More Knott's Berry Farm, July 1964
It's time for more scans from some 126-sized slides. They're not the greatest! I sometimes wonder why this square format was hatched, since the standard 35mm slide had been around for decades and worked just fine.
When taking any photo, be sure to bisect it with a lamp post, flagpole, or any other vertical element. I learned this directly from Ansel Adams, and it works like a charm. This one really is odd, were they trying to capture the Blacksmith shop? "Old Betsy" in the background? I guess "all of the above".
Two adorable burros look at us with big dark eyes, hoping for some scritches. Burros love scritches! But the most fascinating thing about this particular photo is the evidence of a ghost (we are in Ghost Town after all), that mysterious green shape of light for which there is no other explanation. Could the burro see the ghost? Definitely.
All of the finest ghost towns had these handy electric (?) carts, perfect for moving the bodies of gunned-down desperados, or drunks. Behind it is the Calico Print shop, I'm not sure what went on in there. Could you buy a customized souvenir "wanted" poster, or something like that?
And finally, here's a photo of what I presume is a genuine antique stagecoach. A little worse for wear, but nothing a little elbow grease won't fix. They thought enough of it to give it some protection from the weather, which is something. I wish I could read that sign to the left!
I have more of these "just OK" Knott's slides, but never fear, I also have some really nice Knott's slides all scanned and ready to go!
14 comments:
Major-
"When taking any photo, be sure to bisect it with a lamp post..."
Why the photographer was merely practicing his Cinerama picture-taking skills by locating that lamppost at the join line between the Able and Baker cameras-!
A special shout-out for those 'Mom purses'-! (The purse equivalent of a land yacht).
Thanks, Major.
Ha! It's like we're seeing one half of two different photos, as if the camera's film advance sprockets were kind of wonky. Maybe this was the same photographer who took all those Disneyland photos that prominently featured the foreground blacktop/slurry (been a few years since we've seen those photos).
Major, Major, Major; don't be silly. That's not a ghost. The burro is simply exhaling a cloud of radioactive plutonium fumes from a vape pen. People (and burros) vape the strangest things.
This is actually a nice picture of the burro.
That really is a strange vehicle parked in front of the Print shop; if not for hauling bodies, then what? Above the man pushing the stroller (or lawn mower) is a sign pointing the way to Knott's world-famous "Barn Mouse". Just yer typical mouse in a cage with cedar shavings, but folks didn't know that 'til they got there.
I agree, that must be an honest-to-goodness stagecoach. I wonder if the "Wells Fargo Co." sign is original to the coach?
Thanks for the Knott's pics, Major.
That vehicle in front of the Print Shop was the very same one that brought Walter Knott's mother and grandmother cross country to California. As you can see, there was no place on the vehicle to store water. That is why they were so thirsty for most of the trip.
JB, I know you were joking about the "Barn Mouse"....of course, the sign reads "Bath House" and you can see a "community" towel hanging on the wall. Don't worry. The towel was replaced regularly. Once a year.
Major, here's more info about what was sold in the Calico Print Shop, and the various shops that have been in that space after it closed:
https://meettheworldinprogressland.blogspot.com/2015/09/knotts-berry-farm-ghost-town-print-shop.html
I believe that stagecoach is the Wells Fargo coach that Black Bart held up repeatedly. The coach (or a copy of it) is still at Knott's, along with a sign about it's history. The coach is no longer under a cover.....just like the antique hearse that Knott's used to store under a cover, but now keep unprotected, "out in the elements." This makes me think that today's coach must be a "replacement"...otherwise, wouldn't the original have rotted away by now?
https://www.eatlife.net/knotts-berry-farm/wells-fargo-stagecoach.php
Mmmmm. Grill....
I see that the noted Civil War Hero General Blacksmith set up shop here after the armistice. I believe his Southern opponent General Store had a place nearby.
That is definitely a ghost, Major, and the burro can see it, they’re discussing the weather or the Rams chances in the Super Bowl or something.
The electric cart is used for transporting ghosts of course. No need for them to walk or float about. It says “Ghost Town” right on the front so the driver doesn’t forget where he is going.
Black Bart was noted for his strength, as he regularly held up stagecoaches all over the Northern Mines, good exercise for the upper body. He was noted for leaving behind notes written in poetry at the scenes of his depredations, and was eventually captured on the evidence of a laundry mark on his fine linen handkerchief left behind in his haste.
Thanks for these very acceptable photos of Knotts!
JG
Nanook, by gum, that has to be the answer! I want to see these frames in full CINERAMA.
JB, I assume that part of the appeal of this film format is that you could squeeze more frames out of a strip of film. As for those photos of the slurry, those go WAY back! I can’t even remember how far, but I’ll bet it was pre-2010. Hmmm, radioactive burros, I don’t know how to feel about it. On one hand, cool, because the burro will soon be 200 feet tall, and on the other, just let the burro be a nice pal. I kind of dig that vehicle, it looks useful for an amusement park. I can’t quite make out the name of the thing. I would walk a mile to see a Barn Mouse! No idea if “Wells Fargo” was the original sign, it almost seems too good to be true.
TokyoMagic!, wow, I always pictured the desert crossing so differently. They brought no water, but bags and bags of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. An error in judgement! Grandpa had his jug of sauerkraut juice, but most would rather die of thirst than drink that stuff. Thank you for the link to your blog re: the Calico Print Shop! I just don’t understand why these places let beautiful props such as that stagecoach rot away out in the elements - would it be that hard to use a LITTLE bit of care? Drives me crazy!
Steve DeGaetano, I recommend the Sloppy Joe!
JG, General Blacksmith, I can picture his impressive sideburn. Yes, he only had one, the other side of his face was clean-shaven. It made him look extra crazy on the battlefield! Burros love football, so talking about the Super Bowl is a good guess. I feel like I would want to float if I was a ghost, but I’ve never done it, so maybe it isn’t as easy as it looks. I hope Black Bart uses a back brace, he can injure his lower back with stunts like holding up stagecoaches. Sure, the ladies love it, but a lot of good that will do him when he’s in traction.
Thanks Major! The shape of these photos makes me think of the Super 35 slides, but in 126 size for slimmer waistlines. I love old pics of Knott's whatever shape they are in.
I think we have seen some wonderful Cinerama images here in the past, where several images have been stitched together. :)
I'm proud to say that I have sat on three horses and one burro in my lifetime. Is that a record? No, it wasn't all at once.
I have probably sat on the back of one of those green electric carts many more times. They were used quite a bit in the old large nurseries my parents would visit back in the 60's when shopping for plants. Putting one's child on the back of an electric vehicle with no sides was more acceptable back then.
I want to reach through the screen and put the burros' wee velvety nosies. And while I'm in there I'll yoink the snazzy glasses and handbag from the lady in white. And then I'll get to keep the Vintage Fashion Award for myself! (Insert evil laugh here.)
The General Blacksmith building is a handful of real 19th Century buildings that were brought to Knott’s Ghost Town ….. and stabs today. However the majority of the real structures there and even early Knott’s replicas have since been demolished and rebuilt to look similar or replaced. The blacksmith shop came from about 18 miles north of Buena Park - lock - stock and anvil!
Tokyo magic is correct … that mud wagon stage is still on display ..across from the train depot and next to Judge Bean’s office . However it is left open to the elements and quickly rotting away . Near Halloween a full Skelton load of passengers and driver are added. The legend associated with the coach is dubious…. And it’s probably now impossible to ever prove it. Sadly most of the Knott’s audience doesn’t know or care what a stagecoach is or who black bart was. While Wells Fargo did run its own stagecoach’s , the majority of Wells Fargo Express contracted with other stage lines like the BUTTERFIELD STAGE CO, CALIFORNIA STAGE LINES , THE OVERLAND STAGE LINES , SACRAMENTO & STOCKTON ..LOS ANGLES , SAN DIEGO & YUMA STAGE LINES.
At one time well worn horse drawn vehickes were easy to obtain …. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s in San Diego there was a big east county nursery and landscaping center that always had a small supply of old wagons for peoples yards ….when I was in junior high school a house I passed walking home had a small Studebaker wagon displayed in a cactus and rock garden … it looked so cool … eventually the wagon rotted away and all that was identifiable were some wagon wheels and the broken seat. A regional shopping center called La Mesa Springs had the centers sandblasted marquees placed on old water wagons … at each of the three entrances … all were wood except for one with a metal tank. While old they were maintained until maybe a decade ago when they were removed for safety because of people climbing on them. At one time old real
Horse drawn vehicles were plentiful… but not so much today.
Omnispace, ha, I wish these were the larger 126 format, those are awesome for sharpness and detail (since they are presumably used in nicer-quality cameras). I’ve sat on a few horses in my life, but always under protest! Not really, but I’m not in love with horse riding the way so many others are. I’m sure it’s due to lack of experience. My mom owned a horse growing up, so of course she loves the critters. It makes sense that those electric carts would be used at nurseries, in fact they look just right for the job. Not so much for transporting kids!
Melissa, you could also give the burros’ ears some scritches. Don’t be stingy. That poor lady will report you to security for taking her glasses and purse, and you will be in the hoosegow with Sad Eye Joe.
Mike Cozart, I assumed that all of the buildings were now modern replicas, that old wood can only survive so long, even in California’s relatively dry climate. It’s neat to think of a time when a blacksmith shop like that was just part of the SoCal landscape. I guess I can’t blame a typical amusement park crowd for not knowing (or caring) about historic props, and yet… I still kind of DO blame them. It’s details like those that help to make Knott’s an amazing place. Otherwise you are stuck with Six Flags parks (I feel guilty bagging on Six Flags, since I know that at least some of their parks are quite nice - or used to be). Now that horse-drawn vehicles are generally from a time before our parents were born, it’s not surprising that they are much scarcer than they used to be. Once in a while I’ll still see something akin to those old wagons out in Santa Paula or Fillmore, but it’s pretty rare.
I think the only ghost town structures that were REAL that are still standing besides the BLACKSMITH … is the IOWA SCHOOL HOUSE ( from Kansas - built by Iowa farmers hence the name) the RIVIERA SCHOOL HOUSE, THE GRIST MILL , THE DOWNEY POST OFFICE ( mothers Murphy’s boarding house) were all vintage structures brought to Knott’s that are still standing. The others have since been replaced or completely demolished.
A handful of the vintage newly built ghost town structures have also been demolished and rebuilt. Funny to think even fake ghost town buildings are 80-90 years old now.
It’s funny to think that when Disneyland opened, MAIN STREET USA represented 50 years ago
Today 50 years ago is Tomorrowland’s AMERICA SINGS!!
Major, the trick to floating is falling and missing the ground.
^ And be sure to bring your towel.
^ :-)
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