Adventureland has no shortage of stunning palm trees, towering above visitors. But one tree has a unique history, predating the rest of the park. Meet the Dominguez Tree, the tall palm to the right of the Jungle Cruise boathouse.

 Source: Disney Parks Blog

This tree’s story begins in 1896, almost 60 years before Disneyland’s opening. Before Disneyland became a magic kingdom, the land was home to massive orange groves. On this farm land, a farm belonging to the Dominguez family stretched across 10 acres, roughly in today’s New Orleans Square.

The last owner of this farm, Ron Dominguez, asked Walt and his Imagineers to spare one tree on the family land. This massive palm tree was planted in 1896, as a wedding gift to Ron’s grandparents. Disney spared the tree, building the Jungle Cruise boathouse around its towering trunk.

Ron didn’t leave Anaheim after Disneyland arrived; in fact, he started as a ticket tacker on opening day! He held several positions in the park, before working his way up to Executive Vice President. Ron retired in 1994, and was honored with a window on Main Street, above the Market House.

The Dominguez Tree is one of the few surviving markers of the orange groves preceding Disneyland. The proud tree has been standing above Anaheim since the 19th century, witnessing incredible change and Anaheim’s growth into a busy Orange County city.

EDIT: I usually love to engage with readers in the comment section. I generally learn even more about whatever topic I’ve posted about, and have had the chance to connect with many of you on social media as a result of our conversations. Unfortunately, due to an onslaught of increasingly hostile comments, both sent directly through email and through the moderation tool, I need to pause commentary on this post.

I would like to remind you all that I am a person doing my best to share trivia about a theme park we all enjoy. I’m not “in the pocket” of a particular family, nor am I going to put up with being called various slurs and getting cussed out. If a blog about Disneyland makes you this incessantly angry, I suggest taking a deep breath and shutting the laptop for a while.

 

| 15 Comments

15 Comments on The Dominguez Tree

  1. I was a designer at WED many, many years ago. I didn’t design many projects for Disneyland, however, one I did have involvement with was an outdoor stage where its entrance is across from Small World. Within the footprint of the project was the last orange tree that was saved from the original grove. At the time I understood it was to be saved and moved to a location near the Castle. Do you know anything about it?

    • Per my encyclopedia, no original orange trees from the grove survive. I did read that one of the surviving trees was preserved near the Disneyland hotel, but it died in the late 90s, before they built Downtown Disney.

    • 160 acres of land was initially purchased by Disney. Is there a list of Ranchers/ Farmers that sold their land to him? The Dominguez land purchase of 10 acres was a small % of the total sale. All I can find is the Dominguez name on several different sites. If you could head me in the right direction to find this info. it would be greatly appreciated.

      • It seams as if there is some bius here when it comes to the origins of the purchase of Disneyland. You are the Dutchess of Disney, so I would think you would do some research on this. My family didn’t have all the prominent representatives that the Dominguez family has. Lawyers, Doctors, sports stars, Police, Military heroes, etc., etc.,etc. Sorry my Family is not so famous. All we have is pickles. Ha Ha!

        • …?

          I don’t claim to be an expert on the complete history of Disneyland’s development. I’ve heard this piece of trivia numerous times, both from reading about the park and from talking to cast members. I’ve never read any details about another family in relation to this tree, so I can only share what I’ve learned from D23 and the Walt Disney Family Museum. I don’t know what level of research you would deem sufficient, but I felt both of the sources were trustworthy enough to write a blog post about it.

  2. The Dominguez name I was given by my husband John Dominguez. I’m truly proud of our name and heritage. Several important Dominguez men and women were in military they held positions as police , doctor’s lawyers on down to cowboys and NFL football ball stars. I love the palm tree and the love that surrounds the tree, such a massive tree as massive as our families . Such an honorable name. My husband is a master self taught brick & stone mason. Stone is for ever and so are we. I know Dominguez hills California was named from our ancestors. Very smart and talented people and very family oriented!

  3. The picture you have of opening day shows my mom on the right in front. I think she was 8.

  4. Hi. That palm tree actually belonged to my great grandpa Gerhardt Claussen. My mom lived in a house on the ranch and Dominguez was their neighbor. It wasn’t his tree. Walt Disney himself showed them the tree after the park was built.

    • Really? That’s super interesting, since all the Disney literature I’ve read credits Dominguez with the tree. But it wouldn’t be the first time they have left out little details like that!

    • Just a thought. If the house was at the ranch and the ranch belonged to the Dominguez family. Then isn’t the palm tree belong to the Dominguez ranch?

    • My name is Tom Claussen and Gerhardt was also my Great Grandfather. I was told that back in the 80’s a Mulberry Tree still stood by the Maint. Building that was on property previously owned by the Claussen family. I’m located in Lincoln, Ne. and am part of the family of the one Son ( Henry) of Gerhardt that stayed behind in Ne. I would like to get in touch with you Alison if at all possible. My phone # is (402) 617-5309. Thanks.

  5. This just makes me so happy… couple this with the story of Ron Dominguez’ success at the Disney Company! Just makes me smile.

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