Sorry about the long time since I posted last.. though of course since nobody reads me.. it doesn't matter... hahahah.. anywho...
Here are some truly unique pieces of early Disneyland history from my collection...
(you can click this image to see an ultra-high-rez-high-def version)
This is an original name badge from the opening days of Disneyland. This badge is quite different from the other original badges you might have seen. This badge has the Cast Member's full name engraved on it, where others just had a number. High-level WED Enterprises managers and executives working at Disneyland had their names engraved on their badge. This particular badge belonged to James Warrick, who was in charge of all the boats and water craft at Disneyland. The Coast Guard insisted that due to the large amounts of water at Disneyland, and the craft operating therein, that a skilled and licenced Captain be onsite at all times. Mr. Warrick was working at the Long Beach Boat Shop, who had been contracted to build some of the boats for Disneyland. He moved over to Disneyland to be the captain as required by the Coast Guard, and served in that capacity from 1955-1958. In 1958, the Coast Guard removed the captain requirement, and Mr. Warrick then moved to the Maintenance department, where he remained until his retirement. A bit of curious info about this badge, it is hallmarked by the Los Angeles Stamp and Stationery Company... (LAS&SCO on the back of the badge).
This next one is a piece of mystery meat...
I'm not exactly sure what it is. It's nearly identical to the above badge, just in a rougher condition. The backside of this item is still has some sharp edges, like it was just stamped from a sheet of brass. Why it wasn't ever finished, or perhaps served another purpose at Disneyland, is anyone's guess.
Next I present you the badge that was worn on the costumes of Cast Members working the new Submarine Voyage attraction at Disneyland, in 1959. From what I read, this badge was worn on the hats of the attraction costumes...
(you can click this image to see an ultra-high-rez-high-def version)This badge is modeled after the badge that sailors in the Navy receive when they serve, or a qualified to serve, on a submarine. The Navy badge was customized for use at Disneyland, by adding the famous "D" crest to the conning tower of the sub.
Matterhorn1959 has another pair, which you can see in his post here...
http://matterhorn1959.blogspot.com/2009/02/souvenir-friday-submarine-voyage-hat.htmlThese badges were made by the NS Meyer company. They are famous for making badges and jewelry for the military. Disneyland also used them to make the famous "D" badges worn by hostesses and tour guides. In case you wondered, the company that made plastic nametags for Disneyland, from the 1960's through the early 1980's was Western Plastics in Long Beach, California.
This is where things get kind of sticky. The owners of Ringling Brothers, the Felds, sold Circus World to the Mattel Corportation, the same company that makes Barbie and Ken Dolls. Mattel added roller coasters and other theme park attractions to compete with Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in nearby Orlando, but it really didn't work. Mattel held on until 1986, when they sold the property to an investor named Jim Monaghan, who in turn sold it to Harcourt Brace and Jovanovich. HBJ had also recently purchased other properties in Florida, including Sea World and Cypress Gardens. HBJ, however didn't think there was much future in the Circus theme. So, the clowns and elephants were fired, the tent folded up, and in 1987 the property reopened as..
The former circus theme was transformed into a shrine for baseball. A new practice field and spring training facilities for the Kansas City Royals was built, and exhibits and relics from the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown were brought to the property. A vintage seaside boardwalk was build, complete with gas lighting and authentic wood boardwalk. However, the park was not a financial success, and in 1989 HBJ sold its theme park assets to Busch Entertainment. In January 1990, Boardwalk and Baseball closed, and the park was demolished. The property sat abandoned for ten years, until it was reclaimed for retail and residential space.
