Great video, my wife wrote this. My grandfather was Walter Knotts attorney in his early years. One day my Grandfather was driving and saw Walter walking down the side walk with his money bag. He pulled over and told Walter to get in his car. Walter said no that’s ok I enjoy the walk, my grandfather said someone is going to hit you over the head and take your money. He took him to the bank and Walter said ok, but I am going to walk back...so he did! It was about a few weeks later and Walter called to say he had been robbed and so he wouldn’t be walking to the bank any more! Did you know that Mrs Knott would sit at the end of the counter and check every dinner that came out of the kitchen?
I remember panning for gold there in 1966! I still have the gold in a little bottle. Your videos bring back great memories of my California childhood:)
I remember being told during a tour of Independence Hall that the bricks were hand formed in order to give them an "aged" effect to resemble the original building more. The fact the clay and bricks were from Lake Elsinore and Riverside is news to me. I grew up in Riverside and am very familiar with all of the old clay mines around Lake Elsinore. Thanks for a great walk down memory lane. For the record, I am of the generation who remembers visiting Knotts before there was an admission charge. Those were the days of driving from Riverside and parking at Knotts (in grass lots) and spending a day just walking around the park enjoying the free activities and maybe catching a ride or two. Great times.
I was born down the street in Dairy Valley (Artesia) in 1950, my parents were from Bellflower and they both knew the Knott's Family and Bill Rigdon, (could be Higdon, not sure, it's been a long time) Bill worked for Walter early on, he was a Blacksmith & Prospector too and helped create many of the attractions and the Gold Panning Pool (where I learned to pan for gold when I was about 4 or 5). In those days there was No Admission to anywhere, it was all free just to walk in. The original stand was on Beach Blvd (Hwy 39), Mrs. Knott's Resturant replaced the old shack and also was on Beach Blvd., then later was a Civil War/Cowboy Shop of sorts, they had Civil War Cannons out in front of it. The Stagecoach Ride was Bill's idea and started in that area, along with the Electric Mini Model T Rides that paralelled Beach Blvd. Skipper Frank was a TV Kid Show Host in the 50's and he and his brother (I think) built a lot of these cars in Mr. & Mrs. Pyette's Barn in Bellflower. The Pyette's lived 2 lot's away from My Grandparents, My Dad's Family on Grand Street. My Mom was born in Bellflower in 1925 (she's still alive and well at 95 years old). Her Grandfather on Her Dad's side was John Fusch from Norwood, Missouri and was a Farmer and built a Carousel for his kids (My Grandpa Fusch & his brothers and sisters) that was pulled by a Donkey. Grandpa & Grandma Fusch went to Church every Sunday and the Knott's Family was part of the Congregation. Grandpa told Walter Knott about the Carousel and later on he found it and made it a part of the Berry Farm in a section called "Old MacDonald's Farm" which was very close to the Gold Panning Pool and the Seal Pool, yeah they had Seal's there too that you could feed them with Anchovies. My Parent's & us kids moved to Garden Grove in 1955 just down the street form the Brand New Disneyland in Anaheim. Great Video ! Brings back memories. Great Channel ! I'm a History Buff myself and watch all of your video's. I'm also a Author of one History Book as well, it's on Amazon (Kindle) just for your Information. It's called "The Return of the Giant Serpent", it's dirt cheap at $3.49 but you can review the first 15 to 20 pages for Free. Darrell Lane
Thank you for the wonderful insight into more of the history of the area and the Knotts, their friends, etc. growing up in L.A. county, we actually preferred Knott’s to Disneyland. In the early ‘70s they had to start charging admission, Mom said it was because of the hippies camping in the parking lot, haha. We always had a lot of fun visiting the park in my childhood. We even saw Pat Boone perform in the former John Wayne Theater. We also visited Calico Ghost Town a few times, and would even drive out to “Scotty’s Castle,” and eat in the cafeteria there and look in the gift shop, but never took the tour. I would enjoy seeing a tour of the castle though, if anyone has documented it.
Darrell Lane..You mentioned Skipper Frank in your comment. I was one of the kids that got picked out of the audience to be a contestant on the cartoon carousel kids show where you would be Skipper Frank’s cohost for that day. The show used to come on before Bozo the. clown in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. Thanks for the history lesson.
I remember visiting Knott's Berry Farm in the 70s and noticed a small trailer home---something very small you would tow behind a car---sitting in a spot highly out of place. I joked to my wife that it was where Walter Knott lived. Then I noticed a police guard standing nearby whose sudden response showed me I was right. He lived there, just as I would have done, smack dab in the middle of the park in his little trailer home, enjoying the place and the people through cracks in his curtains.
I worked there in the mid 1980's in the rides department. I worked in Ghost Town running all the rides and my friend (Supervisor) actually became the head of Knott's. Most fun job I ever had.
Man times were alot better back then..It was a better life...I live in Austin Tx and we made a road trip in 1986 and it was alot of fun we came in a station wagon and we were calling ourselves the grissswalds..lol 😅 we came to knotts,disney,and magic mountain..I was only 12 yrs old but had lots of fun..I just recently visited again in 2023. And I'll take 1986 anyday...Times were just so much better back then..
I am so glad I found this video. Brings back a lot of memories. As a young boy growing up in North Long Beach I would ride my bike ( 13 miles up and back) to Knotts Berry Farm
It’s possible that our paths crossed at that great amusement park. I am glad you found our video as well. Thank you so much for watching and we hope that you will subscribe to our channel.
I loved this park as a kid in the 70's! My grandparents had a sweet donkey named Beck and donated her to Knott's Berry Farm when they had to move from the ranch. I think she was there for several years. Thanks for another great video!
Great video! I'm still playing catch up on all of your videos and enjoying it. According to my mom, Mr. Knott and my great grandfather went in 50-50 on a mule to work both of their farms in the 1920's
I really enjoy your historical videos and especially appreciate how you hi-lighted Walter and His wife's dedication to each other, Walters reverence for our countries foundation and his incredible dedication to preserving our history.
Thank you for showcasing Knott’s Berry Farm! Loved to go there growing up in Southern California! I actually went to a Richard Marx concert at the theatre in the 80’s ! Small, intimate setting vs big concert venues!
I loved Knott's and went there as both a child and as an adult. The last time I was there was probably 20 years ago though. I also have been to Calico Ghost Town a couple of times. Very fun places.
I visited as a kid in 1965 as a tourist from the Mid-west. It seem much smaller and rustic back then. My one great memory was I got to shake the hand of a real American Indian!! Looking back that was a bit exploitive, but the guy had a job and it was exciting for a kid.
I was totally unaware of this place, it's history, and the fact there is a theme park in operation. I have heard the phrase "Knott's Berry" spoken, but always thought that "Knottsberry" is what was being said. (An actual type of berry.) This was a very educational video for me. BTW - John Wayne looked happy.
Wow, thanks. That is the desired effect. I want it to appear more like a TV show than a vlog. I cringe at that terminology. Thank you for reaching out and commenting! Much appreciated, Jeff
Great video, as always. I still buy their Boysenberry jam and syrup when I visit the U.S. Have loved Boysenberries all my life and in my younger years we had bushes of them on my granny's dairies. Also, picked some for money in the summer at ranches that used to be on Hatch Rd. in Ceres/Modesto. Want to visit Knott's before I die, it is on my bucket list. Thank you again for producing things worth watching !
Yes you must visit when the restrictions in California are lifted! And yes the chicken dinners are good but they were probably better when served up by Mrs. Knott!
You are so welcome! I, too, have fond memories of that place as a child and have gone less and less the older I have become. Hopefully we'll all be heading there (spaced out of course) in the coming years to relive the magic! Thank YOU for watching! We hope you will become a subscriber!
GREAT doc & great channel. I will be consistently tweeting these out to my 20,000 history lovers. When my new show is up n running I will reach out to have you as a guest. -Jon Robberson
Hey thanks, Brian! Glad you liked it! As you can tell, so do I! If you haven't subscribed to my channel, would you? Thanks so much! I will encourage me to create more video adventures!
Pro Tip: If you secretly talk to the guy who voices Sad Eye Joe and give him information about anyone you're with, he'll work it into the conversation and surprise that person with their personal name and whatever you tell him to say. :)
Awesome. I actually met Mr Knott very early in the morning.... if memory serves me.... New Year's day, 1973 or 74. He was the grand Marshall for the Rose Parade. My father and I were part of a support group for a float, in a moter home parked on Orange Grove blvd.... a Pasadena police officer, knocked on the door, to ask if Mr Knott could use our bathroom...... true story !
I have a faint memory of visiting Knotts Berry Farm as a small child. I remember having fun but not any specific memory. I would have been about 3-4 I’m guessing. Thanks for the videos!
Grate episode. We wish bud had got some credit for his mine and log ride. He also made the bell inside Independence hall. Hopefully he is worthy of a history Hunters episode. After all Wendell "Bud" Hurlbut Invented the Hidden switchback Q line. And he was the inventor of the log flume. Keep up the grate work.
Looks like a mixture of Patrick Duffy and Tom Skerritt, and I’m absolutely loving it! Thanks for sharing your love of Knott’s!!! Grew up going there, tons of nostalgia. Hope more people make videos like this...
@@jbenziggy Been viewing more of your content, and now I’m a new subscriber! Hope you do a video of the old SPADRA CEMETERY near Cal Poly Pomona. And yes, if you rocked a beard, you’d definitely look like a late 1970’s Tom Skerritt haha
My family moved to northern Orange County in 1950, mainly in Fullerton. Have been here ever since. We visited Knott's (and Calico) often. Ghost town section has always been my favorite. (Thanks also for your thorough historical research.. No one else that I know of has reported the true history of the old, small locomotive, a Porter, beside the blacksmith shop.) Knott, BTW, farmed land out in the Newberry Springs area (Mojave Desert) long time ago.
I used to live in Fullerton. In fact I worked at Knott's Berry Farm in 1961-62 and graduated from Sunny Hills High School in 1962. I went to Fullerton High School my freshman year and we lived on Shadow Ln. close to Hillcrest Park.
Great episode! I remember going to Knott's Berry Farm as a kid when it was free. No roller coasters back then, only the log ride and mining train. Riding on the stage coach was fun, too! There also used to be a place where you could pan for gold. Fun times.
My memory of the park was when we visited in the early 50's. I was probably about 4 or 5 years old.They had a horse that would tell you what your birthday was by walking and picking up some numbers on wooden blocks. And swing the number at you!!! I often wondered what his name was.
Thank's Jeff & Sarah for good memories, always enjoyed Knott's Berry Farm as a kid & adult.Took my family & grandkids there as well. Disney declined are yearly pass one day, so we did'nt have much money do to gas & food. So my wife & I went to Knott's & explained what happened at the ticket booth. The person helping us got on the phone to head office. After they hung up they gave us the afternoon rate for my wife,kids & I. The park had just been open for 3 hours. We always prefer family friendly Knott's over the Mouse 😂 Thank you Jeff & Sarah for fond memories.
I loved this episode. I grew up in california, La Puente then Covina. I remember as a child of 10 or 11 and into the young teens, going to knott's berry farm. I was on the train sitting next to an actor dressed as an indian when there was the fake robbery. I also loved the little chapel where there was a instrumental song playin I wish I knew now. It was great. I'm 73 now came back to massachusetts after I graduated in '67'. But those are 2 memories that stand out. I've shared it with my baby sister who was born in 66 in california but has never seen knott's berry farm. Thank you.
Suzzane - My sister graduated Covina High in 1966, I graduated in 1969. Our family went to Disneyland each year as a special occasion but dinner at Knotts Berry Farm was more often. We would roam around the grounds before dinner until they started charging, then it was just dinner for us. There was so much entertainment growing up in the LA area back then.
@@FeatnikSF I graduated from northview high school in cucina 1967. My mother always wanted to come back to massachusetts so after I graduated we did. Settled in westfield. Only miss california when it's cold and snowy here.
Great job on this one! My mom is from Garden Grove and I grew up going to Knott’s every summer when we visited my grandfather. I always loved the history and my family’s stories about Knott’s and it will always hold a special place in my heart! Thank you!
Great episode about my favorite theme park! I appreciate all the historic details regarding Knotts Berry Farm, and really enjoyed the old footage of the Groucho interview! Well done!
I am glad that you enjoyed this episode. Sarah and I had the unfortunate experience of going to Knotts berry farm last month on a Saturday. It was crowded beyond belief and we waited 2 1/2 hours to ride the ghost rider roller coaster. It was ridiculous. Caution to anyone who reads this… Never go to knots berry farm on the weekend. It is a miserable experience.
@@jbenziggy We went on President's Day and it was very busy, but we returned the following day, and the park was very quiet. We enjoyed the ghost town atmosphere without the large crowd quite a lot.
When we were kids we used to get excited to smell chlorinated water because it reminded us of our vacations to Disneyland and Knott's. That's because the rides had that smell and so did the hotel pools. LOL. The Calico Mine ride also had a distinct smell of concrete and oil.
Boy! How did I miss this one? I loved every minute of it. I went there at a young age. Thank you. What I find different now is the amount of people carrying back packs. We didn't do that back then. I often wonder what people carry in them that they must.
Great Trip you 2. Thank you for bringing us along. This was to be My Husband an my Trip this year. Since I have lost him in December 2022. It's been hard. However when you have been with someone for 45 years it just seems as if someone pulled the rug out from under you. Thank you. I have enjoyed this virtual tour and the Opportunity to ride along. Jeff and Sarah, Thank you again.
Yes it certainly has changed since 1959. I kind of wish it had stayed the small ghost town that it was but I guess to compete they had to introduce all kinds of roller coaster type rides. Thanks for watching and we'd love to have you subscribe!
I saw no mention of the 'Panning for gold' exhibit. Experienced it many times when I was a kid in the 60's. Lived in Glendale. We were regulars and KBF, as well as, Disneyland.
Great videos, very well done. You must be in the video production business. I'm sort of a local guy and I have a Knott's annual pass. I am glad to see that the music is back at the wagon camp, Calico square and the Bar B.Q area. Krazy Kirt and the Hillbillies (Band) are so good and funny. Its fun for the hole family. They even have the campfire lit. When I was a kid in the 1960s the Wagon Camp music show was a big part of Knott's Berry Farm. I hope the Wagon Camp shows continue to be part of Knott's. I hope Knott's Berry Farm is encouraging guests to go to the Wagon Camp shows. Keep the History videos coming!
My parents our family and their friends would drive up from San Diego in there new then 51 Chevy wagon for chicken dinners Then in the late sixths when attending Long Beach State I would take our daughter over on Sunday afternoon for an outing it was free then except for the train ride.
I grew up in Newport Beach. In the mid 50’s when I was about 12, I first went to Knotts. I remember most the bandits coming aboard the train-shooting their guns. It was loud! Lots of smoke too. Also remember the haunted shack. There was optical allusion where water appeared to flow uphill! My 12 year old brain just couldn’t figure it out. What great memories! Similar to Disneyland in 1955.
I will be releasing a new video on Sunday (I hope) about a recent visit to Disneyland through the eyes of a "history hunter." We hope you will check it out!
I was just a young kid when I went to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm so I don't really remember a lot of it. A big thanks for this trip down memory lane. Told you I was Binge watching!!
Thanks, Jeff & family. I have just discovered your interesting channel. The childhood memories of visiting Knott's Berry Farm are gone. The last visit was with my eldest daughter on Veterans Day around 1994. Thank you.
@@jbenziggy Maybe a very distant Shrewsbury Shropshire relative. Dodd might have had a son. When some Anglicized their Welsh names, the son of Dodd became Dodson. Also, many pre-Ellis Island Dodsons became Dotson and Dobson, since their accents were foreign to the English gatekeepers.
Cool video! Looks like those two cowboy sitting statues were missing during your visit. They are back after a nice refurbishment. Also they still rob the train, bummer those bandits missed ya that trip.
Sam Carter thanks! Yeah we visited on the wrong day I suppose. I love that place! If you can we’d like to have you subscribe! If not then I understand! Jeff
Been a KBF passholder for 7 years now and I've never looked back. I've visited the park dozens of times in the past with my wife, siblings, friends, family, and more, and if the Lord allows I'll be visiting the park dozens of times more!
I love the park too but we went on a recent Saturday and it was miserably crowded. It took 2 hours 45 minutes to ride the Ghost Rider. Such a waste of time. I left muttering to myself, “There’s too many people on the planet.”
@@jbenziggy Yeah, I know what you mean. Thankfully Knott’s has plenty to see and do where their roller coasters to me are an afterthought. Ghost Rider is either the very first thing or the very last thing to get in line for since it always has a long queue. Weekdays are better days to go since it’s not as crowded, but the downside is the park closes earlier.
As I watched the video, I was hoping you would end up at their gravesites in Fullerton and of course, you did. I'm subscribing to your channel and you do a great job visiting different places. I tend to do the same thing once in a while here in Southern California where I live, though I don't have the TH-cam forum you have. Again, fantastic work, from one history buff to another. Keep it coming.
Thank you so much for your generous comments. I truly appreciate the feedback from a fellow history enthusiast. When you stop and think about the great things that the Knotts accomplished, they were truly humble people. I’m glad you like this video!
My family and I visited Knott’s Berry Farm when I was five years old in 1961 the family wanted to ride on the train and I was afraid of the train because they were loud and clingy and being only five I thought it wouldn’t bring us back to Knott’s Berry Farm so I refuse to get on So my dad had to sit with me for the rest of them rode it
Knotts Berry Farm has a lot of history I was not aware of. We went in the early 1970’s to see Gary Puckett & the Union Gap in concert. Hopefully their prices of admission won’t get as ridiculous as Disneyland. Thanks for all your research and diligent work on these vlogs. It’s important to archive these things for future generations to come.
Thank you very much for your vote of confidence. You are correct about admission prices being much lower than Disneyland however that is a double edge sword because the crowds when we went to Knott’s recently were miserably crowded. I think we got to ride three rides the whole day. That’s how crowded it was on a Saturday. I don’t think I will ever go there again on a weekend. It’s just too crowded.
Thanks for letting us know that “double edged sword” detail on Saturdays being crowded. I can also see why they don’t pretend to rob the train anymore for safety reasons. We felt like we were right there with you soaking it all in down to that tasty corn 🌽 on the Cobb the nice & patient young man was enjoying in the background there.
“Berry “ informative! Learned things I never knew, even after visiting Knotts dozens of time while we lived there from 1980-2000. Sadly California has changed dramatically and unfortunately, not for the better .
The first time I went to Knott's Berry Farm, it was all dirt, unpaved. 1958. Before I retired from the Sheriff's Dept, the last time I went was in 2010, New Years Day. On that day, the park opened early for all Government workers and Military personnel. Admission was free with Government ID and one guest. The Chicken restaurant opened at 7am for breakfast and we toured the park when it opened. Good times.
In 1962-1963 we lived off Lincoln Blvd in Buena Park. The only things I remember was at 7 years old, we were let out of school when JFK was killed. And visiting Knotts Berry Farm. Also we would go pick rhubarb somewhere right by the the berry farms and my Mom would make rhubarb pie. I hated it !. I'm not sure if it was owned by Knotts or not, or if it was legal or not to take. Thanks for bringing up these old memories ! You guys are awesome.
Thank you very much, Grant. I think some of our childhood memories are kind of what makes us the people that we are today and holding onto those memories is very important. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences of living in that area. It sounds like you had an amazing childhood!
Went to Knott's Berry Farm in 1982 when I was 9 years old. Looks like so much has changed since then. They had a roller coaster called the corkscrew, that was the first roller coaster I ever rode that went upside down.
Great video, my wife wrote this.
My grandfather was Walter Knotts attorney in his early years. One day my Grandfather was driving and saw Walter walking down the side walk with his money bag. He pulled over and told Walter to get in his car. Walter said no that’s ok I enjoy the walk, my grandfather said someone is going to hit you over the head and take your money. He took him to the bank and Walter said ok, but I am going to walk back...so he did! It was about a few weeks later and Walter called to say he had been robbed and so he wouldn’t be walking to the bank any more! Did you know that Mrs Knott would sit at the end of the counter and check every dinner that came out of the kitchen?
They were very humble and unassuming people! How refreshing! They reminded me of my grandparents, hard working humble people!
I am 73, and I went to Knotts the first time in 1955. I loved it. There Fried Chicken and Berry Pie is to die for.
I remember panning for gold there in 1966! I still have the gold in a little bottle. Your videos bring back great memories of my California childhood:)
I remember being told during a tour of Independence Hall that the bricks were hand formed in order to give them an "aged" effect to resemble the original building more. The fact the clay and bricks were from Lake Elsinore and Riverside is news to me. I grew up in Riverside and am very familiar with all of the old clay mines around Lake Elsinore.
Thanks for a great walk down memory lane. For the record, I am of the generation who remembers visiting Knotts before there was an admission charge. Those were the days of driving from Riverside and parking at Knotts (in grass lots) and spending a day just walking around the park enjoying the free activities and maybe catching a ride or two. Great times.
I was born down the street in Dairy Valley (Artesia) in 1950, my parents were from Bellflower and they both knew the Knott's Family and Bill Rigdon, (could be Higdon, not sure, it's been a long time) Bill worked for Walter early on, he was a Blacksmith & Prospector too and helped create many of the attractions and the Gold Panning Pool (where I learned to pan for gold when I was about 4 or 5). In those days there was No Admission to anywhere, it was all free just to walk in. The original stand was on Beach Blvd (Hwy 39), Mrs. Knott's Resturant replaced the old shack and also was on Beach Blvd., then later was a Civil War/Cowboy Shop of sorts, they had Civil War Cannons out in front of it. The Stagecoach Ride was Bill's idea and started in that area, along with the Electric Mini Model T Rides that paralelled Beach Blvd. Skipper Frank was a TV Kid Show Host in the 50's and he and his brother (I think) built a lot of these cars in Mr. & Mrs. Pyette's Barn in Bellflower. The Pyette's lived 2 lot's away from My Grandparents, My Dad's Family on Grand Street. My Mom was born in Bellflower in 1925 (she's still alive and well at 95 years old). Her Grandfather on Her Dad's side was John Fusch from Norwood, Missouri and was a Farmer and built a Carousel for his kids (My Grandpa Fusch & his brothers and sisters) that was pulled by a Donkey. Grandpa & Grandma Fusch went to Church every Sunday and the Knott's Family was part of the Congregation. Grandpa told Walter Knott about the Carousel and later on he found it and made it a part of the Berry Farm in a section called "Old MacDonald's Farm" which was very close to the Gold Panning Pool and the Seal Pool, yeah they had Seal's there too that you could feed them with Anchovies. My Parent's & us kids moved to Garden Grove in 1955 just down the street form the Brand New Disneyland in Anaheim. Great Video ! Brings back memories. Great Channel ! I'm a History Buff myself and watch all of your video's. I'm also a Author of one History Book as well, it's on Amazon (Kindle) just for your Information. It's called "The Return of the Giant Serpent", it's dirt cheap at $3.49 but you can review the first 15 to 20 pages for Free. Darrell Lane
Thank you for the wonderful insight into more of the history of the area and the Knotts, their friends, etc. growing up in L.A. county, we actually preferred Knott’s to Disneyland. In the early ‘70s they had to start charging admission, Mom said it was because of the hippies camping in the parking lot, haha. We always had a lot of fun visiting the park in my childhood. We even saw Pat Boone perform in the former John Wayne Theater. We also visited Calico Ghost Town a few times, and would even drive out to “Scotty’s Castle,” and eat in the cafeteria there and look in the gift shop, but never took the tour. I would enjoy seeing a tour of the castle though, if anyone has documented it.
Darrell Lane..You mentioned Skipper Frank in your comment. I was one of the kids that got picked out of the audience to be a contestant on the cartoon carousel kids show where you would be Skipper Frank’s cohost for that day. The show used to come on before Bozo the. clown in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. Thanks for the history lesson.
Thanks bud for sharing your memories with us. Blessings
Coming from Artesia/Bellflower you must've been a Dutch family? Which congregation did the Knott's attend with your family?
Before you post a comment, maaaaybe edit it... we kinda were drifting off halfway through that loonng novel
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Kudos to your kid for being a good sport while dad films!
It’s good to see that Sarah’s son was having a great time….
I remember going there as a child with my parents back in the 1950's, I still enjoy watching the film footage we took and roaming over our pictures.
Great memories!
I remember visiting Knott's Berry Farm in the 70s and noticed a small trailer home---something very small you would tow behind a car---sitting in a spot highly out of place. I joked to my wife that it was where Walter Knott lived. Then I noticed a police guard standing nearby whose sudden response showed me I was right. He lived there, just as I would have done, smack dab in the middle of the park in his little trailer home, enjoying the place and the people through cracks in his curtains.
I worked at Knott's Berry Farm in 1961-62 but don't remember A trailer and Walter Knott living in it?
@@daveneil3963 This happened in the mid-seventies.
In your day they had a nice house on the property.
I worked there in the mid 1980's in the rides department. I worked in Ghost Town running all the rides and my friend (Supervisor) actually became the head of Knott's. Most fun job I ever had.
I was there in 1963, wow, things have changed. 😂 We went to Disneyland that same year and stopped at Knott's...great time as a kid!!!
Man times were alot better back then..It was a better life...I live in Austin Tx and we made a road trip in 1986 and it was alot of fun we came in a station wagon and we were calling ourselves the grissswalds..lol 😅 we came to knotts,disney,and magic mountain..I was only 12 yrs old but had lots of fun..I just recently visited again in 2023. And I'll take 1986 anyday...Times were just so much better back then..
I am so glad I found this video. Brings back a lot of memories. As a young boy growing up in North Long Beach I would ride my bike ( 13 miles up and back) to Knotts Berry Farm
It’s possible that our paths crossed at that great amusement park. I am glad you found our video as well. Thank you so much for watching and we hope that you will subscribe to our channel.
I loved this park as a kid in the 70's! My grandparents had a sweet donkey named Beck and donated her to Knott's Berry Farm when they had to move from the ranch. I think she was there for several years. Thanks for another great video!
We donated a few Mallard ducks that couldn't fly to Knott's in the early 80s.
Great video! I'm still playing catch up on all of your videos and enjoying it. According to my mom, Mr. Knott and my great grandfather went in 50-50 on a mule to work both of their farms in the 1920's
That is awesome! Thank you very much for watching our channel! We certainly do appreciate it, Darrel!
I really enjoy your historical videos and especially appreciate how you hi-lighted Walter and His wife's dedication to each other, Walters reverence for our countries foundation and his incredible dedication to preserving our history.
Thank you very much! Walter was one of the great Americans of our generation! I only wish I could have shaken his hand!
Thank you for showcasing Knott’s Berry Farm! Loved to go there growing up in Southern California! I actually went to a Richard Marx concert at the theatre in the 80’s ! Small, intimate setting vs big concert venues!
I loved Knott's and went there as both a child and as an adult. The last time I was there was probably 20 years ago though. I also have been to Calico Ghost Town a couple of times. Very fun places.
I visited as a kid in 1965 as a tourist from the Mid-west. It seem much smaller and rustic back then. My one great memory was I got to shake the hand of a real American Indian!! Looking back that was a bit exploitive, but the guy had a job and it was exciting for a kid.
I was totally unaware of this place, it's history, and the fact there is a theme park in operation. I have heard the phrase "Knott's Berry" spoken, but always thought that "Knottsberry" is what was being said. (An actual type of berry.) This was a very educational video for me. BTW - John Wayne looked happy.
Thanks for watching! What part of the world are you located to not have heard of Knott's Berry Farm?
@@jbenziggy North East Ohio.
The boysenberry was created not too far from Knott's berry farm in Anaheim by a man who's last name was boysen.
your a natural at making videos jeff i feel like im watching a show on tv everytime i watch your videos
Wow, thanks. That is the desired effect. I want it to appear more like a TV show than a vlog. I cringe at that terminology. Thank you for reaching out and commenting! Much appreciated, Jeff
Great video, as always. I still buy their Boysenberry jam and syrup when I visit the U.S. Have loved Boysenberries all my life and in my younger years we had bushes of them on my granny's dairies. Also, picked some for money in the summer at ranches that used to be on Hatch Rd. in Ceres/Modesto. Want to visit Knott's before I die, it is on my bucket list. Thank you again for producing things worth watching !
Thanks for the compliment! We appreciate it!
The Boysenberry was created by a man with the last name Boysen not too far from Knott's in Anaheim.
It's so awesome to find out more about our unique and endlessly fun theme park/berry farmers. Stay safe everyone!
It’s on my bucket list to visit Knott’s Berry Farm and have their famous chicken dinner. I hear it’s the best!
Yes you must visit when the restrictions in California are lifted! And yes the chicken dinners are good but they were probably better when served up by Mrs. Knott!
I hope you get there! It’s cheaper than D-land! Definitely get the chicken dinner and walk under the street to Independence Hall !
It used to be much better when I was a kid.
The last time I ate there, it sadly wasn't anywhere near as good as it was in the 80s.
Same here I want to ride ghostrider
I still think the traditional friend chicken dinner there is the best in the world
Thank you for doing this it brought back a lot of good old memories of Knott's Berry Farm as I was a child.
You are so welcome! I, too, have fond memories of that place as a child and have gone less and less the older I have become. Hopefully we'll all be heading there (spaced out of course) in the coming years to relive the magic! Thank YOU for watching! We hope you will become a subscriber!
Here's hoping the park never loses sight of Walter's vision.
Give it 10 years!
Well its owned by Cedar Fair
It has certainly stood the test of time!
@@jonmacdonald5345 You must have Knott's confused with Disneyland. That park is a shell of what it once was in terms of affordability.
I grew up going to KBF and I don't remember an original berry stand but do remember the remake. Great Video!
Informative. Entertaining. Reminiscent. Heart Warming - Thanks Jeff & Sarah
Tami Whitelock thanks for enjoying the video! Your feedback made our morning! Please become a subscriber for more. I’m working on lots more! - Jeff.
GREAT doc & great channel. I will be consistently tweeting these out to my 20,000 history lovers. When my new show is up n running I will reach out to have you as a guest. -Jon Robberson
This is fantastic. Thank you for that. I love Knotts Berry Farm
Hey thanks, Brian! Glad you liked it! As you can tell, so do I! If you haven't subscribed to my channel, would you? Thanks so much! I will encourage me to create more video adventures!
jbenziggy already did my friend. I’m enjoying your channel.
Pro Tip: If you secretly talk to the guy who voices Sad Eye Joe and give him information about anyone you're with, he'll work it into the conversation and surprise that person with their personal name and whatever you tell him to say. :)
Love Knotts farm! Thanks for the history behind it.
Awesome. I actually met Mr Knott very early in the morning.... if memory serves me.... New Year's day, 1973 or 74. He was the grand Marshall for the Rose Parade. My father and I were part of a support group for a float, in a moter home parked on Orange Grove blvd.... a Pasadena police officer, knocked on the door, to ask if Mr Knott could use our bathroom...... true story !
That is a really cool story! Walter Knott strikes me as being a stern, no-nonsense and hardworking guy!
@@jbenziggy yep.... no nonsense. He used our restroom, said "thank you,"..... moved on.....
The calico mine ride actually feels like a real underground mine. Even smells & sounds like one too..
Loved Knots Berry Farm. One of my favorites from 1969. Hats off to their love of patriotism. GOD BLESS
It is a great place -- just don't go on the weekends. Because it's cheaper than Disneyland, that place gets very crowded on weekends!
I have a faint memory of visiting Knotts Berry Farm as a small child. I remember having fun but not any specific memory. I would have been about 3-4 I’m guessing.
Thanks for the videos!
You’re welcome! You should go back to Knott’s when things return to normal.
Going back through your older videos. Love them.
Grate episode.
We wish bud had got some credit for his mine and log ride.
He also made the bell inside Independence hall.
Hopefully he is worthy of a history Hunters episode.
After all
Wendell "Bud" Hurlbut
Invented the Hidden switchback Q line.
And he was the inventor of the log flume.
Keep up the grate work.
*great
That was one of the best shows you've done yet. Yes the Knott's we're special people.
That's great. I love the history. Thank you for all your hard work. Keep them coming.
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Looks like a mixture of Patrick Duffy and Tom Skerritt, and I’m absolutely loving it! Thanks for sharing your love of Knott’s!!! Grew up going there, tons of nostalgia. Hope more people make videos like this...
Thanks! I’ve heard the Duffy thing but never Tom Skerritt. Lol. Glad you like our show !!!
@@jbenziggy Been viewing more of your content, and now I’m a new subscriber! Hope you do a video of the old SPADRA CEMETERY near Cal Poly Pomona.
And yes, if you rocked a beard, you’d definitely look like a late 1970’s Tom Skerritt haha
@@zachsprinkles2130 nah. LOL
I loved going there as a kid in the late 60s. This sure has brought back some good memories
Good deal! Thanks!
My family moved to northern Orange County in 1950, mainly in Fullerton. Have been here ever since. We visited Knott's (and Calico) often. Ghost town section has always been my favorite. (Thanks also for your thorough historical research.. No one else that I know of has reported the true history of the old, small locomotive, a Porter, beside the blacksmith shop.) Knott, BTW, farmed land out in the Newberry Springs area (Mojave Desert) long time ago.
I used to live in Fullerton. In fact I worked at Knott's Berry Farm in 1961-62 and graduated from Sunny Hills High School in 1962. I went to Fullerton High School my freshman year and we lived on Shadow Ln. close to Hillcrest Park.
@@daveneil3963 My late wife graduated from Sunny Hills H.S. back then. My kids graduated there too. My older sister graduated from Fullerton H.S.
Visited with my Papa as a kid, still have great memories.. (I'm 53 now).
Thanks so much! I grew up around there and even worked at the Good Time Theater as an usher. I do remember it as the John Wayne Theater as well.
When I worked there in the late 80’s it was called the Toyota Good Time Theater. New Kids on the Block played there once.
Beautiful day in Los Angeles. Loved knotts berry farm when I lived in Los Angeles
Great video; Sorry I have never been there in person, but your video is a good substitute; THANKS
Great episode! I remember going to Knott's Berry Farm as a kid when it was free. No roller coasters back then, only the log ride and mining train. Riding on the stage coach was fun, too! There also used to be a place where you could pan for gold. Fun times.
My memory of the park was when we visited in the early 50's. I was probably about 4 or 5 years old.They had a horse that would tell you what your birthday was by walking and picking up some numbers on wooden blocks. And swing the number at you!!! I often wondered what his name was.
Thank's Jeff & Sarah for good memories, always enjoyed Knott's Berry Farm as a kid & adult.Took my family & grandkids there as well. Disney declined are yearly pass one day, so we did'nt have much money do to gas & food. So my wife & I went to Knott's & explained what happened at the ticket booth. The person helping us got on the phone to head office. After they hung up they gave us the afternoon rate for my wife,kids & I. The park had just been open for 3 hours. We always prefer family friendly Knott's over the Mouse 😂
Thank you Jeff & Sarah for fond memories.
I loved this episode. I grew up in california, La Puente then Covina. I remember as a child of 10 or 11 and into the young teens, going to knott's berry farm. I was on the train sitting next to an actor dressed as an indian when there was the fake robbery. I also loved the little chapel where there was a instrumental song playin I wish I knew now. It was great. I'm 73 now came back to massachusetts after I graduated in '67'. But those are 2 memories that stand out. I've shared it with my baby sister who was born in 66 in california but has never seen knott's berry farm. Thank you.
Suzzane - My sister graduated Covina High in 1966, I graduated in 1969. Our family went to Disneyland each year as a special occasion but dinner at Knotts Berry Farm was more often. We would roam around the grounds before dinner until they started charging, then it was just dinner for us. There was so much entertainment growing up in the LA area back then.
@@FeatnikSF I graduated from northview high school in cucina 1967. My mother always wanted to come back to massachusetts so after I graduated we did. Settled in westfield. Only miss california when it's cold and snowy here.
Covina not cucina these darn phones lol
Great video! Lots of interesting facts. Love the old footage of Ronald Reagan and the Duke.
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Great job on this one! My mom is from Garden Grove and I grew up going to Knott’s every summer when we visited my grandfather. I always loved the history and my family’s stories about Knott’s and it will always hold a special place in my heart! Thank you!
This was an amazing place to visit for a child in the 1960s and the deliciousness of fresh boysenberry juice is yet in my memory.
Great episode about my favorite theme park! I appreciate all the historic details regarding Knotts Berry Farm, and really enjoyed the old footage of the Groucho interview! Well done!
I am glad that you enjoyed this episode. Sarah and I had the unfortunate experience of going to Knotts berry farm last month on a Saturday. It was crowded beyond belief and we waited 2 1/2 hours to ride the ghost rider roller coaster. It was ridiculous. Caution to anyone who reads this… Never go to knots berry farm on the weekend. It is a miserable experience.
@@jbenziggy We went on President's Day and it was very busy, but we returned the following day, and the park was very quiet. We enjoyed the ghost town atmosphere without the large crowd quite a lot.
I love the log ride I can almost smell the ride, it had a very old but clean smell
When we were kids we used to get excited to smell chlorinated water because it reminded us of our vacations to Disneyland and Knott's. That's because the rides had that smell and so did the hotel pools. LOL. The Calico Mine ride also had a distinct smell of concrete and oil.
Great job. Brought back a ton of memories
chuck chavez hey thanks Chuck! Tell others about my shows! More are coming!
Boy! How did I miss this one? I loved every minute of it. I went there at a young age. Thank you. What I find different now is the amount of people carrying back packs. We didn't do that back then. I often wonder what people carry in them that they must.
I think they carry around their lunch to save on amusement park food expense! LOL. Hey, I'm glad you found and enjoyed this video!
Great Trip you 2. Thank you for bringing us along. This was to be My Husband an my Trip this year. Since I have lost him in December 2022. It's been hard. However when you have been with someone for 45 years it just seems as if someone pulled the rug out from under you. Thank you. I have enjoyed this virtual tour and the Opportunity to ride along. Jeff and Sarah, Thank you again.
Thank you for sharing. I was there in the 50s when I was a child living in Southern California, born in LA as my dad was a career US Navy.
Been there many times, beautiful place and miss it, I moved back to my home state Idaho,
I grew up loving this place!
That was Great 👍. Thank you for sharing 😊
Our 8th Grade graduating class went there in 1959...it's changed a lot.
Yes it certainly has changed since 1959. I kind of wish it had stayed the small ghost town that it was but I guess to compete they had to introduce all kinds of roller coaster type rides. Thanks for watching and we'd love to have you subscribe!
I was there back in July 1970. I have some nice memories.
We went recently and it was a mistake. Soooooo crowded you could barely ride anything. Sad.
I never knew Walter Knott was from my hometown. I have a lot of great memories from Knotts Berry Farm, thanks for the video.
I saw no mention of the 'Panning for gold' exhibit. Experienced it many times when I was a kid in the 60's. Lived in Glendale. We were regulars and KBF, as well as, Disneyland.
Another great and interesting show. I'm amazed that you find photos and video of events from yesteryear.
WOW, THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
Great videos, very well done. You must be in the video production business. I'm sort of a local guy and I have a Knott's annual pass. I am glad to see that the music is back at the wagon camp, Calico square and the Bar B.Q area. Krazy Kirt and the Hillbillies (Band) are so good and funny. Its fun for the hole family. They even have the campfire lit. When I was a kid in the 1960s the Wagon Camp music show was a big part of Knott's Berry Farm. I hope the Wagon Camp shows continue to be part of Knott's. I hope Knott's Berry Farm is encouraging guests to go to the Wagon Camp shows. Keep the History videos coming!
Dude thank you very much! I’m actually working on another one! I’m not in video production at all. Just learned last year!
I have the whole Wagon Camp show from the 60's on super 8 home movies. One of these days I'm gonna didgitize it.
Silverwood the train still gets robbed. Its always an awesome experience. Great video especially the John Glenn, The Duke, and Reagan clips
My parents our family and their friends would drive up from San Diego in there new then 51 Chevy wagon for chicken dinners Then in the late sixths when attending Long Beach State I would take our daughter over on Sunday afternoon for an outing it was free then except for the train ride.
I grew up in Newport Beach. In the mid 50’s when I was about 12, I first went to Knotts. I remember most the bandits coming aboard the train-shooting their guns. It was loud! Lots of smoke too. Also remember the haunted shack. There was optical allusion where water appeared to flow uphill! My 12 year old brain just couldn’t figure it out. What great memories! Similar to Disneyland in 1955.
Such a fun time when being there ,a lot better than Disney Land…thank you for bringing back good memories .
I will be releasing a new video on Sunday (I hope) about a recent visit to Disneyland through the eyes of a "history hunter." We hope you will check it out!
I was just a young kid when I went to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm so I don't really remember a lot of it. A big thanks for this trip down memory lane.
Told you I was Binge watching!!
love it!
Thank you Run Away!
Thanks, Jeff & family. I have just discovered your interesting channel. The childhood memories of visiting Knott's Berry Farm are gone. The last visit was with my eldest daughter on Veterans Day around 1994. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Donald! I appreciate the donation and your message! By the way, I have an uncle named Donald Dodd! Lol
@@jbenziggy Maybe a very distant Shrewsbury Shropshire relative. Dodd might have had a son. When some Anglicized their Welsh names, the son of Dodd became Dodson. Also, many pre-Ellis Island Dodsons became Dotson and Dobson, since their accents were foreign to the English gatekeepers.
Cool video! Looks like those two cowboy sitting statues were missing during your visit. They are back after a nice refurbishment. Also they still rob the train, bummer those bandits missed ya that trip.
Sam Carter thanks! Yeah we visited on the wrong day I suppose. I love that place! If you can we’d like to have you subscribe! If not then I understand! Jeff
I really enjoyed this episode, because I’ve never been to Knotts but often wondered what it looked like. I also love history 👍 thank you.
I’ll be putting out a Disneyland video hopefully this weekend, kind of in the same vein!
Awesome can’t wait to watch and learn 👍
A young Knott looks very much like my grandfather when he was very young too.
Been a KBF passholder for 7 years now and I've never looked back. I've visited the park dozens of times in the past with my wife, siblings, friends, family, and more, and if the Lord allows I'll be visiting the park dozens of times more!
I love the park too but we went on a recent Saturday and it was miserably crowded. It took 2 hours 45 minutes to ride the Ghost Rider. Such a waste of time. I left muttering to myself, “There’s too many people on the planet.”
@@jbenziggy Yeah, I know what you mean. Thankfully Knott’s has plenty to see and do where their roller coasters to me are an afterthought. Ghost Rider is either the very first thing or the very last thing to get in line for since it always has a long queue. Weekdays are better days to go since it’s not as crowded, but the downside is the park closes earlier.
As I watched the video, I was hoping you would end up at their gravesites in Fullerton and of course, you did. I'm subscribing to your channel and you do a great job visiting different places. I tend to do the same thing once in a while here in Southern California where I live, though I don't have the TH-cam forum you have. Again, fantastic work, from one history buff to another. Keep it coming.
Thank you so much for your generous comments. I truly appreciate the feedback from a fellow history enthusiast. When you stop and think about the great things that the Knotts accomplished, they were truly humble people. I’m glad you like this video!
Loved the video great job👍🏻, the ending got me 🥹
That couple what is an amazing couple!
My family and I visited Knott’s Berry Farm when I was five years old in 1961 the family wanted to ride on the train and I was afraid of the train because they were loud and clingy and being only five I thought it wouldn’t bring us back to Knott’s Berry Farm so I refuse to get on So my dad had to sit with me for the rest of them rode it
My relatives use send us Knotts Berry jelly all the time. They lived close to the farmThat is really good jelly. I enjoyed this video.❤❤❤❤
I loved this park. You could get the best berry jam there.
Knotts Berry Farm has a lot of history I was not aware of. We went in the early 1970’s to see Gary Puckett & the Union Gap in concert. Hopefully their prices of admission won’t get as ridiculous as Disneyland. Thanks for all your research and diligent work on these vlogs. It’s important to archive these things for future generations to come.
Thank you very much for your vote of confidence. You are correct about admission prices being much lower than Disneyland however that is a double edge sword because the crowds when we went to Knott’s recently were miserably crowded. I think we got to ride three rides the whole day. That’s how crowded it was on a Saturday. I don’t think I will ever go there again on a weekend. It’s just too crowded.
Thanks for letting us know that “double edged sword” detail on Saturdays being crowded. I can also see why they don’t pretend to rob the train anymore for safety reasons. We felt like we were right there with you soaking it all in down to that tasty corn 🌽 on the Cobb the nice & patient young man was enjoying in the background there.
Thank you Jeff !
You bought back happy memories for me
Thanks for the video!!
You’re welcome! That is a fantastic place filled with nostalgia for me too!
My 8th grade class visited Knott’s Berry Farm on a field trip. It was fun as a kid.
Good clean fun. Jeff I loved this segment. Great History and your special entertaining touch. Uh err Sarah is attractive.
“Berry “ informative! Learned things I never knew, even after visiting Knotts dozens of time while we lived there from 1980-2000. Sadly California has changed dramatically and unfortunately, not for the better .
I remember visiting Knott’s Berry Farm…many years ago. It was a lot of fun in a world not yet filled with amusement parks.
The first time I went to Knott's Berry Farm, it was all dirt, unpaved. 1958. Before I retired from the Sheriff's Dept, the last time I went was in 2010, New Years Day. On that day, the park opened early for all Government workers and Military personnel. Admission was free with Government ID and one guest. The Chicken restaurant opened at 7am for breakfast and we toured the park when it opened. Good times.
Knott's has always been my favorite SoCal park. I even have my "certificate" from Knott's from 1971....
absolutely fabulous video, so much information, can't wait to see more !
Glad you enjoyed it, Edward!
Went there many a day with my grandma back in the 60-s fun times
Your videos are well done and a pleasure to watch
Thank you! That's very nice to read! We both are honored!
In 1962-1963 we lived off Lincoln Blvd in Buena Park. The only things I remember was at 7 years old, we were let out of school when JFK was killed. And visiting Knotts Berry Farm. Also we would go pick rhubarb somewhere right by the the berry farms and my Mom would make rhubarb pie. I hated it !. I'm not sure if it was owned by Knotts or not, or if it was legal or not to take. Thanks for bringing up these old memories ! You guys are awesome.
Thank you very much, Grant. I think some of our childhood memories are kind of what makes us the people that we are today and holding onto those memories is very important. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences of living in that area. It sounds like you had an amazing childhood!
loved the train , corkscrew and that plume ride
I worked in matainence paint shop 22 years lots of memorys
Wow. Was it numbered 22 because they had that many maintenance shops? If so, that's a lot!
Went to Knott's Berry Farm in 1982 when I was 9 years old. Looks like so much has changed since then. They had a roller coaster called the corkscrew, that was the first roller coaster I ever rode that went upside down.
Just found you love your videos,so interesting. Thank you so much
Thank you! We love feedback like yours! Please do us a favor and subscribe! More videos are in the works!