FRONTIERLAND |
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MAIN STREET U.S.A. | ADVENTURELAND | FRONTIERLAND | NEW ORLEANS SQUARE | CRITTER COUNTRY | FANTASYLAND | TOONTOWN | TOMORROWLAND | DCA | WDW |
“Here we experience the story of our country’s past—the colorful drama of frontier America in the exciting days of the covered wagon and the stage coach…the advent of the railroad…and the romantic riverboat. Frontierland is a tribute to the faith, courage, and ingenuity of the pioneers who blazed the trails across America.” –Walt Disney ) (1955—Present) BACKSTORY: Frontierland did not originally contain many attractions, but centered around wide open wilderness which could be seen by guests via Stagecoach, Pack mules, and walking trails. The Rivers of America, Indian Village, and Tom Sawyer’s Island/Pirate’s Lair are all popular Frontierland areas. The Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland opened in 1961, consisting of a sedate train ride around various western landscape dioramas. Besides Train, you could see Frontierland via the Mark Twain or the Columbia. Frontierland also contained a section of buildings known as New Orleans Street (featuring Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue Restaurant and Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House) with a Dixieland Band Stand nearby on the edge of the Rivers of America. The Strawhatters, a Dixieland Jazz Combo, would play there often. The Chicken Plantation Restaurant (sponsored by Swift) was located across the river on opening day as well, but was closed January 8, 1962 to make way for the construction of New Orleans Square. The Band Stand was also removed at this time. Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House also closed in January, but got a new life as Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen, reopening July 17, 1962. For entertainment, The Gonzalez Trio used to sing in a little gazebo in the middle of Frontierland. |
FRONTIERLAND ATTRACTION POSTERS |
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1955—1956 |
1957—1959 |
TRICK ROPIN’ WITH EDDIE ADAMEK |
  Eddie Adamek sold trick ropes out of the Blacksmith shop; he is barely visible sitting behind the counter in the detail shot (#2) from the 1956 photo at left (#1). On the right is an ad for the trick ropes that he created and sold. Actor/comedian/writer Steve Martin learned to trick rope from Eddie when he worked at the park back in the 1950’s; this came in handy 30 years later for his 1986 movie, “The Three Amigos .”The cover of the package for the trick ropes had a dark photo at its center of the cowboy Eddie Adamek twirling the rope. A very young Steve Martin can be seen from the back in this photo; he pretty much knew all the songs sung by the Trio Gonzalez by heart. |
SHERIFF LUCKY & BLACK BART |
| BACKSTORY: The original Sheriff Lucky was Lucky Fauntz (there were a total of 3 men that played that role). Fauntz had been a Los Angeles police officer and San Bernardino sheriff deputy. Frontierland had four gunfights a day. Black Bart is not named, but was possibly a gentleman by the name of Noah “Dick” Morrison. Later “bad guys” in the gunfights included Bill Hazel (started in 1961), George Brent, and Ray Lanier. The gunfights ended about 1963. |
1960’s |
1970’s |
) June 21, 1970 |
) Feb. 1971 |
) Feb. 1971 |
) Oct. 1972 |
) July 29, 1973 |
) July 29, 1973 |
) Aug. 1976 |
) April 1977 |
) Mickey & Eeyore, 1978 |
BARRY REMEMBERS GRAD NITE… |
  Daveland note: starting in 1961, Disneyland began the tradition of Grad Nite, an evening of fun for local High School Seniors. I was contacted by Barry who sent me the photo below, and he graciously shared his story of his 1965 Grad Nite when he was a student at Costa Mesa High School:“I met Stephanie Shumate, the girl in the photo, after I was dumped by a girl who was too young to go to Grad Nite. I had wanted to talk to Stephanie all year long but never worked up the courage until I was left with no date and Grad Nite was a scant week away. We talked on the phone regularly until the time to go on graduation day. “I always thought that Grad Nite was one of the most important dates for a senior in Southern California, if your high school happened to do this of course. Not all of them did as it was a bit expensive but I always felt sure it was worth it. The Prom may be as important to some, but I preferred Grad Nite. Grad Nite was from 10 PM until the next morning the, day you graduate or very soon after. Only about ten to fifteen high schools went each night so it was not crowded at all and the lines for rides were very short. I picked up Stephanie in my old 1956 Blue Pontiac Convertible (the best Drive-In Movie car ever built) and then went to get my mom and grandmother so they could have the car overnight. The school didn’t want a lot full of cars! Then we all packed onto a school bus. My buddy Rick and his date (and future first wife Janis Minke) were also there and sat in the seat in front of us. “Stephanie was wearing a black knee length sheath dress and a light sweater. I had some suit of mine on since Grad Nite required ties and jackets for the boys. We did a few rides and talked all night, danced quite a few slow dances. For me it was the perfect night! We eventually went to get the photo taken of us as a couple in Frontierland. I was so pleased just to be with her but as the photographer told us to smile, she reached down and took my hand, which explains the deliriously insane grin I am wearing at the time. I am pretty sure we were not allowed on Tom Sawyer's Island at Grad Nite. Too many of us would have found our way into Injun Joe’s cave! “By the time the skies were getting light, we were heading back to the bus but we had really gotten along just great and we did have a lot of fun there and ate a bit too early in the night. I fell for her totally but I had to leave soon after graduation for basic training at Fort Ord. I was sad that I would not get a chance to see her for over 6 months. But that night was magic and I still think it was the sweetest date I ever had for a myriad of reasons. When we returned from Grad Nite, mom was waiting in the parking lot and I drove her home so I could take the car to take Stephanie home in a little privacy. We drove up to her home and then I pulled into the driveway just as she asked, and she sat with me in the car as we talked about a few trivial things. She would look up at me on occasion smile and gently close her eyes and listen to me talk. I must have been boring her to tears! After a while she dreamily looked up, smiled, and asked if I wanted to kiss her (I think possibly as a way to get me to shut up!) Wow! I didn’t have to be asked more than once! It is still to this day one of the best kisses I have ever experienced in my life by far. It is emblazoned into my brain cells forever. I think a full half of my brain has been taken up with that memory. After that was over and my heart was beating somewhat normally she invited me in for breakfast. “Not too much longer after this—3 weeks maybe—I left for basic training, but she had agreed to write to me while I was there. Letters were always nice in basic training since it was extremely lonely at times.” Grad Nite Ticket courtesy of Tim at Vintage Disneyland Tickets. |
INDIAN JOE |
 Quite often I get asked, “Are the wooden Indians on Main Street and in Frontierland original?” Well, finally I have some info for you!I was first contacted by a collector named Chris: In 2005, for the 50th anniv. they FINALLY replaced both Indians with new, freshly painted models made from the exact same mold (from fiberglass) One ended up in San Francisco and one ended up with us (purchased at a small store in Buena Park). This sparked a response by Jordan from The Perky Pickle Blog: The Indians were made out of fiberglass from a mold. They still are. In fact, I'm always amazed how flimsy they seem in the park. In fact, that's the problem. The fiberglass guys take a lot of wear and tear. They actually would be replaced every five to seven years from what I've heard. I actually bought the second Indian that the poster mentions. It was in San Francisco with an antique dealer who purchased it directly from the Disney prop warehouse. I heard there was another. The one I have is from Frontierland with the green cape. I believe the other one was from Main Street. My Injun is in pretty good shape with the only damage being a light crack in the rifle top which was always the first to go. Indian Joe was originally supposed to look like a carved Cigar Store Indian from the Victorian era. The old Disney Indians were painted that way...even with a simulated patina to look like old polychromed carvings. Original turn of the century cigar store Indians don't have flesh or wrinkles. They are meant to look like carvings. I have an original 1900s carving and it's AMAZING how much my Disneyland Indian looks like the early 1900s carving! Anyhow, thanks for posting as I was wondering where the other Indian went! we should get these two brothers together! |
2000+ |
SHOOTING GALLERY |
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