David "Davy" Crockett (1786-1836) is a historic American pioneer featured in colonial American folklore. His portrayal by Fess Parker in Walt Disney's 1950s miniseries Davy Crockett was an inspiration for the creation of Frontierland in the Disney parks. In Disney properties, he is often depicted by his the coonskin cap which he wore in the show.
History[]
Background[]
Origins[]
According to legend, in 1786 David "Davy" Crockett was born on a mountaintop in Tennessee, and killed himself a b'ar when he was only three. In adulthood, Crockett became a legendary frontiersman, hunter, marksman, trapper and soldier who was often accompanied by his close companion George "Georgie" Russell. Crockett's father was a barkeep who would keep mementos of Davy's adventures in his tavern.
Adventures[]
The two were at one point active on Jackson Island in the Mississippi where they had discourse with military-leader/president, Andrew Jackson. Crockett and Russell also had a run-in with boatsman Mike Fink who they had a keelboat race with, before becoming allies. The two were known to visit Fink's cabin on Jackson Island. The two likewise befriended folk-hero Pecos Bill and left many gifts in his possession which Bill would keep for years. Davy Crockett may have rode his explorer's canoe in the region of Critter Country in the American South-West.
Crockett became heavily affiliated with the regions which made up, "Frontierland", most prominently found in the Big Thunder region of Arizona. Some sources cited Crockett as being considered the, "Marshal of Frontierland" and the, "King of the Wild Frontier". He and Georgie were affiliated with the Davy Crockett Coonskin Cap Supply Co., which by the 1880s became run by one Fess Parker. Davy Crockett was also namesake for a shop known as the Pioneer Mercantile.
The Alamo[]
Davy Crockett was a soldier who defended the Alamo in 1836 where he died.
Appearances[]
Disneyland[]
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes[]
This Critter Country attraction is named for Davy Crockett.
Frontierland[]
Davy Crockett once frequently appeared as a face character in the park's early history, and Frontierland characters often dress similarly to Crockett. Signs identified him as, "Marshal of Walt Disney's Frontierland".[1]
Davy Crockett Frontier Arcade[]
This had a shooting game themed around Davy Crockett, shooting game in, "B'ar Country".[2]
Davy Crockett Frontier Museum[]
This was a museum themed around Davy Crockett.
Mark Twain Riverboat[]
The riverboat captain mentions Davy Crockett and George Russell visiting Mike Fink's cabin along the river.
Pioneer Mercantile[]
A sign identifies this shop as, "Davy Crockett's Pioneer Mercantile".
Silver Spurs Supplies[]
In Disneyland's Frontierland, there is a window for the, "Davy Crockett Coonskin Cap Supply Co." run by one Fess Parker.[3] This window is on the, "Russel & Crockett Hat Co." building adjacent to the Golden Horseshoe Saloon.
Tom Sawyer Island[]
A figure of Davy Crockett once appeared inside of Fort Wilderness, conversing with Andrew Jackson.
Disney California Adventure[]
Humphrey's[]
There is a Davy Crockett poster in this shop.[4]
Disneyland Paris[]
Frontierland[]
Legends of the Wild West[]
Davy Crockett appears in Fort Comstock, shooting a flintlock behind him while aiming through a mirror, narrowly dodging a man behind him.[5]
The Lucky Nugget Saloon[]
A mural depicts a man dressed like Davy Crockett, rowing a canoe along the rivers of Thunder Mesa.
Tobias Norton & Sons[]
This shop is themed to being run by the soldier Tobias Norton from the Davy Crockett TV series.[6]
Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch[]
This Disneyland Paris ranch is named for Crockett.
Crockett's Tavern[]
This Tavern is themed to being run by Davy Crockett's father.
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground[]
Crockett's Tavern[]
Crockett's Tavern is themed around Davy Crockett, having props referencing his adventures while Crockett also serves as the dining-service's namesake.
Magic Kingdom[]
Gaston's Tavern[]
Davy Crockett's cap is visible hanging on Gaston's antler chandelier.[7] This could also be a reference to Brom Bones from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949), who also wore a coonskin cap and who was an inspiration for Gaston.
Frontierland[]
Big Al's[]
This shop primarily sells Davy Crockett style coonskin caps.
Country Bear Jamboree[]
The Country Bears will sing the ballad of Davy Crockett, lead by Henry.
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes[]
This attraction was named for Davy Crockett.
Frontier Trading Post[]
Outside the shop, Davy Crockett's clothes are hung on a clothesline atop the roof.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe[]
Davy Crockett is one of Pecos Bill's friends who left gifts for him at the Tall Tale Inn. Notably, Crockett's hat, powder-horn, satchel and blue-prints for his gun appear on the walls.[8][9] Also in the restaurant is a satchel and papers from Georgie Russell with papers detailing some of Crockett's adventures.[10]
Walt Disney World Railroad[]
A train called, "D. Crockett" is mentioned on a board in Main Street's train station.[11]
Trivia[]
- The image of Davy Crockett aiming a gun behind his head using a mirror is actually inspired by historic gunslinger, Annie Oakley.
- Due to Davy Crockett famously dying at the Alamo in 1836, he would have not actually visited the Tall Tale Inn which opened in 1878.
- Davy Crockett's Explorers Canoes could infer that within the cannon of the parks, Davy Crockett visited the region which became "Critter Country" around Chick-a-Pin Hill.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.disneyhistory101.com/new-gallery-19davycrockettfrontierarcade
- ↑ https://duchessofdisneyland.com/park-history/davy-crockett-frontier-arcade/
- ↑ https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/12/did-you-miss-it-davy-crockett’s-window-in-frontierland/
- ↑ https://www.endorexpress.net/parks/disneyparks/disneyland-disneyland/disney-california-adventure/2015/05/hatbox-ghost-and-grizzly-peak-airfield-kickstart-disneylands-60th/
- ↑ https://allears.net/2009/02/12/disneyland-paris-frontierland-part-1-thunder-mesa/
- ↑ http://disneyshawn.blogspot.com/2011/07/mosey-on-back-to-town.html
- ↑ https://allears.net/2019/10/09/17-magic-kingdom-details-youve-never-noticed/
- ↑ https://allears.net/2020/09/18/six-things-you-didnt-know-about-walt-disney-worlds-frontierland/disney-world-magic-kingdom-frontierland-pecos-bill-tall-tale-inn-and-cafe-davy-crockett/
- ↑ https://allears.net/2021/03/26/the-secrets-you-didnt-know-about-this-popular-disney-world-restaurant/
- ↑ http://disneyshawn.blogspot.com/2010/03/legends-of-west.html
- ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2019/01/south-bound.html