Treasures from 1957, Pt. 2

We are back at Disneyland in 1957 inside the Swift Market House on Main Street. Guests are busy perusing the wares, probably not noticing what immediately caught my eye: a flyer high on the wall promoting the Southern Fried Chicken Dinners at the Chicken Plantation Restaurant in Frontierland.



The Chicken Plantation:



Back to the Market House – imagine going to Disneyland to purchase toilet soap!



Up the street, guests are relaxing outside the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner:



Over to the right is the Cole of California shop, which closed the year this shot was taken.



This particular shot from 1957 was dated June 9, showing the Adventureland entrance gate:



This guy must have been a professional photographer; that’s some rig he’s got strapped around his neck.



Here’s the main drag of Adventureland, circa 1957:



Interesting to note that the Jungle Cruise attraction was still being referred to as the Jungle River Boat Ride. That’s a mouthful!



See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Thursday in Adventureland, circa 1950’s

Welcome to Adventureland, circa 1956! No crowds, no strollers, and very young landscaping. This is my kind of day at the Park! The poor little boy in the nerd outfit wants to stop posing for photos and get on an attraction.



This 1958 image shows the back of what is currently the Jolly Holiday restaurant, themed for Adventureland. You can call this the Jekyll & Hyde building with two faces:



This undated 1950’s image shows the same angle, but from farther back. Tiki’s Tropical Imports looks like a great place to shop!



For all you signage geeks:



Anything look good?



I’m not quite sure what the sign says; Stocking Caps?



In other news, I was asked to be a guest on the “Had A Magical Day” podcast, put together by Scott Oddo. Wearing the shirt I bought for New Year’s 2000, I do my best to be entertaining while talking about the Park. The shirt is probably more exciting.



To listen to the podcast instead of seeing my high-tech computer room, you can access it on soundcloud or iTunes. See more Disneyland Adventureland photos at my main website.

Welcome To Adventureland, 1950s-Style

These 1950s images show a very early Adventureland. Disneyland was in its infancy when these were taken, as can be seen through the young landscaping which is just beginning to take shape. And where are the crowds?!? This gent is incredibly lucky to have his shot taken at the gate without a single guest in site.

   

From the same batch of photos comes this second Adventureland image, featuring two dashing gents standing in front of the tribal masks that adorned the front gate.

 

See more Disneyland Adventureland photos at my main website.

1959 Beauties

Today's post takes you back 56 years to 1959, providing a simulated photo journey of Disneyland as it looked way back when. Your car journeys down Harbor Boulevard and then turns into the entrance of Anaheim's famous theme park.



Let's approach the ticket booths from the right side, as seen in this November 1959 shot:



The park entrance is decorated with the flags of many nations:



A closer look lets us see the Kalamazoo Handcar and the population board showing that 10,000,000 guests have gone through the turnstiles.



For guests who can't wait to get their first Disneyland souvenir, this little Town Square booth is perfect!



A closer look so we can see the 25¢ guidebooks:



as well as the construction of the Matterhorn:



Let's climb aboard the Horse-Drawn Streetcar and explore each land of the park:



The entrance of Adventureland, circa November 1959:



Frontierland is very patriotic looking in the summer of 1959:



New Orleans Street is bustling, May 1959:



Zooming in we can see a glimpse of Aunt Jemima through the trees, wearing her red checked top and yellow apron, standing in front of her restaurant:



Popcorn anyone?



A good crowd has gathered for the Ceremonial Dance at the Indian Village:



Continuing to move in a clockwise direction we find ourselves in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, painted in lovely subdued hues:



Dumbo’s ears may not flap, but as of October 1959, they still appear to be hinged:



Over in Tomorrowland, more international flags can be seen:



In June 1959, guests appear to be lining up for something; anyone figure out what it could be?



Forget the crowd; I want to get closer to see the Tomorrowland Skyway Station:



So ends our journey back to 1959; let's board the Monorail and head home!



See more Daveland vintage & current Disneyland photos at my main website.

Adventureland Entrance Through The Years

Sometimes the acquisition of one bland new image can spawn the idea for a mega-post such as this, which attempts to document the Adventureland entrance at Disneyland through the years. Amazingly, my collection has a few shots from July 18, 1955, aka Day One for the average Joe Schmoe who couldn't get in the day before for the gala press event.

Cropping in a little tighter for a better look at the arch itself; love the vintage photographer in pink on the right. Also note the plethora of chicken wire fencing; it wouldn't last five minutes with today's crowds.



Zooming in closer we see that the Jungle Cruise tower was still under construction:



By September of 1955, things are much quieter in this black and white image:



It is amazing how bare the landscaping looks in this March 1956 shot; I often forget just how long it can take plants to mature.



By 1958, the entry is looking a little more lush:



A tiki statue was added to the entry area some time before 1958:



A guest poses for her honey in this November 1959 photo:



A closer look at the tiki statue and the masks/skulls/shields along the entry gate:



An even closer crop allows a partial read of this sign. Any ideas what it is for?



Bright pink bougainvillea adds a pop of color to this May 1960 photo:



The bougainvillea has taken over the top of the sign, and the tiki statue has been put behind a fence, circa October 1962.



The Enchanted Tiki Room has joined the landscape of Adventureland in this December 1968 image:



The "new" image from November 1971 that inspired this post. Check out all the foliage!



This shot from the 1980's shows that at some point over the years the tiki statue was removed.



An early morning shot from 2006 with the golden glow of sunrise:



Last one for today is a night shot from December 2012:



Overall, the biggest difference between then and now is that the entrance looks a bit more manufactured and less handcrafted. It's still a charming gateway into one of my favorite lands, but like the rest of the park, it seems very safe and calculated.

See more shots from the intervening years by cruising on over to my main website.