When Disneyland first opened, Frontierland had a Miniature Horse Corral.
Lasting until July 1957, this area had miniature horses, ponies, and donkeys that guests could view and pet. On the right of this detail shot, you can also see the Frontier Trading Post:
Another 1956 image of the same area:
Very rarely do I see shots with the animals; maybe they were resting.
A few previously posted shots of the Corral:
In the background you can see one of the Conestoga Wagons:
An overhead shot from July 18, 1955:
I wonder how a petting zoo would go over in the Park today?
See more Daveland Frontierland photos at my main website.
Cool! Those knotty, gnarly, (burl wood?) posts are there even before the Shooting Gallery was installed in that location. And there still there to this day. Whether original or fiberglass recast today, I have no idea.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Big Thunder Ranch originally a petting zoo? Does part of it still function as such today?
Images of Disneyland when it was in its infancy are always a winner in my book. Thanks, Dave.
Huh. There's another tidbit I never knew. Petting zoo. I thought it was always a shooting gallery. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThose gnarled posts and railing were an obvious nod to the iconic "lower store" at Old Faithful in Yellowstone Nat'l Park.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nps.gov/features/yell/slidefile/parkstructures/concessionbuildings/Images/17646.jpg
The animals probably did just lay around in the shade all day, thus giving the attraction short life span.
- Darryl
July 18, 1955 - the day it opened to the public! This is the day my family first visited Disneyland :) I rarely see pictures from this date. Believe me I scoured those two photos to see if we are in it but sadly, no.
ReplyDeleteBig Thunder Ranch still has a petting zoo. Love the pics!
ReplyDelete