Hump Day on Tom Sawyer Island, September 1969

Welcome to Tom Sawyer Island, circa September 1969! Our first shot was taken aboard the Mark Twain and shows The Old Mill, the raft to the Island, and the Fishing Pier. Yes, you once were able to catch fish at Disneyland. Below, Apple-Skirt Girl is posing next to the Three Falls and steps to the Treehouse.



Not to be outdone, her brother poses for the same shot. Dad did a better job this time, capturing more of the Three Falls this time. Practice makes perfect!



The fam finally made it to the Treehouse.



A detail of the Tom + Becky carved detail, mentioned in a previous post:



Now you can see that Tom and Huck's Tree House was made from boxes that contained oderless (sp) feathers for pillow stuffing.



Dad handed the camera over to Mom for a shot by the Old Mill.



Just in case you wanted to read the sign and learn something. Edutainment.



Time to brave Injun Joe’s Cave! Who knows what dangers lurk inside those dark caverns?



Mom was not going to let go of the Tom Sawyer Island brochure. No way she was going to get lost on the Island. Nice ring, too! That must have set Dad back a pretty penny.



A rare interior shot of the caves. Thank goodness for flash bulbs!



Final one for today shows the fam (minus Dad who took the photo) on top of Teeter-Totter Rock:



See more Disneyland Tom Sawyer Island photos at my main website.

Tom Sawyer Island: back when it was fun!

Before the attorneys, termites, and Jack Sparrow entered the picture, Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland used to be a lot of fun! The exploration possibilities seemed endless to little kids who had a blast riding a raft over to the Island and then were turned loose like little savage beasts. Remember the Treehouse? Yes, you could actually climb to the top! Uh oh…look at how tall that is. Some little varmint might fall off. Better shut that down!





A closer view:



One of the most tragic losses of the Island is Fort Wilderness, as seen from the Rivers of America:



The entrance:



Yes, at one point, it actually looked like a Fort AND you could go inside, run around, and go through secret passages!



What can I say besides “sigh”?

See more vintage and semi-contemporary Tom Sawyer Island photos at my main website.

Monday on the Island

You were probably thinking about a tropical island. Not here at Daveland; instead, let’s visit Tom Sawyer’s Island. There’s so much more to do there. In this 1958 image, you can zoom in and see guests actually fishing at Disneyland…for real live fish! Just stick that in your purse until we get home, mom.

Another detailed view shows guests on the raft that transported them back to the Park.

One year earlier in December 1957 shows a Keel Boat on the left…

and guests paddling a canoe. Chop, chop! You’ve got to get all the way around the Island, folks!

Also from the same December 1957 photographer comes this second view of the Island showing the fishing pier…

and Tom and Huck’s Tree House. What little kid didn’t enjoy climbing up to the top of that?

Want to know what you could see from there?

In December 1958 you could view the Chicken Plantation Restaurant. Is it time for lunch yet?

See more Disneyland Tom Sawyer Island photos at my main website.