BACKSTORY: San Diego was the host for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition held in Balboa Park. Below, you can see pages from the Souvenir Guide. One of the attractions was known as Gold Gulch, a 21 acre Ghost Town that according to the Guide was “a faithful ‘movified’ version of the pioneering period by a Hollywood motion picture director,” which included burro rides, Blacksmith Shop, Pioneer Dance Hall, and the Gulch Chuck Wagon. Both Walter Knott and Walt Disney visited Gold Gulch and the eventual creation of their theme parks was heavily influenced by the Exposition and Gold Gulch. The Ghost Town was removed when the Exposition was over in 1936. All that now remains is the trail (shown in the contemporary photos below) that guests once rode on via stagecoach.
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From the Official Guide Book:
Gold Gulch (Admission free although area contains pay shows). Gold Gulch—down a ravine into 21 acres of raw Western mining town country. Stage-coaches rumbling down the narrow roads. All the thrill and excitement of the rip-roarin’ days of ‘49!. Aside from the fun of it, it’s a faithful “movified” version of the pioneering period by a Hollywood motion picture art director. Ten cents for a burro ride, down past the Shooting Gallery, Blacsmith Shop, Horse-shoe ring punctuated with hitching posts and whiskered miners. Visit the old Stamp mill, assay office, the Pioneer Dance Hall and old-time bar-room. The Old Mill, with a flume of wter to turn the wooden wheel, presses out the best cider you eer drank! And coffee out of a tin cup tastes grand at the Gulch Chuck Wagon—not to mention steam beer by the scupper. The cigar shop has the inevitable Wood Indian out front. The mighty smithy-at-his-forge turns out rings and medals from horse-shoe nails that delight the youngsters. Step right up, gals, and have your pitcher took, at the tin-type gallery! The boy-friend can be photoed with whiskers, six shooter revolver and ten gallon hat—and be leaning against a burron, if necessary. Gold Gulch isn’t just a show. It’s real. It savors of the days of Mark Twain, Bret Hart and John Sutter. You rub shoulders with such characters as Liminatin Lem, Gopher Joe, Screw Bean Benny and the “spattenest tabeccer spatter” in town which you probably remember in Oliver’s “Dessert Rough Cuts.” The heathen chinee and the strange characters from the four corners of the wold will be there—just as in ’49. And you? Well you’ll be one o’ ‘em, stranger.
