18 Comments:

• I remember the entertainers at the circle of covered wagons. It was just one of the many attractions.
  In the 1920's, my dad, Herman Jungkeit, dated Virginia Knott

  By  Dean Youngkeit, at March 06, 2006 8:16 PM  

  ---

• Hi I recently came across an old bottle that says Knotts Berry Place on it I believe It was bosenberry punch. If anyone is intrested it it please E mail Me . lguzman@ochca.com

  By  Anonymous, at March 15, 2006 2:31 PM  

  ---

• I remember the Wagonmasters from being at Knott's forty-five plus years ago. My Mom, sister and I traveled from Alabama every summer for a period of about 8-10 years to Southern California to enjoy your beautiful climate primarily for my mother' health. But we, benefitted from so much more. We became acquainted with each member of the Wagonmasters and we have maintained an ongoing friendship with them throughout all of these many long years. Billy Beeman is tops as a fiddler and is now in the Western Music Association's Hall of Fame. Dave Bourne now hits the keyboard most often and is at many music festivals throughout southern California. Harvey Walker continues to strum a magnnificent bango and guitar, while vocalist Eldon Ecklon is retired in Arizona.
  Beautiful Rachel Beeman passed away a number of years ago. These people left a tremendous impact on our lives and continue to do so in my 60th year. Their music was the real traditional western music that is now making a swift comeback. I hope there are others out there who have memories of the Wagonmasters as I do. They made the most significant impact on us as we visited beautiful Califonia in the late fifties and early sixties. Thanks for the opportunity to publically say thank you to my wonderful friends, the Wagonmasters. I love you all. Sylvia Michelini
  mimi@hiwaay.net
  Please e-mail me if you have similar memories of the wagonmasters.

  By  Anonymous, at March 20, 2006 12:10 PM  

  ---

• to Dean Joungkiet,
  Your Dad and Virginia must have been awfully young to be dating in the 1920's. Virginia turned 19 in 1940. The picture of her in the Anaheim Bulletin on Sept. 1, 1940 seems to cast some doubt on your fathers memory.
  Billy Beeman

  By  Billy Beeman, at March 23, 2006 9:26 AM  

  ---

• I JUST FOUND AN ALBUM WITH ALL FIVE WAGONMASTERS SIGNATURES ON THE BACK! IT'S ONE OF THE ORIGNAL ALBUMS : "MORE FOLK FAVORITES" WITH WALLACE PARKER'S PAINTING OF THEM ON THE FRONT. ANY ONE INTERESTED?
  NANCY

  By  nancy, at May 17, 2006 8:54 PM  

  ---

• I too have very fond memories of the Wagonmasters. My brother is 16 years older than I am. When I was 9-10 year old he would take me along with his family. I so loved the wagon camp and the Wagonmasters. They are some of my fondest memories and a bond even today with my brother. I have since met Billy Beeman and
  David Bourne. I love the websites and I am so thrilled that Billy is doing so well. I intend to share the website with my brother and anyone else that I can.
  
  Thank you so much,
  
  Kristine Stimson
  Newbury Park

  By  Kristine Stimson, at August 24, 2006 12:10 AM  

  ---

• We used to go to Knott's a lot as it was free then and after a dinner at the Grill, Steakhouse or Chicken Dinner Restaurant we would head to the camp and listen to the Wagonmasters. Sometimes if we got there early we got a seat in the wagon, which as kids was so cool. If not we sat around the stage and my mom said I would get up, like many children did, and dance around the musicians and they didn't care.
  An era no more.

  By  Classic Rock, at November 03, 2006 3:07 AM  

  ---

• I lived across from Knott's Berry Farm off LaPalma Blvd. on Oleander Circle. We would walk across the street to go the the Circle Wagons to hear the old western songs - of the Wagoneers. there were a semi-circle of log seats and at the top old covered wagons. Back then there was rhubarab growing across Beach Blvd. and then later they built a lagoon with an old steamship. Now I live in Davenport, Iowa on the Mississippi and can see all the riverboats I want.

  By  Anonymous, at December 11, 2006 10:03 AM  

  ---

• I used to live on Oleander circle off LaPalma just across from the rhubarab farm. We would cross over and take th tunnel under Beach Blvd to hear the Waggoneers play at the covered waggon circle. This would be from 1958-1962. they would play western favorites.

  By  Anonymous, at December 11, 2006 10:16 AM  

  ---

• I do remember the Wagonmasters and sitting in the wagons on warm summer nights. Great memories. More still I will never forget Rachel Beeman and the huge impact she had on my life. I was one of "Rachel's kids" at First Pres. and sang of a few of her broadcasts. I think of her often and with great affection.
  
  Carole Schaffer Chambers

  By  coco, at January 21, 2007 6:37 PM  

  ---

• I was enjoying the Wagonmasters back in 1966-67. I was there almost every weekend in the summer. Sitting in the covered wagon looking at the big fire ring, I really felt transported back to the old west. The band was so professional.
  
  Bob Knox

  By  Anonymous, at March 17, 2007 1:56 PM  

  ---

• I graduated from high school in '64 and used to go to Knott's with my parents from about '54 thru '60 more or less. I went as an adult until I moved away from O.C. and still go most times when I return. I would swear that during the visits with my parents that my dad just couldn't miss the covered wagons and that we saw "The Sons of the Pioneers" there. could this be correct? It would have been around the late '50s or early ,60s.

  By  Tim, at April 06, 2007 8:28 PM  

  ---

• Rachel Cadwalader Beeman is my Daddy's baby sister. I visited Knott's in March - the fancy rides can not hold a candle to my memories of childhood visits. The wagon camp is so much smaller now. Living in Oregon I didn't get much time with Aunt Rachel and Uncle Bill, but I wore out the albums! Her gorgeous contralto voice is forever embedded in the memories of my heart. I cherish the times that we did share together. Someday I will see her again as we both rejoice in the presence of our Savior.

  By  Harriet Cadwalader Cook, at April 26, 2007 10:35 PM  

  ---

• Yes, The Sons of the Pioneers did perform in the Wagon Camp at various times in the 50's and early 60's

  By  Anonymous, at May 20, 2007 10:29 AM  

  ---

• Hi all. I have some incredible memories of Knott's Berry Farm. My grandmother & grandfather were the owners of Young's Turkey Ranch on Bolsa Ave. in Santa Ana where i grew up. Grandma & I went to Knott's on a frequent basis just to see the Little Chapel with Jesus behind the doors. She used to tell me stories of the original berry stand. She and Virginia were acquainted and to this day I still have in my possession a hat that belonged to Virginia that was made with...can you guess?...TURKEY FEATHERS! I proudly wear my hat here in Texas where I currently live and while it has no significance to those around me...it is an important article of my Southern California heritage!

  By  Terry Lynn, at October 11, 2007 1:54 PM  

  ---

• Oh do I remember the Wagon Masters; Don't slide over those are wooden benches.....
  I lived about an 1/8 of a mile from Knott's for 20 years as a kid. Part of my teens years, were spent listening to and watching live, those
  wonderful men. Free, the big fire pit, all the wooden benches surrounded by the wagons. Friends, later dates, and so many memories bring to mind those evenings spent with the Wagon Masters

  By  Anonymous, at December 19, 2007 5:10 PM  

  ---

• My Dad used to take us there to listen to the music. It was fun to go as a kid sitting around in those wagons. I asked friends if they remembered which they didn't. That was back when you could walk around Knott's for free.

  By  argo#67, at February 16, 2008 7:10 PM  

  ---

• To Dean Youngkeit:
  I went to McComber Jr. High in 1970-1971 and had a history teacher- Mrs. Jungkeit. One of the best teachers I ever had. Is she a realtive of yours?
  We used to ride bikes to Knott's after school from the Beach Blvd./Malvern area (several miles) and stay until dark. No one worried about us. Different times. My parents took us to see the Wagonmasters several times in the late 60's. Getting in the park for free was the best.

  By  jimmy22, at February 28, 2008 3:33 PM  

  ---

Post a Comment

<< Home