Disneyland: Frontierland

"Here we experience the story of our country's past...
the colorful drama of frontier America in the exciting days of the covered wagon and the stage coach, the advent of the railroad and the romantic riverboat. Frontierland is a tribute to the faith, courage and ingenuity of the pioneers who blazed the trails across America." - Walt Disney

Frontierland tells "the story of the settlement, exploration, and conquest of the American West. Hollywood westerns and 'authentic' Wild West buildings at Knotts Berry Farm, built in southern California in 1940, first inspired Frontierland." The TV series "Davy Crockett," first screened in 1954, became an even stronger image to copy.  What images are shown in Frontierland?

Answers:
  • environmental images: lots of wild animals, water falls, hot springs
  • transportation: large and small river boats, canoes, railroad runs along the perimeter
  • European settlement: pioneer cabins (the one next to the Indian village is burning) and a log fort
  • Indian teepee villages -- what do you notice about the village in the photo?
    • Children can play in and on the fort, built by Europeans as they seized the lands of the Native Americans, but they can not even enter the Indian village. Whose "fond" memories are these?

     

    Created by Ingolf Vogeler on June 1, 1996; last revised on 09/09/05.