Knott's Berry Farm
Here are the last few scans from a series of badly faded & damaged slides of Knott's Berry Farm. In spite of their many flaws, I think they are still worth a look.
The first two show the wonderful Calico Mine Train building - certainly one of the grandest and most impressive things ever to be built at Knott's. Scenic railroads had been a feature at amusement parks for decades, but Bud Hurlbut pulled out all the stops for this one.
This next photo was taken mere moments after the previous example; look for some of the same people, if you are in the mood. I have no idea why the color is so different, but it is what it is. I like the placement of the bench to the right - who wouldn't want to relax, and take in the people, the mine trains coming and going, and the waterfalls?
This very crude and rustic cart was displayed somewhere on Museum Lane (near the Bird Cage Theatre). Constructed from rough-cut tree branches and large wooden wheels, it was probably pulled by oxen or burros. I wish I knew the story behind it - how ancient is it? Where was it found? Who built it?
And finally, we're over at the popular seal pool, next to Old Mac Donald's Farm. If there's one thing I know about sea lions, it's that they are noisy as heck. The only way to shut them up is to feed them pieces of sardine or anchovy. This one is threatening to ring a bell - he probably does it 1000 times a day, like an obnoxious little kid.
18 comments:
Bud Hurbut's Calico Mine Ride is still an enjoyable experience today and one of the crown jewels of Knott's in my opinion. I never tire of riding it. His work was so good that it makes me wonder why he didn't do more on a national level at other amusement and theme parks.
I remember seal pools when I was a kid and feeding them with those little fish wrapped the butcher paper. Those were the days. Nice set today! Thanks, Major.
My major memories are of Disneyland back in the 50s-60s. I tend to forget how cool Knotts was. The Calico Mine train was great! And lets not forget that little devil that powered the volcano, one of my personal favorites.
I went to Knott's exactly how many times I went to Disneyland- once, in the summer between the fourth and fifth grades. Interestingly enough, although The Calico mine is the exact sort of thing I would have eaten up as a kid, I don't remember it. (I DO remember Rainbow Ridge, however). About all I remember of Knott's is the Independence Hall show and seeing the Brady Kids in concert. I still have the 8x10 glossy group photo handout from that one! I keep thinking it might be time for another Southern Cal visit, but it hasn't happened...yet...
I love that, even on a day as bright and sunny as this, there are still enough crags in the mine train facade to make a bunch of neato shadows.
The lady on the left, in blue capris, would have worn her summerweight babushka, but it wouldn't fit over her mile-high bouffant.
That is one feisty-lookin' seal! If she had fingers, she'd be snapping them in our faces. The little girl in the short, puffy skirt holding onto the the railing looks like a junior ballerina at the barre.
Great set all around today!
I remember the lengthy, exhausting climb on the trail, bordered by a little babbling stream, up to the lofty Mine Train station, situated 100 feet up overlooking Calico Square. At least it seemed that way to me as a kid.
K. Martinez, I agree with you… you’d think that he would have designed rides for Six Flags or some similar company. Maybe he was content with what he was doing and didn’t want to expand? Or was it that nobody knocked on his door to ask? I guess we’ll never know. Meanwhile, a few years ago I was in Morro Bay feeding some seals, and had a real flashback to Knott’s.
DrGoat, I loved Knott’s when I was a kid, so it kind of surprised me when my friend Mr. X said that he never cared for it. I get that it isn’t Disneyland, but as far as I’m concerned, that’s half the charm.
Stuart Powley, I’m curious if you went on Knotts’ other Bud Hurlbut attraction, the Log Ride, and if so, do you remember it? That’s another one that I loved as a kid, and even though the final flume is not as big as the one for Splash Mountain, it still got my heart beating faster. I honestly didn’t know that the Brady Kids toured as a musical act. Cool that you still have your glossy photo.
Melissa, ol’ Calico Mountain is definitely craggy, in it’s odd way! I’ve said it before, but the rock work really reminds me of photos of scenic railways from the 1910’s. Bouffant Lady looks very much like someone I used to work with, she had 1960’s hair in the 1980’s.
Steve DeGaetano, it’s amazing how much of an impression little details can make… I loved the “underground” waterfall roaring away right next to the train, and the steam vents that felt dangerous. Such a wonderful ride!
Bud really did come up with some great attractions. When I was a kid, I loved the laid back atmosphere of Knotts. Later as a teen, I rode the Log ride and was impressed by the whole experience. When you went inside, there was even pine scent added to the air. KBF is a truly unique experience among theme parks. Carts similar to that were used to transport prisoners to the Guillotine during the French Revolution. Perhaps it is a movie prop. Thanks Major for a great start to today.
DrGoat, That little devil that powered the volcano is my earliest and strongest memory of early Knott's. In my little kid's mind it was very ominous.
I loved the Mine Train ride, just the best thing ever. Like Steve D, I remember the climb up the rocky stairs, but don't recall the wait being tiresome. I've seen pictures with the queue set up down on the flats to the left in this picture, but never seem to have had a long wait to ride.
The dynamite room was terrifying, in a good way. No one minded that the figures were palpably fake, no more than you mind the store mannequins in Sears. Overall, the ride didn't have the Disney polish, but it was a great experience nonetheless.
Now I want to go back to Knotts.
Thank you Major.
JG
Thankee, Major, this is the Knott's I loved. A memorable visit was in the mid-70s: Bud Hurlbut was collecting tickets at the Calico Mine turnstyle, and in fact gave me a slight reprimand for not tearing the coupon out before I reached him. I had just read an article with photos about Hurlbut, and loving the ride must gave been awed by the sight of its creator. It was a well-paced, convincingly detailed, at times deliciously claustrophobic ride, and fortunately the recent rehab didn't monkey with the original style too much.
Speaking of monkeys, remember the simian cage in Fiesta Village? Along with the seal pool and Old McDonald's Farm, one of the many charms of the park. Can't help but miss these features, though phasing out animals enclosed for human entertainment probably is for the best.
Another vote for favorite ride at Knott's. The Calico was starting to look a little shabby a few years ago. I'm so glad they spent the time/money on a full resto as opposed to yanking it out to make way for yet another vomit coaster.
Good job on the photos. I can only imagine how they looked before you worked your magic on them.
P.S. The last photo must have smell-a-vision as it barks of sardines just looking at it.
Jonathan, Knott’s was the park that we went to most of all, since Disneyland was “expensive” (little did we know!). And Knott’s was closer, and just so easy. My mom could drop a group of us off and let us run around on our own, which was amazing. I wish I had been more aware of the history of the park, I would have appreciated things even more than I did.
K. Martinez, I only have vague memories of the little devil, but (being a “monster kid”) that was definitely right up my alley.
JG, it’s been a while, but I don’t remember climbing up rocky stairs. What I do remember is riding it (and the Log Ride) repeatedly, until I knew it by heart. Unfortunately, the years make those memories fade. You’re right, the figures in that ride were crude to the point of being grotesque, but that was just part of what made it so different from Disneyland, and as I said earlier, added to its charm.
Stefano, wow, Bud was actually collecting tickets? Even after reading the article you referred to, I’m amazed that you recognized him. Now I wonder if he was ever there when I went to Knott’s! I don’t remember the monkey cages personally, but there used to be a GDB reader who used the handle “Monkey Cage Kurt”.
Alonzo, like you I am grateful that they spruced up much of Ghost Town, but I am still sad at the removal of the “peek-ins” that I loved when I was a kid. Maybe today’s guests just didn’t appreciate them. Those darn seals, they will do anything for a little piece of fish!
Major-
It was never expressed better than this slogan: Minutes from Disneyland - Worlds apart.
Major, I do seem to remember the log ride. However, since I lived about 30 minutes from 6 Flags Over Texas (which boasts the worlds FIRST log ride!) I might be confusing the memories...
MAJOR:
That is a Mexican/Spanish CARETTA . It traditionally was pulled by a single ox. I am not sure if it is real or not - but it looks very authentic. I don’t remember all the details but there was once some historic rancho on the outskirts of Los Angeles ... it was probably owned at one point before being given to the State if California Anyways it once has a very large historic horse drawn vehicle collection and I know they had a auction of these vehicles to help raise money fir the restoration of the ranchero . Thus would have been sometime in the 1940’s. I recalling gerseung ircreading that many movie studios used to rent the vehicles for movies and ended up purchasing many - I know a ice wagon used in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS was from thus collection. I understand Walter Knott’s purchased many of the wagons as well fir Knott’s Berry Farm. It’s possible this CARETTA came from that auction.
Old Town San Diego has two original Spanish Carettas - one from the 1790’s the other from around 1820. One was used to transport a families supplies from their old town residence to their cattle ranch located in San Diego county.
@Mike Cozart, and everyone, really.
These comments are why I love GDB.
JG
I wonder if Bud didn't expand his business to other parks because he was so heavily involved in managing his attractions at Knott's and later Castle Park. I think we tend to forget that he wasn't quite like Disney's Imagineers - aside from designing attractions, he was also an independent lessee at Knott's. He also had his miniature train business. Glad he built what he did, though.
Ken, your first comment about seeing seal pools as a kid reminded me of you saying you were a regular visitor to Oakland's Children's Fairyland as a tyke. I don't remember the sea lion pool at Knott's, but I do remember the one at Children's Fairyland, themed to the Walrus and the Carpenter. Great memories.
Chuck, yes. I do remember the sea lion pool at Children's Fairyland in Oakland in addition to Knott's sea lion attraction. They were great memories.
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