Vintage Disneyland: The Harry Pollack Collection Pt. 2

Today's undated 1950s images taken by Harry Pollack showcase Central Plaza at Disneyland. The first one shows the Organ Grinder and his monkey, who seem to have been a short-lived feature at the Park. The Davy Crockett coonskin hat on the monkey is a great little Disney touch! Next we have a lovely lady posing in front of the Red Wagon Inn Restaurant, which today is better known as The Plaza Inn.



Note the weather vane, featuring (of course!) a red wagon.



It appears that this gal's skirt has the Mark Twain on it - in pink no less!



Here's another previously unpublished shot of the Red Wagon from October 16, 1956. This one is not part of the Harry Pollack collection.



Another detailed view of the weathervane:



More vintage (and contemporary) Disneyland Central Plaza photos at my main website.

Monkey See Monday

This 1956 image shows an organ grinder and his monkey in the Central Plaza area of Disneyland. Imagine..."live" animals at Disneyland doing things that might be unscripted. A closeup of the organ shows the name Molinari & Sons, New York.



Here's a previously posted shot of the same guy, also from 1956:



More Disneyland Central Plaza at my main website.

June 1959 Trip to California, Pt. 3

It should come as no surprise that our June 1959 tour group ended up at Disneyland, especially considering all of the amazing things that debuted at that time including The Matterhorn, The Monorail, and The Submarine Voyage. Not content to take just one shot near the Mickey Floral, our vintage photographer took TWO shots.



Our 1959 quartet poses on Main Street, with the 1959 New Attraction banners and a Horseless Carriage in the background.



I am fairly certain that this photo of an organ grinder and his monkey is also from Disneyland; it came with the same group, and it appears to be the Matterhorn in the background.



The last one from that famous theme park in Anaheim shows the newly opened Matterhorn in the background. Where the group is standing pretty much matches the background of the organ grinder shot. Sherlock…I think we have our answer!



Enjoy more vintage (and current) Disneyland images at my main website.

A Batch of Beauties from the 1950's

Just a few random undated 1950's images for you to enjoy. The E.P. Ripley is pulling into the station in this first shot. Can you believe how barren the property outside the berm looks? Where are all the hotels and restaurants?

This little monkey was a frequent attraction to early Central Plaza. I know very little about his story, but it would appear that he didn't last too long in the park.



The Pen Shop on East Center Street lasted for about 5 years, from 1955-1960. This area is almost recognizable to the way it looks today, as it is completely devoid of food carts, tables, and chairs.



Here's a little peak into the shop window:



How East Center Street looks today:



Originally, the Indian Village began life on the cusp of Adventureland, before it was shuffled off to the farthest corner of the park in what is now Critter Country.



Zooming in for a better look at the trash can:



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

TPE: Central Plaza

Welcome to Central Plaza, aka "The Hub," because it was designed to be the heart of Disneyland...the central place that guests could meet and enter each of the different lands. "Let's meet at the hub..."

All of the vintage vehicles meet here after taking guests from Town Square. In this particular 1956 photo, you can see where the Matterhorn would eventually be built. I can understand why Walt would want these covered up!



During my vintage visit, there's so much I'd want to do here. First I'd need to get off the Horse-Drawn Streetcar...



Or maybe I would have chosen the Omnibus...I do love that double-decker view down Main Street!





I have to zoom in on this one; the House of the Future, the Hall of Chemistry, signage...oh my!



I would need a snack, so I'd grab a delicious bag of hot freshly popped popcorn:





watch the organ grinder and monkey in action:





I'd want to catch a concert at the original bandstand (before it got moved to Adventureland and then off-premises):



I'd want to make sure I got to see Trinidad Ruiz, the famous White Wing who helped keep the Park spotless.



Central Plaza also seemed to be the place the guests would most likely get to see The Keystone Kops play their vintage melodies. On the right is Bernie Flymen; he played sax & clarinet at Disneyland from 1955–1960 and in Desi Arnaz’s “I Love Lucy” band. Funny how this guest appears to be completely oblivious to them.





I would also want to be in Central Plaza in 1962 when the movie "Forty Pounds of Trouble" was being filmed with Tony Curtis.



More action for the Keystone Kops.



I'd have to make sure I visited during Easter so I could see the La Coquette balloon:



What a cool site from Central Plaza; I wonder if guests were allowed to ride in it?



I'd also want to witness the pageantry often seen in Central Plaza, like the parade that heralded the opening of the Alice in Wonderland dark ride:



And I'd want to see all of the hullabaloo that accompanied the June 14, 1959 unveiling of the Matterhorn, Submarines, Motor Boat Cruise, and the Monorail. Wow...what a year!





Vice President Richard Nixon was on hand with his family:





Disney and Nixon were long-time friends who were a mutual admiration society:



Our Horse-Drawn Streetcar may be heading back to Town Square, but we have new adventures to tackle on Friday! Come back for more!



See more vintage & current Disneyland Central Plaza photos on my Central Plaza web page.

Disneyland in Glorious B&W, 1955, Pt. 7

Let’s spend a day at Central Plaza, with the Surrey and Horse-Drawn Streetcar cruising around the hub. For shots #2 & #3, I finally can contribute to the monkey craze that my fellow bloggers have documented in the past. Jordan, if you’re still out there, these are dedicated to you. The little monkey sure is making friends with the guests!





See more vintage & current Central Plaza photos at my regular website.