Wednesday in the (not so) Wild West

This undated 1950’s image shows early Disneyland. Looks like the bad guys and the good guys are exchanging stories in Frontierland (I see Black Bart and Sheriff Lucky in this one). Closing in we can see the “office” of Willard P. Bounds, blacksmith AND U.S. Marshal of Frontierland. You can also see Eddie Adamek’s trick ropes for sale, strewn in a semi-circle over the counter.

Farther on the right you can see the sign for the Miniature Horse Corral (which closed in 1957):

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

Eddie in Frontierland

I love it when I am able to acquire a good sharp negative. Typically you can see a wealth of details in just one image. This Summer 1959 shot is of the Zocalo marketplace in Frontierland. I love the look on this little boy’s face as he tries to figure out the scarecrow merchandise stand.



This couple is planning their next move at the Park; keep in mind this was before Fast Pass, apps, and all kinds of other technical diggery-dos were available. They’re using their brains and a Park map. AMAZING!!



This third detailed view shows Eddie Adamek’s trick rope stand. Only fifty cents; what a value! Looks like Eddie was on break, as well as comedian/writer/actor/banjo player/rope lasso expert supreme Steve Martin, who worked here for a short while. Steve gave a few other great details about this photo:

It’s across from the Mine Ride, in fact, you can make out a few Rainbow Ridge buildings in the far right background. We were serenaded daily by the Trio Gonzales, whose music gazebo was just adjacent. Eddie got moved from the Blacksmith shop when it was converted into the Fritos restaurant. The sign is clearly hand-made by Eddie; it’s not up to Disneyland standards. El Zocolo was owned by a great guy named Chris Porteas (sp?), who also owned Davy Crockett’s arcade as a leasee.

Steve also still remembered the creepy scarecrow merchandise stand. It obviously made quite an impression on people back then!



If you wonder what the package looked like, wonder no more:



In this September 1958 shot, you can see the Gonzalez Trio stand with Eddie’s stand in the back:



Zooming in, you can see the back of Steve Martin selling the ropes:



This 1956 image shows Eddie’s original location in the Blacksmith shop:



Here’s a vintage 1957 view of Eddie himself when he was still at his original Disneyland location:



Two more later day images of Eddie that Steve supplied:





On another note, welcome to a new decade! I hope 2020 is a great one for you!

See more Disneyland Frontierland photos at my main website.

Vintage Frontierland Friday

This vintage 1957 shot shows Black Bart, flirting with a guest at Disneyland. In the background is Eddie Adamek who sold trick ropes out of the Blacksmith shop. Actor/comedian/writer Steve Martin learned to trick rope from Eddie when he worked at the park back in the 1950’s; this came in handy 30 years later for his 1986 movie, “The Three Amigos.”



At about the 52 second mark in this video you can see Eddie doing his stuff!



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

August 1958: Meet the Sherriff

Just a short one today, starting off with a shot of the Frontierland Sherriff and a young boy off to the left practicing his best rope trick. Anybody able to identify the Sheriff? Doesn't appear to be Eddie Adamek.



A nice shot of the Columbia bringing it on home during her first year on the Rivers of America:



And the Mighty Mark Twain at dockside, waiting to undertake yet another voyage around Tom Sawyer Island.



See more vintage and current Frontierland photos at my website.