Source: Mickey Mouse Park
1956 – 1964
LOCATION
Frontierland – The Bone Carving Shop was located within Davy Crockett Frontier Arcade. The Arcade faced Frontierland’s main entrance, catching the attention of visitors arriving from Main Street. Today, its location is part of the Pioneer Mercantile.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Merchandise – Bone jewelry, accessories, and small souvenirs
- Unique Features – There was no official entrance to the shop; it was within the Arcade but did have its own window.
50s and 60s Disneyland may seem a little strange to modern park visitors. There was a lingerie shop, antique stores, and a bone-themed store in Frontierland! While the kids ran from game to game in the Frontier Arcade, mom and dad could visit the Bone Carving Shop to collect a true frontier souvenir.
CLOSURE
Though it started as a quieter western town, Frontierland dramatically evolved throughout Disneyland’s first few decades of operation. The scenic, slow Mine Train became the wild Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The traditional arcade gave way to the loud and exciting Frontier Shootin’ Exposition. And many of the smaller, non-Disney shops combined into larger stores selling Disney merchandise. As part of this transformation, The Bone Carving Shop eventually folded into the larger Pioneer Mercantile, officially closing in 1964.
TRIVIA
Different souvenir books and maps during the shop’s run gave it different names. In various places, it was called the Bone Carving Shop, Bonekraft, Bone Jewelry, or Bone Craft.
This is one of the shops with the least amount of information I’ve been able to find through Disneyland research. What kind of bone? Real bone, fake bone? How much did the merchandise cost? …I’ve got nothing. So if you have any information about this shop or resources you can point me to, please let me know!
My mom worked at the bonekraft shop until it closed in 1964. Not sure what year she started there?
I was only 7 or 8, so I don’t remember a ton about it, but my brother and I would hang out there when my mom was working.
I do remember my mom saying that one thing they made were cuff links and tie clips. Those items were popular back then. They made things out of different wood and ivory.
I believe one reason the shop may have closed is they could no longer sell ivory.
I believe it was banned, as elephants were being hunted for their tusk??
Not 100% sure, but I remember her saying something about that.
That would make sense as a reason for the closure for sure!