Knott’s Berry Farm of Yesteryear – A Gallery of Photos
What began in 1920 as a roadside stand selling berries, berry preserves, and pies from fruit grown on the family’s 10-acre leased farm, is now the 12th most visited theme park in North America with 40 rides and 10,000 employees. The park evolved slowly over the years, as the Knotts started selling fried chicken dinners in 1934, followed by a replica Ghost Town in 1940, a stagecoach and saloon, a Haunted Shack and the Bird Cage Theater, and numerous other attractions leading up to Walter Knotts’ decision to fence the place in 1968 and start charging admission.
There was a log ride and a Wild West Stunt Show; Wacky Soap Box Racers and a Barn Dance. These were followed by Kingdom of the Dinosaurs and Bigfoot Rapids, and faster, more extreme amusements like Xcelerator and Supreme Scream. Restaurants like TGI Friday’s and Johnny Rocket have moved in. The Ghost Town remains, but parts of it are forever changed to progress. And, yes, the park still sells the jams and preserves, but “Knotts” no longer appears on the label.
What follows below is a look back at the Knott’s Berry Farm of yesteryear, before the wheels of progress took hold, when simpler times were reflected in the simple charm of this California icon’s early years.
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Walter and Cordelia Knott stand in front of their “original berry stand” at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park.
Ghost Town at Knott’s Berry Farm in the 1940’s.
Ghost Town jail and adjacent graveyard in 1941.
The Lucky Cuss Mine in Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town.
Wood carver Andy Anderson with Sad Eye Joe at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1941.
The Stagecoach, pictured here in 1950, was the first “ride” at Knott’s Berry Farm.
Music Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm, circa 1950s.
This photo from 1969 shows some interesting characters along the Log Ride.
The cast of “The Streets of New York” from the opening season of the Bird Cage Theatre at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1954. The theater was intended to be a replica of the historic Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona.
Myrtle Carroll makes Easter bunnies in the candy kitchen at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1957.
Miniature cars at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1958.
The Sheriff John Show in Wagon Camp, circa 1963.
Dry Gulch Pack Station and Railroad Supply House at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1964. Mule rides originated and ended at this location.
Ghost Town’s Main Street in 1967.
Roy Rogers & Dale Evans TV broadcast from Knott’s Berry Farm in the 1970s.
The Arcade at Knott’s in the 1970s.
Knott’s Berry Farm entrance in 1973.
