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.

In Your Easter Bonnet: Disneyland Hotel Cheesecake

While this vintage shot may seem like a stretch for Easter, those hats on the models sure look like Easter bonnets to me! These lovely young ladies are posing in front of the Disneyland Hotel, circa…? Below is a shot of the hotel from 1956. Amazing how a little detail like the distinctive metal work can set off bells in someone’s brain (mine) and standout as a feature of vintage Disneyland. I really need to get a life…



The transparencies were undated, so I have no idea when they were shot, but…back to my vintage Disneyland obsessed brain, I recall that on Main Street tucked in a corner (aka Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner), guests could buy swimwear at Cole of California.



This shot of the display window sure looks like it matches the style of attire in the cheesecake shot! If it was a publicity shot for Cole of California, that would narrow the timeframe to between 1956-1957 when the store was in operation at the Park.



A second image from the shoot for your enjoyment:



If you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a joyous celebration today!

See more Disneyland Hotel photos at my main website.

The Coke Corner Split Bulb

If you’re on Twitter and you love to dive into the deep minutia of Disneyland History, then Jason Schultz’s account is a must. One of the recent topics brought up is the split bulb(s) found at the Coke Corner on Main Street, U.S.A.

If you’re not familiar with it, here’s the condensed version. Because the bulbs in the area shown below (May 2006 photo) have an odd number of sockets, the red and white alternating sequence would eventually be ruined at the point that they meet. According to lore, Walt Disney provided the solution of having the one bulb painted half white and half red.



My first recollection of hearing about this was on a Disneyland Tour that I took circa October 2008.



The guide pointed out the bulb which I of course had to photograph!



It looks like there are two spots where this painted split bulb occurs:



Checking out my collection, I found this Genuine FauxD© shot of the Coke Corner, circa 1955, before it even had bulbs!



A closeup of the soon-to-be-bulbed area:



…and the Disneyland News available at the time of the shot. Anyone have a copy of this particular issue?



By August 1958, the bulbs were added:



It’s hard to tell whether or not the split bulb idea had been executed or not though.



I love this detailed view of a guest relaxing at the end of the evening inside the Coke Corner:



How many of you have noticed the split bulbs before?

See more Disneyland Coke Corner photos at my main website.

Coke, Cops, and Cole

Guests at the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner at Disneyland are being serenaded by the Keystone Kops, circa August 1958. The Dapper Dans weren’t the only musical group on Main Street, U.S.A.!

Behind the Kops you can see the window for the Cole of California shop.

Founded in 1923 by Fred Cole, this swimwear company was once represented by Esther Williams (so you know they were legit).

This shot gives you an overall view of the area:

How about those mermaids in the display window? Wonder where they are now…

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

2000th Post Extravaganza: Candy, Coke, and Cole's

To the right of this lovely young lady and the most scary Minnie Mouse ever seen, you can get a gander at the Candy Palace & Coca Cola Refreshment Corner. I am pleased to say that these two shops/restaurants are still to be found at Disneyland today.

Here's a color view of the same area from 1957. Although I rarely do any shopping at Disneyland until the end of the day, it would not be rare for me to duck into the Candy Palace for a sweet treat in the afternoon...to be eaten on the spot, of course. What's your favorite Candy Palace confection?



Vesey and the band march in front of the Candy Palace, circa 1958:



I've just got to get a closer look at that window.



Outside the Coke Corner in 1956, the Keystone Kops are serenading guests:



At nighttime, the Coke Corner sure looks beautiful in this August 1958 photo:



Zooming in, you get the Disneyland version of Hopper's Nighthawks:



At one time, the Streetcar wasn't alone when it came to Horse-Drawn vehicles on Main Street, as you can see in this 1958 photo of the Surrey:



Sharp-eyed viewers will see the Disneyland News at the bottom of this early shot. If you're wondering what Cole of California is on the right-hand side, hang on a minute!



A 1972 interior shot of the Coke Corner:



When the park first opened, guests could buy swimwear at the Cole of California shot, adjacent to the Coke Corner:



Perfect for the pool at the Disneyland Hotel!



See more vintage & current Disneyland West Main Street U.S.A. photos on my West Main Street web page.

Disneyland in Glorious B&W, 1955, Pt. 3

I’m guessing that this first shot was taken from inside the Crystal Arcade; these other Main Street U.S.A. shots of the little girls are just priceless, as are their outfits!



I see a vintage stroller creeping into the frame on the left-hand side of this shot:





This fun interior view, which also shows the reflection of our photographer in the mirror, was taken inside of the Cole of California swimwear shop at the end of Main Street U.S.A.:



Here’s an exterior view of the shop for you:



Although the entry has been modified, the structure still stands today as part of the Penny Arcade:



See more vintage & current Main Street U.S.A. photos at my regular website.