Knott's, April 30 1956

If only I could really go back to the 50's and see Knott's Berry Farm! These were still the "early years"... no Calico Mine Train or Log Ride - although the railroad train was there. But I do think about how neat it would have been to see Knott's when it was all Ghost Town, surrounded by miles of farmland and plenty of eucalyptus trees.

This first photo was taken from inside some anonymous structure (maybe the Livery Stable?)... a broken-down wagon sits out front looking picturesque, while a bright and shiny wagon heads towards us, pulled by two giant mice. As far as I know, wagons like this were seen in the Ghost Town because they added to the Old West ambiance. How come nobody is dressed in t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops? Where are the muffin tops? Where are the tramp stamps?

This fella is mighty pleased to be posing with Nell and Belle. They were the "Hooters" waitresses of their day, when you think about it.

I like to go the Grist Mill and eat a big handful of flour. Mmmm, fresh! And cheaper than those hamburgers and wraps available throughout the park.

Fantasyland, Late 60's

Here are a few scans from a group of slides that I have delved into previously. A long time ago, actually! I'm pretty sure that these haven't been seen on GDB before, but if I'm wrong, please don't sue me.

Dad (or maybe Grandpa?) is trying to hide his terror at the prospect of riding a flying elephant. Ever since that childhood circus incident (in which he was nearly eaten by an elephant), he's dreaded this day. But he'll do anything for li'l Skeeter. (If I had a boy, I'd name him Skeeter).


Skeeter hails us with a hearty "Ahoy, matey!" just before he attempts to fly. I have no idea how that worked out. The two hipsters to our left are amazed by something. But WHAT?

"Anything Goes" Saturday... Fremont Street

It's another ANYTHING GOES day! This time we return to Las Vegas, which is kind of a Disneyland for grownups. Grownups who love drinkin', gamblin', lounge acts, and scantlily-clad showgirls! Ring-a-ding-ding.

This shot from October 1964 is aimed looking up Fremont Street, which in those days was the heart of Las Vegas. "Glitter Gulch" was one appropriate nickname, due to the numerous over-the-top colorful neon signs. Oh, to have been able to see it in its heyday! Now all the biggest, most luxurious hotels and casinos are on Las Vegas Boulevard, which technically isn't even in Las Vegas.

Looking to the left, we see The Mint. According to Wikipedia, The Mint opened in 1957, and in 1988 it was sold and became part of Binion's Horseshoe.


I have some spectacular vintage night shots of Fremont Street that I will be sharing here in the future!

Skyway & Skull, 1974

The Fantasyland Skyway chalet still stands, even though the colorful fiberglass buckets completed their last trip across the park in 1994. Even though it makes me a bit sad that it sits there unused, it would make me more sad if they tore it down. In the photo below, you can see it at its peak, with beautiful mature trees surrounding it, enhancing its alpine ambiance. I like the colorful flowers on the hillside. See any edelweiss? I was going to zoom in on the Skyway sign, but it's a bit indistinct, so ... never mind. It does say that you need a "D" ticket though.


High above Fantasyland, we glare (always glare!) down upon Skull Rock, and the Pirate Lagoon, not to mention the dining area behind the pirate ship. They should have had mermaids in this lagoon!

Knott's Berry Farm, 1956

Here are three Knott's photos from the good old days!

This first picture shows a view that is probably similar to what you would have seen as you approached the entrance to the Ghost Town. This rose garden (which reminds me of my grandma's yard) was surrounded by the old Steak House, the Candy Shoppe, and Marion and Toni's Sport Shop. There's the "Dreger Clock", presumably only recently installed. To the left of it you can see a sign pointing guests in the direction of the original berry stand.


If you have a ghost town, you might as well decorate it with items like this old broken-down (but nicely whitewashed) stagecoach. In the background you see a sign for the display of antique pianos, Mott's Miniatures, and the mostly-forgotten boxing museum. I wish I could see all of those!


I believe that this teepee was on an island in the middle of the lake next to the Church of the Reflections. Sometimes an Indian chief would be nearby for a photo op... something to show the folks back home.

HOF, 1957

I never get tired of photos of the old Monsanto Plastic Home of the Future. In fact, every time I see a good picture of the artificial abode, it makes me wish I could live in it (the house, not the picture!). It's so full of mid-century coolness! I'd fill it up with furniture from the Herman Miller catalog, and barbecue big ol' steaks while wearing a "Kiss the Cook" apron and have cocktail parties and smell of Hai Karate aftershave and watch reruns of The Avengers and Ernie Kovacs and listen to Les Baxter albums on my hi-fi.

In this first image, the house is looking a bit forlorn because the landscaping hasn't quite had time to fill out. An old fellow sits nearby, amazed that he's made it to the Spage Age. It almost looks like the house is glancing to the left. Sometimes it talks to me, too. Can't you hear it?


A second view shows us one of the "wings" head on; a kid in a Keppy Kap (made from real Keppys, not fake ones like today) is not so interested in the modern wonders inside. But he's only eight, what the hell does he know! The big TV inside got his attention, though - just imagine how great it would be to watch cartoons on that thing.

Views From Tom's Treehouse, 1957

Before 1959 (and the construction of the Matterhorn), the highest point in Disneyland was Tom's Treehouse on Tom Sawyer Island. The tree itself wasn't that tall, but it sat on top of a hill and afforded adventurous guests with some very nice views.

This first image looks towards Rainbow Ridge, with the dirt loading area for the Stage Coaches and the Conestoga Wagons to our left. The little hive of cloth-roofed buildings was "El Zocalo", a little marketplace full of wondrous souvenirs. And there's the sails of the Pirate Ship, the Skyway in the distance, and the castle. But wait, I see something else of interest!


There's the Viewliner! Unfortunately our photographer did not take any other pictures that captured the Train of Tomorrow, so this one will have to do.


I think we're looking to the north and a bit to the east here, and Frontierland was still pretty empty. It helped to give it that authentic frontier ambiance I suppose. There's an interesting detail in this pic as well!


On top of that rock stands our old pal Stormy! That's what I call him anyway. You can call him whatever you want. This proud pony wasn't there for very long. In fact I have a photo from the following year in which Stormy has been replaced with a mountain lion (here's a better shot of him).

Calico Mine Train Postcards, Part Two

Here is the second post featuring vintage postcards from Knott's Berry Farm's Calico Mine Train (see part one here). This time we are focusing on the little Mine Trains, which were constructed by Bud Hurlbut (who had built more than a few miniature trains for various amusement parks).

This first example is one of my favorites. Not only do you get a good look at the strange and wonderful rock work and the sturdy saddle-tanker locomotive, but Bud Hurlbut himself makes a rare appearance.


That's Bud, standing next to the little train! A white shirt and black string tie seemed to be his standard work outfit from this period. Bud was involved in the creation of the Henry's Livery (a little car ride), both merry-go-rounds, the lagoon area (including another small train), the Log Ride, the Happy Sombrero ride, the replica of the Liberty Bell, and more. He lived to the venerable age of 93.


I love the waterfalls cascading down the front of the show building, as if some underground river suddenly burst forth. And on a hot day, the fine mist they provide is pretty nice too.

Bud built 6 mine trains for the attraction, all electric-powered, and capable of carrying some 50 passengers each. Besides going up and down hill all day, they manage to navigate some pretty tight turns at some points.


This card shows the trains with updated paint schemes. Watch out for the prickly pear cactus!


And one final shot!


In part three, we will finally be getting to the good stuff... going inside the Calico Mine!

More Madurodam, August 1964

Here are a few more images from Maduordam! For those of you who have missed the previous Madurodam posts (or just weren't paying attention): "Madurodam is a miniature city located in Scheveningen, The Hague. It is a model of a Dutch town on a 1:25 scale, composed of typical Dutch buildings and landmarks, as are found at various locations in the country."

I'll bet that small children especially loved the feeling of being giants in a lilliputian land. You can really see the level of detail here. The little girl is contemplating putting her money into the machine, which would apparently make the tiny carts on the oval track go 'round and 'round.


I would have been hunkered down just like that kid, the better to pretend that I was riding that itty-bitty carousel.


This is the place to be if you need a miniscule refrigerator, washing machine, oven, or maybe some pots and pans. Notice the "cobblestone" sidewalks.


And finally (for this lot), a bus is parked near the train tracks, with fine dark blue passenger train rumbling by. In the distance, an exciting (ha ha) fútbol game is in progress.

"Anything Goes" Saturday

It's time for another "Anything Goes" installment here on Gorillas Don't Blog. You just never know what you're going to see.

Today we are in the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, home of the 1932 Olympics (not to mention the 1984 games). This photo is from 1942, right in the depths of WWII. I am assuming that this is a combination of a half-time show (there's the USC band) and war bond drive. It's not often that you see a submarine in a football stadium! By gum, it's a captured Japanese "min sub". A different mini sub fired a torpedo at the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor.

And there it goes, around the track for everyone to get a good look at. I wonder if folks in the crowd had any idea that the war would grind on for nearly 3 more years? Anyway, I find these photos to be a fascinating slice of history.