2000th Post Extravaganza: East Center Street

Sandwiched between the Market House and The Gibson Greeting Card shop (circa 1955-1960), guests can find East Center Street. Once a hub of some very fun activities, this spot on Main Street is best known for portrait sittings and Art Festivals.



Before there was New Orleans Square, guests could have their portraits sketched in pastel by talented artists in a jiffy.







Here is a story about one of the artists at Disneyland from the Disneyland Line Newsletter, November 8, 1972:

150,000 AND STILL DRAWING

Betty Bell, a 15-year employee of the Merchandising division in the Art Festival, drew her 150,000 portrait recently.

Betty started her career with Disneyland, January 3, 1957, as an artist at the Art Corner (which is now the Tomorrowland Stage Area) under the supervision of Jack Olsen. Jack is now Vice President of Merchandising Disneyland/Walt Disney World.

During her 15 years as an artist in Merchandising, Betty has drawn portraits in pastel of such people as Alan Funt, Lucy Johnson Nugent, many foreign dignitaries, and many other celebrities which she can't recall.

Betty is also well known for her oil portraits and her works of sculpture, which she does in her spare time. Spare time? Betty's spare time also includes construction and set decoration of the Disneyland Drama Club plays (including the recent "Lil Abner"), and make-up for the casts (for which she received the Drama Workshop's "Stellar Award").

Besides her active work schedule and hobbies, Betty is also busy with her family. She has been married for 24 years and has 4 girls, the oldest being 22, enough to keep any gal on the go full time - without a job or hobbies! Congratulations to Betty on a job well done!



I'd also want to adjust my Time Machine to make sure I could see the Good Neighbor Mexico festival that was held here in the Summer of 1963.

From the L.A. Times on July 24, 1963: “An authentically decorated Mexican street exhibit will be opened Monday at Disneyland to celebrate a ‘Salute to Mexico’ sponsored by People-to-People, Inc., in co-operation with the Mexican Tourist Council. “Mexico’s former president, Miguel Aleman, now president of the tourist council, will act as official representative at the 11 a.m. dedication ceremonies. “The three-month exhibit will be a showcase of Mexican crafts ranging from pottery and jeweltry to contemporary art and bull fighting.” From the Pasadena Star-News, July 31, 1963: “Mexico Invades Southland—A beachhead based on friendship and mutual understanding has been established at Disneyland with opening of the ‘Salute la Mexico’ under the sponsorship of People-to-People, Inc. Teresa Lucero, 8, of Los Angeles and Patrick Wade, 12, of Anaheim, pulled the ribbon to officially open the display. Watching were Edmondo Gonzales, Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles; Walt Disney, executive committee member of sponsoring group; Carlos Arruz, of Mexico City, and Joyce C. Hall, chairman of People-to-People committee.”



Dancing on Main Street? Count me in! Call me a dreamer, but it sure would be great to have Main Street be an attraction again besides just a path to Star Tours where you can buy plush.



See more vintage & current Disneyland Main Street photos on my Main Street web page.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Before I looked it up on the web, I couldn't begin to tell you the actual historical significance of Cinco de Mayo. All I know is that many of my friends use it as an excuse to eat Mexican food and drink margaritas...in abundance! Well, today I edumacated myself. Cinco de Mayo ("Fifth of May" in Spanish) is a Mexican civic holiday commemorating the Mexican army's May 5, 1862 win over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo sees limited significance in Mexico itself, but the date is observed nationwide as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. So c'mon readers...let's celebrate with a few vintage photos! First up from my batch of B&W 1974 negatives come a few festive pics of a Viva Mexico themed parade. Chip 'n Dale look like they're ready to go south of the border to tie one on!

Both Minnie & Mickey appear to be wearing their normal garb, but their driver looks like he might have been woken from an afternoon siesta.



The Latino music continues; I am digging the wide lapels and oversized ties. So 70's!



Much of the Latino music at Disneyland came from this little stand located in Frontierland, visible in this September 1961 shot:



The Gonzalez Trio often entertained guests here:









Right nearby, guests could savor tasty Mexican dishes at Casa de Fritos. The Gonzalez Trio is shown here in this January 1966 shot:



Would you buy chips from this woman? You betcha! Circa August 1967 photo:



Even Main Street U.S.A. strayed a bit from its Americana theme by playing host to a Mexican Street Exhibit back in 1963. Here are some previously posted shots from the festival, including one of Walt having a great time:





As a farewell to today's Mexican-theme post, feast your eyes on Mickey & Eeyore in a vintage 1978 photo:



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos atmy main website.

Mexico Comes to Anaheim, Pt. 3

Finishing up today with the festive Mexican Celebration on East Center Street, circa 1963. The detail photo shows the People-to-People organization poster:



The piñata resembles a very Dali-esque Donald Duck. Coincidence?



I really dig the retro dad with the camera and cig—how’s that for multitasking?



See more Disneyland photos at my website.

Mexico Comes to Anaheim, Pt. 2

More photos from the lively Good Neighbor Mexico celebration on East Center Street from September 14, 1963.

A detail area from shot #1 shows some of the art on exhibit here:













Over in Adventureland...I have a reader who recently purchased a table; the seller told her it was the original dining room table from the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse at Disneyland. It doesn’t match any of the photos that I have; anyone care to comment?











See more Disneyland photos at my website.

Mexico Comes to Anaheim, Pt. 1

Mexico came to Anaheim in 1963. Walt welcomed the culture to Disneyland with an elaborate street festival, known as “Good Neighbor Mexico,” located in the heart of Main Street (or Center Street to be more exact).

And just what exactly is that Tony Curtis wannabe on the left trying to do? Bring the curtain down on the show?





Thanks to detail-hound Jason at Disneyland Nomenclature, here are some newspaper accounts of the festival:

From the L.A. Times on July 24, 1963: “An authentically decorated Mexican street exhibit will be opened Monday at Disneyland to celebrate a ‘Salute to Mexico’ sponsored by People-to-People, Inc., in co-operation with the Mexican Tourist Council.

“Mexico’s former president, Miguel Aleman, now president of the tourist council, will act as official representative at the 11 a.m. dedication ceremonies.

“The three-month exhibit will be a showcase of Mexican crafts ranging from pottery and jewelry to contemporary art and bull fighting.”



From the Pasadena Star-News, July 31, 1963: “Mexico Invades Southland—A beachhead based on friendship and mutual understanding has been established at Disneyland with opening of the ‘Salute la Mexico’ under the sponsorship of People-to-People, Inc. Teresa Lucero, 8, of Los Angeles and Patrick Wade, 12, of Anaheim, pulled the ribbon to officially open the display. Watching were Edmondo Gonzales, Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles; Walt Disney, executive committee member of sponsoring group; Carlos Arruz, of Mexico City, and Joyce C. Hall, chairman of People-to-People committee.”

The photos in this entry (other than the first one with Walt) are from what I believe to be the closing ceremonies on September 14, 1963.





See more Disneyland photos at my website.