Monthly Archives: September 2015

Olvera Street, Los Angeles, California

This image shows the open air street market that occupies Olvera Street in the city of Los Angeles, California. This street is part of the oldest section of Los Angeles, and serves as a historical district today.

Color by Geo. E. Watson


The description states:
OLVERA STREET
Los Angeles, California
Taco stands, Night Clubs, and Gift Shops all operated by Mexicans in their colorful native cosutmes.
–The street originally connected to the city Plaza that formed the center of Los Angeles civic activity in the mid-1900s. It was renamed in 1877 to honor  Augustín Olvera, the first Superior Court Judge of Los Angeles County.
Judging by the clothing styles in this image, this card likely dates from the 1950s.

Monsanto Hall of Chemistry, Disneyland, Anaheim, California

This image is a modern illustration of the building occupied by Monsanto Corporation on the grounds of Disneyland in the Tomorrowland section. It was best known as the Hall of Chemistry, which served to feature new discoveries and developments in chemistry and plastics by the company.
The description states:
in Tomorrowland
“The CHEMITRON…in Monsanto Chemical Company’s Hall of Chemistry…symbolizing for visitors the amazing processes of chemistry:that transforms eight basic materials found in nature into thousands of chemicals and plastics.
–This building was the first of four attractions sponsored by Monsanto over the years. The last one, Adventure Thru Inner Space, closed in 1986 to be replaced by Star Tours. This image dates from the 1950s.

Disneyland Autopia in Tomorrowland, Anaheim, California

This image shows young drivers making their way around the driver’s course for the Autopia in Disneyland’s Autopia. This was a celebration of the near future idyll of high speed safe transportation on the yet to be built Interstate Highway system.

Walt Disney Productions, Anaheim, California


The description states:
America’s future drivers on the Freeway of the Future in Tomorrowland at Walt Disney’s magic kingdom, DISNEYLAND.
— Initially the cars proved to be too fragile for child use, and were redesigned with the extensive bumper modification shown in this picture. Later, a guide rail was introduced to restrict the movement of the cars to a forward direction and to prevent blockages and collisions.
It was one of the original attractions when Disneyland opened in 1955. This image dates from shortly after the opening, sometime in the late 1950s.

Disneyland TWA Moonliner Ride in Tomorrowland, Anaheim, California

This image shows the long-removed TWA Moonliner ride in Tomorrowland as it looked when the park opened and during its early years.

Walt Disney Productions, Anaheim, California


The description states:
As nations contemplate a trip to the moon, DISNEYLAND’S TWA Rocket Ride shows how it might be done. The DISNEYLAND Autopia cars traveling the Freeway of the Future, and the speedboats of tomorrow are also major attractions in Tomorrowland.
–The ride was renamed for the Douglas Aircraft company when the TWA sponsorship expired without renewal in 1962, and the rocket was completely removed in 1967 when Tomorrowland was redesigned and updated. This image dates from the early years of the park in the 1950s.

Disneyland Jungle Cruise in Adventureland, Anaheim, California

This image shows the Jungle Cruise attraction, with the boat used to transport visitors in the background to the left of the falls. The ride was extensively inspired by the film The African Queen.

Walt Disney Productions, Anaheim, California


The description states:
The wilds of the jungle and its beauties are seen in the Adventureland boat ride at DISNEYLAND.
–The ride is little changed from the original course, but has had upgrades over the years as Disney himself insisted on refreshing the experience for repeat visitors. This image is from the early years of the park in the 1950s.

Disneyland Mad Tea Party Ride in Fantasyland, Anaheim, California

This image shows the rotating teacup ride known as the Mad Tea Party, with the carousel immediately behind it. The pirate ship mast is just visible in the lower left corner.

Walt Disney Productions, Anaheim, California


The description states:
The magic and mystery of Fantasyland is caught in this scene from the courtyard of Sleeping Beauty’s castle at DISNEYLAND.
–This ride and the carousel still exist in the park, making them among the oldest continuous attractions in Disneyland. This image dates from the early years of the park in the 1950s.

Disneyland Pirate Ship Restaurant, Anaheim, California

This image shows the pirate ship, once located in Fantasyland, that served as a restaurant in the early years of the park. It was called the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant, after the corporate sponsor.

Walt Disney Productions, Anaheim, California


The description states:
Aboard the pirate ship in  Fantasyland, guests enjoy the dinner of their choice, Tuna at the Chicken of the Sea Restaurant, and glimpse the wonder of this realm in Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
–The restaurant was closed and the ship removed in 1982. This image is from the first years of the park in the 1950s.

Disneyland Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Anaheim, California

This image shows the iconic Sleeping Beauty’s Castle built in the center of the park at the top of the main Plaza. It is the main entrance and partial boundary to Fantasyland.

Walt Disney Productions, Anaheim, California


The description states:
The land of enchantment lies beyond the drawbridge guarding the entrance to Sleeping Beauty’s castle at DISNEYLAND. Beyond the Castle, Fantasyland combed to life with gay rides in the Disney fashion.
–The inspiration for the castle was the real structure known as the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, built overlooking the town of Hohenschwangau. It has been redecorated and has a walkthrough that allows viewers to see the castle as it was designed for the original Disney film.
The name of the structure has been shortened to Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is often called Cinderella’s Castle in error.
This picture was taken shortly after the park opened in 1955.

Disneyland Horse-Drawn Trolley, Anaheim, California

Shown in this image is the horse drawn Main Street trolley, which ran on the rails just visible below and in front of the horse, from the main entrance to the central plaza of the park.

Walt Disney Productions, Anaheim, California


The description states:
Dobbin stands patiently while the conductor of Main Street’s trolley counts his fares before heading to the Plaza at the other end of Disneyland’s Main Street.
–This attraction has been maintained and is still a popular activity along the original route. This image dates from shortly after the park opened in 1955.

Disneyland Train and Entrance, Anaheim, California

This image shows an early photo of the Santa Fe and Disneyland railroad train and station, with the original floral Mickey Mouse illustration.

Walt Disney Productions, Anaheim, California


The description states:
The DISNEYLAND entrance, set in flowers, is as beautiful as DISNEYLAND itself is wonderful. The Santa Fe and DISNEYLAND railroad station sits atop the berm in all the glory of a transportation center of the 1900s.
–Over time, the Santa Fe name would be removed and the name shortened to the Disneyland Railroad. This image dates from shortly after the park opened in 1955.