Disneyland Comin' at Ya! Summer 1955, Pt. 1

I was very excited to acquire this group of 3D (presented here in Genuine FauxD©) slides showing Disneyland during its first year. The red white and blue bunting tells me these were taken during the first few months of operation. Look at the landscaping around the Mickey floral - positively barren! The first image shows the left and ride sides layered; the image below is a digital composite of the two, which provides slightly more information on both sides, including the slightly disheveled lady on the right.



The main subjects of our year one series can be seen standing in Town Square, waving to the photographer standing on the steps of the Main Street Train Station:



The panoramic view:



Zooming in, you can see that there’s still a crane near the Sleeping Beauty Castle turrets:



How about that non-themed trashcan that just says, “TRASH.” At this stage, the uniforms of the Disneyland Band were navy.



Our guests are standing in front of the Plaza Apartments just on the edge of Main Street/Central Plaza, with the Red Wagon Inn in the background. A Keystone Kop poses with them for good measure.



The panoramic view removes one of the obstructions from what I “assume” is a Main Street vehicle.



Last one for today shows our guests with their backs to Main Street:



A surrey and the Horse-Drawn Streetcar co-exist!



You can just barely see the Disneyland brochure in this gal’s hands in this detailed view:



Most likely this is what we see in the photo:

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Trojans in the Park!

January 1963, and the USC band is playing in Town Square. Victorious from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, it would appear that they were given the honor of a concert at the entrance to the Park, still decorated for the 1962 Christmas season.



Over near City Hall, the former Disney Police Department has been stripped of its name with a blank sign above the door.



The Tour Guides were not allowed to take over this building yet; instead, they had to make do with the little gingerbread booth on the right of the detailed image below. Note that the light posts in front have been painted all black. How gloomy!



That was the easiest way to cover up the original white lettering that alerted guests that “the fuzz” could be found inside:



At some point between January 1963 and April 1965 (the photo below), the Guided Tour letters finally gave a designation to this Town Square building.



See more Disneyland Town Square photos at my main website.

Wishes Do Come True

These days, there are very few vintage Disneyland images that tempt me to purchase them. There are only so many views of the Castle and the Mark Twain that one needs. However, the ones in today’s post are the rare exceptions. Recently, I was alerted to the Disneyland Police Department, which once resided where the Tour Guides now hang out. And just like that, I was able to acquire this gorgeous shot of not only the DPD, but a vintage water fountain and the unique information/souvenir kiosk in Town Square. 



Compared to my shot of this area from my last visit to Disneyland (December 2016), the growth of the trees is obvious.



Traveling down Main Street, we see the Intimate Apparel shop. This has always fascinated me; at Disneyland? Bras? Corsets? And right next door is Grandma’s Baby Shop.



And be sure to notice the vintage horsepucky.



As if one fabulous shot of these two shops wasn’t enough, the batch of slides included this SECOND view.



It gives a better view of stuff Granny on the porch:



Just proof that wishes do come true.
 
See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Comin' At Ya, August 1957!

Take your Dramamine this morning, readers, as this trio of Genuine FauxD© images from August 1957 could get your stomach going. The Kalamazoo Handcar is on display at the Main Street Train Station, and the population reads 5 million. Below, I combined the left and right images to get a slightly wider view for you. Now you can see a portion of the Storybook Land attraction poster at right:



In Town Square, the Horse-Drawn Fire/Chemical Wagon is ready to take on a few guests for a trip to the Castle. Only 10¢!



The wider view below:



Last one from this trio shows the Suwannee Lady at the dock of the Jungle Cruise attraction:



The wider view shows…well, not much more other than the last two letters of the name of the boat:



See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

1950s Disneyland: Town Square

Today seems like a good day to relax in Disneyland’s Town Square, especially with some photos from the Park’s early years. In this 1956 image, chicken wire is still the standard for protecting the plants, and the Bekins Storage area features the unique architectural details that would later be removed.



Ugh. Who approved this change?



Back to happier times…a detailed view of a cast member cleaning up one of the A-Frame signs in the Square.



A few from March 8, 1956:



Who wants to be a Fireman? This could be your opportunity.



Note that City Hall at this time is for First Aid and Press Information:





Both these boys are doing their part to show support for Mickey Mouse!





Mabel Normand is at the Main Street Cinema and two Keystone Kops are getting ready to wow guests with some music as they cross the street.





Glad I wasn’t there that day; the Disneyland Railroad was temporarily closed!





Music stands are piled up in the Opera House alcove, awaiting the Disneyland Band to pull them out for a concert.



See…I don’t make this stuff up!



This was back when there was a Print Shop in Town Square; the Disneyland News is for sale in front of the window:



These two DANGEROUS gents are getting ready to attempt some mischief in Town Square, roughly 1955-56:



Be glad there was no ammo in the 19th century cannon. Walt was smart enough to have these sealed up before these screwballs arrived. Also note the chicken wire around the landscaping:



One of the goofballs thought it would be funny to have his buddy take a photo of him pretending to blow his head off with the rifle the Tobacco Wooden Indian was holding. I wonder if these kids survived into adulthood?



Moving ahead a few years to August 3, 1959:



Bekins is still there!



Thus ends our day in 1950s Town Square.

See more Disneyland Town Square photos at my main website.