New Orleans vs. New Orleans Square, Pt. 3

Welcome to New Orleans Square! To experience the attractions here, it’s best to board the train at the Main Street Train Station and head to the first stop, which is Frontierland/New Orleans Square. As you approach the station, you know you’re in the right place as you see the decor from the Mardi Gras Supply Company. This is one of my favorite stations at Disneyland, as the detailing is rich.



Tired? You can always hang out and relax at Magnolia Park while the kiddies run wild.



Into history? Take a moment to read the plaque purporting this to be the anchor from a pirate ship commanded by Jean Lafitte.



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Violence at Disneyland!

This photo is somewhat surprising if not viewed in its historical context. Hard to believe that there was once a Gun Shop in Frontierland. Even though I doubt that they sold real weapons, I'm not even sure that you could buy fake guns or pistols at Disneyland anymore.



Today, this shop has been incorporated into The Golden Horseshoe, as seen in this photo I took on my most recent trip to Disneyland.



The interesting little sculpture above the door disappeared at some point.



Either removed, destroyed, or plastered over.



Guns weren't the only weapon used in Frontierland; Zorro brandished his sword on top of the Mark Twain for guests to marvel at below:





It seems like the area by the Gun Shop was not a safe place for guests; here's Black Bart in the middle of a gunfight:



Wally Boag is on top of the Horseshoe, having just been "shot":



Even the peaceful Rivers of America had violence right under your nose, as you can see by the The Burning Cabin:



I just love zooming into the faux dead guy on the bench with an arrow through his chest. Again - hard to believe this was here for YEARS at Disneyland!



Obviously, cast members had fun with this guy too, as he is rarely seen in the same position:





The last time I saw any kind of politically incorrect violence at Disneyland was over in Adventureland back in June 2008 when this evil villainous was getting pummeled by an ungentlemanly Indiana Jones.



I think the poor Hippos on the Jungle Cruise are the last examples of violence at Disneyland...other than the fits of anger by guests who have to wait too long in line for something.



See more vintage and current Disneyland Frontierland photos on my Frontierland web page.

Frontierland Rarities, Pt. 4

Today we are going to spend a little time at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. This undated image shows a quaint little ice cream cart outside The Shoe.

This October 1965 image looks standard at first, but once I zoomed in, I noticed something I hadn't seen before.



Apparently, poor Lafitte's anchor has been moved around multiple times. Here it is, right in front of the Mark Twain dock. Today, it resides in New Orleans Square. Previously, I believe it was located closer to the area that is now The Riverbelle Terrace.



Anyone know what this building in the distance is that appears to say "Wilbur Clark's..." is?



Frequently, I have read that Harper Goff's Golden Garter Saloon design from the 1953 Doris Day movie “Calamity Jane” was reused as the design for Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Saloon. Here are a few screen shots to show you the striking similarities between the two, starting with two exterior shots:





Here are Doris and costar Howard Keel cavorting inside the Golden Garter. In the majority of these shots, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two structures!







Compare with this corresponding shot of the GH at Disneyland:



The differences can mainly be seen when you see the angles that show the back of the house and the ceiling; otherwise, the look and feel of both facilities are very similar.







The back of the house and the ceiling of the GH at Disneyland:



It’s a fun movie to watch, done in the same vein as “Annie Get Your Gun”(1950) (which also starred Keel).



Warner Brothers got their money’s worth out of this set, which was also used in Vincent Price’s “House of Wax” (1953).



For a much more detailed history of Harper Goff's set design, be sure to check out The Disney History Institute.

See more vintage and current Golden Horseshoe photos on my Golden Horseshoe web page.

Frontierland Rarities, Pt. 2

Black Bart was the dastardly villain that inhabited Frontierland back in the early years. Here are some previously published photos of Sheriff Lucky arresting Bart...



As well as being involved in a shootout by Lafitte's anchor:



Later, I was able to upgrade my collection by coming across a negative that showed the same scene in much better detail.



A few more previously shown random shots of Bart, including one of him actually smiling:



Two more early shots of him hanging out by the Miniature Horse Corral, which eventually became the Shooting Gallery.



Sheriff Lucky on the right seems amused by Bart.



And I finally acquired a color shot of Bart. I wonder if this little boy was ever heard from again? The lady in the background seems to signing for someone to call for help!



Now, with the same batch as the Aunt J. photos, I have yet another color image of Bart, circa Winter 1956. You can see the Ace of Spades in his hat.



Characters like this make the park experience a lot more memorable; the return of some of these guys to Frontierland would surely liven it up.

See more vintage Black Bart photos on my Frontierland web page.