Where the idea first sprang up.

I thought you might like to take a nostalgic look back at a place that is very near and dear to my heart for two reasons. The first:  It's a place of fond childhood memories. My parents would take me on a Sunday afternoon to ride the ponies and then the carousel. Then, when my son came along, as soon as he was old enough, my dad would take him to ride the ponies and then the  carousel. I am talking about the Griffith Park carousel.



This beautiful old carousel has a special place in my heart for a second reason:  Walt used to come here and spend Saturdays with his daughters. As the story goes, he would sit on a bench and eat peanuts while his daughters rode the carousel. I find it hard to believe that Walt didn't ride it himself. After all, he was a master of the child within.



These photos were taken in 2005 during the year that Disneyland celebrated its 50th birthday. I thought it was a good idea to visit the place where the idea for Disneyland first sprang up. At the time, the carousel was being restored and they had a little display dedicated to Walt. I haven't been back since but I'm thinking I need to go. Ya, it's time.


After spending some time at the park, my friends and I went off in search of the location of Walt's first studio. The studio is long gone as you all know but we did find the historical marker.





As a kid, my folks and I would drive up and down this street almost weekly. I remember what it looked like before everything was torn down to build a supermarket. If only I had known at the time that I was passing a historical building!

Comments

Thufer said…
Walt on the bench eating peanuts and watching the girls. Well done!
October 25, 2011 at 5:40 AM
Major Pepperidge said…
Neat post! I love Griffith Park.
October 25, 2011 at 3:23 PM
Debbie V. said…
Griffith Park was a field trip for those of us who grew up in the LA suburbs (me- La Mirada). I remember going to the Observatory and then later to the park to eat our sack lunches. I have a picture of my sixth grade friends all sitting and standing around one of the picnic tables (circa 1962).
Nice pictures and memories.
October 26, 2011 at 4:56 AM
TokyoMagic! said…
Good....so there is still a sign there. Last time I was in the area, I couldn't find the sign but I knew there had been one previously. They should have left the original building and declared IT a historic site!
October 27, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Daveland said…
Thanks Connie - I still need to go see this Carousel.
October 28, 2011 at 9:32 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Disneyland Trash Cans

Image
Yes Folks, trash cans! Do you know where these two beauties are? You'll find them as soon as you come through the gates at Disneyland. This should be easy to figure out - Adventureland! How about these? Hmmm??? New Orleans Square! Here's a trick question: Which two lands share the same style of trash can??? You can find these two in Frontierland. Now we're in Fantasyland. Still in Fantasyland but wait!!! The area around It's A Small World has it's very own trash can theme! Tomorrowland!!! OK all you hot shots... WHERE is this MYSTERY trash can???? Do these look familiar? They should. Critter Country has the same theme as Frontierland. I know what you're thinking...you're thinking that I've already posted these and I'm trying to trick you. HA! I have not already posted these! If you look closely, these differ slightly from the trash cans in New Orleans Square. THESE are in the area next to the Haunted ...
Read more

Getting back into the swing of things...

Image
It's been a rough couple of days... I came back to work only to be told that I will no longer have a job as of February 1st! Ya, it was a big shocker to me, too. That being said, everything else is back to "normal" and I will begin posting on a regular basis again. Below is a little video I put together taken on my last night in Florida. There is a wonderful little town called Ocala, which I dearly love. I am providing links to two sites, one here and one here , so you can have a little information about the place. OOPS! I just realized that I had posted some of the previous video earlier in the week. Oh well.. at least this one contains new footage, LOL. Peter said I tired him how SO MUCH that I can't go back to Florida for at least two years. hee hee hee
Read more

Upside down Christmas Trees?

Image
We interrupt our Disneyland visit to bring you a few pics from Tom's Farms . Ever heard of it? Unless you live in Southern California, probably not. It's a neato keen place and I really dig it. I had not been there in 10 years so it was high time I paid them a visit. They have tons of outdoor seating and it's a great place to people watch. I had a great bacon cheeseburger and then walked off my lunch by window shopping. A life sized Santa! (And he looks a bit creepy the way he's standing there. "Hey baby.." Ever seen an upside down Christmas tree? Me either! I decided to take pictures of all the trees... Look! Another upside down Christmas tree. Here's a twist - HALF of an upside down Christmas tree hung on the wall! I kinda like it. These are ginormous ornaments hanging from the ceiling. I'm already planning a return trip to Tom's Farms. I've always wanted a sleigh bed. Ain't he cute??? There is a big can...
Read more