ORANGEWOOD ALBUM
Description List
Disneyland Vintage Photographs
(1954-1955)
Prior to reading the description list below, please review the following bullet points to gather a more complete overview of the photo collection. While several vintage photographs of Disneyland exist, there are only a fraction of those that are considered collectible based on the time and place the photos were taken and the photographer.
- Our research indicates that over 400 of the 600+ photos contained in this collection are unique and not known to exist anywhere.
- Contains the only original photographs known to exist of the Disneyland Hotel ground breaking ceremony, outside of the photos found in the Bonita Granville estate 10 years ago (currently in the hands of the Wrather family).
- Large number of photos of C.V. Wood taken during Disneyland’s construction. C.V. Wood’s participation in Disneyland has been surrounded in controversy since he was relieved of his duties shortly after Disneyland opened. These photos act as a photographic testament to Wood’s role at Disneyland.
- Never previously seen photographs of children at Disneyland, during construction. This series of 12 photos are not only historic, but are also very artistic and emotional (one photo shows the children with their backs to the camera, holding hands looking up at Sleeping Beauty Castle, dreaming of the promise of what is to come). These photos are not only the earliest photographic evidence of children at Disneyland, but are also the only photos known to exist of these children.
- A series of photos of Joe Fowler and Harper Goff on the water researching boats, to determine what type of boat would be appropriate for use on the Jungle Cruise attraction.
- Artistic photos of Disneyland during construction, taken from unique vantage points, such as a photo of the Jungle Cruise boat taken from behind the waterfall.
- Walt Disney and Joe Fowler walking side by side down Main St. in front of one of the first runs of a trolley on opening day.
- Sleeping Beauty Castle at about 1/3 of completion and nothing in front of it but dirt and nothing above it but sky. A never before seen artistic view of the Castle completely separate from any other visible man-made structures.
- Many photos of Walt Disney, Roy O. Disney, C.V. Wood, Joe Fowler, Harper Goff, Bonita Granville, Jack Wrather, Fess Parker, Buddy Ebsen and Richard Nixon.
- Photos of virtually every attraction to be found at Disneyland during various stages of construction.
- The most complete, historic and unique photographic collection of Disneyland during construction and through to opening day, ever known to be made available.
Descriptions |
Early construction of City Hall and the Main Street Train Station. |
Early construction of the Emporium, Wurlitzer’s, and Main Street. |
Early construction of Wurlitzer’s, Main St., taken from the Main Street Train Station. |
Potentially the earliest photo of the Disneyland Castle |
Crane laying pipes in early land of Disneyland. |
Construction of Sleeping Beauty Castle, taken from Hub and looking directly at the Castle. Early construction of Peter Pan’s Flight building and Snow White’s Scary Adventure building can be seen behind Castle foundation. |
Land leveled prior to construction. A view across part of what will be the Rivers of America. No buildings yet can be seen, just a single truck driving across the land. |
Land leveled construction. Good view of existing homes on the land before being moved or demolished. Several original trees can still be seen. |
Bulldozer running over the land to level ground. Several original trees and homes can be seen in the background. |
View of a man working in a building that has been converted into a plaster shop for construction of Disneyland. |
Early construction of the Mill House (will eventually be the Opera House) showing the foundation and frame being built out. |
Trees being cleared off the land by truck. Very early view of structures of Main St. being built in the background. |
A single tree being transported across the land by truck. A worker securing the tree to the truck. |
Todd Shipyard showing the hull of Mark Twain being built. |
Very early construction of the Mark Twain keel and attached lower components in the drydock of Todd Shipyard. |
Angle of very early construction of the Mark Twain keel and attached lower components in the drydock of Todd Shipyard. |
Front of Mark Twain hull being towed from Todd Shipyard by truck to the park. |
Sleeping Beauty Castle turrets, pre-assembled and ready to be constructed. |
Mark Twain hull arrives at Disneyland to dry Rivers of America. Earliest known photo of the hull in Disneyland. |
Rivers of America dug out, no water yet, and guiding rail has been laid. Construction of Tom Sawyer island can be seen in background. |
Backside of early Main Street, early unpaved road used to move materials. Main St. building with beams used for supporting the structure can be seen. |
View of early Main St. from the Hub looking toward the Main Street Train Station. All buildings are still under construction but a few facades have been worked on. |
Earliest known photo of the interior of the Mill House (will eventually be the Opera House on Main Street). Main St. materials and facade pieces can be seen. |
Rivers of America dug out, no water yet, and the loading area for the Mark Twain is being prepared. |
Interior view of the plaster shop for construction projects, shows workers crafting pieces for facade of Main Street buildings. |
Earliest known photo of Mark Twain hull rested on support crates in loading area of dry Rivers of America. |
Rivers of America dug out, no water yet, loading area in final preparations for moving hull over. |
Earliest known photo of a close-up of construction of what is currently Carnation Cafe. Showing truck parked in what is now the outdoor restaurant area. |
Very early view of Main Street as viewed from Main Street Train Station. Only the Emporium has early facade built out. Trucks and workers all around and showing early dirt being moved to build the Main Street Train Station. |
Early and close-up view showing construction of City Hall. |
Crane lifting large metal cresting that rests atop City Hall. |
Earliest known photo of close-up view showing construction of Main Street Gibson Greeting Card store and Swift Market House. |
Earliest known photo of the Train Station on Main Street being built out. Dirt being formed to create the elevation and very first pieces of the foundation being constructed. |
Crane over City Hall during early construction. |
Construction vehicle helps place frame in early Main Street building. Appears to be Wurlitzer. |
Very early construction of Main Street and Jungle Cruise area as viewed from Adventureland. |
Very early construction of Main Street and Jungle Cruise area as viewed from an aerial vantage point. |
Earliest known photo of front of Disneyland with Main Street and City Hall partially built out, Train Station just starting construction, and a fence and security booth regulating entrance into the park. |
Very early photo of City Hall from Main Street Train Station, showing Train Station just starting to be built out. Workers on the mound of dirt just starting to build the foundation. |
Very early land of Disneyland with original trees, single road with car driving down. |
Very early land of Disneyland with original trees and homes, dirt road with car driving down. |
Very early land of Disneyland with original trees and homes, dirt road with car driving down. |
Very early land of Disneyland with original trees and closeup of a home. |
Very early land of Disneyland with first parking lot (naturally made by workers) |
Very early land of Disneyland with original trees and homes, showing area that will be the future Adventureland and Frontierland. |
Very early Jungle Cruise land (several of original trees) and early construction of Main Street. |
Very early Frontierland and Rivers of America (several of original trees). |
Very early Jungle Cruise land (several of original trees). |
Very early Jungle Cruise land (several of original trees). |
Very early Frontierland and Rivers of America (several of original trees), vehicles moving through Rivers of America. |
Very early land of Disneyland with original trees and homes. |
Very early construction of first building on Main Street. |
Very early construction of buildings on Main Street. |
Early interior view of the Mill House |
Mark Twain hull being moved into dry Rivers of America. |
Early construction of Train Station showing left side underpass of entrance and City Hall behind. |
Very early photo of entrance of Disneyland still under construction. |
Very early photo of Castle being built and surrounding Fantasyland buildings. |
Early view of the land of Disneyland. |
Very early photo of entrance to Disneyland still under construction. |
Early build photo of Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. passenger trains. |
Early build photo of Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. passenger trains. |
Original Carolwood Lilly Belle Train (built by Walt Disney and first Imagineer Roger Broggie). |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel with shovels in ground – Jack Wrather, C.V. Wood, Roy Disney |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, C.V. Wood |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, Roy Disney |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – C.V. Wood, Roy Disney |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, Roy Disney |
Grounbreaking Disneyland Hotel Photo of All Attendees from Above |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, Bonita Granville Wrather |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Bonita Granville Wrather, Roy Disney |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, Bonita Granville Wrather, C.V. Wood, Roy Disney |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, C.V. Wood |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, Bonita Granville Wrather, Roy Disney |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, Bonita Granville Wrather |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Bonita Granville Wrather |
Groundbreaking Disneyland Hotel – Jack Wrather, Bonita Granville Wrather, C.V. Wood |
Early construction work on a building in Disneyland. |
Early Jungle Cruise construction with ‘Fowler and Sons’ crane. |
Very early construction of Plaza Pavilion. |
Early construction of Wurlitzer music shop on Main Street. |
Jungle Cruise dry river. |
Taken from perch, wide view of early construction of Main Street. Main Street Train Station construction in background. |
Early construction of Main Street. |
Parking lot and wood piles for construction. |
Early Main Street showing Emporium. |
Rivers of America dry and awaiting loading of the Mark Twain. |
Early construction of Main Street showing backside of buildings and crane |
Very early construction of the Main St. Train Station |
Very early Tomorrowland construction |
Early construction of Sleeping Beauty Castle. |
Backside of Main Street, Wurlitzer’s, during construction. |
Joe Fowler, Harper Goff and others testing an engine for the Jungle Cruise in the Santa Ana River. |
Joe Fowler, Harper Goff and others testing an engine for the Jungle Cruise in the Santa Ana River. |
Joe Fowler, Harper Goff and others testing an engine for the Jungle Cruise in the Santa Ana River. |
Joe Fowler, Harper Goff and others testing an engine for the Jungle Cruise in the Santa Ana River. |
Joe Fowler, Harper Goff and others testing an engine for the Jungle Cruise in the Santa Ana River. |
Joe Fowler, Harper Goff and others testing an engine for the Jungle Cruise in the Santa Ana River. |
Joe Fowler, Harper Goff and others testing an engine for the Jungle Cruise in the Santa Ana River. |
Close-up of boat engine that Joe Fowler and Harper Goff are testing for Jungle Cruise. |
Joe Fowler, Harper Goff and others testing an engine for the Jungle Cruise in the Santa Ana River. |
Early front of Disneyland under construction. |
Early construction of Jungle Cruise and showing the famous Dominguez palm tree that Walt rescued, almost 120 years old. |
Early Frontierland construction. |
Parking lot and early construction components for Main St. buildings. |
Early construciton of Jungle Cruise building w/ loading and unloading dock |
Early construction of Plaza Pavillion |
Early construction of the Main St. Train Station |
Early construction of Main St. Train Station, looking straight at station from Main St |
Front of the Castle under construction from Hub |
Side view of Castle under construction, good view of bridge |
Early Tomorrowland construction |
Back of the Castle under construction from Fantasyland |
Earliest known photo of bridge over water running through to Rivers of America. |
Early Fantasyland buidling construction |
Early Tomorrowland construction |
Early Tomorrowland construction |
One of the earliest photos of the Carnation Cafe on Main St., still under construction. |
Early Tomorrowland construction |
Early construction of Main St. buildings |
Early construction of Main St. buildings |
Early construction of Main St. buildings |
Man posing in front of Main St. buildings |
Backstage vehicle with “Disneyland” on side of car |
Backstage vehicle with “Disneyland” on side of car |
Backstage vehicle with “Disneyland” on side of car |
Jungle Cruise dug out river, no water yet |
Crane in Jungle Cruise |
Crane moving Jungle Cruise block |
Crane moving Jungle Cruise block |
Jungle Cruise block with workers posing |
Crane moving Jungle Cruise block |
Jungle Cruise block with workers posing |
Jungle Cruise block |
Workers moving Jungle Cruise stone |
Workers moving Jungle Cruise stone |
Early Mark Twain engine |
Early Mark Twain engine |
Early build of the C.K. Holiday of the Santa Fe and Disneyland R.R. Train #1 |
Early build of the C.K. Holiday of the Santa Fe and Disneyland R.R. Train #1 |
Early construction of Tomorrowland buildings |
Early Jungle Cruise showing Dominguez palm m tree Walt saved |
Early Main Street Train Station |
Early construction of Main Street Gibson Greeting Cards Shop and Swift Market House |
Early Tom Sawyer Island |
Early Jungle Cruise showing Dominguez palm tree Walt saved |
Frontierland construction |
Frontierland construction showing single tree planted |
Very early photograph of Frontierland Indian Village |
Early Frontierland contstruction |
Early Frontierland contstruction |
Sleeping Beauty Castle under construction, side view showing good angle of the bridge |
Tomorrowland construction |
Fantasyland building |
Frontierland construction |
Sleeping Beauty Castle under construction, side view showing good angle of the bridge |
Frontierland construction |
Main Street clock tower. |
Sleeping Beauty Castle under construction – rear view. |
Early Construction of the Plaza Pavillion |
Fantasyland building |
Fess Parker and Buddy Epson pushing up logs of Frontierland |
Fess Parker and Buddy Epson pushing up logs of Frontierland |
Fess Parker and Buddy Epson sawing / axing logs of Frontierland |
Fess Parker and Buddy Epson sawing / axing logs of Frontierland |
Fess Parker and Buddy Epson guiding a tour down Main Street |
Fess Parker and Buddy Epson guiding a tour down Main Street |
Refreshments for attendees of guided tour |
Very early photo of Schweitzer Falls |
Very early Jungle Cruise entrance |
Band Stand construction |
Disneyland construction worker chainsawing |
Fess Parker & Buddy Epson tour guide guests getting refreshments |
Fess Parker & Buddy Epson tour guide guests getting refreshments |
Fess Parker & Buddy Epson tour guide guests getting refreshments |
Fess Parker & Buddy Epson tour guide guests going down Main Street with Train Station in background |
Fess Parker & Buddy Epson tour guide guests going down Main Street with Gibson Greeting Cards and Swift Market House in background |
Fess Parker & Buddy Epson tour guide guests going down Main Street with Gibson Greeting Cards and Swift Market House in background |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and looking at the Castle from the Fantasyland side |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and looking at the Castle from the front site near the bridge, closeup |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and looking at the Castle from the front site near the bridge, further out and boy pointing up at the Castle |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and looking at the Castle from the Fantasyland side, girl pointing up |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and looking at the Castle from the Fantasyland side |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and looking at Main Street Wurlitzer music shop |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and walking down Main Street |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in early Casey Jr. train car |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in early stagecoach |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in early Casey Jr. train car |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and looking Frontierland |
First known kids in Disneyland – girl and boy in dress and suit about ages 8-10 holding hands and looking Frontierland |
Jungle Cruise river with track markers on dry river. |
Castle with bridge just completed, dry moat |
Early work to build out Mark Twain in the dry Rivers of America shortly after the hull has been delivered |
Early work to build out Mark Twain in the dry Rivers of America shortly after the hull has been delivered |
Disneyland Helicopter just taking off from the ground |
Underside of Disneyland Helicopter |
Disneyland Heliopter flying past close to Tower |
Disneyland Heliopter flying further away from Tower |
Disneyland Helicopter panel open showing mechanics |
Early Jungle Cruise construction of the loading and unloading area |
Early construction of the Castle and Fantasyland showing the dirt of Fantasyland the Castle partially constructed. Good shot directly toward backside of the Castle from the yet to be developed Fantasyland. |
Early Fantasyland food stand being built out |
Aerial view of Los Angeles |
Early Jungle Cruise construction of the loading and unloading area |
Early Jungle Cruise construction of the planning and guiding of the dry river |
Early Jungle Cruise construction of the planning and guiding of the dry river |
Early Jungle Cruise construction of dry river bed coming right around the turn for Schweitzer Falls |
Early construction of the Mark Twain in the dry Rivers of America with operating crane and Tom Sawyer Island in the background |
Early construction of the Mark Twain in the dry Rivers of America with operating crane |
Early construction of the Mark Twain in the dry Rivers of America with operating crane |
Early Crockett & Russell Frontierland Store |
Disneyland Frontierland stables |
Disneyland Frontierland stables |
Sleeping Beauty Castle – Man on bridge looking up at castle |
Early Frontierland stagecoach |
Early Frontierland stagecoach |
View of Main Street from rooftop |
Construciton crane in distance working on the Mark Twain |
Construction crane moving the paddle of the Mark Twain onto the hull |
Construction crane moving the paddle of the Mark Twain onto the hull |
Construction crane moving the paddle of the Mark Twain onto the hull |
Construction crane moving the paddle of the Mark Twain onto the hull |
Good close up of construction crane moving the paddle of the Mark Twain onto the hull |
Laying down track directly under Schweitzer Falls on Jungle Cruise |
Very early construction of Jungle Cruise showing front side entrance |
Construction crane over the Castle and taken from Frontierland prior to several structures and trees that now block this view. |
Jungle Cruise loading and unloading area, dry river |
1955 Aerial View of Disneyland taken from a fly by east of the park. |
1955 Aerial View of Disneyland taken from a fly by west of the park. |
1955 Main Street + Surrounding lands air view showing Disneyland still under construction |
Early construction of Castle, Bridge, and connecting Fantasyland buildings for Peter Pan and Snow White. The surrounding area still not built out yet. |
Aerial view of Disneyland |
Mark Twain engine being prepared on Frontierland grounds before being moved to the hull. |
Orchestrion delivered to Disneyland |
Early Disneylnd mechanical engineering work |
Early Disneylnd mechanical engineering work |
Early Disneylnd mechanical engineering work |
Early Disneyland pavement |
Port aft of the Mark Twain being constructed |
Starboard aft of the Mark Twain being constructed |
Early construction of Frontierland showing workers |
Workers measuring and building a wall of the Castle |
Sleeping Beauty Castle from Plaza Gardens. |
Large Disneyland construction buildings |
Large Disneyland construction buildings |
Construction crane working on dry Rivers of America |
Sleeping Beauty Castle and moat during construction. |
Jungle Cruise rail being worked on, dry river |
Jungle Cruise rail being worked on, dry river |
Jungle Cruise rail being worked on, guide mechanism being tested, dry river |
Jungle Cruise rail being worked on, guide mechanism being tested, dry river |
Jungle Cruise loading and unloading area showing palm trees and tower in the background and early boat being built in the dry river |
Close up of Jungle Cruise boat being built out in dry river |
Jungle Cruise dry river being worked on |
Jungle Cruise Schweitzer Falls dry river with boat mechanism connected to rail |
Jungle Cruise dry river being worked on |
Rivers of America getting filled with water for the first time |
Rivers of America getting filled with water for the first time and the Mark Twain in the distance awaiting to be completed and launched |
Backside of Main St |
Early construction of Main Street showing view toward the Train Station but blocked by early positioning of the Main Street Bandstand |
Jungle Cruise hippos being transported by truck to the park |
Jungle Cruise hippos being transported by truck to the park |
Disneyland Trolley delivered to the park and being taken off of truck, “Disneyland” written on the back of the Trolley |
Horse drawn carts / coaches coming across the land of Disneyland |
Early view of land of Disneyland with horses pulling cart |
Early land of Disneyland |
Very early construction of the Castle |
Backside of Fantasyland showing very early construction, the Castle in the background and buildings built out for Peter Pan and Snow White and canal boats |
Mark Twain at Fowler’s Harbor. |
Mark Twain at Fowler’s Harbor. |
Crane and early construction work on Tomorrowland, Castle in background |
Early construction of Tomorrowland being built out |
Early pre-opening run of the Santa Fe & Disneyland R. R. trains |
Early pre-opening run of the Santa Fe & Disneyland R. R. trains |
Wooden “Skeleton” of Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship |
Mark Twain at Fowler’s Harbor, almost completely finished |
Main Street Train Station almost completed |
Early construction of Main Street Town Square with City Hall in the background, the Main Street Bandstand (before Walt moved it) |
Early construction of Main Street Town Square with City Hall and the Emporium in the background and the Main Street Bandstand (before Walt moved it) |
Shot through trees in Frontierland with the Castle center and off in the distance, still under construction |
Early Tomorrowland construction |
Early land of Disneyland |
Early construction of Main Street Town Square with the Castle, Wurlitzer Music Shop, and the Emporium in the background and the Main Street Bandstand (before Walt moved it) |
Backside of Tomorrowland structures almost completed |
The laying of track for the Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. |
Very early construction of King Arthur’s Carousel in Fantasyland with the Castle, Peter Pan building, and Snow White building in the background |
Early construction of the Opera House on Main Street near Town Square |
Aerial View of Disneyland under construction shooting from the west side |
Aerial View of Disneyland under construction shooting from the west side |
Aerial View of surrounding orange groves, walnut trees and homes around DIsneyland |
Aerial View of surrounding orange groves, walnut trees and homes around DIsneyland |
Aerial view of Fantasyland and the Castle under early construction |
C.V. Wood and guests boarding the Good Year Blimp |
Sleeping Beauty Castle and Fantasyland. |
Aerial view of Tomorrowland almost finished being built out |
Aerial view of Disneyland under construction shooting from the northwest side |
Good Year blimp flying over front of Disneyland still under construction with guests meeting in the front |
Aerial view of Disneyland under construction shooting from the north side |
Camera tower used to document construction with Good Year blimp in background. |
Mark Twain placing of smoke stacks using cranes |
Mark Twain placing of smoke stacks using cranes |
Mark Twain placing of smoke stacks using cranes |
Mark Twain completed and getting surrounded by water |
Mark Twain loading and unloading dock |
Mark Twain loading and unloading dock |
Painting of Steam Engines E.P. Ripley and C.K. Holiday in Roundhouse, prior to receiving their train number designations. |
Train controls being checked on steam engines E.P. Ripley and C.K. Holiday in Roundhouse, right after receiving their train number designations. |
Train controls being checked on steam engines E.P. Ripley in Roundhouse. |
Painting of “Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R.” on E.P. Ripley train |
The back of the C.K. Holiday train |
Passenger cars of the C.K. Holiday train |
Jungle Cruise ride rails, dry river, guide mechanism attached. |
Jungle Cruise ride rails, dry river, guide mechanism attached. |
Jungle Cruise dry river showing loading and unloading area and docking structures |
Early construction of Jungle Cruise entrance |
Early construction of Frontierland entrance |
Early Jungle Cruise loading and unloading dock |
Early testing of the E.P. Ripley on the train tracks |
Jungle Cruise hippos getting installed in the dry river |
Crocodiles ready to go |
Jungle Cruise hippos. |
Jungle Cruise hippo ready for water. |
Jungle Cruise hippos installed and being worked on in the dry river |
Jungle Cruise structures getting built out |
Jungle Cruise hippo getting worked on in partial water |
E.P. Ripley train tested across track with workers ahead |
Early construction of Castle with Fantasyland in the background |
Construction of preliminary Tomorrowland buildings complete |
Sleeping Beauty Castle aerial view showing bridge built out and Fantasyland in the background |
Sleeping Beauty Castle under construction from Main Street, crane moving last pieces onto the Castle |
Castle almost built out with Bridge but moat is still dry |
Jungle Cruise tribesman statue |
Jungle Cruise structures getting built out |
Jungle Cruise tribesman statue |
Jungle Cruise tribesman statue |
Mark Twain amost finished |
Jungle Cruise crocodile secured to motion mechanism |
Jungle Cruise rhinos secured to motion mechanism |
Construction crane working on Main Street Train Station while Main Street getting track and paved |
Construction crane working on Main Street Train Station while Main Street getting track and paved |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. Train E.P. Ripley with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse on board for test run |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. Train E.P. Ripley with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at end of test run |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. Train E.P. Ripley on test run without cars attached |
Early Tomorrowland, preliminary buildings constructed |
Early pre-opening Red Wagon Inn foreground and Tomorrowland background, taken from the Hub |
Early Frontierland foreground, Adventureland background, taken from the Hub |
Early construction of King Arthur’s Carousel (roofing only a quarter completed), Peter Pan, Snow White, and Castle |
Early construction of King Arthur’s Carousel (roofing only a quarter completed), Peter Pan, Snow White, and Castle |
Early construction of Dumbo the Flying Elephant and surrounding structures in Fantasyland near side Castle structure |
King Arthur Carrousel roofing about quarter completed and Peter Pan ride. Castle, Hub, Main Street, Frontierland in background |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. Train E.P. Ripley with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at end of test run (Walt’s conductor hat off) |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. Train E.P. Ripley with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at end of test run (Walt’s conductor hat on) |
Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse on Mark Twain, shot taken from a distance |
Mark Twain with smoke bellowing and paddlewheel being tested in Rivers of America |
Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse standing in front of the E.P. Ripley train |
Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse standing in front of the E.P. Ripley train |
Walt Disney and Joe Fowler waving up to the Mark Twain |
Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse aboard the Mark Twain |
Aerial view of Harbor Blvd and surrounding areas to Disneyland |
Aerial view of Harbor Blvd and surrounding areas to Disneyland |
Aerial view of Tomorrowland in early construction with preliminary buildings completed |
Aerial view of Disneyland from a distance and nearing completion |
Aerial view of half of Disneyland from a distance and nearing completion |
Aerial of Fantasyland and Castle with King Arthur Carrousel and early construction of the the Tea Cups and Pirate Ship |
Aerial view of surrounding area to Disneyland |
Aerial view of Santa Ana Freeway in the surrounding area to Disneyland |
Aerial View of Disneyland Lalmost complete and taken from the northwest side |
Aerial View of Disneyland Lalmost complete and taken from the north side |
Aerial view of Santa Ana Freeway in the surrounding area to Disneyland |
Aerial of Fantasyland and Castle with King Arthur Carrousel and early construction of the the Tea Cups and Pirate Ship. Also showing the Hub and part of Main Street, Tomorrowland, and Frontierland |
Aerial view of Rivers of America |
Main Gate and Mickey Mouse planter from air. |
Aerial View of Disneyland with parking lot in the foreground |
Aerial View of Disneyland with parking lot in the foreground |
C.V. Wood, Buzz Price, and guests boarding the Good Year Blimp |
C.V. Wood, Buzz Price, and guests boarding the Good Year Blimp |
C.V. Wood, Buzz Price, and guests boarding the Good Year Blimp |
C.V. Wood, Buzz Price, and guests boarding the Good Year Blimp |
C.V. Wood, Buzz Price, and guests boarding the Good Year Blimp |
Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse aboard the Mark Twain |
Walt Disney in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. |
Jungle Cruise hippo in water and tested |
Approaching Schweitzer Falls on Jungle Cruise. |
Jungle Cruise hippo in water and tested |
Jungle Cruise hippo surfaces |
Frontierland Mule Pack on the trail |
Mule being led offt truck and into Disneyland |
Frontierland Mule Pack on the trail |
Ponies in Disneyland |
Worker holding smaller pony up |
Frontierland Mule Pack on the trail |
Frontierland Mule Pack on the trail |
Worker holding smaller pony up |
Ponies in Disneyland |
Ponies in Disneyland |
Frontierland Mule Pack on the trail |
Sleeping Beauty Castle from Snow Mountain |
Bandstand moved between Castle and Frontierland |
Jungle Cruise structures built out for ride |
Top of the King Arthur Carrousel taken from inside the Castle |
Construction at the edge of Fantasyland |
Frontierland taken from inside of the Mark Twain while going by on Rivers of America |
Pirate Ship construction, nearing completion, surrounding areas still under developed |
Early Casa de Fritos (where Doritos chips were invented) |
Main Street Train Station and Town Square taken from edge of Town Square |
Town Square and Main Street looking toward the Castle taken from inside the Main Street Train Station |
Early photo of Mark Twain arriving to the loading and unloading area |
Main Street Train Station and Town Square with first guests |
Novelties & Souveniors Shop but in this photo only has “Elias Disney” and “Contractor Est. 1895” |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. moving through a very early Frontierland |
Walt Disney and Mark Twain Captain at bow of Mark Twain, Walt pointing at bow |
First guests in line for the Train at the Main Street Train Station as viewed from the South side where guests are loading onto the Train |
First guests in line for the Train at the Main Street Train Station as viewed from the North side where guests are walking up to and getting in line |
First guests walking around Emporium |
First guests loading and unloading the Train at the Main Street Train Station as viewed from the South side |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. moving through a very early Frontierland |
Walt Disney, Joe Fowler, and Mark Twain Captain at bow of Mark Twain, with first guests on board |
Frontierland with first guests arriving |
Early view of Rivers of America and Frontierland |
Walt Disney, Joe Fowler, and Mark Twain Captain at bow of Mark Twain, with first guests on board |
First guests walking through Frontierland, stagecoach driving through |
First guests riding the Mark Twain, view from very top showing smoke moving above Frontierland in background |
“Mule Pack” ride carrying first guests |
Walt Disney and Joe Fowler walking in front of first guest ride the Disneyland Trolley on Main Street with Emporium in background |
Main Street Train Station and Town Square with first guests |
Stagecoaches and other moving through Frontierland |
Wide view of Frontierland and loading and unloading area for the Mark Twain as taken from the top of the Mark Twain |
First guest ride the Disneyland Trolley on Main Street with Emporium in background |
First guests waiting to load and unload the Mark Twain, taken from top of Mark Twain |
First guests of the park pose |
C.K. Holiday Train arriving to Train Station to receive first guests at the Main Street Train Station |
First guests loading and unloading the C.K. Holiday Train at the Main Street Train Station as viewed from the South side |
First guests riding stagecoaches through Frontierland, Mark Twian in the background |
Wurlitzer Music Shop ready for first guests on Main Street |
Fantasyland nearing completion with King Arthur Carrousel, Peter Pan, and Snow White appearing complete but the Tea Cups still showing underneath rotation mechanism |
Rivers of America and Frontierland |
Pirate ship in Fantasyland nearing completion, Dumbo in the background getting fitted with its rotation mechanism, Rivers of America in far background |
Fantasyland nearing completion with King Arthur Carrousel, Peter Pan, and Snow White appearing complete but the Tea Cups still showing underneath rotation mechanism |
Pirate ship in Fantasyland nearing completion, Dumbo in the background getting fitted with its rotation mechanism |
Lumber being collected at edge of park |
Rivers of America and Frontierland |
Pirate ship in Fantasyland nearing completion, Dumbo in the background getting fitted with its rotation mechanism |
Crane vehicle and operation taken from atop Crane |
Tea Cups getting rotation mechanism installed with King Arthur Carrousel and Snow White in the background |
Jungle Cruise native hut. |
First guests aboard the Train and leaving the Main Street Train Station |
Jungle Cruise elephant. |
First guests arriving to Wurlitzer Music Shop, taken from Town Square |
First black and white swans placed in and cooling in the Castle moat |
Close up of the Upjohn Company Pharmacy |
Swift Market House |
First guests aboard the Mark Twain going by Frontierland and Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. |
Backstage to Tomorrowland |
Backstage behind Fantasyland (behind Pirate Ship) showing train tracks at edge of park and beyond |
Disneyland moat getting filled with water |
Aerial view of Sports Stadium |
Workers giving attention to the flagpole in Town Square with Main Street Train Station in background |
Workers gathering in Fantasyland near Castle |
Wide view of Rivers of America and Frontierland and the Mark Twain coming around the bend to the loading and unloading area |
Tomorrowland construction |
Workers finishing on Tomorrowland structure |
Early Tomorrowland Clock of the World construction with TWA Rocket in background, soon to be entrance in front |
First guests waiting between the ticket booths and the Mickey Mouse planter |
First guests waiting on Main St near Train Station looking across Town Square at Emporium |
Front entrance to Disneyland, ticket booths just starting to get built out, Main Street Train Station in background |
Standing room only, on the freight train as it takes first guests around the park and Frontierland. |
The Upjohn Pharmacy on Main Street |
Mule Pack on the trail (future Rainbow Ridge) |
Aerial of Caslte and Fantasyland showing the moat not filled in yet, King Arthur Carrousel mostly completed, Pirate Ship almost completed, Dumbo and Tea Cups still getting worked on |
Close up aerial view of Disneyland taken from the north side |
Close up aerial view of Disneyland taken from the southwest side |
Aerial view of Disneyland in the far distance |
Close up aerial view of Disneyland taken from the northwest side |
First guests waiting on the wall of the Main Street Train Station |
Castle Moat being filled with water for the first time |
First guests and camera TV crew into Frontierland |
First guests and camera TV crew at loading and unloading area for the Mark Twain |
Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, and Joe Fowler aboard the Mark Twain up on top |
Yale & Towne Key Shop on Main Street |
Landscaping being completed for the Hub with the Plaza Pavillion in the background |
First guests coming to the Castle, taken from Fantasyland side |
First guests coming to the Golden Horseshoe |
First guests and camera TV crew arriving to Frontierland |
First guests and camera TV crew arriving to Frontierland |
First guests and camera TV care arriving to Frontierland |
Schweitzer Falls with water falling over and taken underneath |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. Train going around park, taken from Train |
Schweitzer Falls on Jungle Cruise |
Schweitzer Falls on Jungle Cruise |
Main Street Train Station and Mickey Mouse Planter completed |
First guests loading and unloading the Train at the Main Street Train Station |
Jungle Cruise Lion |
Jungle Cruise huts |
Jungle Cruise Ride |
Jungle Cruise charging rhino |
Jungle Cruise rhino and alligator. |
Jungle Cruise Rhino |
Jungle Cruise Rhino |
Jungle Cruise Alligators |
Rivers of America completed |
Upjohn Pharmacy on Main Street completed |
Jungle Cruise river completed |
Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. Train going around park, aerial view showing edge of park with backstage on one side and parking lot on the other |
Opening day of Tomorrowland taken from Good Year Blimp showing TWA Rocket and most of Tomorrowland |
Opening day of Tomorrowland taken from Good Year Blimp |
Opening day of Autopia taken from the Good Year Blimp |
Opening day of Town Square and Main Street Train Station taken from the Good Year Blimp |
Opening day of the Train going around the edge of the park behind Tomorrowland, parking lot with cars seen on other side as taken from the Good Year Blimp |
Opening day of Entrance to Disneyland, showing parking lot, ticket booths, Main Street Train Station, Town Square, and part of Main Street, taken from Good Year Blimp (Train stopped at Station) |
Opening day of Entrance to Disneyland and Main Street Train Station, Town Square, and the parking lot stretched far in the background with packed cars as taken from the Good Year Blimp |
Opening day of Entrance to Disneyland, showing crowd rushing in, ticket booths, Mickey Mouse planter, Main Street Train Station, Town Square, and Main Street stretching all the way to the Caslte, taken from Good Year Blimp |
Opening day showing front and back area of Main Street, taken from the Good Year Blimp |
Opening day of Town Square, City Hall, and Emporium, taken from Good Year Blimp |
Opening day Tram carrying Guests through the parking lot with Entrance in background |
Opening day Tram carrying Guests through the parking lot with Entrance in background |
Opening day Tomorrowland showing TWA rocket and other builidings, taken from the Good Year Blimp |
Opening day Fantasyland showing completed rides and guests, taken from the Good Year Blimp |
Walt Disney boarding the helicopter |
Walt Disney boarding the helicopter |
American Dairy Association guests and exhibition |
American Dairy Association guests and exhibition |
American Dairy Association guests and exhibition |
American Dairy Association guests and exhibition |
Disneyland characters (Dumbo, Pinocchio, and Chip & Dale) in front of the Maxwell House |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Maxwell House store and guests |
Main Street Fire Department (Walt’s apartment on 2nd floor) |
Main Street City Hall with first guests |
Main Street Puffin Bake Shop |
Main Street Puffin Bake Shop |
Frontierland Station & Western Union Telegraph Office |
Western Union Stagecoach Treasure Chest Prop shown by Cast Member |
Western Union circuitry |
Western Union Operators |
Frontierland Station & Western Union Telegraph Office |
Frontierland Station & Western Union Telegraph Office |
Frontierland Station & Western Union Telegraph Office |
Frontierland Station & Western Union Telegraph Office |
Frontierland Station & Western Union Telegraph Office |
Frontierland Station & Western Union Telegraph Office |
Exide Industrial Division apparatus |
Exide Industrial Division apparatus |
Exide Industrial Division apparatus |
Jungle Cruise boat going by a hippo |
Frontierland building on opening day |
Main Street Police Cast Member stops vehicle in front of Crystal Arcade, Elias Disney’s store, and Toys store |
Guests riding Stagecoach in Frontierland with Frontierland Cast Member driving Stagecoach and other Cast Member standing by |
Jungle Cruise first guests loading and unloading |
Main Street Opera House completed and first guests |
Jungle Cruise boat riding guests through the ride |
Main Street busy with first guests and trolleys, taken from above |
Main Street Train Station loading and unloading first guests |
Main Street City Hall with first guests |
Frontierland Train Station loading and unloading first guests |
Main Street Opera House completed and first guests |
Main Street Train Station loading and unloading first guests |
Main Street firsr guests gathering along the street |
C.V. Wood and first guests standing for pictures at the loading and unloading at Main Street Train Station |
C.V. Wood and first guests standing for pictures at the loading and unloading at Main Street Train Station |
C.V. Wood and first guests standing for pictures at the loading and unloading at Main Street Train Station |
Passengers loaded and the Train on its way from Main Street Train Station |
Aerial view of Anaheim |
Aerial view of Anaheim |
Aerial view of Anaheim |
Aerial view of Anaheim |
Traffic Officers posing in front of the Temporary Traffic Information Center |
Traffic Officers posing in front of the Temporary Traffic Information Center |
Traffic Officers posing in front of the Temporary Traffic Information Center |
Traffic Officers posing in front of the Temporary Traffic Information Center |
Miss Japan (Keiko Takahashi) who visited Los Angelese in Los Angeles in 1955 but may be the only evidence that she visited Disneyland |
Miss Japan (Keiko Takahashi) who visited Los Angelese in Los Angeles in 1955 but may be the only evidence that she visited Disneyland |
Inside the Yale & Towne Key Shop |
Fess Parker and C.V. Woods present key to Disneyland to Richard Nixon and family. |
Kids from Indio pose at the Richfield Show |
C.V. Woods present key to Disneyland to Richard Nixon and family. |
David Rose (animator) and Train Conductor aboard the E.P. Ripley |
E.P. Ripley loading and unloading |
ONly known photo of the Firehouse 5 Plus Two playing in the Band Stand on Opening Day. |
First guests driving Autopia cars with Tomorrowland in background |
Mother and children looking, pointing to Richfield Oil sponsored Autopia |
Richfield “The World Beneath Us”. |
Richfield’s Autopia car ride. |
Richfield “The World Beneath Us”. |
C. K. Holiday Train stopped at the Frontierland Train Station |
Indian Village in Frontierland. |
Indian Village in Frontierland. |
Drummers for Indian Vilage in Frontierland |
Tribal Dancers at Indian Village |
20,000 Leagues Exhibit |
20,000 Leagues Exhibit Nemo Organ |
20,000 Leagues Exhibit diving suits. |
20,000 Leagues Exhibit model of Nautilus |
C.V. Wood and guests in front of the Castle |
C.V. Wood and guests in the park |
C.V. Wood and guests in the park |
C.V. Wood and guests at a Fantasyland ticket booth |
C.V. Wood and guests in Tomorrowland |
Entrance of Disneyland showing Mickey Mouse Planter and Main Street Train Station still getting worked on |
Opening day TV camera crew filming Main Street Train Station |
Opening day TV camera crew filming Main Street Train Station |
Disneyland Hotel groundbreaking with Jack and Bonita Wrather, Roy Disney |
Disneyland Hotel groundbreaking meal with C.V. Wood, Jack and Bonita Wrather at head table |
Disneyland Hotel groundbreaking meal with C.V. Wood, Jack and Bonita Wrather at head table |
Backstage vehicle with “Disneyland” on side of car |
Disney Hotel presentation with artist drawing and C.V. Wood, Jack and Bonita Wrather |
Disney Hotel ground breaking presentation room. |
C.V. Wood and Jack Wrather posing at Disneyland Hotel groundbreaking |
Roy Disney and Jack Wrather posing at Disneyland Hotel groundbreaking |
Main Street Aerial View during construction |
Aerial of Fantasyland completed showing rides and Castle and first guests |