Hump Day at the Gardens

Shot #1 for today hails from July 1956. What’s going on behind those construction walls? On the right we see the Sleeping Beauty Castle, which identifies the scene going on behind the Red Horseless Carriage as the soon-to-be-open Plaza Gardens, sponsored by Carnation.



Opened on August 8, 1956, the undated image below shows patrons enjoying a little shade and some nice wholesome Carnation snacks.



Since the Carnation company began in 1899, the 60th circle would most likely date this shot to 1959 (1899 + 60 = 1959; ain’t math grand?). I am digging the variety of hats.



Here’s another view of the Gardens from the 1960s:



By March 2013, the relaxing Gardens (also the beloved location of swing dancing) had been replaced by Fantasy Faire, thus blurring the lines between Fantasyland and Main Street.



See more Disneyland Carnation Plaza Gardens photos at my main website.

Vintage Disneyland Quickie

As I was going through these 3 consecutive vintage shots of Disneyland, I noticed that they could be layered into a quick animated gif, giving us a few seconds of life on Main Street, U.S.A. circa 1956. First we have the Horse-Drawn Streetcar, followed by the red Horseless carriage…



and another red Horseless carriage shot as it approaches the Plaza Apartments (wonder what rent would be for those today?):



Combined and layered in Photoshop, we have as the French say, Voilà!



See more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my main website.

Monday Main Street Memories

Welcome to Main Street, U.S.A., circa 1956. You have entered the Magic Kingdom and arrived at Town Square, where you can choose between a newfangled Horseless Carriage or the Horse-Drawn Streetcar.

I dig those signage closeups! Just think; only 10¢ to get to the Castle!



Note the horse with not only a very special hat, but the “D” monograms on its blinkers.



Over at the Fire Department, one could surmise that Walt and family are sleeping in, judging by the closed blinds.



Another 10¢ option to take you to Central Plaza/The Castle:



Meanwhile on Main Street, Rudolph Valentino is entertaining the guests at the Main Street Cinema:



Note the Keystone Kop’s hat behind the placard:



And you all expected me to post a shot from Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. I sure fooled you!

See more Disneyland Main Street photos at my main website.

A Little Boy and His Wings

An August 1958 view of two little boys in front of the red Horseless Carriage. At first, my intention of zooming in on the little boys was to see the camera (note the Carriage driver in the background):



But then I noticed the pin the little boy had attached to his shirt:



Perhaps a souvenir from his trip on a plane? I remember when the airlines used to give these out to the tots. Any other guesses?

See more Disneyland Town Square photos at my main website.

Disneyland Tour, July 1958: Part 2

Our July 1958 Disneyland Tour has progressed to Town Square. I love the cutout detail on the lamppost for the Horse-Drawn Streetcar:



Note the patriotic bunting (it is July, folks!) and the signage hailing the debut of the Columbia: “Full Rigged 3 Masted.”



Need a lift? Plenty of choices in Town Square, from the Omnibus:



The Chemical Wagon:



The Horseless Carriage:



…and the previously mentioned Horse-Drawn Streetcar:



A shot down Main Street, facing towards the Castle:



A closeup of the banner and the cleanup-crew:



Don’t forget to stop at the Kodak Shop to have a nifty old-time photo taken of you and your sweetheart:



Want to know what to do on Main Street? Here are some listings from a 1958 brochure:



Next up: Central Plaza!

See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Town Square Medley

While digging through my Disneyland City Hall collection, I discovered a few Town Square gems I had not posted yet, starting with two from April 1970.



Nothing says Main Street fun like this shot of the Disneyland Band playing a concert in Town Square, circa February 1971:



Disneyland is known for its spring florals, such as the bright plantings in these two February 1971 images:





Our 1971 photographer was intent on capturing the progression of the Horse-Drawn Streetcar:



Looks like that newfangled Horseless Carriage is about to be overtaken by its Horse-Drawn counterpart!



See more Disneyland Town Square photos at my main website.

Early Opera House

This June 1958 shot shows the Main Street Opera House before it really had much of a purpose. Abe Lincoln had not yet come home to roost. The display poster heralds the recently unveiled Grand Canyon Diorama.



I wish I could see those window displays better! The Alice attraction was also recently opened at the time; the poster is peeking out behind the Horseless Carriage.



When this November 1964 image was taken, the Opera House was serving as the Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters. Young guests could sign-up and receive an official membership card.



Less than a year later, Abe would kick Mickey out and make it his permanent home.



See more Disneyland Opera House photos at my main website.

1950s Town Square Blowout

Let's spend a day in Town Square, circa 1950s! This first image was marked 1957. Whether that's correct or not, you can tell by the sparse landscaping on the hill behind the Fire Department that it's definitely early Disneyland! In this detailed view, you can see the Disneyland News available in front of City Hall.



A closeup of the Fire Department and Bekins Storage, which is now part of the Main Street Emporium.



The rest of today's images are from the Harry Pollak collection, circa 1957. This is the same gent who brought you images of New Orleans, which was most likely from the same trip out West that he journeyed on from Wilmington, Delaware.



Were the three gals in front of the Fire Department waiting for Walt?



Harry shows us the newfangled Horseless Carriage in this image:



...as well as the never-to-be-finished International Street:



Two more gorgeous shots of early Town Square from Harry:



He was a photographer after my own heart!



See more photos at my main website.