More on Merriweather Adam Pleasure

To expand on my previous post, here is an excerpt from an article that appeared in the fall 1989 issue of Disney News:

"Legend has it (Disney "Imagineering" legend, that is) that sometime in 1911 industrialist, inventor, and bon vivant Merriweather Adam Pleasure debarked his Mississippi Riverboat at Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and claimed a small island as his own. Here he created a bustling enterprise — Pleasure Canvas and Sailmaking, Ltd. Buildings quickly sprouted.

Dominating the skyline were the Canvas Fabrication Plant, Sailmaking Factory, and Administration building. Smaller shops made up Chandler Row — a brass foundry, upholstery shop, tool crib, and graphics shop, all for lavish, unique yacht ornamentation. Later, a library was built and became the headquarters for globetrotter Pleasure's Adventurers Club. In 1924, Pleasure sent to China for the latest in pyrotechnics and built his fireworks factory. Finally, to contain his collection of desert flora, he built an elaborate greenhouse.

Merriweather Pleasure was lost at sea in 1941 and his island of industry soon fell into neglect. More than forty years later the Disney Imagineers discovered the wreckage, worked a little magic, and, voila, from the ashes arose Pleasure Island, a night-time hot spot with nightclubs, eateries, A 10-screen movie house, and non-stop entertainment. Each of the buildings has been refurbished to house the ultimate in after-dark excitement."