140 Comments:

• Hi, Steve,
  
  In a lot of ways, Knott's is an icon of local nostalgia. There's still so much there that hasn't changed, and that makes it special, particularly when you compare it to a plastic-moulded, cartoony kind of joint like Disneyland. That's one of the things I love about Knott's - with the older attractions, most of them are wood and iron. It may be transplanted from somewhere (like the Bottle House) but at least it's real.
  
  The pan for gold feature used to be a major attraction right outside the exit gates, and not just an overlooked booth in an out of the way place like it is now. It was a big deal back when the ghost town was still a main focus. That train - the big one, not the mine train - is authentic and one of the oldest steam engines in operation - I think I remember that it's the only narrow-gauge steam train left. The 'bandits' who robbed the train used to act scarier, and actually used to take stuff from the passengers, if I'm remembering that correctly and not through a kid's-eye view. Same for the 'bandits' who would rob the stagecoach.
  
  If you're remembering the haunted shack, do you remember in the old jail cell, there used to be a speaker hidden in there, and a guy was stationed in one of the buildings above or behind it, talking to the visitors as though he was the old mannequin in the cell? It gave everyone a jump - funniest to see some big bear of a tourist jump and shriek when the hidden man started talking to him. High embarrassment and daring for all the girls was to actually chat with the guy.
  
  One thing I always passed by, but never visited, was the alligator farm across the street, and I wonder if anyone remembers that...
  
  Pretty neat that you have the email from the gentleman whose father sold Walter Knott the land.
  
  m.

  By  Anonymous, at April 07, 2005 8:17 PM  

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• Hello there. I used to go to Knott's every weekend after it closed to go dancing back in the 80's. I will always have fond memories of Knott's as a kid growing up in Cypress.

  By  Noel, at April 09, 2005 5:29 PM  

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• I used to go to Knotts every weekend when i was in Jr. High back in 1990. We had so much fun. Grandpa would drop me off and give me five bucks to walk down to McD's and get a happy meal for lunch, then the change would be used for the ice cream shop next to the old soap box racers ride. i remember the stagecoach and how "scary" the robbers were... it was so much fun.

  By  Josanna, at April 16, 2005 10:48 PM  

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• Hey Steve,
  Being an ex-pat O.C.er (born in Santa Ana,raised in F.V./H.B) some of my earliest memories are of Knott's.I can remember as a 4 or 5 year old my Mom taking me to Knott's to feed the seals and put me on the old Model T ride,still free to get in back then...I am 41 now.
  My absloute greatest memories of Knott's is from the early '70's when my uncle Leon was one of the stuntmen working in the ghost town (he was a teacher and did this in the summer and other school breaks).It was all pretty cool,he did the gunfights,(he was one of the guys who'd get "shot" and fall off the roof of the bank building).
  Now,they used to have a Medicine Show where the "snake-oil salesman" would pull a bald(ing) guy out of the audience to ply his trade (he'd close a curtain,put a gorilla mask on the guy,them open the curtain back up),at this point,my uncle would come in,guns blazing,to chase the charlatan off...His line as he came in was "Hey!That's my brother-in-law you have up there!".Well,when I was there with my folks one day,my Dad got picked out of the audience (had a pretty good bald spot my dad did).Here comes Uncle Leon,guns blazing to break up the show,realizes who's up on the stage and still managed to stay in character and finish the show.This was at least 30 years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday.....After the show,Leon,Dad and the "Medicine Man" talking....Leon:"You're not going to believe this,but this REALLY is my brother-in-law".
  Great memories all,but probably the best (at least as a ten year old) was when my uncle showed up one morning (I never knew it was coming) to take me to work with him.My god,kid heaven,not only an unexpected trip to an amusement park,but a "behind the scenes" trip to the boot!Leon changing from my uncle to a gunfighter,a trip to the stables (pretty cool for a suburban O.C. boy),and the coolest for me (hell,at 41 it'd still be cool) a tour of the roundhouse and all their real (as opposed to D-land's) RR equipment.I'll never forget it,and Knott's to this day is the one amusement park I'd want to visit if I ever go "home" again for longer than a day....I'm convinced that for me,the "O.C." was a mistake of birth,lived my entire adult life in Nor Cal.Currently 12 miles from the northern entrance to Yosemite...Y'all can keep that mess down there.
  Dave

  By  Dave Howland, at June 10, 2005 7:00 PM  

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• I visited Knott's Berry Farm as a youngster (late 1940's and the 1950's) and have fondest memories of the ghost town, the jail (with the "prisoner" who would offer personal comments to you) and the train and stage coach rides that were "robbed" on every trip. I still have a vial of gold that I panned there in about 1951!

  By  Jim, at June 14, 2005 8:15 AM  

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• I am goin to be 48 real soon and One of my fondest memmories of Knott's is the benches that have the saloon girls where you have your picture taken with them, and always being amazed when the photos would come back, they looked so real when you first glanced. The shop with the bottles in the walls and of course the haunted shack. I always wondered how they did that and if it was realy hanuted.
  
  Lindee Brown Montebello, CA

  By  ilindee, at July 09, 2005 11:59 PM  

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• I have fond memories of Knott's.I used to work there in the 80's(Roaring 20s & Fiesta Village).But as a child,I remember all the chickens walking around and the pond w/paddleboats by Independence Hall.I used to go to Jungle Island and remember all the painted driftwood & the little bridge you'd go across to enter the island.My mom used to take me & my brother there all the time.In Knott's itself I remember the Cowboy show where they'd fall off the roof when they got shot & the scary robbers on the stagecoach & train.The parachute ride was scary but cool & I loved "racing" the other drivers in the soapbox derby.My husband remembers they were motorcycles before they changed to cars.
  Also,I did go to the Alligator Farm once.From what I remember,there were a bunch of cement pits with alligators & the thrill was watching the keeper feed them.

  By  Anonymous, at July 20, 2005 7:52 AM  

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• The chickens running around, the haunted shack, the seals, the mules, the motorcycle racers, the GOOD bumper cars, Corkscrew, the dancers in the Fiesta Village, The model Ts that you could actually drive ... Where did it all go?

  By  Anonymous, at August 26, 2005 4:51 PM  

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• I have an original Knotts Berry Farm restaurant menu. Wish we could all eat today at those early prices!!!

  By  Anonymous, at August 26, 2005 7:30 PM  

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• Hi Steve,
  
  Knott's Berry Farm is one of the best memories I have of my childhood in the early 60's. I'm 52 now and remember the place like it was yesterday. We lived close by and my Mother would take my brother and I there every day for lunch at The Grill. I use to love the coloring menus they gave out to the kids. A waitress gave one of my (autographed) colored menus to Walter Knott. He wrote a letter thanking us for the 'work of art' and invited my brother and I to visit with him the next time we were there. What a thrill that was for a youngster, we were in the presence of greatness...our tongues got tied and all we could do was stare. He was such a patient, gentle man and made us feel at home right away. He gave us a tour of his office and showed us all the wonderful wood carvings he had collected. I still have the letter he wrote and it always brings a smile to my face.
  
  Those were the good old days, the farm was not fenced in, free admission, peacocks roamed freely on the grounds...their love calls would echo through the park. 'One Eyed Joe' was incarcerated in that small jail cell...he always remembered my name and would ask if I was behaving myself! The Bird Cage Theatre, The Haunted Shack, The sound of that train whistle blowing, announcing it's departure for a ride around the farm...and getting held up by bandits along the way.
  
  Does anyone remember a man called INOR? He use to run the trolley and played Santa Claus during Christmas time...we loved that man! My favorite place to be was Old Mcdonalds Farm...chickens would play a minuature piano for food, the sway backed horse, the friendly, hungry seals in the pool outside...I can still hear them barking for food. Walking through a gold mine and panning for gold dust at the end of the trail. Having your picture taken on a bucking horse, blackberry ice cream cones, the best chicken dinner I've ever had and rhurbarb pie with ice cream for dessert. The old Model T cars kids could drive...what a thrill that was for a child. The little white chapel where you would listen to beautiful music and watch the eyes of Jesus open magically...I cry to this day whenever I hear that music...it was such a beautiful time in my life.
  
  When I was in my late teens I wanted to go experience that magic again, but when I saw the fencing and the new rides in the background, I knew Walter Knott was gone and so was the magic I once knew as a child. The wonderful memories of that time gone by (through a childs eye) will always remain in my heart.

  By  KAREN MAPLE, at September 04, 2005 12:24 PM  

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• Wow, what a bunch of great memories. I stumbled on to this site because I was trying to track down the lyrics from the old Berry Tales ride. Remember, the ride came to an end with the wolf being locked up just out of reach of the pie? There was a song that played as the ride came to an end, and for whatever reason, that song gets in my head every now and then and I can't remember the words. Kind of stupid, I know, but I thought I might find an answer out there on the internet somewhere. As for Knott's Berry Farm, I practically grew up there. My entire family worked there before I was born and in fact, at one time our family outnumbered the Knott family. My grandma lasted the longest, spending most of her time in the General Store and the old school house. She even played Mrs. Clause once or twice. Anyway, Knott's is a great place. I'd love to get back there some day just to see if there's anything I still recognize.

  By  Anonymous, at September 16, 2005 2:54 PM  

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• I remember in the 1950's there were stuffed horses that you could sit on and have your picture taken (with a cowboy hat too!) There were also other cardboard pictures you could stand behind and put your head in so the body looked like it belonged to you. Do they still have these things for picture taking? Also there was a stagecoach that a few people could sit in and have their pictures taken. What happened to these? Knotts has changed a lot!

  By  Anonymous, at October 12, 2005 9:20 PM  

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• I remember in the 1950's there were stuffed horses that you could sit on and have your picture taken (with a cowboy hat too!) There were also other cardboard pictures you could stand behind and put your head in so the body looked like it belonged to you. Do they still have these things for picture taking? Also there was a stagecoach that a few people could sit in and have their pictures taken. What happened to these? Knotts has changed a lot!

  By  Anonymous, at October 12, 2005 9:21 PM  

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• I was wondering if anybody knows what happened to the dinosour ride that used to be the Knott's Berry Tales ride? The line for that ride during Halloween Haunt would reach up to 4 hours long. I was also wondering what they are putting in its place. It was somewhat of a relaxing ride and kind of fun. Just wondering.

  By  fullermrf, at November 04, 2005 5:15 PM  

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• We moved to Calif. in 1956 and my parents took me to Knott's Chicken Dinner for my 12th birthday. Remember the little tart that floated on top of the rhubarb? There were no choices; all salad had French dressing, and cabbage came with each dinner. We loved the seals because our Dad would "bark" and imitate them! Remember the old miner that stood at the entrance? What was his name? Remember Mott's Miniatures, the organ grinder with his monkey, the replicas of the Calif. missions and the Church of Reflection. It was the white church that Walter Knott brought to the farm 50 years ago so his employees that had to work on Sunday would not have to miss church. Did you know he taught Sunday School on the train? Church of Reflection has been moved across the street beside Independence Hall to make room for the new ride, but service is still held every Sunday morning at 11:00 with several employees in attendence. There is a core congregation plus tourists and visitors each Sunday. The church is also available for weddings. Nov. 13th we will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary. Come, join us and relive your Knott's memories. The bell rings at 10 mins. til 11:00 and church is only 1 hour. There is a rooster and his "lady" that greet us as they roam the area.

  By  MJ, at November 05, 2005 3:08 PM  

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• I remember having a birthday party at Knotts. They had, if I remember correctly, a train car, tree house and gazebo. I also remember the gumball machines that had a little man with a scoop that would scoop the gumball and drop it into the shoot.

  By  Anonymous, at November 05, 2005 10:15 PM  

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• I remember having a birthday party at Knotts. They had, if I remember correctly, a train car, tree house and gazebo. I also remember the gumball machines that had a little man with a scoop that would scoop the gumball and drop it into the shoot. This would have been in the late 50's early 60's.

  By  Anonymous, at November 05, 2005 10:16 PM  

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• I remember ditching classes from western high school and going over to knotts,which was only a few blocks away.Tiger woods also went to western. Do you remember the little church with the portrait of jesus which seemed to come to life after you looked at it awhile? The indian teepees, the old indian by the locomotive? The telescope near the seals, the haunted shack,judge roy beans shed,the bee hive inside the glass case,the wonderful candy store. You could really feel our pioneer past. I shoulda been a cowboy!

  By  Anonymous, at November 11, 2005 7:00 PM  

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• Knotts was my first job. I worked in the buffet line in Fiesta village. I only worked there a couple of months. (At one point, me and my 2 brothers worked there at the same time) When i quit, I never turned in my I.D., so I was able to get in for free anytime I wanted.
  My earliest memory was the pond across the street and the little train that went around it. We would put pennies on the track so the train would smash them. Once the driver stopped the train in the middle of the ride, got out of the train and kicked off all our pennies! He was not happy.
  I also remember the Corkscrew. I went to Walter Knott Elementary School and we would watch the Corkscrew go up to begin the ride. We couldn't wait to be tall enough to go on it. I'm 34 today and luckily I was able to ride on it before they got rid of it (BRING IT BACK!!!!!!)
  The jail cell with the speaker in it is controlled by a man in a window just before you enter the walkway. You can give him a note telling him to ask your friends a question that only they would know. It's funny to see their reaction trying to figure out how some Knotts employee knows about them. HILARIOUS!!
  I'm going today because veterans and their spouses get in free. I go every year. It never gets old! (But I wouldn't mind if the change the stunt show a little bit)

  By  paul.mc, at November 18, 2005 8:01 AM  

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• I'm almost 50 so I have a lot of great childhood memories of the good old days at Knott's. We lived in La Mirada so we were able to go pretty often with free admission. Does anyone remember the fishing pond out in the parking lot? I must have been around 5 or 6 but I still remember because I had my first experience catching a fish there. I remember the drive-em-yourself model T's. They were so much fun with no track. I also recall there was a model T ride on a track that I liked to ride when I was small and it's long gone. What else? The original Old MacDonalds farm. Going to birthday parties in the kids' party area. Feeding the seals fish out of those little paper bags. The mules were probably my favorite ride. I remember the organ grinder with his monkey too. When I was little I must have held on to my penny too long one because the monkey grabbed my hair and wouldn't let go-I was terrified then but now it's funny. Does anyone remember the boats you could actually paddle around in the lake by the chapel? They were there a very long time ago. One last thing that is gone, is the Steak House. I was fascinated with all the furs and relics hanging inside. Looks like that restaurant was sacrificed to fit in Ghost Rider. Now I take my children and thank goodness Ghost Town is still there and the man in jail, the train, the Calico Mine ride, the stagecoach, and a few others that bring back warm memories that I can share with them. The quaintness of Knott's is disappearing. It's sad to see but hopefully the old parts won't totally be destroyed.

  By  Anonymous, at November 22, 2005 12:30 PM  

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• HELLO: I MOVED TO GARDEN GROVE IN 1946 AFTER MARRYING A NATIVE CALIFORNIAN. OUR FIRST CHILD WAS BORN IN 1954 AND WE USED TO GO TO KNOTTS ON THURSDAY EVENING FOR SUPPER ON THE GRASS (PICNIC FROM HOME) AND THEN GO INTO THE PARK AND LISTEN TO THE ENTERTAINMENT. AS CHILDREN WERE ADDED TO OUR FAMILY, IT BECAME A RITUAL TO GO TO KNOTT'S FOR OUR PICNIC SUPPER AND THEN STROLL THRU THE PARK.
  I AM NOW 80 YRS OLD AND MY CHILDREN NOW TAKE THEIR KIDS TO KNOTT'S. I WONDER HOW THEY CAN AFFORD IT, THO.

  By  NORMA SEPULVEDA, at December 17, 2005 9:18 PM  

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• I grew up in Buena Park in the 1950's and have many fond memories of Knott's Berry Farm. One of my fondest is when I was about 5-6 years old I strolled down La Palma Ave. Crossed Hwy 39 (now referred to as Beach Blvd) Marched right passed the Gold Miner Statue and into the Park. I just loved watching the carrousel go around and around. The music was loud and upbeat. All of the people seemed to be enjoying themselves, children, as well as adults. Well, I figured I might as well go for a ride too. When the carrousel slowed to a stop, I Jumped up, walked around to the horse of my choice put my feet in the styrups, away we go. Oh what a glorious time I WAS HAVING, THAT IS UNTIL a Man walked up to me and asked me for a ticket. Oh my, I pointed at a nice looking grandmother sitting on a bench and when the ride was over, I jumped off the horse and ran like heck down La Palma, to Dale and then to my house. Mom did not even know I was gone. Whew! Who remembers playing at Jungle Island, across the street from Knotts???

  By  Anonymous, at January 26, 2006 12:04 AM  

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• HELLO, ONE OF MY BEST MEMORIES OF KNOTTS BERRY FARM WAS OF COURSE, GOING DANCING AT STUDIO K AND CLOUD NINE BACK IN THE 80'S. I WAS 15 AT THE TIME BUT THOSE MEMORIES WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER!

  By  LISA, at January 26, 2006 11:40 PM  

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• i remember going to knotts when i was 6 or 7 . there was a old locomotive near the blacksmith shop that was a old mine engine. i used to play on that thing for hours wile my mother and aunt would set on some benches and talk. she said she could leave me there( you could do that in those days with out any worry, not now i guess) and come back and id still be there playing. i hope to go ther again and see if the old engine is still there. that was in the mid 1950's i remember seeing mr. knott walking around then he would alway stop and set with my mom and aunt and talk for a little wile. my father was in the army then and he would always ask how he was. my dad was stationed overseas for nearly a year and mom and i lived with my aunt and uncle who lived about a mile from knotts.we went there 3or 4 times a month. it was a wounderful place that i will always remember. kurt age 57

  By  kurt, at February 14, 2006 12:40 PM  

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• I ONCE LIVED IN BUENA PARK,IN 1988,AND 1989, AND I CAN REMEMBER GOING EVERY WEEKEND TO KNOTTS. I WENT TO BUENA PARK JR HIGH, SO SOME DAY I WILL RETURN, TO MY FAVORITE PLACE IN SOUTHERN CAL.
  
  I LIVE IN OKLAHOMA NOW, BUT WILL RETURN TO HOPEFULLY REUNITE WITH MY OLD FREINDS.

  By  Anonymous, at February 17, 2006 12:23 PM  

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• I grew up within walking distance of Knotts berry farm.on what was known as stanton ave and hwy 39 back in 1955. we lived between orange ave and ball road. walked there many times as a young girl. in 1964 at the age of 14 got my first kiss in the Indian village. they wanted to get rid of us kids so they started charging money to get in.but when walter and cordelia owned the park it was a wonderful childhood dream. they had seals you could feed, and all kinds of free things that could make a young person happy. I never even learned how to cook fried chicken until I was 35 because my mom would always drive a mile down to Knotts and get their chicken. I was quite fond of the gizzards.. the kentucy guy could never hold a candle to mrs. Knotts fried chicken and gizzards.went there with my husband two years ago and was so upset to see a part of Americana turned into such a money making mess. everything was under constuction and the little chappel that would show Jesus was long gone, along with the seals and the indian village and the chickens that would roam around free. I feel sorry for those of you that were not around to see what Mr. and Mrs. Knott gave to all of us as children.Progress is not that good. I am ashamed of what their children did to their beautiful part of Buena Park.

  By  Anonymous, at February 23, 2006 4:34 PM  

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• I went to Knott's in the late 60's and early 70's. I loved the cemetary, Boot Hill, and the one grave where you could stand on it and feel a heart beating through your feet.
  
  I loved the mule drawn carousel in fiesta village, and the Liger (1/2lion, 1/2 tiger) and I think they had a half zebra half horse too. The candy kitchen with the taffy pulling machine in the window. The stagecoach ride, where, if you stood in the right line and were little enough, you could ride up top with the drivers. But most of all, I loved Jungle Island. You would go out by the chicken dinner restaurant, under the freeway through a tunnel (walking), and come up in the mysterious jungle island, with its wooden animals (weird animals) and witch doctors, and drums playing. There was a limbo bar, and all kinds of wonderful, spooky stuff, and you could just run around and get lost there. I remember once running through the jungle and coming out through some trees and being up on a high hill overlooking a bunch of eucalyptus trees and a freeway, and being so disillusioned--I really thought it was a real jungle! I have had a really hard time getting people to remember this place--I was starting to think I was crazy. I would LOVE to see some photos of it sometime.

  By  Anonymous, at February 24, 2006 3:14 PM  

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• Hey everyone ! I am hoping there are some of you out there that went to Studio K and Cloud 9 at Knotts Berry Farm in Anaheim. I spent the good part of 1987 - 1989 there with a bunch of different friends. Seems every night I was there. I am looking for some photos from either Studio K or Cloud 9 or just hanging out at Knotts. Maybe someone will even remember me or some of the friends I hung with out there. If you would like to take part in the website/tribute, or if you have some photos to contribute, please get in touch with me at slbecker71@comcast.net - Thanks Steve Becker

  By  Anonymous, at March 04, 2006 4:02 PM  

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• I HAVE A GOOD MEMORY WHEN IT COMES TO KNOTTS I STILL EVEN KEEP IN TOUCH WITH MY OLD LINE DANCING FRIENDS.FROM 91-99. IS LINE DANCING STILL THERE? KNOTTS ISNT NOTHING WITHOUT IT LOL ,MONIQUE FROM ANAHEIM PS. I MISS JT AND DUSTY!!!!!!!!!

  By  Anonymous, at March 10, 2006 10:52 PM  

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• Wow, What great comments by lovers of Knott's. I grew up in Anaheim in the 50's and 60's and occasionally was treated to a day at "The Farm" (as it was called by employees)..When I was in high school, a buddy of mine was a bus boy at The Chicken Dinner Restaruant. We would get free food and eat in the employees area. His mom was a waitress. My girl friend (now my wife of 36 years) workeed at Sutter's Grub Stake. When I graduated from high school I landed a job atKnott's as A train robber. Man was I lucky. The other robbers told me I was the only guy ever hired off the street(at that point in time) as a train robber. You had to know someone to get on . A guy quit and they needed someone asap and I was in the right place at the right time. I also learned to operate the Baldwin Locomotives and make some of the repairs on them.. It was the greatest job I ever had. It is not the same anymore. It was a great place for young and old. So long OLD TIMER!

  By  Anonymous, at March 15, 2006 2:03 PM  

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• Does anyone have memories or information on the "wagon train" attraction?
  
  I remember from the late 60's a theater that showed a wagon train thru the desert and the tales of the familys that were suffering on the way. To this day I remember the child saying "mother... I am so thirsty... do we have any water?"
  
  Any information would be helpfull.
  
  Thanks

  By  Anonymous, at April 02, 2006 10:37 AM  

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• Does anyone remember the Knott's Fishing Hole that used to be at the corner of Beach/Crescent? Or the swimming pool that was once were the Independence Hall is now. I grew up across the street from Knott's and would spend weekends chasing/catching rabbits in the rhubarb fields and HUGE wood piles which is where the water park is now.

  By  Anonymous, at April 04, 2006 1:54 PM  

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• Hi Steve,
  Like reading the comments. Used to go to the park alot in the 80's and was facinated by the cowboys......One sticks out in my mind. He was the Bear in The Wild West Show and also was the comic part in the Salon Show. I beleive his name might have been Bob, but not sure. Does any of your readers know of this person?? I haven't been to the Park in years but have many fond memories.

  By  Anonymous, at April 05, 2006 12:11 PM  

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• Howdy, I would like to answer Dave Howland and his story about the medicine man and his Uncle Leon. That was my husband, the medicine man, and I was the assistant. Sometimes I was dressed as an Indian Maiden and others as a Saloon girl. My husband is Harvey Walker and at that time he was known as Professor Peter Perkins of the PALE, PINK AND PRETTY PURPLE PILLS. We also did the Saloon show. I
  Harvey played Banjo and I sang, Mama goes where papa goes or papa don't go out tonight. I actually have pictures of your Uncle Leon. Harvey started working at Knotts as an orginal Wagonmaster singing and playing in the wagoncamp when he was 15 years old. Mr Knott gave Harvey his first Banjo because he said, medicine men didn't play an electric guitar! So, he told Harvey he would buy him a Banjo if he'd learn to play it. When they built the gates and charged admission is when Marion Knott let the Wagonmasters go, this was in 1968. Many years later at an employee's dinner she called Harvey on stage and said that was the biggest mistake she had ever made. Harvey also had a group out there called "The Here and Now" which played the John Wayne theatre five days a week. Harvey went on in several positions and is currently Booking Coordinator in the Entertainment office. He has been at Knotts for a total of 55 years! Our daughters grew up at Knotts, our oldest daughter Brandi danced at Studio K every weekend and eventually went to work at the Birdcage Theatre for many years until the new owners decided to close it, except for holiday shows. She just performed there again this past Christmas for the season's shows. Someone mentioned line dancing with Dusty and JT, I was a part of that group also. They are still teaching out there in Calico Square every weekend. I teach line dancing at Knotts' private parties and functions. There was also a mention of the old guy talking to you in the jail, Harvey did that also from time to time. No one really noticed that the speaker was right next to the entrance of the jail :)Alot of things have changed there and it makes me sad to see the petting zoo, the church, reflections, lake, hotel, peek-ins, all gone. They moved the church across the street or I should say pieces of it and rebuilt it. Someone asked about the wagon train show, that was a story about the Knott family traveling to California, I believe. The new owners choose to gut the hotel and put a store in there. When they did this Harvey found the two cowboys that were leading in one of the trash bins, he took it back inside, had it signed off and it is now on my spare bedroom wall. Another question was about the dinosour ride.....they gutted it and right now there aren't any plans for the space. The question about "Bear" the stuntman, there has always been a "Bear", one of the stuntmen is featured as bear, each time the stunt show is done. Many, many of the stuntmen in Hollywood were trained and worked at Knotts. Dustin Hoffman's stuntman, Toby Keith's, even the past president of the Stuntmans Association was actually the first "Bear". I often wonder what happened to those Can-Can girls/Gypsy Camp from the early 70's when we all shared the same dressing room, sooooo fun!

  By  KC Douglas/aka: Linda Walker, at April 08, 2006 1:23 PM  

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• Hi, Steve, Well reading this column brought back great memories I am 38yrs. old but old enough to remember my Grandparents taking my family to Knotts Berry Farm on Saturday for a Famous Chicken Dinner. But my Fondest was when I was young and there was no fence around the park, and there was only ticket booths where we could buy tickets we would just park on the dirt lot at Crescent and Western the chickens were running everywhere and between the trees I could see the Big Train "Red Cliff" God would I go crazy when they would blow the whistle My Grandfather would allways take us kids on the train before lunch. How about the erupting Volcano!!! Or the little village and small amusement park on the other side of Beach Blvd , Well I paid a recent visit to the park Christmas Eve 2005 and I was delighted to see that my two old friends have been beautifully restored to there original state Rio Grande Southern #41 and Denver and Rio Grande Western #340 Both Locomotives like other things in the park are our heritage But the trains are Living History of the Old West May there whistles and Bells never go silenced. And for some reason I seem to remember they were using .45 Colts with blanks on the train robberys sure seems like it was way louder than it is now. Thank You, Walter Knott
  J. Lewis

  By  Jerry Lewis Jr., at April 13, 2006 12:52 AM  

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• Wow, what a neat site! I worked at the park in the late seventies & mid eighties and last visited in 1991. I bet there has been many changes. I have great memories like alot of the rest of the "posts" left on this site. I still tell people about the bottle house and the authentic western town complete with cowboys, salon girls, Indians, blacksmith and gold mine, where you could actually pan for gold, train & stagecoach. I hope they still have all this. The rides were lots of fun. What a great theme park it used to be. To the Linda Walker post: I remember Harvey Walker and am amazed he is still there. A very talented man. To the Anonymous post about the cowboy named Bob:I believe I know who you are talking about (think I played softball with him). He was in The Wild West Show, did the Can Can Show and even The part of the Medicine Man if my memory serves me correctly. I beleive his last name was Stanbo. There was also a cowboy named Merrit (played softball with him too) that was really good. The bird cage theater was fun. I think Steve Martin got his start there. Sounds like alot of people have great memories of Studio K and Cloud 9. I am on that list. And what great chicken dinners!!I know times change but memories last forever!

  By  Greg, at April 24, 2006 1:22 PM  

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• WOW! I grew up in Buena Park and Knotts Berry Farm to me is as close to perfect a childhood memory gets. My whole family practically worked there. My mom worked in the photo shop where they had that stuffed bucking horse on display to pose on. Just reading all these comments is like being there now.
  
  Thank You!

  By  Anonymous, at May 03, 2006 8:55 PM  

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• TO ANONYMOUS 04/02/2006 QUESTIONS RE: "THE WAGON TRAIN". IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THAT DISPLAY IS WHERE THE THE CANDY STORE IS (NOW ON GRAND AVE. NEXT TO THE CHICKEN RESTARAUNT). THERE WAS ALSO A BEE HIVE ON DISPLAY IN THE SAME BUILDING.
  
  T. HOY - BUENA PARK

  By  Anonymous, at May 09, 2006 9:50 AM  

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• If anyone knows where I can get a picture or a poster of the Knott family's house, I'd like to get one for my husband. I can't seem to find any mention of the model of the house they used to have on display when my husband took his little boys there. It would mean a lot to him.

  By  Anonymous, at May 10, 2006 2:36 PM  

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• My family moved from Ohio to Garden Grove in 1967. It was a great place to grow up back then. We'd see the Disneyland fireworks from our backyard.
  
  I loved going to Knott's when Walter and Cordelia were running it.
  Seems like only the locals liked going to the other side of Beach Blvd/Hwy 39 where they had Independence Hall, Jungle Island, the lake and the carousel. When Mom took us there for a Saturday afternoon, it was a great time. The roosters running loose in the dirt parking lots let us know we were visiting the funnest farm around.
  I might be in a very small minority but I liked going to Independence Hall. Sure it's not a thrill ride but it's Americana and I've always liked that.
  Walter Knott had a lot of pro-American books and pamphlets at Independence Hall, written by himself and other authors that at the time may have reflected a major Conservative influence in Orange County. I still have most of them stored away.
  
  We'd go to the main park but not as often. I liked the church with the transformation of Christ in Fiesta Village. When I was a child, seeing those eyes made me hide behind the pew. I still have one of the souvenir cards from the church with the opening doors cover and the glowing face of Jesus inside. I remember the gondolas along the pond's edge with the nightlights show outside the church.
  My favorite section was Ghost Town. We'd always have to go to Boot Hill with the mortician's eulogy at the hearse and stepping on one of the graves to feel the heartbeat under your feet.
  We'd go inside the schoolhouse and sit at the old desks and Mom bought a set of Mcguffey's Readers to read to us at home.
  I remember the train depot and the print shop where we'd get the "one holer" Ghost Town dollar bills.
  
  Last time I was at Knott's was about 1981 but it seems from other people's memories that some of the good stuff is still there.

  By  Samas Redescu, at May 16, 2006 2:25 AM  

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• I grew up in La Mirada, a few miles away from Buena Park. At three years old I took my first trip to Knott's in 1958. It was wide open, spacious, and you could just walk in. This was how it was for many years after. We would go to feed the seals and ride the mules. The big change to Knott's happened when Walter Knott created The Mine Train Ride. This was HUGE for a kid like me! I believe that the end of Knotts as I knew it came when Russell Knott took over. He created the thrill ride atmosphere,while keeping intact the origional Knott's. As the years go by, more and more of the park-like atmosphere is going away. As the roller coasters and thrill rides continue to be built, i can still vist the old Knott's area, buy a corn dog and sip on Boysenberry Punch. That, is cool.

  By  Russ Tice, at June 01, 2006 5:20 PM  

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• Hi... what a great site here. We just went to Knotts for the first time in about 25 years after having lived in Oregon all that time. Grew up in southern Cal and my Dad and/or visiting relatives would take us kids every summer to Knotts. My late Dad loved the Old West and I grew up loving it and still do.
  
  We met with the stuntmen after the show Friday and enjoyed them. As fans of the Magnificent Seven tv series we noticed one of the stuntmen was dressed like one of the characters so we asked to have our pictures taken with them. Is there a way to write the stuntmen and thank them? We thought of questions we could have asked of them as well since I know some of the people who filmed the tv series.
  
  We had a blast but sure missed so much of the old Ghost Town :(
  
  An elderly man in the little museum said he'd been working there for a couple of decades and told me how the Ghost Town will be next to be taken down for more theme rides! He said the Reflection Chapel was so crumbly when they tried to move it that they couldn't save it. I, too, have my little folding Jesus picture card where His eyes follow you no matter which way you turn.
  
  What are we going to do now that they're taking our old places away for those theme rides? Pouting and mourning. They're taking away the western from movies and tv and now Knotts.

  By  Anonymous, at June 07, 2006 7:46 PM  

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• Hi I went to Kennedy H.S. (class of 87) and I would spend many a weekend nights dancing at Studio K(now where Jaguar sits) and Cloudnine. I spent alot of time before that too just going there as a kid.
  Fast forward to Aug. 2000 when I get a job as a server at Mrs Knotts Chicken Dinner restaurant. It is here that after all that time do I learn teh history of the place and how it all began with the chicken dinners. Well yes they had the farm but on August 26, 1934 to make ends meet friends and family had convinced Cordelia to sell her fried chicken dinner. That night she sold 8 dinners which was served on their wedding china. I fell in love with the history and I am truly sad to say that Ceder Fair LLP (owners) are just ruining a true Icon for America.
  I also found out that across LaPalma Ave where the stables are used to be a shop which 2 brothers owned and they built the Mineshaft Ride and the Logride. they sold tickets back then and leased the space from The Knotts. Back then a certain German decented cartoonist from Burbank used to go to the german enclave of Anaheim to vistit the Wineries. Well he would also stop in to see he friends the 2 brothers who built the rides. I believe that he put 2 and 2 together saw a successful ghost town these rides and his own Mouse cartoon and you get the picture.
  This is what Cedar Fair did while I worked there. They closed the Haunted Shack (it was dilapitated they said) well it was supposed to be that way. They in turn put in a stupid thrill ride that one must pay a seperate price for. They tore down the house which was the offices and original owners place. The oricginal tea and biscuit later restaurant room. This was the breakroom now for us. The treated employees whom had been there some 50 years with a corporate attitude and no respect for what they had put into this Americas 1st Theme Park.
  I could go on and on but it will just Piss me More.....I have my fond memories and thats the best part. Outside of the great people I worked with.

  By  Marc J Steele, at June 15, 2006 8:01 PM  

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• Hi Steve,
  I was a Knott's yesterday. I can't walk around the place without trying to figure out what used to be here and there and what is missing. I am 55 so I have been going there for many years. I remember Ghost Town being larger and having more buildings. I recall a grist mill that seems to be long gone. I also remember some very cool gumball machines. You would put in your coin and a little man inside would turn a crank to make the gumball come out! I visited the saloon when I was there yesterday. Wow, just like old times. I was surprised to see that in addition to sasparilla, they actually sell real beer! One of the dancehall girls in the show even flung a garter at me. What a trip! Now if they could only find some decent terrain for the narrow gauge train to cross. All you can see out of the windows are back walls of buildings. Oh well, at least the train is still up and running.
  Dave

  By  Anonymous, at June 28, 2006 9:57 AM  

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• Hi Steve,
  
  What a great site…It’s been fun reading the memories of all the Knott’s attendees throughout the generations; I, also have many fond memories. They start when I was 11, I was on a small clogging team and would dance there every weekend in the summer… That first summer as I recall was 1978, Al Detriech would call a few of us kids off of several different teams and have us dance at the entrance in the 90 degree heat, in the early afternoon…As our feet were flying 90 miles an hour he would take off his cowboy hat and fan our feet as if smoke were rising off of them..(In all actualality it was dust ) but it felt like our feet were on fire, with those black tap shoes YEOW that’s for sure. Anyway we would finish that, and change into our own team outfits and do our shows at night in calico square….Back then, and along into the early 90’s we, and all the other clogging teams would attract a huge crowd… People would buy annual passes just to come in and see the cloggers.. In the late 80’s I met Harvey Walker as he would book our shows with the Sugarfoot Stompers… A few years later around 1991 the line dancers came in.. I met a lot of fun people there as well ( Hi Linda) AKA Kc Douglas.. I didn’t get in on the dancing at Cloud 9 or Studio K cause between our clogging shows I would go 2-step in the barn which is now a store behind the saloon… great memories everyone! Thanks
  Sarah U.

  By  Anonymous, at July 01, 2006 12:43 PM  

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• yeah.. i was one of those kids..86-88 dancing at studio k and cloudnine. very fond memories.we lived right down western ,and could see the big k light up every night. i even did a school report on knott's. rode the corkscrew when it was pretty new, but i was too short for the motorcycles. my dad took me to ride montezooma's revenge when it opened.. my fovorite was the log ride though, well untill ghost rider. a big wooden rollercoaster at knott's was my child hood dream that would never come true.. guess i was wrong. but i really miss all the old stuff... the archery range and the old shooting gallery with the unforgetable sound effects. i'm livid about the haunted shack. makes me want to vomit when i see that separate admission swing thing.
  an earlier reader asked about the wagon train diorama .. it was in the old golden trails hotel, but cedar fair tore it down and rebuilt it as a gift shop. "mama, i'm thirsty'.. "i'm sorry honey, but there's no more water.. look at the poor horses,, they're much thirstier than we are.. "

  By  jayman, at July 02, 2006 11:26 PM  

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• oh, and does anyone remember when the original prospector statue got stolen?
  someone hacked him off at his ankles.. swear to god, i can stillremember passing by on the way to the buena park mall and seeing just his feet next to his burro, and how everyone complained that the new one was too skinny and wrong. i also remember passing bud hurlbut's mailbox on western, and also since ed roth, the famous custom car guy worked at knotts painting signs, we'd see him driving around on his three wheelers.
  someone who worked for knotts had a van on which was an airbrush painting of an insane infinate rollercoaster.. i uswed to just stare at it when we passed by. .. wow.. this site has brought back SOOOO many memories, you all might get sick of me bringing stuff up..
  ohhh man,when they took out the motorcycles i was bummed because i was going to knotts for my 11th birthday, but by the time we went the had already opened the soap box racers, which , in my opinion, was an amazingly themed ride on par with anything disney had to offer, when it opened.. oh, gee.. those were some days.. HOT BOILING STEAMIN' mud.., "look out there's some rough water ahead" "mama.. i'm thirsty.. im sorry honey there's no more water.' "clear....dispatch"... can anyone remember the d.j's name from cloud nine?...

  By  jayman, at July 03, 2006 3:23 PM  

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• I would be afraid to go to Knott's now with all the changes I have read about. Working there in the 80's was alot of fun while I got thru college. I dug the Western Town and knew alot of the people mentioned in Posts like Harvey Walker. That cowboy mentioned, his name was Bob Stambaugh, not Stanbo. I would also like to know if anyone knows if the Sherriff of Ghost Town, Max Barlow still works there? Do they still pan for gold? I also remember hearing about one of the cowboys who was hurt really bad by attempting a high fall and missing the bag he was supposed to land on. Anyone know anything about his status?I loved the rides back then and have heard they have added many new ones. I bet Halloween Haunt still cannot be matched anywhere else. What a GREAT park it used to be. I guess I should go back and visit sometime....hope I won't be disappointed!

  By  Anonymous, at July 07, 2006 1:50 PM  

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• Thanks to all posts.
  
  What wonderful recollections which bring back some very fond memories of the mid-fifties. In 1956 my family took a train from OH to CA for my fathers business trip. I have fond memories of Disneyland on that trip however many of us youngsters were "cowboys" or "cowgirls" and Knotts Berry Farm was the real attraction!
  
  I remember my childhood naive bravado during the train robbery as I wished I had brought my guns (cap guns) with me from home, as I was going to protect the passengers!
  
  I remember the haunted shack where water ran uphill! The biggest thrill came when I was selected to be put in the chair that rested its two back legs on a wood board that was nailed to the wall. The chair and me were suspended on the wall with nothing supporting the front legs.
  
  I remember having been tired of chicken from eating chicken all the way from Ohio in the train dining cars. For that reason the meal did not leave a lasting impression on me. However, the honey did.
  
  When you are a "cownboy" you are not supposed to get scared. I'd be lying if I told you the jailhouse and gunfights in the streets did not have me a tad bit shakin in my boots.
  
  Thanks again to all for the great posts and a special thanks for the gentleman's story about how the property was aquired.
  
  mc

  By  Anonymous, at July 19, 2006 7:13 PM  

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• July 31, 2006 Yes, Max Barlow continues to be the Marshal of Ghost town, he has had some health issues lately though. The stunt man you referred to is Jay Mead. He did the water tower jump and his head hit the asphalt not the mat.Harvey eas the first E1 there and held Jay until medics arrived. I'm sorry to say his condition has not improved, he lives in a home for people with brain injuries in Orange, California. God Bless him, I loved Jay Mead. NOTICE: Harvey Walker will be the Grand Marshal at Calico Days at Calico Ghost Town in Yermo, California on October 7th and 8th, 2006. KC will be teaching line dancing on those days also. The information should be up and running soon on www.calicoghosttown.com If you come out be sure and introduce yourselves to us!

  By  KC Douglas/aka: Linda Walker, at July 31, 2006 10:06 PM  

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• Hi Steve!!! It was 1963 when I was at the farm last--I really liked the chicken restaurant-used to take dates there often--I lived in Compton at the time--the crunchy corn flakes really made the chicken taste great--as a matter of fact--I've never had any like that sence--Knott's must have had a secret formula stached away somewhere--but the cook that worked there at that time told me how the chicken was prepared--corn flakes was the secret to all that crunch--boy I would love to have had it one more time in this life time-it's a long way from Ill. to sunny Cal--Bob Kline

  By  Anonymous, at August 03, 2006 12:46 PM  

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• Read all of the posts and did not find what I was looking for. I remember going to Knott's when I was 7 years old in 1954 and newly arrived from Ohio. Perhaps I am the only one that remembers the little old lady playing the dulcimer on the board sidewalk in the ghost town. I have photos taken by my mother of the "saloon girls" and something very precious to me...photographs of my sister and me waving from the back of that stuffed pinto horse and then photos of my sons in the same pose on the same horse twenty years later. Does anyone remember when they broadcast from the wagon camp?
  I am retired and living out of California now and it broke my heart when they made Knott's into what it is today.

  By  Anonymous, at August 05, 2006 2:01 AM  

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• In answer to the last comment.....The old lady playing the dulcimer was named..Aunt Nellie, the two Saloon girls were Cecilia Peterson and Marilyn Hargrove whom were also the models for the statues. They were called The Calico Bells. The first can can girl was JoAnn Burdick, she is 6 foot tall and Mr Knott adored her. My good friend that also worked there during those times, Dave Bourne, is writing a book called...Knotts Berry Farm a Pictorial....Ghost Town and Wagoncamp. His book will be for sale after the first of the year from his web site WWW.Saloonpiano.com There isn't anything there yet about it but there will be. He has collected hundreds of pieces of collections from all of us, which will be in this book. Dave is a walking encyclopedia of the 50's at Knotts. Truly amazing! I have a picture that my mother took of my brother and I, at the ages of 8 and 4 with Chief Red Feather. In the same frame is a picture I took of my girls at the same age with Chief Red Feather. My daughters are now 31 and 35. If you would like to see pictures of the Wagonmasters in the Wagoncamp go to...www.thewagonmasters.com There are many pages to view. My husband Harvey started there in the first group in the Wagoncamp at the age of 15 during the summers. He is still there 56 years later :-) Awwwww the memories. Does anyone remember the high school students make out place? The tunnel to pan for gold :-)

  By  Linda Walker/KC Douglas, at August 07, 2006 7:28 PM  

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• The name of the miner ( statue) is Seldom Seen Slim.

  By  Anonymous, at August 10, 2006 3:46 PM  

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• Back in the 80's i was in high school and we went every weekend to go dancing at cloud 9.(better alternative music than studio k!)my mom had a huuuuge station wagon and my friends and i would load up and go. i live in Portland now, but some day i hope to go back to Cali to see my old hang outs! i really miss Knott's Scary Farm. i never missed a year!

  By  Anonymous, at August 11, 2006 8:02 PM  

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• I enjoyed reading all the comments. It is interesting to see how many memories Knott's brought to folks. Does anyone know if Red Feather worked there in the 70's & 80's. He was mentioned in a post and I am sure I saw him as a kid and then later when I was older. Also, does anyone remember(Maybe KC Douglas as she seems to know alot of the former entertainers)some of the Calico Dancers from the mid 80's. Specifically, Faye, Julie Owens & Jamie and as to what they are doing these days? Does studio K still exsist? How about the Wild West Stunt Show? Do the Peanuts Gang still wonder the Park and finally, is the Bottle House still there?

  By  Anonymous, at August 15, 2006 12:44 PM  

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• Yes, the Peanuts characters are still there as is the Bottle House.

  By  Anonymous, at August 19, 2006 11:12 AM  

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• Wild West Stunt Show is still there...Studio K is long gone....been Jaguar since 1995.

  By  Anonymous, at August 19, 2006 11:13 AM  

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• To answer the latest questions: Julie Owens is the Entertainment Manager at Knotts and has been for years. Jamie lives with her husband Kevin in Anaheim Hills, in a huge beauitful home. Kevin is very well known in Hollywood and that industry, always working non-stop for someone famous. Can't remember about Faye. Studio K is long gone but the bottle house is still there. Still standing on the spot it was built.

  By  Linda Walker/KC Douglas, at August 24, 2006 11:07 AM  

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• The Bob Stambaugh that was mentioned as playing the part of "bear" in the wild west stunt show is my dad. We used to go to Knotts all the time to watch him in that show as well as others. I remember that my younger sister and I would scream and cry every time we saw him get shot in the wild west show. Every time our mother had to tell us, "its not real, daddys ok". We have lots of great memories from our times there. We no longer live in CA, but we have very fond memories of all the friends and fun we had associated with Knotts.

  By  Lisa, at September 17, 2006 8:29 PM  

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• For those of you interested. I am now 40 and we went to Knott's every other weekend. I remember we would park on the grass and the chickens running around all over the park. The sound of the big train, the smell of popcorn and the mules we would ride around the mountain. The chickens would play the piano for food when the light came on. I can also hear the Seal's barking. I was just there this last weekend 9/16. The haunted shack, the missions, the original berry stand (demolished) and the sight of the berry plants (torn out) all replaced by rides. They moved the church across the street. Saddest thing I ever saw. They also tore out all of the beautiful flowers and there are no more trees in the park. This will allow you to buy more drinks in the heat. Very depressing.

  By  Anonymous, at September 19, 2006 1:01 PM  

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• I don't know the original Knott's as it was "back in the day" as many of you have (I was born in 1986) but after having come across this blog and read all these wonderful recollections of the park's past, I'm sad to see how far downhill the park has slid.
  
  For those that are unaware, the Knott family no longer owns or has any connection to the farm/park other than namesake. The great grandchildren of Walter and Cordelia sold the amusement park and its operations to Ohio-based Cedar Fair (www.cedarfair.com) in December of 1997 for $245 million in cash. I'm sure Walter is rolling around in his grave right now.
  
  The Church of Reflections was dismantled in 2004 and rebuilt adjacent to Independance Hall with parts that were salvagable from the original building.
  
  The "Haunted Shack" mystery house attraction was demolished in 1999 due to its deteriorating structure. The "Screamin' Swing" thrill-ride now resides in its location.
  
  The "Sky Jump" parachute ride was removed in 1999 due to alleged high upkeep and maintenance costs.
  
  The original Pan-for-Gold attraction was removed to make room for the "GhostRider" wooden roller coaster in 1998. The attraction still exists, but in a new and smaller location in the park and is hardly the same experience.
  
  Reflection Lake no longer exists at the park.
  
  The four-lane "Wacky Soap Box Racers" ride was replaced in 1997 with the "Windjammer" racing roller coaster. The Windjammer was then in turn replaced in 2002 with "Xcelerator" - a 205-foot tall roller coaster that accelerates from 0 to 82 mph in 2.3 seconds.
  
  There are now only two teepees and one totem pole in the Indian Trails area after the "Silver Bullet" suspended-track roller coaster was installed during the summer of 2004.
  
  The "Kingdom of the Dinosaurs" ride (successor to the "Bear-ytales" attraction) was removed in 2004. The building that housed the ride is currently empty.
  
  The "Corkscrew" roller coaster was replaced with the forward and backward looping "Boomerang" roller coaster in 1990.
  
  The Pacific Pavilion (dolphins/seals/sea lions) was demolished in 1999. It was replaced in 2000 with the "Perilous Plunge" - billed as the world's tallest and steepest water flume.
  
  The "Jaguar!" roller coaster is currently on the spot where Studio K once used to be.
  
  The "Walter K Steamboat" ride was removed THIS MONTH (9/2006) as construction is currently underway for ANOTHER roller coaster.

  By  Anonymous, at September 28, 2006 6:36 AM  

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• I loved Knotts as a kid. I grew up a few blocks away. My favorites were feeding hte seals when I was real little, then as I got older playing ditchim all day on Jungle Island and the burro ride.
  
  I think my favorite memory was driving the old cars - you could see them from crescent and beach.

  By  Anonymous, at September 28, 2006 11:58 AM  

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• Hi everyone!
  Gosh, what a TON of memories this brings up--I remember Indian Trails, and Wild Water Wilderness. My best friend Sue Groffman was "Ranger Sue" at the Ranger Station in WWW for many years. I also danced in Calico Square from 1991 to 1999-wish I had never moved, lol. Who else met their life's love at Knott's--anyone??
  Oh well. Is the Ranger Station still around? I am a Licensed Maine Guide now, and I believe my love for the outdoors was born at Knott's and I learned so much there, and made the best friends of my life.

  By  Anonymous, at September 28, 2006 12:25 PM  

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• In response to the person who wanted to know the name of the person who played the Bear Character in the Stunt Show. Here is your answer:
  The Bear was played by
  Bob Rochelle
  Bob Holden
  Bob Stanbough
  
  You may take your pick, but I would bet on Bob Stanbough for he was one of my best.
  
  Gary

  By  Gary, at October 01, 2006 9:13 PM  

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• Yes, I remember all the saloon performers from 1974 until 1989. I even know what most of them are up to today. I also know Linda and Harvey Walker very well.
  Studio K was torn down some where around 1991 or 92. I built Suudio K and opened it on Memorial day Weekend 1984. She had a good live, what a ride.
  
  Gary Salisbury

  By  Gary, at October 01, 2006 9:29 PM  

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• There were 3 individuals that played the Bear Character in the Wild West Stunt Show.
  
  Bob Rochelle Late Seventies
  Bob Holden Mid 70's(Short time)
  Bob Stanbough 80's (The best Bear out of all the Bobs)
  
  To another inquiry Chief Red Feather was at Knotts until the late 70's
  
  Gary Salisbury

  By  Gary, at October 01, 2006 9:34 PM  

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• Wow...a trip down memory lane. I'm 45, and grew up around there. I have told my little girl so many stories about it, and was so looking forward to taking her one day (we live out of state now.) Now I'm not sure if I'd just get bummed out. Poo. Am I crazy, or did the mule ride start by the lagoon and then go under the road and past the Calico Mine ride? That was my fave ride, because I love horses! But my memory may be fuzzy. I'd forgotten some of the stuff, like the jail guy and the seals, but boy it all came rushing back!

  By  Cheryl, at October 18, 2006 1:33 PM  

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• One of the most terrifying experiences I ever lived through was riding the Motorcycle Chase within the Roaring Twenties section of Knott's Berry Farm about 1978 or 79! I was 26 or 27 yrs. old when I was talked into riding it. From the outside it looked like just a cute little ride on a faux motorcycle with only a sash around your waist to hold you on- how dangerous could it be? VERY dangerous, to say the least! After the ride ended I endured whip lash, sore arms from hanging on for dear life, had the shakes for several hours. This ride was the equivilent of riding a roller coster while sitting on a motorcycle; and when the ride finally stopped, I was amazed that I hadn't fallen off! I never contacted an attorney, although I could have. It was an insane decision to have such a ride there, or ANYWHERE for that matter! Through the years I've heard other's talk about how they lived through this ride as well!Knott's closed it down not long after my terrifying ride. Give me the sweet old days of Knott's Berry farm, eating at The Chicken House and enjoying the ghost town. We used to walk in for free each week. It USED to be heaven, indeed! Now they feel they must compete with the major amusement parks. Knott's was NEVER like the other parks. It was special. I miss the old Knott's terribly! Thank's for your time here. Cheryl

  By  Cheryl "Morris" Monteiro, at October 23, 2006 6:46 PM  

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• Yes California 1 st theme park, I loved the Toy store in Ghost Town, the paddle boats, the haunted shack can't belive they took that out!!!! Those corprate jerks!! Panning for gold yeah the mine shaft by there too. I still love it but am stuck in the past too I will look for Harvey and Max I think I met Harvey at the stage coach ride last year? thanks Glenn Laughner

  By  Anonymous, at October 28, 2006 8:12 PM  

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• Cheryl, The mule ride actually started at the side of the Mine Ride in Ghost Town. It was moved across the street when the Gypsy Camp was put in in the early 70's. Both are gone now....Gypsy Camp didn't last very long. KC/Linda

  By  KC Douglas/Linda Walker, at November 03, 2006 6:30 PM  

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• Harvey Walker, Max Barlow, and Julie Owens are all still there. Harvey books entertainment for special events and parties, Julie is a manager of entertainment, and Max Barlow is Manager of Ghost Town and still the marshal,as of this writing in Nov. 06.I hate to hear comments of Ghost Town being torn down. Go by some time and if you look around you will see some things gone but some things have been added also. Cedar Fair is the new owner. The Knott Family didnt have the means to compete with the current amusement park mentality, so it would have probably been sold for its location and condos may have been built. So in fairness to Cedar Fair, I think they are doing a pretty good job.I am there all of the time , and I see them making repairs and replacing what needs to be replaced. You dont throw money at something you are going to tear down. Some say dont change a thing, well Walter Knott himself was changing things all of the time. Take a walk through Ghost Town today, take a look at old photos, and you will find not much has really changed in ghost town, except the trees have grown up and the streets have been paved. The Blacksmith shop still has working blacksmiths there and are great to watch, Sad Eye Joe is there, Pan for gold, the old school house, boot hill, the grill, all still there. Regardng the comment of the trees disapearing in one of the last few writings , Yes a lot of the euclaliptis trees were removed, due to a disease which caused branches to fall...on guests. What would you do? You are bound to step on toes as decisions are made sometimes in the name of progress. Jack Falfas who came with Cedar Fair about nine years ago to run Knotts, came from Ohio, with an energy you had to see to believe. He was making changes yes, but not from his office, behind the desk, but with a shovel in his hands. I saw that. Yeah there have been some things that have been changed or removed, like the haunted shack, and the original location of pan for gold down in the gulch, that was great, send your comments about that and maybe they can be changed. Ive rattled too long. I love Knotts, go check it out. By the way if you love it too, dont stay away and talk about it go there and support it, or it will go away. It would be nice for our kids to enjoy it too.

  By  Anonymous, at November 17, 2006 11:06 PM  

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• There isn't much to really enjoy at Knott's anymore. Judge Roy Beans has been moved, the Pan for gold has been relocated and dressed very poorly. The Silver Dollar Saloon is now an automated shooting gallery, the Calico Saloon severs beer, the wagon camp has a roller coaster that goes over it, the street entertainment is embarrassing to say the least. There really is no entertainment presented at Knott's like before it was sold. The lake is gone and they will be removing the stage coach ride next year.
  
  Knotts has turned in to a teen oriented iron ride park so that it can survive.

  By  Anonymous, at November 25, 2006 10:52 AM  

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• Wow. So they tear out stuff because it is falling apart. The real Calico dated back from the 1800's still stands. Remove the stage coach? Why not. It does not belong anymore with backdrops of the legs that support the rides. Makes me ill thinking about that. It won't be long and I am sure the wagon camp will be next. Afterall, who can hear anything with the rides over your head. Cedar Fair you should have put your rides across the street. You know, where the seasonal water park is. Like we don't have enough of them in So Cal.

  By  Anonymous, at November 28, 2006 10:49 AM  

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• Anyone out there who may remember hanging out at Fiesta Village in the Summer of '74? I used to play with a rock band, Vern Jackson and Changes and played on the outdoor stage at Fiesta Village. There was a huge dance floor out there.If you by any chance have photos of us please forward them to me.
  
  It seemed to be a place for local teens to hang out because I used to see a lot of the same faces pretty often. Whoever your are, thanks for making it a great memorable Summer for me.
  
  Great people worked at Knott's at the time. I made many friends.
  
  As information, I have sent Steve Johnson a photo of the band taken in front of the train in the Ghost Town. It was the Rio Grande Southern #41.
  
  Great to read everyone's comments. It's like being there again.

  By  Sam Stephenson, at December 02, 2006 12:16 PM  

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• I guess I should have listed my email address for any Vern Jackson and Changes information/ pictures at Knott's the Summer of '74. Here it is:
  
  samsteph51@sbcglobal.net

  By  Sam Stephenson, at December 03, 2006 10:26 AM  

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• Hi Steve:
  
  I hope it's not too late to add my Knott's memories to the mix. It's a funny thing, people love to talk about Disneyland, but I much preferred Knott's. Either because it was cheaper for a middle-class family of four, or because it was less crowded, my family seemed to make an annual tradition of visiting the park.
  
  From my younger years, I most remember the burro ride, the chickens that ran around the parking "lot" (which was really just a dirt field) and the goat in Fiesta Village that ate EVERYTHING you gave him -- paper plates, napkins and even cans! I dont know why I've never seen anyone mention that before, but I'm positive I'm not imagining it. We used to sit in those little "boats" on the lake and eat greasy tacos and beans from goldenrod colored wa