The Broad Side of a Barn

The first run on the Carolwood Pacific Railroad took place on May 7, 1950. The 2,615 feet of track included a 46 foot long trestle and a 90 foot long tunnel under his wife's flower bed. Amidst the railroad, Walt had a barn built where he could monitor and remotely control the switches on the track. The barn also served as a workshop and a place for Walt and his friends to relax.
When the Holmby Hills home was sold, the new owners had plans to preserve the house, but discovered that due to structural issues and asbestos, they demolished the existing structures and built a new home.
Fortunately, Walt's daughter Diane Disney Miller recognized the importance of the Barn and began the process of saving it before escrow closed. Diane contacted Michael and Sharon Broggie, founders of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society, who began planning what to do with the Barn. A general contractor, Bill Abel, was hired to dismantle the Barn and it was stored until an agreement was secured with the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Live Steamers Museum. It opened in Griffith Park as a loan to the people of Los Angeles on July 19, 1999, and is located inside the 1/8th scale track, the same scale that Walt had at his home.Walt spent many hours in the Barn not only working on his trains, but thinking about new projects and ideas. One could say that this Barn is the birthplace of Imagineering.
Today, the Barn is in a beautifully landscaped part of the park, with several nice picnic tables and many benches. Bring your family and a picnic basket to enjoy your lunch and some Walt Disney, railroad, and Disneyland history. The Barn is small, but full of many interesting items to learn about, and lots of wonderful stories.
The barn is open to the public every 3rd Sunday of the month by LA Live Steamers at Griffith Park. They just issued this statement about tomorrow.


Sunday, June 21, 2009
Dad's Day at Walt Disney's Barn and Ollie Johnston's Depot
Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn, Griffith Park LA Live Steamers area
Celebrate Father's Day at Walt Disney's Barn. Free commemorative Barn pin to all fathers who bring a child or grandchild to Walt's Barn (while supplies last). Opens at 11 am closes at 3 pm. Free admission and free parking. Free rides on miniature trains by Los Angeles Live Steamers. Steam demonstration plant will be operating. Picnic area available.

We hope to see you out there!