At this point, I am borderline jaded when it comes to getting excited about seeing vintage images of Disneyland. However, this particular batch has some doozies and I think that you'll like them too! Our 1959 photographer seemed to love the Monsanto House of the Future. What was so great about it? Well, it had gadgets and gizmos that weren't even available yet. Things that took a number of years to become standard fare for a typical home.
This is probably why I take offense to Innoventions and their current incarnation of the House of the Future. While I wouldn't mind living in a home like that, there really isn't too much technology that would cause the present mind to go "wow"!
For some reason, the person taking these photos seems to have been fixated on the underbelly of the HOF; whatever he was trying to capture escapes me, but I'm sure glad he shot it anyway. How dare that little girl and her dad step into the exposure and get in the way!
OK...much better! No guests in this one (other than the ones in the distance).
And please...get nosy. Look in the windows at that neato floor lamp!
See more vintage Disneyland Monsanto House of the Future photos at my main website.
10 comments:
Dang, these are EXCELLENT! Maybe the photographer was wondering just what was holding up that house? Maybe he planned to build something similar back home? I wish I could see detailed photos of the INSIDE.
Just as I remember it. Fantastic pics Dave!
Looks like there was a bit of scaffolding on the Matterhorn in the last pic... since this is 1959, maybe it was still under construction?
Major, Major...patience is a virtue—more pics from this series to come!
Connie - click the HOF link at the bottom of the post to see more exterior AND interior shots!
I can sure understand how "seeing one more Disneyland picture" could get to you. Here's a Thank You you can keep in your pocket and use when necessary. This set is fun, as it tells the story of one man's trip. Which to me is the history of Disneyland, just to see how someone else enjoyed it. I did click on your additional photos, amazing! I had not checked that yet. Cox Pilot story was amazing.
Thanks Momma Nic - and yes...Cox Pilot's anecdotes and stories of early Disneyland are priceless. He has been very generous in sharing those (as well as some cool photos).
These photos are great. When doing research on my essay about the House of the Future (http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/samland/1740-monsanto-house-future-story.html), I was struggling to find some good images. Of course, readers immediately went to your site. Thank you.
Sam
Dave, if you look at your third photo from the top.....that concrete wall to the left of the HOTF's foundation is still standing today. It's kind of difficult to see, but it's now behind the Pixie Hollow entrance sign and a bunch of bushes.
Wonderful view of HOF. Years ago, I designed a remodel for a house in Pacific Palisades that was very much a knock-off of the Monsanto house, except it was plaster, not plastic and so had a flat roof, not curved.
We kept the exterior revisions to a minimum, the main addition was a full height curved (in plan) glass block wall between the entry hall and the car-park (under the cantilevered wings). Looked great at night with interior lights on...
Definitely a different aesthetic.
JG
PS, the HOF was way way cooler!
JG
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