Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bud Hurlbut.


About this time I went to see Walter Knott about putting a couple of amusement rides in his park. At the time he didn't see much value in putting in a couple of rides. He wanted to keep Knott's Berry Farm as a ghost town and he could not visualize it any other way. I knew Walter because I went to school with his daughters and got to know the family.


Bud Hurlbut and his days starting with Walter Knott.The first carousel that I obtained was one thatI traded for one of my trains and some cash. I kept it in storage for a couple years. I bought a piece of ranch property on Washington Boulevard with the idea that I would open up my own amusement park.Then I bought that Dentzel carousel.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Lion Country Safari


The park was originally in the city limits of Laguna Hills and opened in June of 1970. It was the second Lion Country Safari (after Florida).


Lion Country Safari was founded in 1967 by a group of South African and British entrepreneurs who wished to provide a safari experience for families who would not normally be able to experience it. The park originally exhibited only lions.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Log Ride.



The Log Ride opened on July 11, 1969, by actor John Wayne and his son, Ethan. The ride had opened up one mouth early than expected The ride didn’t have every thing done when Bud Hurlbut had opened.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Fantasyland


This is what Fantasyland looked like back then. Casey Junior tracks are on the bottom left, Tomorrowland, as defined by the rocket ride, to the right in the far distance..

Walt Disney invited officials from Orange County.



Walt Disney invited officials from Orange County to his studios to discuss his plans for Disneyland and to pose for a few photos. Inside the stagecoach are Orange County Supervisors Willard Smith (on the left) and Willis Warner (on the right). Walt Disney stands with his hand on the break.

Friday, December 18, 2009



5571 built for D&RG. Date of trial 4/4/1881 #400 "Grand River" BLW class 10-26-E
5655 D&RG trial 5/30/1881 #240 "Lake City" BLW class 10-24 1/2 E

Friday, December 11, 2009

Buffalo Ranch Irvine.


In the 1960s, Buffalo Ranch was shut down due to rising land costs. At the same time, a nearby site had been chosen for the University of California, Irvine campus


Buffalo Ranch, which was a working part of the Irvine Ranch until 1954 when buffalo rancher Gene Clark who was the great-grandson of Indian chief Geronimo Gene imported over 72 buffalo to the land and opened it as a public attraction.

Saturday, October 31, 2009