Downtown Disney Car Show, circa 2008

In June 2008, Downtown Disney had a display of vintage autos, including this little Red Corvette (did it belong to Prince?).



Notice the Black Book in the windshield; perhaps it was the one used on the cover.



A yellow Pontiac GTO:



The GTO was the one that popularized muscle cars back in the 1960s.



This Chevy Camaro was the Official Pace Car for the 1969 Indianapolis 500:







How appropriate to have “Tigger” at Downtown Disney.



When I saw Tigger, he was at the Plaza Inn:



Back in June 1966, classic cars were parked right at the entrance:



See more Anaheim Downtown Disney photos at my main website.

Unpaving "Paradise"

I’m not sure that I would call DCA “Paradise,” but for the purposes of a catchy title…let’s do it! The Disney Corporation did a reverse Joni Mitchell in 2001; what was once the main parking lot was now Disney California Adventure. Here’s how that space looked October 1972. Imagine being able to drive your car this close to the gate!



Another 1972 image shows the road leading into Disneyland.



In the background is the Disneyland Hotel. Somebody better pick up the traffic cones; looks like one of the guests failed the driving test.



Another image of the parking lot from December 1967:



Oops; there’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. J.B. Allen & Co.: please hurry!



Last one is from May 1968. Look at that sea of vintage cars!



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland entrance photos at my main website.

Vintage Savannah: Wright Square

For this vintage 1950’s image of Savannah, Georgia, the photographer was facing Wright Square, standing on Bull Street. In the background is the steeple of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension (as seen below in 2007):



…and 2013 (below). Built in 1843, the building was occupied by Union soldiers during the Civil War.



The building that was on the right of the photographer is U.S. Post Office and Court House, as seen in this 2009 shot below. It is now referred to as the Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Court House. Built between 1894 and 1899, it was enlarged in 1932.



I believe all of the businesses have changed since then. Let’s take a look at what was there:



Charles Hairdressers, Dr. M. Butler (Dentist), Ray Mixson Jewelers, Sports C_____ (billiards, sports results, and lunches!), and Photocraft.

See more Wright Square in Savannah photos at my main website.

Flying Saucer Friday

It’s not truly a Flying Saucer, but it sure looks like one! Here’s a vintage shot of Theme Building at LAX from April 1962, less than a year after it opened. Dig that Mercedes Benz in front!

The original airport design was created by James Langenheim of Pereira & Luckman in 1959, but was apparently too ambitious. William Pereira, Charles Luckman, Paul Williams, and Welton Becket stepped in with the revised plan, which included the Theme Building built on the spot that was intended for the original airport terminal, as a reminder of the initial design. The futuristic Theme Building was dedicated on June 25, 1961 by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. Contrary to reports, the building’s restaurant never revolved. The structure was dedicated on June 25, 1961, by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Interestingly enough, Disneyland’s Flying Saucer attraction opened about the same time, August 6, 1961.

Saucers must have been on the brain in 1961! Thanks for the memory jolt, KS!

See more LAX photos at my main website.

Disneyland Monorail Red, July 1965

In this July 1965 image, you get the Disneyland Monorail, the Disneyland Hotel sign (which looks somewhat similar to the one that was on Harbor Boulevard), AND the Disneyland Hotel. Unfortunately, zooming in the sign is too blurry to read.

Don’t worry about it; in my collection I have a 1966 image that shows the Hotel sign:

Here’s the one that was on Harbor Boulevard, circa July 1965:

This view of the Park entrance was taken from the Monorail, July 1965:

Hope you all enjoy the weekend!

See more Disneyland Monorail photos at my main website.