Walt’s days…

Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois. The family moved to Marceline in 1906 when Walt was just four years old. The Disney family left Marceline for Kansas City by 1911, but those 5 years left an indelible mark on Walt’s young heart and mind. During those years he sold his first drawing. He went to his first play on what is now Main Street USA. He learned to love animals. He began his love of trains. He fell in love with his small town and with farm life. Walt had Marceline on his mind for many decades as he grew and developed into the man the world later knew as “Uncle Walt.”

See What Walt Saw

• Family Farm & barn – While you’re here, make sure you see the Disney Family Farm and a replica of the barn Walt built in his backyard in Los Angeles – which was modeled from his memories in Marceline. The home is not open to the public, but you’ll find an informational sign and a perfect picture spot here. And just a few hundred feet to the left is a small parking lot so you can walk the path to the barn and site of Walt’s “Dreaming Tree.” (Street View)

• Walt’s Path to Main Street USA – From the Family Farm you’ll keep heading south on MO-5, then head to the right at the big Regional Missouri Bank billboard. This will take you onto Kansas Avenue toward downtown Marceline. (Street View)
  

• The Brick House at the corner of Kansas & Bisbee was the first house in Marceline to have air-conditioning – which is why Walt and Lillian stayed here when they returned to Marceline in 1956. (Street View)

• Ripley Square – At the corner of California & the start of Main Street USA is Ripley Square. A park that Walt would have seen when it was brand-new. E. P. Ripley (yes, like engine #1 at Disneyland) donated these 10 lots to the City to create a town square. By 1902 the mayor had the land graded and planted trees, installed walkways, fountains, and large pond that stretched from one side of the park to the other. The Disney family would visit here to listen to music and enjoy visiting with neighbors. (Street View)

• Site of Park School – Walt attended Park School on this site. During his return in 1956, he toured the building and even found his desk… with the initials he carved into it as a boy. The building was torn down in 1960 just as the new Walt Disney Elementary School opened to students. (Street View)

• Site of the Cater’s Opera House – In later years Walt recalled watching his first play here. And how fitting that it was Peter Pan. The building burned down in 1957. (Street View)