A tale of two Disney Main Streets
Marceline welcome: Near a tidy residential neighborhood at the edge of Marceline, Mo., a city sign announces the population as just over 2,500.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland welcome: Amid the walkers, stroller, horse-drawn carriages and fire trucks that frequent Disneyland’s Main Street, USA, a double-decker bus offers transport to Fantasyland.
Here’s a back-and-forth photo essay that pairs scenes from two Disney Main Streets. The first Main Street (also known as Kansas Avenue) runs through Marceline, Mo., where the young Walt Disney spent several pre-teen years at the outset of the 20th century. The second is Main Street, U.S.A., the all-American commercial district that Disney unveiled, along with the rest of Disneyland, in 1955. As Walt later made clear, one street inspired him in creation of the other. But their paths have not run parallel.
For the full story, see “Photo gallery: One Disney, two Main Streets.”
-- Chris Reynolds, Los Angeles Times staff writer
Marceline City Hall: On Marceline’s downtown commercial strip, the city offices stand shoulder to shoulder with struggling retailers.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland City Hall: Just beyond the entrance to Disneyland, this City Hall serves as a convenient meeting place for visitors.
Marceline depot: With train service diminished in recent years, the old Santa Fe depot in Marceline, Mo., was available for conversion into the Walt Disney Hometown Museum.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland depot: Standing on a hill near Main Street, USA, the Disneyland Railroad building claims an elevation of 138 feet and a population of 500,000,000.
Marceline signage: Like many public buildings in Missouri, Marceline’s City Hall posts a sign prohibiting firearms.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland signage: At Disneyland, the City Hall building includes the amusement park’s famous suggestion that “Lost parents inquire here for children.”
Marceline movies: After seven decades of scheduled showings -- including many Disney presentations -- Marceline’s Uptown Theatre is offering “no more shows until further notice.” But the adjacent four-room Uptown Theatre Bed & Breakfast endures.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland movies: Disneyland’s Main Street Cinema is still showing “Steamboat Willie,” which had its premiere in 1928.
Marceline red bricks: When Walt Disney was growing up, Marceline’s red-brick Zurcher building held a jewelry shop and may have had a Coca-Cola ad painted on its side.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland red bricks: Disneyland’s Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner, red bricks and all, has stood for five decades on a high-visibility corner along Main Street, USA.
Marceline odd couple: On a quiet afternoon, the ladies on these salt and pepper shakers add a perky note to Ma Vic’s Corner Cafe in Marceline.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland odd couple: On a busy Saturday night, as throngs rush along Disneyland’s Main Street, USA, two males pause for a breather on the steps of the Disneyland Casting Agency.
Marceline sidewalk: A clutch of youths gather at the corner of Ritchie and Main in downtown Marceline, Mo.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland sidewalk: With the evening fireworks over, visitors head up Main Street, USA, on their way out of Disneyland.
Marceline traffic: Main Street, in Marceline, Mo., on a slow day.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Disneyland traffic: Main Street, USA, in Disneyland, on a busy day.
