Souvenir Friday- Candy Palace Catalog

Great small pamphlet catalog from the Candy Palace on Main Street. A shopping list of some very rare items including some great packaging.

Wally Boag on the Radio

In the early years of Disneyland, Wally Boag was on the ABC radio network with a show recorded at Disneyland called Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. Part of the show was that two families would be chosen, and one would get a golden key to Disneyland along with lots of prizes. This was a common radio promotion and program at the time. One of the sponsors of the show was Mohawk Carpets. First up is an image of Wally on the radio at Disneyland.

The producer was Les Lear and he sent out a transcript with recordings of the advertising for Mohawk Carpets. Note on the letterhead at the bottom is the information and tag line for the radio show.

The moment you all have been waiting for, two examples of Wally on the radio. In the second commercial, check out Wally extolling Popeye Popcorn.

Mohawk Commercial 1

Mohawk Commercial 2

Four Vintage Amusement Park Postcards

For those who enjoy looking at amusement parks from the 1930s, here are four nice examples. First up is the Steeplechase at Steeplechase park in Coney Island, New York. Knott's attempted an update on this ride using motorcycles instead of horses. According to Ed Soto, the problem was that the riders on the Knott's version would fall off or fly over the handle bars.

Old Orchard Beach in Maine still has an amusement park on a pier. However, the original pier was damaged twice and then torn down in the 1970s. One of the main attractions was a Noah's Ark, as well as a large Ferris Wheel.

The island of Galveston was home to a free wheeling and wide open amusement area in the 1930s. The pier was home to several speakeasies, gambling parlors and houses of ill repute. But the pier also held several rides including a Ferris Wheel as well as a Whip. The pier still stands and is now home to several restaurants and other stores.

The final postcard is a scarce view of my favorite Denver amusement park. The park is Lakeside Amusement Park and it is a blast to visit at any time,but more so at night. If you are ever in Denver during the summer, make sure you visit Lakeside.

Things From the Gate- Summer 1959 Ticket Brochures

I will try to get back on track after the whirlwind Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm tour over the weekend. Today's post features two ticket brochures. The brochures have the same information, but the brochures have one big difference. The first one measures a full 1.5 inches taller than the second brochure. If you count and look at the nice line drawings, you will see that two of the images are missing at the bottom of the second brochure. The joys of collecting paper.

The Knott's event was one of the most informative, entertaining and just plain fun events I have had the pleasure of attending. I would like to say thanks to my fellow bloggers for the fun and camaraderie. It was nice to meet some of my fellow bloggers who I had not had the pleasure of meeting face to face before.

Souvenir- Calico Saloon Menu

Still focusing on Knott's Berry Farm with one of my favorite places to visit at Knott's, the Calico Saloon. I love the old fashioned ambiance of the saloon and the ability to order Boysenberry Punch. The girls are always a great show.

This will be my last post for a while. I hope to see some of you at the Knott's Berry Farm history event on Sunday.

Knott's Berry Farm Main Street

Two nice images of the Main Street in the Ghost Town in Knott's Berry Farm. First up looks like a wedding is going to happen.

The General Store with lots of items for sale.

Looking forward to visiting the park, it has been a long time.

Knott's Berry Farm Attractions

Just a heads up that there will be no posts this weekend due to my travel and visit to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm for Chris Merritt's Knott's Preserved event. My plan is to enjoy Disneyland on Saturday and then the Knott's event on Sunday. At Knott's Berry Farm, I want to ride this small steamboat, the Cordelia K.

Well, maybe I won't be able to ride that as the steamboat is long gone. Maybe I can visit the Little Chapel by the Lake.

No the Chapel is now gone, part of the Silver Bullet coaster. I do hope to see some of you there and am looking forward to the presentations and taking the walking tour.

Publicity Shot- Main Street Horse Drawn Trolley

Dated October 1955, this is an unusual publicity still. I love how both Frontierland and Tommorowland are on Main Street. Also, K-7 the Kaiser Aluminum Astronaut is sitting next to one of the TWA Hostesses for the Rocket to the Moon. Be sure and look at the crowd reaction.

Things From the Gate- Spring 1959

A nice brochure with brown coloring. Open it up and the Guided Tour advertising is highlighted in red. The advertising line on the bottom states the prices were good only until May 31, 1959.

Coney Island Postcards

Three nice postcards featuring some of the various thrill rides at Coney Island in New York. The parachute jump was moved from the 1939 New York World's Fair. The Wonder Wheel is recreated at Disney's California Adventure. The postcards are from the late 1930s and 1940s.

Souvenir Friday- Great Day at the Thrift Store

Yesterday after work I stopped in a local thrift store to see what was for sale. And this little guy was sitting on top of a shelf. I love the box, especially the Sleeping Beauty Castle image on the side.

I have two other figures from this series in boxes. The other purchase I made was a Benihana Chef mug for my Benihana drink mug collection.

America On Parade Part 3

Last two photographs of this group. The last one of Davey Crockett and Tom Sawyer looks pretty cool, the Keel Boat float is nice.

America On Parade Part 2

More images from the parade.

America On Parade Part 1

I do not have any memories of the America on Parade event at Disneyland. I believe that due to the crowds, my family did not make the drive up to Anaheim to see the event. However I am kind of glad as these characters could give me nightmares. I know the vision by the designer was meant to remind people of giant dolls, but the execution of the design is kind of creepy.

Things From the Gate- Winter Spring 1958-1959 Ticket Brochure

Moving to Winter 1958 and Spring 1959 with the ticket brochures. This design lasted through 1959 and as you will see came in a rainbow of colors.

Easter Greetings

For those who celebrate Easter, Happy day. For those who do not, check out the bunny costumes and the Main Street vehicle.

Pirate Jack Sparrow the Early Years

Before Jack Sparrow became a famous pirate, he used to terrorize the guests on the Chicken of the Sea Pirate ship. Check out the bird and the Pirate's earring. Oh and the back reads: Joe- please leave the sign all in crop from bottom. Thanks Joe for letting us see the sign!

Souvenir Friday- Hallmark Lap Pack Stationary

From the early 1960s when Hallmark came into the park is this nice stationary set. The set features a nice watercolor painting of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

On an unrelated note, I have started a new blog exploring photographs and items of the 20th Century. The blog features pictures and other paper items I have found while searching for Disneyland and other amusement park images. The blog is Corner Cafe Images.

A Couple of Views of Story Book Canal Boats

Two early publicity photographs featuring the miniature wonderland of Disneyland, the Story Book Canal Boats. First up is a nice image of the castle Cinderella married into...note the speeding Casey Junior on the left hand side.

Next up is an early image with guys running the boat. I believe that within the first year of opening up the attraction, guys ran the boats. Then it was decided that girls were more suited to the story telling of running the attraction. Press release on the reverse reads: One of Disneyland's newest attractions, Storybook Land in Fantasyland brings to life your favorite storybook characters as picturesque canal boats gently glide through this land of make believe. You will pass the miniature villages of "The Three Little Pigs", "Alice In Wonderland", "Seven Dwarfs", "Cinderella's Dream Castle", "Gepettos Village", (pictured here) and many other quaint and beautiful scenes.