When Walt Disney started working on Disneyland, he knew from the beginning he wanted an area with a busy riverfront, full of passing boats ferrying around excited guests. But having limited knowledge of boats himself, he knew he needed outside help. And who better to ask than a Navy Rear Admiral?
The man known as “Can-Do Joe” Fowler was born on July 9, 1894, in Lewiston, Maine. Fowler was bright and showed leadership qualities from a young age, graduating second in his class from the US Naval Academy in 1917, and later earning a master’s degree in naval architecture from MIT. During his 3-decade long career in the Navy, Fowler designed and supervised the construction of critically important gunboats and aircraft carriers like the U.S.S. Lexington and the U.S.S. Saratoga. And once he retired from service, he continued to work overseeing home construction projects.
He was the perfect candidate to help build a boat for Disneyland.
Source: D23 (Fowler is on the far left)
Fowler was brought onto by Walt Disney to build the Mark Twain, but Walt almost immediately realized that Fowler had a lot more to offer his project. Fowler was quickly hired as Disneyland’s construction supervisor, overseeing development of the entire park.
In this role, Fowler became known as the ultimate problem solver (thus his nickname). He kept the project on-track for its tight deadline, resolved logistical issues, and did his best to keep the park within the tight budget constraints.
Source: Walt’s Folly
After the park’s successful opening, Fowler stayed on as General Manager, overseeing park operations and spearheading expansion projects. In the 60s and 70s, he also extended himself to help plan the construction of Walt Disney World in Florida. In fact, at one point “Can-Do Joe” held three positions at roughly the same time: SVP of Engineering and Construction for Walt Disney Productions, Chairman of the Board of WED Enterprises (now Imagineering), and Director of Construction for Disney’s Buena Vista Construction Company. Many have referred to him as Walt’s righthand man…and you can see why.
Fowler transitioned from full-time work to consulting for Disney in 1978, never fully retiring before passing away in 1993. Rather than a window on Main Street, Fowler was instead honored with a named tribute in each of the two parks he helped develop:
- Fowler’s Harbor – the official name for the Sailing Ship Columbia’s dock along Disneyland’s Rivers of America
- The Admiral Joe Fowler – one of the ferries named after him in Walt Disney World’s ferryboat system that he created
So the next time you’re in Disneyland, don’t forget to swing by Fowler’s Harbor. It’s honestly one of my favorite places in the park, and you can see why it’s the perfect place to honor “Can-Do Joe”.
