Before the late 1960's, Knott's Berry Farm was free. FREEEEEE! No admission charge at all. You might have had to buy a ticket if you wanted to ride the train or pan for gold, but many of the attractions themselves were free as well. As you can see in this first photo (late 50's?) there used to be a primitive carousel made of little more than wood and chains; I think it might have been mule-powered... simple pleasures for a simpler time. In the background, mostly obscured, you can just see part of one of the old San Francisco cable cars that were on display.
Here's another look at the same carousel, this time from the early 60's. Regular readers of this blog probably recognize the two wholesome kids who we've seen at Disneyland, Jungleland and Santa's Village.
And, just because it was scanned and ready to go, here are the same kids with their bamboo fishin' poles, hoping to catch a wily trout at the old fishing hole.
The image of the two kids fishing is very nice and nostalgic.
ReplyDeleteThe kids are fishing at a site that was not a scam, but close to it. You got a pole for free but paid 50 cents for each fish you caught. The fish in the lake were starving and practically leapt onto the line.
ReplyDeleteReally great pictures Major. Brings back a lot memories. I loved this place. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThese are some of the best images of the mule-powered "merry-go-round" I've ever seen. And the kids are certainly a healthier and more clean-cut looking pair than most you see at KBF these days.
ReplyDeleteBoth the Old Mill Stream trout fishing attraction (KBF) and the old fishing docks at Tom Sawyer's Island (Disneyland) raise the same question for me: What do you do with the fish during the rest of your visit?
Well, yes, the old mule powered merry-go-round was 'free' - but you DID have to pay to get inside Old MacDonald's Farm where it was located. Still cheap fun.
ReplyDeleteThe Old Mill Stream fish pond was near the corner of Beach and Crescent. Didn't last long because this attraction WAS overpriced.
Amazing! Great pics - why do you keep turning up more amazing Knott's photos as I finish up on the book????
ReplyDeleteIf memory serves the cable cars were not just "on display" but actually operated around the Knott's Parking Lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd what do you do with the fish? You carry them around with you until the stink is unbearable then you abandon them elsewhere in the park... which is why DL discontinued the fishing program.
Gads -- Free Admission to Knott's. My Mom's told me about the day the family arrived at Knott's only to find a fence up AND an admission price. When they asked, my folks were told that it was a necessity to keep the dope-smoking, free love hippies out of the park -- they scared off the regular folks and never left, even after closing.
ReplyDelete-Katella Gate
Right you are, Katella Gate - not to mention the vandalism and theft they were responsible for. It was pretty shameful and disgusting. You had to be there.
ReplyDeleteI loved that mule-driven merry go round. I looked it up at one point on a Merry Go Round website that had all of the "historical" ones registered, and it was from the 1860s. I wonder where it is now?
ReplyDeleteLaurieK
I posted more photos of the Old Mill Stream on my O.C. Historical Roundup blog yesterday at
ReplyDeletehttp://ochistorical.blogspot.com