Chapter 15 - Magic Kingdom - Liberty Square Part 1               updated 8/3/18

Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom is filled with a wealth of detail. In this Chapter, our tour we will:
- Walk through the detailed Liberty Square
- Take a steamboat ride down the Rivers of America on the Liberty Belle Riverboat
- Check out the historical Liberty Tree Tavern
- then trace the history of the Liberty Tree and Liberty Bell

Liberty Square

Spending time in Walt Disney World is always magical. It can get very depressing to return back to reality.
Yes, you always have photos, souvenirs, and of course your memories to help fight off these blues. And we’re going to share another way to remember the magic of Walt Disney World by providing some great quotes from the parks. Throughout your journey in Walt Disney World you’ve come across many memorable classic quotes and we’ll on occasion bring these up. These quotes will never fail in bring back a magical memory and put a smile on your face.
Let's try one.
                                                      "Welcome, foolish mortal"

The most classical and memorable attractions is the Haunted Mansion, which is located in Liberty Square. It’s the first greeting guests receive after they enter the stretching room. As the doors close behind you to make an escapeless chamber, guests hear the Ghost Host welcome them with this phase.
I hope that brings back some of the experience and memories, but only good ones we hope.
Reference:
http://www.mickeytips.com/10-disney-quotes-start-day-right/?utm_source=Mickey+Tips&utm_campaign=5638565bfb-MT+Email&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9bf0730414-5638565bfb-307144285 

History

Liberty Square is smallest of the lands in the Magic Kingdom, but we believe the most interesting. It’s filled with facts, backstories, history and experiences. As you proceed through Liberty Square from Frontierland you should note the addresses on the builds and doors, put an 18 in front and you’ll have the year that that building would represent. Since we traveling from Frontierland geographically we are going East from the Mississippi (Diamond Horseshoe) to the East coast New York (Haunted Mansion).We start from the late 1800's and reaches down to the 1700’s with the Haunted Mansion. This time period also provides the best depiction and representation of early American life.
Also during that time there was no indoor plumbing, so there literally are no bathroom in Liberty Square. (the one that is in Liberty Tavern is officially located in Adventureland and the restroom in the Columbia House is technically in Fanstasyland)
The Imagineers in keeping with attention to historical detail even designed the street with a brown streak through Liberty Square, which is to represent the waste and sewage treatment of early Americana.

Then the bridge leading to Liberty Square from the Cinderella Plaza represents the Old Concord Bridge. Concord Bridge was the site where the first battle of the Revolutionary War took place.
You may note that the window shutters on the buildings in Liberty Square all look like they have been mis-hung. Well there’s a little history lesson to learn here. During the Revolutionary War no metal was shipped to America from England for fear that it would be used for making bullets. So the shutter were hung using leather, which over time would stretch.
As you approach the Hall of Presidents, look up. You may notice two lanterns on the second story window, these represent Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem Paul Revere’s Ride where it is stated, “One if by land, and two if by sea.”

If you look carefully at the first floor windows you may notice a Doll displayed in one. In Colonial times a doll was placed at the window to let Firemen know that there was a child in this room.
Background Music
Each of the Magic Kingdom’s land has its own background music and Liberty Square is no exception. Most guests may not even notice it, but the background music played in Liberty Square is composed of only period instruments in order to be historically accurate.
Check out this Youtube Music Loop:
Best Buy Co, Inc.
For more references on the History behind Liberty Square:

Liberty Square Riverboat

As we entered Liberty Square from Frontierland, it makes sense to begin our tour with the Liberty Square Riverboat. The Liberty Belle is a steam-powered paddle wheeler, modeled after the ones that were used to sail the Mississippi River during the 1800’s. It takes guests on a leisurely tour of the Rivers of America with view of Frontierland, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Square. The trip is narrated by Samuel Clemens, who had been a steamboat Captain and loved the Mississippi River. As we noted in Chapter 13, Samuel Clemens was also known by his writing name of Mark Twain, and wrote many stories and tales about life on the Mississippi River.
Liberty Square is filled with History and the origin of Riverboat concept has its own. This attraction is probably the oldest attraction plan by Walt Disney.

History

Walt had this idea before Disney World and even before Disneyland were ever created.  When Walt originally envisioned that it would be located at his Disney Studio in Burbank, California.  There wasn’t enough room at the studio so when Disneyland was plan this idea carried over and was used as an attraction, which then made its way to Walt Disney World!
 
Note: Walt Disney was so determined to have this attraction he contributed funds from his own pocket to the construction of the steamboat.
 
In order to create the attraction in Disneyland, which was originally called the Mark Twain Riverboat, Disney had to reconstruct the first American made, working steamboat. Admiral Joe Fowler directed the construction of the riverboat, to be called Mark Twain, and dry dock. The ship was put together in Disneyland and The Mark Twin Riverboat was up and running on July 17, 1955, the opening day of Disneyland.
The Walt Disney World version of the steamboat was named the Admiral Joe Fowler in tribute to the man who had helped to create Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Although not quite ready for opening day, the Riverboat opened one day after the park, on October 2, 1971. After the Joe Fowler Riverboat opened, live entertainment could often be found on the ship’s deck.
 
In 1973 a second steamboat was built for Walt Disney World. It was known as the Richard F. Irvine, the new steamboat was named after Richard Irvine who oversaw the planning and construction of Walt Disney World. Besides their names, the only difference between the two steamboats was that Admiral Joe Fowler had two smokestacks, while the Richard F. Irvine only had one. At the time Liberty Square’s riverboats were staggered in their departure times, so that when one boat was circling Tom Sawyer Island the other boat would be unloading and loading new guests.
 
In 1980 the hull of the Admiral Joe Fowler was badly damaged while entering the dry dock. It was decided that they would not repair the broken ship. However the boats equipment was sent to Tokyo and used in their steamship and the bell from the Admiral Joe Fowler was added to the #4 engine (the Roy O. Disney) on the Walt Disney World Railroad.
In 1996 the Richard F. Irvine was renamed the Liberty Belle, and the attraction was renamed the Liberty Square Riverboat. The name change was done to tie the boat in with Liberty Square. But in order to keep the names of Joe Fowler and Richard Irvine alive in Walt Disney World, in 1999 two ferries that run from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom were renamed in their honor.

Ship Structure

Just a little bit about the Riverboat structure. The Liberty Belle Riverboat is a three deck working steamship that has a maximum capacity of 450 people. Guests enter the ship on the middle deck, which features a sitting room, and outside wheelhouse and the captain’s quarters.
The bottom deck of the boat, is where guests can see the ships boiler and mechanics.
Located at the front of the ship, the platform allows guests to get great views of Frontierland, Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square. On the top deck, guests get the best view of the various sights. There is limited seating throughout the vessel.
It is a fully functioning steamship, but the Liberty Square Riverboat is guided on an "I-beam" track that is hidden by the Rivers of America's murky water. The boat is staffed by two crew members. The ride operator, sits on the ship's top deck where he triggers the narration and blows the whistle.
 
Down in the ship's boiler room, the engineer controls the ship's speed. As noted, the Liberty Square Riverboat is a working steamship, and thus the boat is propelled by the paddle wheel that is propelled by the steam engine.

The Trip

Enough about the steamboat, let’s take a ride.
Once aboard the Liberty Square Riverboat, the narration begins with the boat’s captain, Horace Bixby making sure that everyone is aboard, before telling the crew to put the boat in motion. His leadsman then sounds off (to get a depth reading), before the engine room puts the boat in motion. Horace then addresses guests, saying:
"Welcome aboard the Liberty Belle, I'm your captain Horace Bixby and my pilot with me here on the Texas Deck is a young cub that goes by the name of Samuel Clemens."

Note: Captain Horace Bixby was a real steamboat captain on the Mississippi. Horace Bixby and Sam Clemens met aboard the Steamboat Paul Jones, and Bixby agreed to take Sam on as his apprentice. Some 21 years after this meeting, the now famous Mark Twain reunited with the captain in St. Louis. Twain talks about Captain Bixby in his book, "Life on the Mississippi"

Sharper Image
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Photo Credit: http://themickeywiki.com/index.php?title=Liberty_Square_Riverboat
This trip aboard the Liberty Belle is the 100th journey for young Sam Clemens, who claims to know the Rivers of America like the back of his hand.
Before the Belle leaves port, Sam warns guests to stay behind the railings, as river pirates are known to lurk around these waters.
 
The first sight on leaving that guests can see on the port side (left) is Frontierland.
 
Samuel Clemens comments that Frontierland was once just a boom town, and although there are still a few trappers, prospectors and Indians, the town is well on its way to becoming a big city.
As we approach the bend Clemens point out that the large peak at the end of town is known as Chick-A-Pin Hill. It seems that the dam atop the hill had burst, and people are riding carved out logs over the ledge.
Continuing on, on the starboard side (right), the boat passes Samuel's "old literary stomping ground", Tom Sawyer Island. Clemens says that the only way to get to the island is by raft.

Note: More on Tom Sawyer Island in Chapter 13
Samuel points out parts of the island to explore, such as: Muff Potters Pond, Harper's Mill, Tom's Landing, and Huck's Landing (it seems that Tom, Huck and Sam used to explore the island quite a bit while looking for adventure).
Turning the bend, Samuel draws the guest’s attention port side (left) and Big Thunder Mountain
He then proceeds to giving guests a little bit of history behind the attraction. Samuel explains that the water gets so hot over by the attraction that geysers erupt. Indians used to the think that the geysers were spirits and they named the mountain “Big Thunder Mountain” because of the rain that would come from it.
Later, when prospectors and settlers came to the area, the name stuck. Samuel warn guests that there has not been blasting in the mountain in some time. Instead, all he hears now are ghost stories about spirits and runaway mine trains.
 
The boat continues its journey, the next sight on the port side that guests can see is Beacon Joe and his bait shop. Sam informs guests that Beacon Joe has been marking the river for as long as he can remember.
Note: Beacon Joe appears in three different locations in the Magic Kingdom. In the Pirates of the Caribbean, as one of the Pirates in jail coaxing the dog, then in the Haunted Mansion, sitting at the Ballroom Table wearing a crown, and here at the rivers bend of Liberty Belle's Rivers of America. Beacon Joe and shack was designed by Marc Davis.
Further down the bank, Powhatan Indians are gathering, and Captain Bixby explains that although he has seen various Indian tribes, (including the Seminole, Black Feet, and Crow tribes) Powhatan Indians are not usually found this far west. Sam suggests that since there are so many animals in the area, they are simply following the food.
Continuing on, the boat passes an unidentified Indian village. The captain informs guest that the Indians were not sure what to make of the steamboat originally, and the called the ship a "fire canoe" and “comet of sun”. Scenes in the village include Indians cooking, trading, washing, and also two kids working on canoes.
Past the village, guests see the Indian burial ground where the captain explains that the Indians lay their dead warriors on a "Bed of Death" and mourn them after nightfall.
 
Around the bend and continuing on, the Liberty Belle reaches Cutthroat Corner. Sam explains that Cutthroat Corner, is the most likely place to find river pirates. Sure enough, pirates can be heard coming from Wilson's Cave; however Sam tells guests that based on the sounds coming out of the cave, "their interests lie elsewhere".

Note: Wilson's Cave is a reference to the real river pirate Jim Wilson. In the 1790's Jim Wilson opened Wilson's Liqueur Vault on the Ohio River in Illinois. Wilson would lure guests into what is now known as the "Cave-In-Rock" cave, and rob or even kill them.
 Looking starboard towards Tom Sawyer Island, guests can see Fort Langhorn, which Sam explains began as a trading post before becoming a port.
As the boat approaches port in Liberty Square, the leadsman calls out one more time, and the Liberty Belle passes the Haunted Mansion. Samuel informs guests that rumor has it that the mansion was built on Indian burial ground, and now 999 ghosts haunt it. He says however, that he does not believe in these stories (insinuating that the people who say they've seen ghosts, have been drinking).
Note: The Leadsman was a crew member who would call out the depth of the water, when the water got shallow. One fathom equals six feet, two fathoms equal Mark Twain (means two knots, 12 feet, on the measuring rope)
The Liberty Belle reaches port and Samuel Clemens and Captain Bixby say goodbye as the boat docks.

Note: Crates located on the banks have the name "Tell City Tool Co." on them. Tell City is real town located on the banks of the Ohio River in Indiana. Tell City was one of the United States’ first "planned cities", and attracted many settlers with free land. In the early days of the town, steamship was the only mode of transportation available.
 
The trip is a relaxing getaway and definitely filled with historical experiences.
 
Note: Liberty Square Riverboat is currently the only boat to sail the Rivers of America. Previously, “Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes” operated from opening day, October 1, 1971, until 1994; and “Mike Fink Keel Boats” sailed from opening day through April 29, 2001.
http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2007/02/mike-fink-keelboats.html
 
Liberty Bell Narration:
If you want to hear the full Liberty Square Riverboat narration, click Youtube link:
http://themickeywiki.com/index.php?title=Liberty_Square_Riverboat
http://www.disneydining.com/7-amazing-features-of-the-liberty-square-riverboat/
http://www.themouseforless.com/walt-disney-world/parks/magic-kingdom/liberty-square-riverboat/

We’re back in Liberty Square, after our week long journey with the Liberty Belle on the Rivers of America (really only 17-20 minutes), we should be ready for a break. So let’s go over to the Liberty Tree Tavern.

Liberty Tree Tavern

The Liberty Tree Tavern is an attraction in itself. Disney Imagineers have paid great attention to the details to make the Tavern a quaint and historical experience.
To encompass the atmosphere of Liberty Square the Liberty Tree Tavern is an 18th century themed restaurant with distinctive Colonial architectural elements.
As guests step through the doors of this white-columned building and enter the Lobby, they are immersed into a representation of a quaint colonial kitchen. Your attention is immediately drawn straight ahead is an enormous fireplace. Which respresents not only the heating source for the colonial house, but also the main cooking area.  The room is two-story lobby, complete with a very impressive chandelier.
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Photo credit: ©Disney
Look around as you wait to be seated and note the details related to the themed historical architecture.

When the cast members announce that your table is ready they will also herald where you are visiting from.
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Ready for a Halloween Dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern
The Inn has several dining rooms and each are themed after the important individuals and personalities from this Revolutionary period. The restaurant is remarkable and feels like you are dining right in an impressive house from this era.
 
Each of the dining areas rooms are specifically themed for one of the Founding Fathers. There is the Benjamin Franklin room, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, John Paul Jones, Betsy Ross and the George Washington rooms. The architecture and décor of each room reflects their different backgrounds and the roles they played in gaining American independence.
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Each dining room displays that Founding Fathers portrait and features various themed items that tell the story about that historic individual.
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The Paul Revere room has a modest appearance depicting his humble occupation as a silversmith.
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For example, there is a kite in the Benjamin Franklin room.

John Paul Jones room has nautical influences with model ships, navigation equipment, and nautical knots. Both the Jefferson and Washington rooms provide a distinctly more upscale feel, depicting their affluent Virginia lifestyle.


Photos credit: © http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2014/02/liberty_tree_tavern_a_revoluti_1.html
Everywhere throughout the restaurant Imagineers have provided historic details. It’s like dining in Museum dedicated to the Revolutionary and Colonial era. This includes ceramic pipes, a copper tea kettle, maps of the thirteen colonies, an old-fashioned flat iron, a butter churner, an alphabetical list of members of the Sons of Liberty, and….. Make sure you tour through each room, there is so much to see.

Dining Experience

The Liberty Tree Tavern has been open as a restaurant since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.
The restaurant serves both Lunch and Dinner.
 
The lunch menu is classic American which features such meals as creamy clam chowder, pot roast, fish and chips, Burger and pasta. As well as grilled chicken salad for a lighter meal.
 
Dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern is a Thanksgiving feast. Served family style, the menu includes all-you-can eat portions of turkey breast, pork roast, pot roast, potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, and macaroni and cheese.
And in true Disney style there are tasty desserts like fruit cobbler, sorbet, Boston Cream Pie and the Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake, combination of vanilla cake, toffee filling, caramel, and ice cream.
 
Menus do change, so go to Link to view the current menu: 
Reservations are recommended.
 
Note: In 2009, the Liberty Tree Tavern ended Characters Dining. To fit the theming in the restaurant the characters, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale were in patriotic attire.
References:

The Liberty Tree

In Liberty Square is an enormous Southern Live Oak tree that stands right outside Liberty Tree Tavern and is adorned with 13 hanging lanterns, symbolizing the 13 original colonies.

History

The name Liberty Tree has a full significant story and heritage appropriate for the theming of Liberty Square.

The history behind the Liberty Tree begins in 1765 when the British government imposed a Stamp Act on the American colonies. It required all legal documents, permits, commercial contracts, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards in the American colonies to carry a tax stamp.
In August 1765, a colonists gathered in Boston under a large elm tree to protest this hated tax. Patriots who later called themselves the Sons of Liberty hung an effigy of the colonist, chosen by King George III to impose the Stamp Act, in the branches of the tree. It was the first public show of defiance against the Crown and spawned the resistance that led to the American Revolution. A sign saying "Tree of Liberty" was later nailed to the trunk of the tree and soon other cities and towns across the thirteen colonies began creating their own Liberty Trees with lanterns hung amongst the branches. As resistance to the British grew, flags bearing a representation of the Liberty Tree were flown to symbolize the spirit of liberty. Liberty Square features its own Liberty Tree and a restaurant that bears its name pays homage to several of the Founding Fathers who played a major role in the creation of the nation.
  
The tree is over 130 years old, and at 38 tons it is the largest living thing in all of Magic Kingdom Park. Implanting the tree from its original location eight miles away was by no means an easy task. Bill Evans was called on to develop a method for safely moving this huge Tree.
 
Note: Bill Evans was involved in creating the landscaping for the Jungle Cruise. See Chapter 9 – Adventureland 
Walt Disney World Imagineers designed Liberty Square to represent a Revolutionary-era America just in time for the country’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976.
Walt Disney purchased the film rights of Esther Forbes’ prize-winning Johnny Tremain. The adventure film of the same name featured the Liberty Tree in America’s War of Independence.
Disney produced a movie in 1957. The story tells of a lad who was badly injured as an apprentice silversmith* then finds himself deeply involved in the American Revolution. In one scene of the movie we see Johnny and the Sons of Liberty hanging lanterns on the Liberty Tree. Some of the music used in this movie can be heard in the Liberty Square area.
 
*Note: From 1972 to 1996, there was a Silversmith Shop in the building that is now the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe and the "proprietor" of this shop was Johnny Tremain. More in Chapter 16.
 
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Note: The original Liberty Tree in Boston was cut down in 1825. At the site of Washington and Essex called “Liberty Tree Plaza” is a plaque noting the spot where the tree one stood.
 If you are interested in more History behind this great American Revolution Symbol, check out this link:

Liberty Bell

Between the Liberty Tree Tavern and the Liberty Tree stand a replica of the Liberty Bell.
It was cast for Walt Disney World Resort in 1989. According to the Disney Parks official blog, “The bell was cast for Walt Disney World in Annecy-le Vieux, France by the Paccard Fonderie, using the exact same mold as the original Liberty Bell. It was placed into its present location just in time for the 1989 Independence Day Celebration.

History

It tolled for the First Continental Congress in 1774 and on July 8, 1776, it tolled for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. During this era of unrest it become known as The Bell of Independence and The Bell of Revolution.
 
During the Revolutionary war it was taken to Allentown, Pennsylvania and hidden in a church so the British wouldn't find it. A year later, it was returned to the State House in Philadelphia and on September 3, 1783 was rung to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Paris which ended the Revolutionary War.
 
In 1835 while being used to mourn the death of Chief Justice Marshall it cracked. In 1846, it was rung for the last time to commemorate George Washington's birthday.
 
Although it can no longer be rung, it occupies a special place in American history. Today it is best known as The Herald of Freedom and the Liberty Bell.
 
http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/details/magic-kingdom/liberty-square/the-liberty-bell
 
There are two controversial stories regarding the Liberty Bells made for each state:
 
  • In 1976, each state received a replica of the Liberty Bell in celebration of the Bicentennial.
  • The state replicas of the Liberty Bell were actually cast in 1950, as a huge publicity stunt for the Liberty Bell Savings Bond Drive.
http://disneytrivia.tumblr.com/post/34501185510/urban-legend-the-liberty-bell-in-liberty-square
The Liberty Bell was originally call the Province Bell. It was ordered from the English bell foundry of Whitechapel in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Assembly to be used for the 50th anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges which established the founding of Pennsylvania.
 
Soon after it arrived it was tested me for tonal quality. However, with a second strike it cracked. It was melted down and recast. With the original inscriptions "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof" and "By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania for the State House in Philadelphia."
It was now known as the State House Bell and used to call the Pennsylvania legislators to assemblies. As English rule became more and more intolerable it was used to summon people together to discuss and protest issues they considered unfair.
We’ve reached the end of Chapter 15, but not the end of our tour of Liberty Square. There is still so much more to see and do.

In Chapter 16, we’ll check out the Shoppes in Liberty Square. There’s a lot more history and backstory besides merchandize in the Shoppes. Then we’ll visit the Hall of President’s and a patriotic view of American History. (and a place to go to cool down in the Summer)

    We would definitely like to hear from you.
    Let us know what you think, suggestions, ideas, and absolutely if we've missed anything.
Afterword:
WDWMousing.com is designed to be a tour of Walt Disney World through photos. We have been to Walt Disney World countless times over the past 25 years and accumulated a magnitude of photos in that time. This website is an intention to combine two of our favorite pastimes, Walt Disney World and photography, and provide an insightful pictorial tour.
While doing so, we've done an extensive research of the internet and literary sources for background information on each area and atrraction. The information is available, but most bits and pieces are scattered all over. WDWMousing doesn't intend to rewrite the stories, legends or data, but to try and collect it into one location with reference and links to the original articles and authors. And giving rightful credit. We've stumbled through quite a bit of mis-information, most of which came to life by fans because the origins were lost, forgotten or no one seems to remember. Over the past 25 years we've also lost most of the great Imagineers that helped develop, design and build the original concepts of Walt Disney World. So we believe it's extremely important to make sure that their efforts, intentions, details and creativity in making this Happiest Place on Earth isn't lost.
So we ask for feedback, insights, and suggestions.

Thank you
WDWMousing