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Rarely seen photos of Disneyland's construction released for 60th birthday

Monday, May 18, 2015

An aerial view of the site before construction begins on Disneyland park.The original site was made up of parcels of land owned by 17 different people.

Framework of Main Street Station is constructed in Disneyland park.The station is one of the first things guest see as they enter Disneyland park.

Progress continues on the construction of Main Street Station. It is the popular starting point of the "Grand Circle Tour" of the Disneyland Railroad.

Workers lay the foundation of the trolley tracks along Main Street. Horse-drawn streetcars travel on these tracks today, going between Town Square and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

A unique view of the beginnings of Town Square and Main Street, U.S.A. through the clock tower at Main Street Station in Disneyland park.

A crane lifts the large metal cresting that rests atop City Hall. This opening day building is still an iconic landmark in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A.

The structure of Sleeping Beauty Castle takes shape. The 77-foot tall castle is the centerpiece of Disneyland park and has inspired unique Magic Kingdom parks around the world.

The rear of Sleeping Beauty Castle takes shape. The 77-foot tall castle is the centerpiece of Disneyland park and has inspired unique Magic Kingdom parks around the world.

An aerial view of Disneyland park after excavation of the site. Less than a year after construction began, Disneyland park opened on July 17, 1955.

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Rarely seen photos of Disneyland's construction released for 60th birthdayAn aerial view of the site before construction begins on Disneyland park.The original site was made up of parcels of land owned by 17 different people.

Disneyland Resort/ABC News

To celebrate 60 years of bringing the magic off the screen and into the lives of tourists from around the world, take a look at these remarkable, rarely seen photos of Disneyland's construction from 1954 to 1955.

In the photos, the rural landscape transforms into Sleeping Beauty's Castle and empty boneyards of dirt become the foundation of Main Street trolley tracks. In its first year, Disneyland hosted more than one million attendees, and quadrupled the following year. In 2013, the park's attendance climbed to an all-time high of more than 16 million guests.

Disney celebrates the 60th anniversary of the park's opening on July 18, 1955 throughout the summer with the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration -- kicking off with a 24-hour event at Disneyland and California Adventure in Anaheim on Friday, May 22.

Watch ABC's special coverage on Disneyland the day before it opened

Tap to view if on News app.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this station.