More Knott's Autos, 1950's
Well, I sure learned a lot about Knott's Berry Farm's three different car rides in a post from a few weeks ago! This photo is perhaps less exciting, but is still a nice record of a long-gone attraction.
These scaled-down flivvers once sat on the outskirts of the Knott's property, and were strictly aimed at the younger guests. As you can see, these were not too different from the colorful fiberglass cars that rock back and forth in front of grocery stores and K-Marts. It probably cost a nickel for a minute or two of low-key fun. I wonder if these cars made an annoying sound like the modern versions do?
Details, I love the details! In the background you can see a fence. If we zoom in, it is clear that we are seeing the border of the old California Alligator Farm. I'll bet they didn't have many problems with people climbing their fence to avoid paying! 
15 comments:
In those days, Knotts Berry Farm had no admission fee. It was a true park.
Nice! All my shots of this are in B/W, when they built the "little town" around it.
Very cool. I love this stuff. How ironic, I posted vintage Knotts advertisements today.
FANTASTIC! Thanks for the rare angle on these.
The owner of these little cars started off by Emory Hoagland.Emeory was a Former groceryman he brought his little cars to Knott's Berry Farm in 1967.To make his area more attactrive he added a city block scaled down to 1/2 scale.the small city he built was made to look like a 1910 city. Latter in years Bud Hurlbut would buy the cars fron Emeory.
Richard Harris
Richard, are you sure about the date of 1967? I am pretty sure that this photo is from roughly 10 years before that (maybe you typed a typo). You sure know a lot about Knott's!
Major had to look at my notes you are right 1957.I was wrong on this one.
Richard
Still - good info.
Thanks Richard!
Any time.
The Alligator farm in the background moved to the Buena Park location in 1953.The Alligator farm was owned the Earnest family until they closed it in 1983.
Richard
I had that 1957 opening date too, but does anyone know when the "Model T Ride" was removed? Looks like it was still there in 1976 and was gone by 1980, but I don't have a solid closure date.
The cars are in storage in Bud Hurlbuts shop as of this day.The cars were out in January of 1980 when he sold his rides to the Knott Family.
Richard
I have some pictures from 1968 (I think) showing a lady standing next to some small buildings (like an Apollo Theater)...I've always wondered what they were, could they be from the small town that has been mentioned in other comments? I'll have to scan them in my "free time" (ha ha).
Yup, Major, those buildings (like the Apollo Theater) were a part of the 'small town' facades built around the stationary little cars. Small point, though - the area in this photo is not 'exactly' where the little town was built. The facades were added when the cars were 'nudged' to the southeast just a tad. Although a few cars did remain to the northwest behind the merry-go-round (the general area of this photo).
As always, the input from all of you knowledgeable folks makes this all the more fun for me. And it's all about me! Thanks everyone.
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