Imperial Wright

The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo is one of the many "lost" Frank Lloyd Wright architectural masterpieces. Thanks to these 1949 photos taken by Colonel Ralph Cruse, we can get an idea of what it looked like.



During World War II, the south hotel wing was gutted by bombs. The hotel was commandeered for a period by the Occupation forces and managed by the U.S. Government under the supervision of Lieutenant J.Malcolm Morris 1945 to 1952 and some of the damage was repaired during this time. This is the time frame that these photos were taken.





Had to zoom in for a closer look at the signage:



The hotel continued to suffer from decay and was eventually demolished in 1967. It was replaced with a high-rise. Ouch. You can be sure Frank did NOT design that building!



A closeup of some of the patterned concrete blocks that were characteristic of Wright:



Noritake produced the formal china for the hotel's main dining room, consisting of an elegant checkerboard pattern of matte and gilt gold (which mimicked the windows that Wright designed). In 1990, Tiffany & Co. reproduced and sold this china and then Noritake took over. Today, it is very difficult to find.



See more Frank Lloyd Wright at my main website.

24/7 Beignets & Coffee

Cafe Du Monde has been serving up beignets and hot coffee from the New Orleans French Market since 1862. The first shot shows the iconic location back in the 1950s. In October 1960, the two guests shown below were captured enjoying their java and fried powdered delights.



When the weather is nice, you can sit out on the patio, as these 1950s customers did.



On my visit a few months back, I stopped by the Cafe Du Monde during a very early morning run, hoping to get some shots before it opened and was inundated by tourists. I was not aware that it was open 24/7. As their website states, they are only closed on Christmas Day and whenever the occasional hurricane passes through.



The aroma of the fresh brewed dark roast coffee drew me in; the sight of the perfectly dusted beignets caused me to take a break from my run.



Even though it wasn't 7am, the place was fairly packed.



And here's what they all came for: beignets and coffee. Warning: be careful not to inhale while eating your beignet. You'll be coughing up powdered sugar for days.



Jump on over for more java at my Café du Monde photo page.

30¢ For the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train

Although it no longer exists, The Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction still lives on in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to enjoy it during the first few years of the park. Debuting on July 2, 1956, it existed where the current Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction now operates. So, let's gather up our 30¢ ticket and travel back in time to experience it again courtesy of the Daveland archives!



This vintage panoramic view shows both the Pack Mule and Mine Train attractions, which both saw much of the same scenery on their journeys.



In this July 1959 shot we get a closer view of the Rainbow Ridge Mining town:



Another 1959 view:



Looks like the guests were able to enjoy a little live music while waiting in line:



We have now boarded our Mine Train and are on our way to the Rainbow Desert, circa August 7, 1957:



November 1958:



Summer 1959:



A May 1958 photo shows a cast member giving his attraction narration; the next three images were shot sequentially by our vintage photographer:





The Devil's Paint Pots:



Anyone know what this little structure is?





Another November 1958 image, showing a little Frontierland layering with the Conestoga Wagon nearby:



The Seven Dwarfs were honored with this cacti tribute:







The highlight of the attraction was the journey through the colorful (albeit dark) Rainbow Caverns, shown here in two vintage publicity images:





Back to Rainbow Ridge:



Watch out for those explosives!



Hope you enjoyed your trip and felt that your 30¢ was well spent! Want more? Ride on over to my main website and see more photos of Nature's Wonderland at Disneyland.

Disneyland Town Square March 1957

Welcome to Disneyland, circa March 1957 (aka year two). Our photographer provides us with a great overview of the Town Square area, even though he was probably attempting to shoot his family. Let's zoom in for a closer look at this good looking bunch:



The second detailed view shows the Bank, cannon, and information/souvenir kiosk:



This photo from the same group has Vesey Walker and the Disneyland Band entertaining guests as they gather around the flag pole:



Once again, the poor family is relegated to the background! More to come from this batch!



See more Disneyland Town Square photos at my main website and see more photos of the Monorail at Disneyland.

Quadricycling on Main Street

The Dapper Dans are an integral part of Main Street, U.S.A. and have been since 1959. Who could resist a quartet on a quadricycle singing as they pedaled through Disneyland? This first shot is from 1965 and shows the singing group of the past posed in front of the House of the Future.

In this undated 1950's shot, the Dans are whizzing by the Upjohn Pharmacy. Sure wish I knew what happened to the light fixture!



The Dans are attempting to keep up with the Horse-Drawn Streetcar, circa August 1961:



The Wurlitzer Shop makes an appropriate backdrop for the musical quartet in this March 1965 image:



Last one for today is this 1960's publicity shot:



I wonder if the Dans of today are still able to ride and sing?

Get on your quadricycle and ride on over to my main website for more Dapper Dans images.

The Tender Pirate

It's true…even Pirates have a tender side, as you can see in this August 1960 shot of Captain Guy (who is sometimes referred to as Peg-Leg Pete) posing with a little boy aboard the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. Of course, this could be Pete trying to sweet talk the little boy into joining his band of depraved marauders. Hard to say.



This recent acquisition made me curious about how long Captain Guy lasted at the park. My earliest image of him is from June 1958:



Followed by one from September of the same year:



These two from November 1959 are my favorites; they show that he definitely had a sense of humor!





This December 23, 1960 shot looks like Walt might have been telling him that his days are numbered.



The last one I have of Captain Guy is from May 1961; I wonder if Walt gave him a severance package?



Sharp-eyed readers will notice a construction crane; wonder what was going on behind Storybook Land?



Board the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship back at my main website and see more vintage shots of this lost treasure.