It’s our last day in Frontierland for March 1956, starting off with this closeup of the Assay Office. Shot #2 is the Blacksmith & U.S. Marshall shop of Willard P. Bounds (obviously a multi-tasker). Truly these early shots do appear to be right out of an old Frontier town. Today, this area doesn’t quite have the same ring. Oh, and bad news to all of you who were interested in riding the Pack Mules...they are closed today as this closeup shot shows.
Two nice shots slightly marred by the film being out of alignment; first is an overhead from the Mark Twain showing the Golden Horseshoe and the second features the Dixieland Bandstand shown earlier in the week. New Orleans street is visible right behind it; at this time, the Casa de Fritos is still here; the Silver Banjo is yet to be part of this area.
Last one up: The original location of the Casa de Fritos, before they moved to where Rancho del Zocalo is today (RZ is a recent Daveland favorite for lunch/dinner). I have included a closeup of the anchor in front; anybody know what happened to it or what it signified?
Tomorrow we’ll be spending a little time in Adventureland. See more vintage Frontierland photos on my regular website.
That should be Lafitte's anchor. I believe it was then moved over by the Golden Horseshoe and today sits near the Rivers of America by the French Market. I don't know if I've ever heard the "inside" story on its significance--but I don't have a picture of its plaque handy with its "outside" significance, either!
ReplyDeleteAlso more trivia, the Marshall was named after Lillian (Bounds) Disney's Dad (Walt's Father-in-Law.) He was a real life Marshall.
ReplyDeleteAnd Progressland is correct. I believe the anchor is still in (or was recently) in New Orleans Square.
Oy! Casa de Fritos, what a photo. AND the Assay office, AND the Blacksmith....wowee.
ReplyDeleteThese are simply delicious!!! I like the first of the one where the film was out of alignment, it looks the “North Lights” have descending on Frontierland! All of these are insane!
ReplyDeleteYou found my current favorite place for Dinner/Lunch! The Chicken Taco’s are yummy. When I went to DL for 3 days in October I ate at Rancho del Zocalo 8 times, I have the receipts to prove it! The service is a mixed bag however. I’ve seen long lines move fast and short lines move like molasses.
THANKS Dave!
The Anchor still is around it is in New Orleans Square near the front of the French Market in an area that is called "The Pit" by castmembers who work Fantasmic! It is slightly hidden as it is in a planter nestled between two sets of stairs.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Dave...
ReplyDeleteAnd to Matterhorn and Major P.--awesome trivia and knowledge. Thanks for adding so much to the community!
Two things. The products laying on the counter of the left side of the Blacksmith shop art cowboy trick ropes, packaged by Eddie Adamak.
ReplyDeleteThe anchor had a legend in bronze which explained the exotic, well-traveled history of the anchor, then end with "but don't believe everything you read."
Thanks to all for the extra info/trivia; I definitely need to find and photograph the anchor on my next trip. Heck, I've probably stumbled over it a number of times and never given it much thought.
ReplyDeleteThe Assay Office was to cash in all the gold you panned over at Knotts.
ReplyDeleteWillard P. Bounds was Lillian Disney's father and he was a blacksmith. He also served in the Army in Idaho during the Indian wars. He was born in Oregon in 1854 and died in Idaho in 1916.
ReplyDelete