Journey Back To 1956 Pt. 2

Welcome back to 1956. The paddlewheel of the mighty Mark Twain is churning round the green Rivers of America at Disneyland.

The more decoratively appointed Bertha Mae Keel Boat can be seen cruising the River.



A closer look:



From the dock side of the river we get an alternative view of the Bertha Mae:



as well as an Indian Canoe:



C'mon people, get the lead out! Start paddling harder!



There's a raft full of peeps ready to explore Tom Sawyer's Island.



A detailed view provides a look at Fowler's Harbor and the original tunnel for the Disneyland Railroad in Frontierland.



Our 1956 photographer sure loved the River!



I am guessing this shot of the Golden Horseshoe was taken from the treehouse (or thereabouts) on Tom Sawyer Island.



By this point in Disneyland history, the Indian Village had already been moved from its original location near Adventureland to its new spot in Frontierland.



Care to ride a canoe?



I love interior images of Fort Wilderness; if only it could be restored to its 1956 glory.



The final two shots in the collection show Knotts Berry Farm, starting with this image of panning for gold.





I have read that panning for gold is supposed to return to Knotts this year. Hooray!



More vintage (and current!) Disneyland images at my main website.

The Final Spin

Yesterday was the last day that guests could take a spin around the original Rivers of America before its closure and "editing" to make room for the new Star Wars Land. Although I am a big fan of "less is more," this is definitely the exception to the rule. My niece visited me in December and I took her to Disneyland for her very first visit. I am so grateful that she was able to experience a journey on the Mark Twain before the changes occurred. Today's post is a photo journal of that trip.

This shot shows my very first trip aboard the Twain back in 1970, posing with my brother, the father of my niece.





Are you ready? Here we go!



It is so impressive to hear the whistle and see the steam from the Twain as it begins to travel around Tom Sawyer Island.



Many of the photos in today's post are large-sized panoramas; make sure you click them and zoom in on all of the details!



The Columbia was docked at the time; although I enjoy riding on it as well, I was glad that my last trip could be aboard the Twain.











From what I have read, this is approximately where the journey will change. The Rivers will end here and cut through Tom Sawyer Island, which has caused the new route to be called "The Donut." No idea whether the cabin will be moved or removed.





These figures seem to be saying, "Where did our River go?"





This one is waving away to Walt's original classic. Bye-bye…



This tableau is supposedly going to be moved.







The remnants of Nature's Wonderland are also supposedly going to disappear.





My niece thoroughly enjoyed her leisurely trip around the Rivers of America.



I am saddened by the shortening of the River, but not very surprised. After the loss of the Carnation Gardens and the slaughter of tasteful design in New Orleans Square to make way for a larger (and more profitable) Club 33, I can't say that anything really shocks me about what the Disney Corporation does any more.

See more vintage and current Rivers of America photos at my main website.

Keel Boats

I am sad to say that I never got to ride around the Rivers of America on a Keel Boat. From many accounts, they were cramped and a bit choppy on the water, but still...I would love to have experienced them. In this first photo, Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen stand aboard the Keel Boats used in the Davy Crockett TV series, which spawned the ones used in the parks.

The Gullywhumper, seen in this warm-hued 1950's shot, was the plainer of the two, and actually looked more like the ones used in the TV show.



The Bertha Mae was a tad fancier, as can be seen in this 1950's image. Amazing what a little paint and gingerbread trim can do!



I'm digging the paper hats and life-preserver, too.



Frequent Daveland reader JG submitted this 1965 photo of The Gullywhumper:



The Bertha Mae is visible in long shot in this January 1964 shot:



The reason I like this photo is because it shows a yet-to-be-opened Haunted Mansion. No wonder there are no lines!



The Bertha Mae disappeared from the park long ago, but The Gullywhumper can still be seen, anchored in front of the (former) Burning Cabin:



See more vintage and current Keel Boat photos on my Keel Boat web page.

Disneyland Guided Tour, Circa 1962: Frontierland Station

Unfortunately, my Frontierland Station 1962 photos are skimpy, so the first two shots from September 1963 will have to suffice.



FRONTIERLAND TRAIN STATION

While our train is stopped, there are a few things I'd like to tell you about Disneyland. This was actually a 20 year dream of Walt Disney's…it took five years to design the park and one year to build: of course, Disneyland will never be completed. Walt has many plans for the future.

[note: these next shots are from November 1962]





For instance, the large area here is being transformed into a beautiful New Orleans section complete with a Thieves' Market, Mysterious Haunted House, and an authentic New Orleans Square.



This new area, with all the flavor of quaint old New Orleans will be completed next summer.

[note: this 1962 image shows that the Chicken Plantation Restaurant has been removed and the temporary window installed while construction begins on New Orleans Square]



Across the Rivers of America is Tom Sawyer's Island. And (when applicable) in Fowler's Harbor (or) sailing past…is the proud Columbia, a duplicate of the first American sailing ship to travel around the world.

March 1962:



(and/or) also sailing down the Rivers of Ameria is the Mark Twain Riverboat.



Mike Fink's Keel Boats begin their trip around Tom Sawyer's Island from Fowler's Harbor located on this side of the river.

January 1962:



December 1962:





To resume your vintage tour, come back tomorrow and meet us at the Tomorrowland Station!



See more vintage and current Disneyland Frontierland Railroad photos on my Disneyland Railroad Frontierland Station page.