Knott's Berry Farm, 1960
Today's post contains the final two photos that the Devlin family generously shared with GDB - I am very grateful that I was allowed to publish them for all of you to enjoy.
We've seen lots of Disneyland images, as well as some from Universal Studios, Marineland, and those neat EPCOT models, but there were only two humble photos of Knott's Berry Farm, dated April 24, 1960.
We'll start with the best one; a crowd has gathered around an organ grinder and his adorable trained capuchin monkey, "Shorty". We can see Pat in his blue sweater, with sister Mary just to the left. Their mom, Mary Jo, is smiling at us from behind those two ladies. Shorty will accept pennies, dimes, peanuts, and popcorn, but he prefers cigarettes (menthol), like all right-thinking monkeys do. Pat is looking back toward his mom as if to say, "Can you believe this?!".
Next we're at the merry-go-round at Knott's (please don't confuse it with the carousel) - as you can see, this one is not all white horses. Mary is astride an ostrich (or I don't know, maybe it's an emu or a rhea), while Pat rides a spirited black and white steed. Half of a lion can be seen in the lower right. The merry-go-round has a total of 48 critters, including zebras, pigs, chickens, and tigers.
Thanks once again to the Devlin family!
10 comments:
Major-
The Devlin family and Knott's Berry Farm-! It's a WIN-WIN-!! And if I had to indicate a preference, my vote is with the Ostrich; but.
Thanks, Devlins' and The Major.
Poor Shorty. Tied up on a leash and forced to perform for the masses. I hope he was able to retire at some point and enjoy his golden years.
How come the old paint job on the Merry-Go-Round animals is far better than what we see on the same animals today?
Thank you again, Devlin Family!
TM!, maybe they haven't repainted it since 1960!
Love these photos! Reminds me of one a friend sent me of her as a little girl in the early 60s at KBF with the monkey. I liked that one so much I had it taped to the wall behind my desk in Iraq.
Does anyone know - did they also sell freshly-ground organs? Or was that only available at Hallowe'en?
Thanks again, Devlins and the Major for brightening our day!
@Chuck, lots of gizzards left over from those chicken dinners!
And a stop to watch the little devil crank up the volcano.
A pleasure looking at all the Devlin photos. Thanks!
I sure remember that little monkey scratching the penny out of ones fear-stricken palm but I never would have guessed it was at Knott's Berry Farm.
@Patrick Devlin, I have that exact same memory with his little fingernails. Can't remember where or when, but now that I see this, could be here.
Thanks to you, your family and the Major for sharing this series of wonderful pictures.
JG
Melissa, they have definitely painted them since then! And in most cases, the colors are too bright and gaudy!
Late in commenting here today. Love Shorty! We used have an organ grinder monkey at the Monterey Wharf back in the 1960's and 70's. I loved them.
Well all good things come to an end, the Devlin Family photos no exception. A huge THANKS to the Devlin Family for sharing their memories. And thank you for hosting, Major.
Post a Comment