Judge Roy Bean's, Knott's Berry Farm
Among the structures seen in Knott's Berry Farm's ghost town is the Jersey Lilly, a reproduction of the saloon that belonged to Judge Roy Bean. Bean is one of the old west's most famous characters, a rascal who had a reputation as a "hanging judge" - even though he is only known to have hanged 2 people. If you read about him, he seems like a Mark Twain character come to life.
Here's a photo of the original Jersey Lilly (named after Lillie Langtry, the famous British actress). That's Roy on the porch, with the hat and the white beard. The Knott's version of his shack is pretty close - it's fun that the angle is nearly identical to the photo above.
Here's another murky photo - possibly from the late 1940's or very early 1950's. It appears that the streets were not paved at this point.
And just for the hell of it, here's an old photo of the Wells Fargo office. It looks like this one one of the structures that was there strictly for appearances. I believe that you would catch a ride on the Wells Fargo stagecoach elsewhere.
Yo yo yo, homies... I will be away for most of this holiday weekend, but will check in periodically when I can! There will be new posts, naturally. See y'all when I get back.
6 comments:
Is Judge Roy Bean's ever open anymore? I've been going to Knott's quite a bit this past year and it's always closed up.
I think that facade in the last pic is now used as a rear entrance into the General Store.
Have a great holiday weekend, Major!
Ooh, these are very cool photos!!! Have fun this weekend!
Ummm...You said "hell". I'm telling.
Nice old pictures actually. One corner of the park I don't remember.
Katella, Judge Roy Bean was moved over to the Calico Square area in the early nineties because management felt it was hidden and that most guests never knew it was there!
Judge Roy Bean's was moved to its current location in 1993 to make room for the Indian Trails stage. Knott's Judge Roy Bean's was built in 1947 and there's a story that's been told about when it was first built that goes something like this: An old gentleman came up to our head carpenter when they were putting the finishing touches to the building. He tapped the carpenter on the shoulder and said, "Mr., there is just one thing I would like to know. How the hell did you get this building here so soon? Last week I visited this building back in Texas, and here it is all set up and looking just like it had always been here."
Lily Langtry had a large farm property in Lake County (Northern) California.
She was a noted performer in San Francisco, about a hundred miles to the south
Much of this property is now farmed in wine grapes for the Guenoc Winery. Their label has Ms. Langtry's portrait in profile.
I bought a bottle of that wine years ago on one of my first dates with my wife.
That's all I know about Lily Langtry.
JG
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