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December 20
1892 - Benjamin Harrison establishes 555,520-acre San Gabriel Timberland Reserve (Angeles National Forest). First forest reserve in California, second in U.S. [story]
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Legendary Walt Disney Imagineering costume designer and Chouinard alum Alice Estes Davis, known for her design work for Disney theme park attractions It’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean, died on Thursday, Nov. 3. She was 93.

Born in Escalon, Calif., Davis exhibited artistic talents from an early age. In 1947, the Long Beach Art Association offered Davis a scholarship to study costume design at Chouinard Art Institute, then known as a training ground for Disney artists and the precursor to California Institute of the Arts. During her studies, she took an animation night class taught by Marc Davis, who went on to become one of Disney’s legendary “Nine Old Men” and to whom Alice would be married from 1956 until his passing in 2000.

Davis began her career designing women’s undergarments and lingerie, earning a reputation as an accomplished patternmaker. Her prodigious skill with a variety of textiles earned her the title of head designer at Beverly Vogue & Lingerie House in Los Angeles, where she also helmed two exclusive lingerie lines.

In 1954, Davis was brought into Disney’s fold when Marc requested she design a costume for Helene Stanley, who served as the live model for Princess Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty.”

“Marc wanted to see how the skirt worked in live dance steps, and that was my first job at Disney,” Davis once recalled. Davis was subsequently hired to design costumes for Disney television shows and the 1960 feature “Toby Tyler.”

The designer’s introduction to Disney Imagineering happened in 1963, when Walt Disney recruited Davis and fellow Chouinardian Mary Blair for costume design for the It’s a Small World attraction at the 1964-65 World’s Fair in New York. Davis and Blair designed and oversaw the creation of more than 300 costumes for the iconic ride’s audio animatronic dolls.

Davis garnered numerous accolades throughout her career. In 2004, she was named a Disney Legend, the hall of fame program recognizing individuals who have made exemplary contributions to The Walt Disney Company. At the 2014 Annie Awards, Davis was honored with the June Foray Award for her contributions to the animation industry.

Davis was also granted one of Walt Disney Imagineering’s highest honors in 2012: her own window on Main Street, USA in Disneyland. Her window was placed next to one honoring her husband Marc Davis.

“I couldn’t be more happy accepting, knowing that for years both Marc and I have had the great pleasure of bringing great fun and joy to people,” Davis said at the induction ceremony. “That was the jewel of our hearts and will always be.”

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HIGHER EDUCATION LINKS
LOCAL COLLEGE HEADLINES
Friday, Dec 19, 2025
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees failed to complete its annual organizational vote to elect a new board president during its meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025
The study of bones from the largest collection of Neandertal remains in Northern Europe has revealed evidence of selective cannibalism targeting Neandertal females and children between 41,000 and 45,000 years ago.
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025
Southern California’s iconic Joshua trees are in bloom, and California State University, Northridge’s environmental biologists are asking the public’s help in figuring out why and what it means for the trees’ future.
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025
The University Library at California State University, Northridge has completed the processing and cataloging of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation Community Relations Committee (CRC) Archives, spanning from 1921 to 2000, providing researchers and the public access to one of the most comprehensive archives documenting the Jewish community’s role in combating antisemitism, fascism and discrimination in Southern California and beyond.
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2025
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will host its annual organizational and business meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
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