Knott's Odds 'n Ends, June 1970
I recently scanned some Knott's Berry Farm slides from 1970, and while I always love Knott's, a lot of the photos consist of some oddball details. Whether they are interesting or not depends on you!
For instance: I have no idea where the "Gold Trail Saloon" was - perhaps it was a structure that guests couldn't enter. A doorway (or so it seems) has some notices posted, along with framed handbills - pretty fancy since those were usually stuck on with paste. There's a yellowed page of the Ghost Town News, a handbill (or two?) advertising the live show at the Calico Saloon, and a "wanted" poster.
I used to love to play over on Jungle Island, populated by the mysterious and rare "woodimals". To get to the island you had to cross this covered bridge, made prettier by the bougainvillea blossoms. One of the things I vividly remember about Jungle Island was a set of "pedals" at the shore that a boy could pump with his feet, making water shoot out of the mouth of a woodimal. I thought it was great fun at the time!
This fetching leg dangles (and kicks occasionally) out of a window at Goldie's Joint, one of the saloon gals tries to tempt men to come inside and read a book. I think.
I hope you have enjoyed today's oddball photos from Knott's Berry Farm!
24 comments:
Major-
Hattie is scowling as she always dreamed of dressing-up as a show girl, and she's been forced into a costume that's more prim and proper than that of a schoolmarm-! Poor thing.
Thanks, Major.
The Gold Trail Saloon was the building next to the Gold Trails Hotel. It faced Main Street Ghost Town and early in it’s life was known as The Covered Wagon Bar. It was always in a abandoned state with boarded up doorway and shuttered windows.
I’ve seen HUNDREDS of images of one Goldie’s Girls kicking her leg in frivolity, but I’ve NEVER seen the girl’s hand in the window!!!
Just as Mike said, I have never seen that leg being accompanied by a hand! I bet it was there for a VERY short time. Maybe Cordelia didn't like it? Maybe up until that point, she thought Goldie was a boot maker?
In the Jungle Island covered bridge pic, we can see a kid on the far right, sitting on one of the water squirting woodimals. It's the one that was similar to a rocking horse and when you rocked forward and back, water shot out of the creature's mouth. The kid appears to be doing his "Look, ma...no hands!" pose.
Upon a second look, that kid in the covered bridge pic might be standing just to the side of the "rocking horse" woodimal. It appears that he could be standing on the wooden planks which were hooked up to springs, and also attached to "duck feet" that were down in the water. Bouncing up and down on the planks would make the duck feet splash the water around. We can see two long springs attached to one of the planks. One of the "duck feet" would be attached to that vertical beam, which extends down into the water. The duck foot can't be seen, because it's submerged in the water.
I think "Hattie" is beckoning the photographer, to prick his/her finger on the spindle of her spinning wheel.
To my everlasting shame and regret, I never visited Jungle Island. In fact, the only attractions we ever visited on the other side of Beach Boulevard were Independence Hall and the parking lot. I will go stand in the corner until the end of class.
The photo of Hattie is a really good portrait, almost like one you’d see in a guidebook if she had been smiling. The photos are very different, but Hattie’s expression makes me think of Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother.” I wonder if the skein of wool she’s spinning was eventually turned into some delicious flannel cakes?
Thanks Major, this is the Knott's I will always remember and love.
And thank you Mike for jogging the memory; the water pump ("Not fer peeple, horses only") was in front of this phantom bar.
What a job: that of the man who voiced Sad Eye Joe, genuinely startling to two visitors I brought to Knott's, and also pulled the cord to make the gam kick. Maybe those scarlet fingernails tapped enticingly too.
The leg was always a source of amusement for my Dad. We would have to always wait until it kicked. He would laugh and on we went. I don't remember the hand either.
I remember the Gold Trails Hotel and the Covered Wagon sounds very familiar. Been too many years though. I do vividly remember the little devil that turned the crank and powered the volcano. I was entranced by it as a kid. Circa 1960 or so. Of Jungle Island I remember little.
Thanks Major and good news in hearing Lou is doing much better.
Nanook, poor Hattie. I think that showgirls should dress just like she does, because I am offended by the sight of a bare ankle. Admit it, her bonnet leaves nothing to the imagination!
Mike Cozart, thanks for the info about the Gold Trail Saloon (and Hotel). I wonder if the hotel offered a continental breakfast for guests? Interesting about the hand - it almost looks like Goldie’s girl is trying to make an escape!
TokyoMagic!, I’ve always loved the fact that Walter and Cordelia were very conservative and pious, and yet they could see the humor (and a touch of veracity?) in having Goldie’s Joint in their park. Thanks for pointing out the kid working the squirting Woodimal!
TokyoMagic!, gosh, I don’t remember the “duck feet”, but then again it’s only been several decades! Very fun. Jungle Island reminds me of Tom Sawyer Island - a place where people could explore and play; and it was more than enough! No need for anything other than some theming (and some Woodimals).
TokyoMagic!, when Hattie beckons, I can’t resist her charms!
Chuck, it’s understandable; Jungle Island was a bit off the beaten path for most Knott’s visitors. My family lived close enough so that we went there WAY more than Disneyland, and at the time I felt like I knew every inch of that park. Sadly I have forgotten most of what I knew! Hattie’s sour expression is probably due to the fact that she was so weary of dealing with the paparazzi!
DrGoat, I’m not trying to make this sound like a sad story, but the years that we went to Knott’s the most were also when my dad happened to be in Vietnam, so I honestly don’t ever remember him going there with us! I will have to ask my mom if she remembers him accompanying us to the Berry Farm. I think ALL kids loved the little devil turning the crank! Another bit of humor that Walter included that you might not expect.
Major, my comments on these pictures will echo those of Dr. Goat.
My Dad thought the leg was hilarious, while Mom refused to laugh. No memory of the hand.
The Gold Trails “seems” familiar.
And the little devil was a must-see, but I can’t recall even hearing of Jungle Island till now.
Thank you for these pictures.
JG
Knotts was always a favorite, the Calico Mine and later as a teen, the Log Ride, were my favorites. Some ghost TV show came to our little town to film in one of our old brothels (closed since 1984). It is said to be haunted. I always thought a shapely gam would look good hanging out one of the windows. Thanks Major.
Those were different times Major. I'm glad you're Dad made it home. That's worth a few trips to Knott's (and much more) right there.
I had a student deferment around that time, plus when they came out with the draft numbers, mine was in the 300's, so there was little chance I'd get drafted. I had other plans for my immediate future, and so did my parents. My Dad especially, He experienced WW2 from a B-24 and saw a lot of carnage and death. He did his best to steer me into a civilian related life with no small or large pieces of metal trying find a soft spot on his only son.
Did do a 3 semesters of ROTC at the UofA...about as close as I got.
I think we would all like to return to the days of the old Knott's just one more time. That little devil turning the handle controlling the volcano was also a favorite of mine...a cherished memory of simple things that were 'fun'...and memorable. Always a laugh with the gam kicking the side wall too. Then off for a Chicken Dinner with Boysenberry jam. Parking and admission was free. KS
Though I also went to Knott's through the years, many of the older attractions are but faint memories or gone altogether. Do remember the area where they put in Ghost Rider and the candy store, bake store, that clock that got moved somewhere in Buena Park, the volcano man and panning for gold. Also parking where Camp Snoopy is now and just walking in. The huge Eucalyptus Trees. The mission trail - sure am glad they brought those back and had Bob refurbish the those missions. Church of the Reflection and the creepy picture of Jesus! The wagon train story. Lots of good memories. My brother told the story a lot before he passed about the old woman who played the dulcimer - he just loved her because she was like a Grandma and she always remembered him. I found an article about her before Bruce passed and was able to read it to him which brought him a lot of joy.
Major, the feet were just flat and cut out of plywood. I think they were painted green, so maybe they were supposed to be frog feet.
Another gizmo that was there along the shore, was a conveyor belt/treadmill type of mechanism. When you walked on it, it turned a waterwheel that scooped up water and then dumped it back into the lagoon.
Major and everyone,
In my mind, there's always time for pictures of Knott's. It sounds like most of us are of the same generation, and to me (us) these remind me of the prime times of our life. Chuck, I'll join you in the corner, there wasn't anything on that side of Beach other than Independence Hall. Jungle Island does not ring a bell for me at all. My dad always got a kick out of talking with Sad-Eye Joe, laughed every time. There were so many streets to wander and windows to peek into, and let one's imagination work to entertain ourselves. Like the Devil cranking on the wheel to make the volcano thunder. Wandering around the old carriages and wagons, and the hearse that was there. Irene mentions several others that were foundational to our Knott's experience. The trolley that ran through some of the parking lots. Ride it to the main entrance, get off and walk right in. Heavy sigh. Today it seems it is 'give me a thrill now!' and then rush off to the next 'give me a thrill now!' attraction. Today's kids . . . I wonder.
Related (sorta) question. Does anyone here remember the bread that was served in the old Steak House restaurant At Knott's? It was dark, almost black, moist, chewy, and heavy with molasses in it? Served warm, it was terrific on our taste buds. I would like to re-create it if possible. Or re-create what my memories tell it was.
Thank you, Major, and every one else for the comments.
W
Warren, you've stirred a memory about the bread. We ate at the Steak House the first couple of times I went to Knott's because my parents didn't want to wait in line at the Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Took my wife there on our first visit, partly for the nostalgia and partly because we had a Mrs. Knott's in Moreno Valley about 10 minutes from the March AFB main gate and could get a chicken dinner any time we wanted.
But back to the bread...yes, I do remember it. And it was delicious. And I'm embarrassed to admit I'd forgotten it until now. Back to the corner, I guess...
Chuck,
Thank you for confirming my memories about the bread, and we better bring some chairs. We may be in the corner for quite a while.
W
It's me again, seeing as how I almost forgot. I remember Hattie, or some of her friends, sitting on the porch spinning yarn. Fascinating to watch, and very friendly to talk to about the process. Wasn't there on occasion someone with a small loom, weaving that yarn into small, simple shawls? It seems I connect that image in my mind with Knott's, but not positive about that.
W
JG, it seems almost amazing that something as “slightly naughty” as the kicking leg could have offended anybody that much, but I’m sure your mom was not the only person who probably thought that it was in poor taste. As for visiting Jungle Island, it just seems like something we always did, I don’t remember a “first time”.
Jonathan, both of those rides are still wonderful, and you could almost justify going to Knott’s to only go on the Mine Train and the Log Ride. Almost! A haunted brothel, eh? The mind reels!
DrGoat, my dad loved being in the Navy, and it gave him the opportunity to live a good life. Years later, he wondered why he never encouraged his sons to join the military. I can’t say why he didn’t! I can only imagine what sorts of things your father saw, flying in a B-24 sounds very scary when you hear about the odds of survival. Thank goodness your dad survived!! ROTC, maybe that wasn’t so bad, and you might have even picked up some stuff knowledge and habits that stayed with you until today.
KS, it’s the funky things like that little crank-turning devil that made Knott’s so great. It would have been fun anyway, but the little weird touches are what kids remember. How about the corpse in the hearse that would sit up?
Irene, I wish I had a better, more vivid memory of Knott’s as it was when I went so often in the early ‘70s. When my mom would leave us there to run wild, we’d only have enough money for some food, so we didn’t visit the shops that much. I do remember loving the Boysenberry Punch, ice cold on a hot day! And we bought some french fries that seemed like the most delicious things we’d ever eaten. I loved the Wagon Train show! There wasn’t much to it, and yet… it was great. Just lighting and audio, amazing. I think I had a photo or two of the lady who played the dulcimer, but… I might be mistaken!
Warren, I love photos of Knott’s, and it bums me out to see my stash getting smaller and smaller. I do still have some beauties though, I can’t wait to share them with you. I never talked to Sad-Eye Joe, I probably didn’t even know that you could. The last time I went, there were teenage boys asking Joe inappropriate questions, it made me sad. I wonder if that San Francisco cable car was there during any of my visits? I don’t remember it at all, though of course I’ve seen photos since then. I don’t remember the bread you mentioned, but it sort of sounds like “squaw bread”.
Chuck, hey, at least you remember eating at the Steak House. I don’t think we ever ate a real meal at KBF. It was always something “grab and go”. I didn’t eat at the Chicken Dinner restaurant until a decade ago (or so). When you say you had a Mrs. Knott’s in Moreno Valley, do you mean literally the same name? Or just something like it?
Warren, ha ha, I hear that the corner is cozy and warm.
Warren, very neat that you had that personal experience with Hattie (and some of her gals?). I’ll have to rely on somebody else to confirm your memory of a person making the yarn into cloth or clothing items.
The girl in the window of Goldie’s Joint must’ve been the long-lost sister of the Swinging Leg Pirate from POTC.
Major : mrs Knott’s restaurants became a chain for awhile - a least in Southern California . I don’t know if they had locations in other states . A few of the locations became Pollys Pies I think.
Major, like Mike said, there was a small chain of Knott’s-owned restaurants that served the same menu as the Chicken Dinner restaurant at the Farm. The only two locations I remember were in Moreno Valley & Irvine. I think they were sold off and converted when the family sold off the Knott’s food brand in 1995.
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