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Morgan “Bill” Evans
Location: Above the Opera House
Inscription: Evans Gardens – Exotic & Rare Species – Freeway Collections – Est. 1910 – Morgan (Bill) Evans – Senior Partner
Bill Evans was the original Disneyland landscaper. His beautiful work can be seen everywhere you walk. The “Freeway Collections” in the inscription refers to the practice of collecting trees before the bulldozers paving the way for the 5 Freeway got to them and relocating them to Disneyland. For an insightful interview with Bill Evans, check out the The “E” Ticket #23.
Van Arsdale France
Location: Above the unoccupied spot between Great American Pastimes and the Main Street Magic Shop
Inscription: Van Arsdale France – Founder and Professor Emeritus – Disney Universities
Van France was brought in by Walt Disney to train the employees. He was instrumental in the development of Disney University. He also wrote the script for the Rainbow Cavern Mine Ride.
Blaine Gibson
Location: Above the Opera House
Inscription: The Busy Hands School – Sculpting, Whittling & Soap Carving & Blaine Gibson – The Eternal Pursuit of the Artists Craft
Blaine Gibson was an animator at the studios before joining WED. There he became a sculptor and worked on the Indian Village, the Submarine, Mr. Toad, Jungle Cruise, Mr. Lincoln and Pirates of the Caribean, among many others. But perhaps his most visible work is the “Partners” statue located in the hub of Disneyland. For a wonderful interview with Blaine, check out The “E” Ticket #21.
D. S. Gilmore
Location: Above New Century Timepieces
Inscription: D. S. Gilmore, MD – E. G. Upjohn, MD
A personal friend of Walt’s and chairman of the Upjohn Co.
J. S. Hamel
Location: Above the Main Street Bank
Inscription: J.S. Hamel – Consulting Engineer
J. S. Hamel was a civil and electrical engineer hired by Walt to help build Disneyland. His projects include Schweitzer Falls of the Jungle Cruise.
John Hench
Location: Above Main Street Photo Supply Company
Inscription: Plaza School of Art – Instructors – Herbert Ryman – John Hench – Peter Ellenshaw
John Hench has been called the single person, after Walt, who had the greatest impact on the design of Disneyland. He was an original member of WED. Some of his projects include Main Street, Adventure Thru Inner Space and Snow White’s Grotto. He also conceived the Space Port, an idea that later evolved into Space Mountain. John Hench has been involved in the creative development of every Disney Theme Park.
Richard Irvine
Location: Above Main Street Bank
Inscription: Richard Irvine – Marvin Davis
Richard “Dick” Irvine worked on the initial building of Disneyland. His projects include the Mickey Mouse Circus. Richard eventually became president of Imagineering. He has a daughter-in-law, Kim Irvine, who is fast becoming famous for projects such as King Triton’s Fountain and the Sleeping Beauty Castle renovation.
Robert F. Jani
Location: Above the Opera House.
Inscription: Main Street Electrical Parade World Headquarters – Robert F Jani, Master Showman
Longtime Vice President of Entertainment and creator of the Main Street Electrical Parade which ran from 1972-1996..
Fred Joerger
Location: Above the Carnation Co.
Inscription: Decorative Fountains and Watercolor – By Fred Joerger
Fred Joerger worked on Disneyland’s waterways, the Matterhorn and as a designer on Storybook Land.
Emile Kuri
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Emile Kuri – Interior Decorator
Joining the company in 1952 he was the set designer in Disney live- action films. He was the primary decorator of Main Street U.S.A.
Gunther R. Lessing
Location: .Above the Disneyana Shop
Inscription: Gunther R. Lessing, Esq
Gunther R. Lessing was a lawyer for Walt Disney and the studios for more than three decades. He represented Disney in a dispute over the money from “The Skeleton Dance”, the first of the Silly Symphonies.
Jack Lindquist
Location: Above City Hall
Inscription: J. B. Lindquist – Honorary Mayor of Disneyland – “Jack of All Trades. Master of Fun”
Jack Lindquist was a Disney publicist. He conceived “Operation Water,” which was the pouring of waters from all the oceans of the world into the Small World waterway by Walt and children of the world. He went on to become the President of Disneyland.
M. A. Mang
Location: Above New Century Timepieces
Inscription: Good Neighbor Foundation – “Caring and Giving Come From the Heart” – Mrs. M. A. Mang – Director
Mary Anne Mang was Manager of Public Relations at Disneyland for many years.
Ivan Martin
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Buena Vista Construction Co. – Jack Rorex – Ivan Martin – Cash Shockey
Ivan Martin worked on the construction of Disneyland.
Wilson “Bill” Martin
Location: Above the Main Street Bank
Inscription: Wilson Martin – Gabriel Scognamillo
Art Director and project designer on numberous attractions including Sleeping Beauty Castle, Monorail, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Edward T. Meck
Location: Above the China Closet
Inscription: The Disneyland News – Edward T. Meck – Editor In Chief
Edward was one of Disneyland’s original publicists.He headed the publicity department.
Christopher D. Miller
Location: Above the restrooms near the Carnation Co.
Inscription: Christopher D. Miller – Turkish Baths
Christopher Miller was Walt’s first grandson by his daughter Diane and his son-in-law Ron Miller.
George Mills
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Carpenters & Joiners – George Mills – Ray Conway – Chas Alexander
George Mills was in charge of the Mill (carpentry).
Seb Morey
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Seb Morey – Taxidermist
Seb Morey was Disneyland’s original taxidermist and did a large portion of the work on the Jungle Cruise.
Dick Nunis
Location:
Inscription: Coast to Coast Peoplemoving, World Leader in Leisure Management, Dick Nunis Proprietor Started 1955, Offices Anaheim, Orlando,Tokyo. Wave Machine Specialty.
Dick Nunis began his career in 1955 in the training department. He eventually became president of Disneyland and Walt Disney World and had hand in opening all four of the Disney parks around the world.
George Patrick
Location: Above the Main Street Bank
Inscription: Wade B. Rubotton – George Patrick
George Patrick was an art director for Frontierland.
C. V. Patterson
Location: Above New Century Timepieces
Inscription: C. F. Allen, MD – C. V. Patterson, MD
Bob Penfield
Location: Above Carefree Corner
Inscription: Club 55 School of Golf, Bob Penfield, Instructor
Bob Penfield was the last of the original Disneyland opening day Cast Members. He retired on August 1, 1997 after more than 42 years..
Cicely Rigdon
Location: Above the Disney Showcase on the Town Square side.
Inscription: Ambassador Finishing School – Cicely Rigdon – Instructor
Cicely Rigdon developed the ambassador program at Disneyland. This window was recently moved from above the China Closet.
Wathel Rogers
Location: Above New Century Jewelry
Inscription: “You’ll Cut A Fine Figure” – Wathel Rogers – Menswear
Wathel Rogers worked with Blaine Gibson on the animatronics for Mr. Lincoln, Pirates, the Haunted Mansion and the Carousel of Progress.
Jack Rorex
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Buena Vista Construction Co. – Jack Rorex – Ivan Martin – Cash Shockey
Jack Rorex worked on the construction of Disneyland.
L. H. Roth
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Surveying & Engineering – L. H. Roth
L. H. Roth was an assistant to Joe Fowler, who was in charge of Disneyland construction.
Wade B. Rubottom
Location: Above the Main Street Bank
Inscription: Wade B. Rubottom – George Patrick
The original art director of Main Street.
Herbert Ryman
Location: Above Main Street Photo Supply Company
Inscription: Plaza School of Art – Instuctors – Herbert Ryman – John Hench – Peter Ellenshaw
Herb Ryman was an art director for the studios before joining WED. He did the famous early rendering of Disneyland which had Adventureland on the east side adjacent to Tomorrowland. He also worked on the design of New Orleans Square and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
Gabriel Scognamillo
Location: Above the Main Street Bank
Inscription: Wilson Martin – Gabriel Scognamillo
Art Director who worked on Tomorrowland.
Cash Shockey
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Buena Vista Construction Co. – Jack Rorex – Ivan Martin – Cash Shockey
Cash Shockey worked on the construction of Disneyland.
E. G. Upjohn
Location: Above New Century Timepieces
Inscription: D. S. Gilmore, MD – E. G. Upjohn, MD
The New Century Timepieces store used to be an Upjohn Pharmacy. E. G. Upjohn was the one time Chairman of the Board of Upjohn.
Frank Wells
Location: Above the Main Street Bank
Inscription: Seven Summits Expeditions – Frank G. Wells – President
Frank Wells became president of the Walt Disney Company when he came on with Michael Eisner. He was killed in a helicopter accident on Easter Sunday 1994.
Lilliam T. Wheeler
Location: Above the Main Street Bank
Inscription: William T. Wheeler – John Wise – Structural Engineers
William Wheeler, and his company, the Wheeler & Gray Company, was a structural engineer brought in to help with the construction of Disneyland.
George Whitney
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Geo. Whitney – Guns
George Whitney was the only member of the original Disneyland design team with previous amusement park experience.. He eventually became the manager of Fantasyland and also worked on the Mickey Mouse Club Circus.
Ed Winger
Location: Above the Carnation Co.
Inscription: Old Settlers – Gold Dredging – Ed Winger – Proprietor
Ed Winger was the supervisor of the Paint Department, Mill and Sign Shop.
John Wise
Location: Above the Main Street Bank
Inscription: William T. Wheeler – John Wise – Structural Engineers
John Wise was a structural engineer brought in to help with the construction of Disneyland.
Robert Wiskey
Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Robert Wiskey – Stone Mason
In a 1969 issue of the Disney News there is an article on some of the Windows on Main Street. One of them is Robert Washo with the inscription Stone Mason. Apparently Robert Washo and Robert Wiskey are the same person. Robert used to head the Staff Shop which performed concrete and plastic work. Later he became Disneyland’s Buildings Manager.
Gordon Youngman
Location: Above Disneyana
Inscription: Attorney at Law – Youngman & Leopold
Gordon Yougman was a senior partner in Youngman, Hungate and Leopold, a firm that played important roles in the early Disneyland negotiations. He also served on the Disney Board of Directors.
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