Friday, October 17, 2008

Early Disneyland, Pt. 4



Still in Frontierland, here are 2 similar pre-opening shots of the original Indian Village location. Within a year from opening, the Indian Village moved and became Magnolia Park, home to the oft-moved bandstand.



For my fellow signage geeks, here is the closeup of the construction requested from yesterday’s post:



And for a then-and-now comparison of yesterday’s post this is about the best I can do for the "now" version (without driving up to Anaheim):



See more vintage & current Frontierland photos at my regular website.

6 comments:

Jason Schultz said...

I think that first photo is in The Nickel Tour. Great to see these posted, because it's amazing how short-lived the original Indian Village was!

Major Pepperidge said...

More great stuff....

Katella Gate said...

Well, thanks for satisfying my curiosity regarding the "CLOSED" sing going over the bridge.

I guess the Sign Painters' Union (Local 1956) had the corner on causal construction signs at Disneyland AND "Asparagus Half-Off" signs at Mayflower Market (you Southern California types all remember shopping at Mayflower, right?)

I'm always surprised that Disney never put out a "then and now" picture book of the Park. Perhaps the modern executives feel the Park's early (primitive) look spoils the magic and would ding s the Park's reputation.

Daveland said...

Katella: The park has a "Then, Now, and Forever" book, which is somewhat of a "then and now" book, with sections like "What was here before Big Thunger Mountain." The design is a little wacky, but the photos and info are cool.

Chris Merritt said...

So rare I can't stand it!

Thanks Dave.

William Kelley said...

Those shots are awesome! But shouldn't we be able to see Frontierland Station just on the right in that second shot? I guess it is JUST out of frame.