The Eagle Eye of Archivist Jason

Although there is an overwhelming abundance of Disneyland fans/admirers/geeks/enthusiasts, NOBODY tops the knowledge of Jason Schultz, the unofficial Disneyland archivist supreme. Recently, his twitter feed featured a vintage 1950’s image from my collection that shows both Ron Dominguez AND the Dominguez palm. Below, you can see Ron on the right:



…and this detailed view shows the Gullywhumper Keel Boat, Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House, and the Dominguez Palm (2nd tree from the right).



If you don’t know about the Dominguez Palm Tree, here’s the 411: Ron Dominguez grew up on ten acres of orange trees that were sold to Walt Disney to build Disneyland. After a year of construction, that acreage became part of Frontierland and Adventureland. The Dominguez family asked Walt to keep this one tree, as it had been planted in 1896 as a wedding gift to Ron’s grandparents. The Dominguez Palm is located to the right of the Jungle Cruise boathouse.

Ron also has a Main Street, U.S.A. window:



Inscription: Orange Grove Property Mgt. - “We Care For Your Property As If It Were Our Own” - Ron Dominguez - Owner

Ron Dominguez was raised on a grove where the Rivers of America is now. He began working at Disneyland in its early days and eventually became Executive Vice President of Disneyland and “Mayor of Our Community.”

Thanks for knowing more about my collection than I do, Jason!

See more photos at my main website.

April at Disneyland, Pt. 1

I've already shared my experience with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during my recent visit to Disneyland. Now I will take you back outside the park to the very beginning, because that's typically where most stories should start. On this somewhat gray day in Southern California, I arrived at the crack of dawn, because that's when you can get the best photos before the strollers and crowds descend upon the park.



Last minute pressure-washing makes the park sparkle when the gates open.





How often do you see the Mickey floral with nary a soul in front of it?





650,000,000 million? Good Lord, where do they put everyone?



One final check before the gates open:



The Monorail was speeding by overhead:



And then I was in! The sunlight was just beginning to show itself, casting a golden light on the Main Street Train Station:



I shot a few photos of this section of Town Square which is rumored to be going under the knife when they finally develop the "back alley" behind Main Street, U.S.A.



I've never really paid much attention to this side of the Mad Hatter Shop.





And either this light outside of the Magic Shop is new, or I have been unaware of it. Regardless, it's a beautiful detail!



Last one for today is the recently unveiled Tony Baxter window on Main Street.



TOMORROW: New Orleans Square!

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