for Nite at Disneyland parties and Magic Kingdom Club advertising.

Next up is a post to add to a post on Major Pepperidge's blog of May 29, 2015 on a Kids Carnation Menu. This is the version I have of the same kids menu. The front featuring the Carnation Milk truck and the back on mine features the Carnation Bunnies Pete and Harry. The prices for the kid's meals are slightly different. I believe this was not a Disneyland Carnation menu but rather a menu from the chain of Carnation restaurants.

Miniature Horse Corral 1957

Another dark photograph for the Miniature Horse Corral. The corral was located next door to the Frontier Trading Post and featured a display of miniature horses. The sign has the same hand painted look as the Frontier Trading Post sign. The corral features a neat rustic look with the knobby wood used for the supports. This looks like it was moved directly from Knott's Berry Farm.

Frontier Trading Post

Today's post features a nice image of the hand painted Frontier Trading Post sign. Unfortunately the picture is very dark and has some interesting shadows. I like the touch of frontier with the pelt nailed to the wall and the great hanging lantern.

Adventure Land Bazaar Sign

Another small sign found in Adventure Land (note the spelling of Adventureland at this time) hanging on a wall in the bazaar. Note the great details of the bazaar and also in the right hand corner is where hot coffee and donuts could be purchased.

Signs Along the Walkway

In the early years of Disneyland, the walkway between Frontierland and Adventureland featured minimal theming and landscaping. The walkway led to a small bridge over a stream that connected the Jungle River Cruise with the Rivers of America. In order to advertise the new attractions, Disneyland used small signs as well as a large cloth banner promoting the new Tom Sawyer Island, Keel Boats, and the War Canoe. In the background is the Chicken Plantation restaurant.

Souvenir Friday- Freedomland Employee ID Badge

Today's post features a very rare employee ID badge for Freedomland. The theme park was located in the New York City borough of the Bronx and was built by C.V. Wood. Wood was originally one of Walt Disney's closest employees who built Disneyland until he was fired by Walt. Wood then went on to create other theme parks similar to Disneyland across the United States. The parks include Magic Mountain in Denver, Pleasure Island in Massachusetts and Freedomland. In this case, the ID badge even resembles the early Disneyland ID badges.

To Adventureland

A nice view of the signpost for Adventureland in 1957. Disneyland during this time period used lots of these multiple sign posts listing the various attractions in each land. This sign extols what a guest would see when riding the Jungle River Cruise. On the left hand side are attraction posters to add color to the scene. The white picket fence seems a little incongruous.

The Junction of Adventureland and Frontierland March 1957

Continuing with the vintage Disneyland sign documentation, this time from a contact print sheet of images dated March 1957. The location is the junction of Adventureland and Frontierland. On the left side is Adventureland as the nice painted sign directs you, and on the right side is To Frontierland featuring many rides such as Western Freight Train, Steamer Landing and Keel Boat Rides. A nice touch is the Letter box in the lower left hand corner.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Entrance and Ticket Booth

A favorite ride is Mr. Toad's and this view of the front entrance and ticket booth is spectacular. In fact, so spectacular, I am speechless. Just note the lovely admission signs and the fantastic waste can.

Casey Junior Ticket Booth Fantasyland

One of my favorite attractions and ticket booth is this nice cartoon version of a depot for Casey Jones Junior Railroad. This ticket booth has been maintained and is now the building used by the ride operators to store their stuff. I absolutely love the schedule sign with the price written over the schedule. The details are nicely oversized and carictured.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant Ride Ticket Booth and Entrance

A lovely image of the entrance and ticket booth for Dumbo. The circus theme is well executed and the large sign is nice. Let's pull out a quarter and ride a flying elephant!

Fantasyland Skyway Ticket Booth

A very lovely ticket taker counts her drawer at the Fantasyland Skyway Ticket Booth. The painting mimics the design seen on the Chalet used for the Skyway roundhouse. It appears the turnstyles received a lot of usage and wore pretty fast.

Jr. Autopia Ticket Booth

A very rare image of the Jr. Autopia ticket booth. This attraction was open from 1956 until 1958 and then was rehabbed into the Fantasyland Autopia. The lettering is nice with the white shadowing.

Mad Tea Party Fantasyland

This photograph is of the lovely ticket booth and sign for the spinning tea cups of the Mad Tea Party. The couple appear to be arguing, maybe she wants the purple cup and he wants the yellow cup!

Main Street Cinema Ticket Booth

A ticket booth still seen in Disneyland today is this booth for the Main Street Cinema. I wonder if this mannequin is the girlfriend of the mannequin seen in the Satellite View of America ticket booth. I like the movie stills in the booth and the turnstile.

MIckey Mouse Club Theater Ticket Booth Fantasyland

A great and obscure image of the Mickey Mouse Club Theater ticket booth with a fantastic sign for Pecos Bill cartoon being shown in the theater. Note the ornate bench sitting in front of the theater. So far every booth has had the shield shaped sign for ticket books.

Astro Jets Ticket Booth

One of the fun attractions in Tomorrowland was the Astro Jets. A sleek ticket booth in gleaming steel, blue graphics and colored fabric panels, the booth calls out to several guests. The little boys hat is a Donald Duck squeaker and his sister's pants look right at home in Tomorrowland.

To answer Major Pepperidge's question, this series of ticket booth images are all dated 1958.

Stagecoach Ticket Booth in Frontierland

A really rare view of an obscure ticket booth, the ticket booth for the Stagecoach ride. The theming matches the nearby Casa De Fritos restaurant. Of course the booth is closed as this ride would soon be. I wonder where the closed sign is today.

Tom Sawyer Island Indian War Canoes Ticket Booth Close Up

A close up of the Frontierland ticket booth I posted yesterday. The admission prices for each attraction is clearly marked for both adults and children. Note that the large sign lets all guests know that Tom Sawyer Island closes at dusk, although the placement of the pricing obscures part of the sign. I love the yellow light bulb and the discussion amongst the ticket seller and two of the Indian War Canoe guides.

Rafts to Tom Sawyer Island Indian War Canoe Ride

Another favorite large sign for a ticket booth is this one for Rafts to Tom Sawyer Island and The Indian War Canoe Ride. Yes, the Canoes were a ride and not an attraction. Note the Indian War Canoe driver speaking with the ticket taker. This is also another great example of the theming of all structures at Disneyland.

Storyland Asbury Park New Jersey

The first thing that comes to mind when most people here Asbury Park, New Jersey is Bruce Springsteen and beach boardwalk. However in the 1960s, it was home to a small Fairy Tale and Western park called Storyland Village. The park closed in the late 1960s as far as I can tell and was redeveloped into a Sear's store. The park sold this small set of souvenir postcards featuring images of the various scenes from the park. I will let the postcard booklet describe each of the scenes found at this cute park. The sets and buildings were designed by cartoonist and illustrator Russell Patterson. Russell was an illustrator including designs for Broadway, covers for College Humor, Judge and Life, window displays for Macy's and the comic strip Mamie. First up is the cover with a nice die cut feature showing the entrance to the park.

Next are 10 views of the park along with the descriptions. (Make sure to click on the image for a larger scan.)

Rainbow Caverns

One of the coolest ticket booth signs is the sign for the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train Ticket booth. The booth is a modified Frontierland themed building, but the sign on top is a plethora of color accenting the Rainbow part of the ride. Another nice detail is the lantern shaped light at one end of the booth.

Mark Twain Ticket Booth

On the shores of the Rivers of America sat the Frontierland ticket booth for the steamboat Mark Twain. The booth has a great sign in the middle of a life ring with a gorgeous painting of the Mark Twain. I wonder if this was saved? The many different United States flags creates a very colorful and kinetic draw. This ticket booth was removed and the landing area for the dock has been opened up in the front.