Great video, my wife wrote this. My grandfather was Walter Knotts attorney in his early years. One day my Grandfather was driving and saw Walter walking down the side walk with his money bag. He pulled over and told Walter to get in his car. Walter said no that’s ok I enjoy the walk, my grandfather said someone is going to hit you over the head and take your money. He took him to the bank and Walter said ok, but I am going to walk back...so he did! It was about a few weeks later and Walter called to say he had been robbed and so he wouldn’t be walking to the bank any more! Did you know that Mrs Knott would sit at the end of the counter and check every dinner that came out of the kitchen?
I remember panning for gold there in 1966! I still have the gold in a little bottle. Your videos bring back great memories of my California childhood:)
I was born down the street in Dairy Valley (Artesia) in 1950, my parents were from Bellflower and they both knew the Knott's Family and Bill Rigdon, (could be Higdon, not sure, it's been a long time) Bill worked for Walter early on, he was a Blacksmith & Prospector too and helped create many of the attractions and the Gold Panning Pool (where I learned to pan for gold when I was about 4 or 5). In those days there was No Admission to anywhere, it was all free just to walk in. The original stand was on Beach Blvd (Hwy 39), Mrs. Knott's Resturant replaced the old shack and also was on Beach Blvd., then later was a Civil War/Cowboy Shop of sorts, they had Civil War Cannons out in front of it. The Stagecoach Ride was Bill's idea and started in that area, along with the Electric Mini Model T Rides that paralelled Beach Blvd. Skipper Frank was a TV Kid Show Host in the 50's and he and his brother (I think) built a lot of these cars in Mr. & Mrs. Pyette's Barn in Bellflower. The Pyette's lived 2 lot's away from My Grandparents, My Dad's Family on Grand Street. My Mom was born in Bellflower in 1925 (she's still alive and well at 95 years old). Her Grandfather on Her Dad's side was John Fusch from Norwood, Missouri and was a Farmer and built a Carousel for his kids (My Grandpa Fusch & his brothers and sisters) that was pulled by a Donkey. Grandpa & Grandma Fusch went to Church every Sunday and the Knott's Family was part of the Congregation. Grandpa told Walter Knott about the Carousel and later on he found it and made it a part of the Berry Farm in a section called "Old MacDonald's Farm" which was very close to the Gold Panning Pool and the Seal Pool, yeah they had Seal's there too that you could feed them with Anchovies. My Parent's & us kids moved to Garden Grove in 1955 just down the street form the Brand New Disneyland in Anaheim. Great Video ! Brings back memories. Great Channel ! I'm a History Buff myself and watch all of your video's. I'm also a Author of one History Book as well, it's on Amazon (Kindle) just for your Information. It's called "The Return of the Giant Serpent", it's dirt cheap at $3.49 but you can review the first 15 to 20 pages for Free. Darrell Lane
Thank you for the wonderful insight into more of the history of the area and the Knotts, their friends, etc. growing up in L.A. county, we actually preferred Knott’s to Disneyland. In the early ‘70s they had to start charging admission, Mom said it was because of the hippies camping in the parking lot, haha. We always had a lot of fun visiting the park in my childhood. We even saw Pat Boone perform in the former John Wayne Theater. We also visited Calico Ghost Town a few times, and would even drive out to “Scotty’s Castle,” and eat in the cafeteria there and look in the gift shop, but never took the tour. I would enjoy seeing a tour of the castle though, if anyone has documented it.
Darrell Lane..You mentioned Skipper Frank in your comment. I was one of the kids that got picked out of the audience to be a contestant on the cartoon carousel kids show where you would be Skipper Frank’s cohost for that day. The show used to come on before Bozo the. clown in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. Thanks for the history lesson.
I remember being told during a tour of Independence Hall that the bricks were hand formed in order to give them an "aged" effect to resemble the original building more. The fact the clay and bricks were from Lake Elsinore and Riverside is news to me. I grew up in Riverside and am very familiar with all of the old clay mines around Lake Elsinore. Thanks for a great walk down memory lane. For the record, I am of the generation who remembers visiting Knotts before there was an admission charge. Those were the days of driving from Riverside and parking at Knotts (in grass lots) and spending a day just walking around the park enjoying the free activities and maybe catching a ride or two. Great times.
I remember visiting Knott's Berry Farm in the 70s and noticed a small trailer home---something very small you would tow behind a car---sitting in a spot highly out of place. I joked to my wife that it was where Walter Knott lived. Then I noticed a police guard standing nearby whose sudden response showed me I was right. He lived there, just as I would have done, smack dab in the middle of the park in his little trailer home, enjoying the place and the people through cracks in his curtains.
I worked there in the mid 1980's in the rides department. I worked in Ghost Town running all the rides and my friend (Supervisor) actually became the head of Knott's. Most fun job I ever had.
Man times were alot better back then..It was a better life...I live in Austin Tx and we made a road trip in 1986 and it was alot of fun we came in a station wagon and we were calling ourselves the grissswalds..lol 😅 we came to knotts,disney,and magic mountain..I was only 12 yrs old but had lots of fun..I just recently visited again in 2023. And I'll take 1986 anyday...Times were just so much better back then..
I loved this park as a kid in the 70's! My grandparents had a sweet donkey named Beck and donated her to Knott's Berry Farm when they had to move from the ranch. I think she was there for several years. Thanks for another great video!
I am so glad I found this video. Brings back a lot of memories. As a young boy growing up in North Long Beach I would ride my bike ( 13 miles up and back) to Knotts Berry Farm
It’s possible that our paths crossed at that great amusement park. I am glad you found our video as well. Thank you so much for watching and we hope that you will subscribe to our channel.
I loved Knott's and went there as both a child and as an adult. The last time I was there was probably 20 years ago though. I also have been to Calico Ghost Town a couple of times. Very fun places.
Great video! I'm still playing catch up on all of your videos and enjoying it. According to my mom, Mr. Knott and my great grandfather went in 50-50 on a mule to work both of their farms in the 1920's
I was totally unaware of this place, it's history, and the fact there is a theme park in operation. I have heard the phrase "Knott's Berry" spoken, but always thought that "Knottsberry" is what was being said. (An actual type of berry.) This was a very educational video for me. BTW - John Wayne looked happy.
I really enjoy your historical videos and especially appreciate how you hi-lighted Walter and His wife's dedication to each other, Walters reverence for our countries foundation and his incredible dedication to preserving our history.
I visited as a kid in 1965 as a tourist from the Mid-west. It seem much smaller and rustic back then. My one great memory was I got to shake the hand of a real American Indian!! Looking back that was a bit exploitive, but the guy had a job and it was exciting for a kid.
I loved this episode. I grew up in california, La Puente then Covina. I remember as a child of 10 or 11 and into the young teens, going to knott's berry farm. I was on the train sitting next to an actor dressed as an indian when there was the fake robbery. I also loved the little chapel where there was a instrumental song playin I wish I knew now. It was great. I'm 73 now came back to massachusetts after I graduated in '67'. But those are 2 memories that stand out. I've shared it with my baby sister who was born in 66 in california but has never seen knott's berry farm. Thank you.
Suzzane - My sister graduated Covina High in 1966, I graduated in 1969. Our family went to Disneyland each year as a special occasion but dinner at Knotts Berry Farm was more often. We would roam around the grounds before dinner until they started charging, then it was just dinner for us. There was so much entertainment growing up in the LA area back then.
@@FeatnikSF I graduated from northview high school in cucina 1967. My mother always wanted to come back to massachusetts so after I graduated we did. Settled in westfield. Only miss california when it's cold and snowy here.
Thank you for showcasing Knott’s Berry Farm! Loved to go there growing up in Southern California! I actually went to a Richard Marx concert at the theatre in the 80’s ! Small, intimate setting vs big concert venues!
Yes you must visit when the restrictions in California are lifted! And yes the chicken dinners are good but they were probably better when served up by Mrs. Knott!
Wow, thanks. That is the desired effect. I want it to appear more like a TV show than a vlog. I cringe at that terminology. Thank you for reaching out and commenting! Much appreciated, Jeff
When we were kids we used to get excited to smell chlorinated water because it reminded us of our vacations to Disneyland and Knott's. That's because the rides had that smell and so did the hotel pools. LOL. The Calico Mine ride also had a distinct smell of concrete and oil.
GREAT doc & great channel. I will be consistently tweeting these out to my 20,000 history lovers. When my new show is up n running I will reach out to have you as a guest. -Jon Robberson
You are so welcome! I, too, have fond memories of that place as a child and have gone less and less the older I have become. Hopefully we'll all be heading there (spaced out of course) in the coming years to relive the magic! Thank YOU for watching! We hope you will become a subscriber!
I will be releasing a new video on Sunday (I hope) about a recent visit to Disneyland through the eyes of a "history hunter." We hope you will check it out!
I was there once, on a stopover on our way to visit a school friend in Hawaii. We had a few hours there before leaving our two young kids with my parents, to watch them while we vacationed. I have few memories of the actual park (some are confused with our one visit to Magic Mountain), but the one highlight I think I can safely recall was the 'miniature museum'. Amazing. Actual TV pictures on a screen no bigger than a postage stamp!---This was great fun, learned so many new things. Always wanted to visit Calico, but it's never on my bucket list of going out of my way to see, usually just a passing wave on my way to/from other family destinations.---Sarah, you always give me delight in your reactions to seeing things, and those roller coaster expressions are magical!
Hey thanks, Brian! Glad you liked it! As you can tell, so do I! If you haven't subscribed to my channel, would you? Thanks so much! I will encourage me to create more video adventures!
Great video, as always. I still buy their Boysenberry jam and syrup when I visit the U.S. Have loved Boysenberries all my life and in my younger years we had bushes of them on my granny's dairies. Also, picked some for money in the summer at ranches that used to be on Hatch Rd. in Ceres/Modesto. Want to visit Knott's before I die, it is on my bucket list. Thank you again for producing things worth watching !
Grate episode. We wish bud had got some credit for his mine and log ride. He also made the bell inside Independence hall. Hopefully he is worthy of a history Hunters episode. After all Wendell "Bud" Hurlbut Invented the Hidden switchback Q line. And he was the inventor of the log flume. Keep up the grate work.
Awesome. I actually met Mr Knott very early in the morning.... if memory serves me.... New Year's day, 1973 or 74. He was the grand Marshall for the Rose Parade. My father and I were part of a support group for a float, in a moter home parked on Orange Grove blvd.... a Pasadena police officer, knocked on the door, to ask if Mr Knott could use our bathroom...... true story !
My memory of the park was when we visited in the early 50's. I was probably about 4 or 5 years old.They had a horse that would tell you what your birthday was by walking and picking up some numbers on wooden blocks. And swing the number at you!!! I often wondered what his name was.
Thank's Jeff & Sarah for good memories, always enjoyed Knott's Berry Farm as a kid & adult.Took my family & grandkids there as well. Disney declined are yearly pass one day, so we did'nt have much money do to gas & food. So my wife & I went to Knott's & explained what happened at the ticket booth. The person helping us got on the phone to head office. After they hung up they gave us the afternoon rate for my wife,kids & I. The park had just been open for 3 hours. We always prefer family friendly Knott's over the Mouse 😂 Thank you Jeff & Sarah for fond memories.
Great Trip you 2. Thank you for bringing us along. This was to be My Husband an my Trip this year. Since I have lost him in December 2022. It's been hard. However when you have been with someone for 45 years it just seems as if someone pulled the rug out from under you. Thank you. I have enjoyed this virtual tour and the Opportunity to ride along. Jeff and Sarah, Thank you again.
Great episode about my favorite theme park! I appreciate all the historic details regarding Knotts Berry Farm, and really enjoyed the old footage of the Groucho interview! Well done!
I am glad that you enjoyed this episode. Sarah and I had the unfortunate experience of going to Knotts berry farm last month on a Saturday. It was crowded beyond belief and we waited 2 1/2 hours to ride the ghost rider roller coaster. It was ridiculous. Caution to anyone who reads this… Never go to knots berry farm on the weekend. It is a miserable experience.
@@jbenziggy We went on President's Day and it was very busy, but we returned the following day, and the park was very quiet. We enjoyed the ghost town atmosphere without the large crowd quite a lot.
Knotts Berry Farm has a lot of history I was not aware of. We went in the early 1970’s to see Gary Puckett & the Union Gap in concert. Hopefully their prices of admission won’t get as ridiculous as Disneyland. Thanks for all your research and diligent work on these vlogs. It’s important to archive these things for future generations to come.
Thank you very much for your vote of confidence. You are correct about admission prices being much lower than Disneyland however that is a double edge sword because the crowds when we went to Knott’s recently were miserably crowded. I think we got to ride three rides the whole day. That’s how crowded it was on a Saturday. I don’t think I will ever go there again on a weekend. It’s just too crowded.
Thanks for letting us know that “double edged sword” detail on Saturdays being crowded. I can also see why they don’t pretend to rob the train anymore for safety reasons. We felt like we were right there with you soaking it all in down to that tasty corn 🌽 on the Cobb the nice & patient young man was enjoying in the background there.
Great job on this one! My mom is from Garden Grove and I grew up going to Knott’s every summer when we visited my grandfather. I always loved the history and my family’s stories about Knott’s and it will always hold a special place in my heart! Thank you!
I enjoyed this! Great historic film of John Wayne and Glen Campbell and Ronald Reagan. I have never been to Knotts Berry Farm. I went Disneyland when I was 4-5 in 1970 or 69. I would love to sometime now I know all the history. Thanks again Jeff! I am catching up on episodes I haven’t seen yet while you are enjoying Christmas and New Year Holiday! I hope yours will be better than ours! We are happy to be home!! Lol Thanks again for your enjoyable and enlightening channel! -Nina
I have a faint memory of visiting Knotts Berry Farm as a small child. I remember having fun but not any specific memory. I would have been about 3-4 I’m guessing. Thanks for the videos!
Looks like a mixture of Patrick Duffy and Tom Skerritt, and I’m absolutely loving it! Thanks for sharing your love of Knott’s!!! Grew up going there, tons of nostalgia. Hope more people make videos like this...
@@jbenziggy Been viewing more of your content, and now I’m a new subscriber! Hope you do a video of the old SPADRA CEMETERY near Cal Poly Pomona. And yes, if you rocked a beard, you’d definitely look like a late 1970’s Tom Skerritt haha
“Berry “ informative! Learned things I never knew, even after visiting Knotts dozens of time while we lived there from 1980-2000. Sadly California has changed dramatically and unfortunately, not for the better .
Great episode! I remember going to Knott's Berry Farm as a kid when it was free. No roller coasters back then, only the log ride and mining train. Riding on the stage coach was fun, too! There also used to be a place where you could pan for gold. Fun times.
Been a KBF passholder for 7 years now and I've never looked back. I've visited the park dozens of times in the past with my wife, siblings, friends, family, and more, and if the Lord allows I'll be visiting the park dozens of times more!
I love the park too but we went on a recent Saturday and it was miserably crowded. It took 2 hours 45 minutes to ride the Ghost Rider. Such a waste of time. I left muttering to myself, “There’s too many people on the planet.”
@@jbenziggy Yeah, I know what you mean. Thankfully Knott’s has plenty to see and do where their roller coasters to me are an afterthought. Ghost Rider is either the very first thing or the very last thing to get in line for since it always has a long queue. Weekdays are better days to go since it’s not as crowded, but the downside is the park closes earlier.
In 1962-1963 we lived off Lincoln Blvd in Buena Park. The only things I remember was at 7 years old, we were let out of school when JFK was killed. And visiting Knotts Berry Farm. Also we would go pick rhubarb somewhere right by the the berry farms and my Mom would make rhubarb pie. I hated it !. I'm not sure if it was owned by Knotts or not, or if it was legal or not to take. Thanks for bringing up these old memories ! You guys are awesome.
Thank you very much, Grant. I think some of our childhood memories are kind of what makes us the people that we are today and holding onto those memories is very important. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences of living in that area. It sounds like you had an amazing childhood!
I grew up in Newport Beach. In the mid 50’s when I was about 12, I first went to Knotts. I remember most the bandits coming aboard the train-shooting their guns. It was loud! Lots of smoke too. Also remember the haunted shack. There was optical allusion where water appeared to flow uphill! My 12 year old brain just couldn’t figure it out. What great memories! Similar to Disneyland in 1955.
Boy! How did I miss this one? I loved every minute of it. I went there at a young age. Thank you. What I find different now is the amount of people carrying back packs. We didn't do that back then. I often wonder what people carry in them that they must.
My family moved to northern Orange County in 1950, mainly in Fullerton. Have been here ever since. We visited Knott's (and Calico) often. Ghost town section has always been my favorite. (Thanks also for your thorough historical research.. No one else that I know of has reported the true history of the old, small locomotive, a Porter, beside the blacksmith shop.) Knott, BTW, farmed land out in the Newberry Springs area (Mojave Desert) long time ago.
I used to live in Fullerton. In fact I worked at Knott's Berry Farm in 1961-62 and graduated from Sunny Hills High School in 1962. I went to Fullerton High School my freshman year and we lived on Shadow Ln. close to Hillcrest Park.
Yes it certainly has changed since 1959. I kind of wish it had stayed the small ghost town that it was but I guess to compete they had to introduce all kinds of roller coaster type rides. Thanks for watching and we'd love to have you subscribe!
Pro Tip: If you secretly talk to the guy who voices Sad Eye Joe and give him information about anyone you're with, he'll work it into the conversation and surprise that person with their personal name and whatever you tell him to say. :)
As I watched the video, I was hoping you would end up at their gravesites in Fullerton and of course, you did. I'm subscribing to your channel and you do a great job visiting different places. I tend to do the same thing once in a while here in Southern California where I live, though I don't have the UA-cam forum you have. Again, fantastic work, from one history buff to another. Keep it coming.
Thank you so much for your generous comments. I truly appreciate the feedback from a fellow history enthusiast. When you stop and think about the great things that the Knotts accomplished, they were truly humble people. I’m glad you like this video!
I was just a young kid when I went to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm so I don't really remember a lot of it. A big thanks for this trip down memory lane. Told you I was Binge watching!!
🤠Hello Jeff & Sarah, I was at Knott's Berry Farm back in 2011, it was a good theme park, I sure so like Sad eye Joe, would've also have love to see John Wayne's Theater, Big Jake is my favorite John Wayne film, while Tombstone is my all time favorite western movie. Glad you guys had a great time.
I saw no mention of the 'Panning for gold' exhibit. Experienced it many times when I was a kid in the 60's. Lived in Glendale. We were regulars and KBF, as well as, Disneyland.
My parents our family and their friends would drive up from San Diego in there new then 51 Chevy wagon for chicken dinners Then in the late sixths when attending Long Beach State I would take our daughter over on Sunday afternoon for an outing it was free then except for the train ride.
I found out recently that Walter Knott sent a hand-written Christmas card to my grandmother every year (my grandmother had been a music celebrity on radio a long time ago). The Knott's had a vacation home in Lake Arrowhead and I got to go inside it (years after they had been there). I stood in the kitchen and wondered if Mrs. Knott ever fried up her delicious chicken dinner in there, or if the family was long tired of chicken dinners by then!
That is such a wonderful story you tell! Thanks! I know that Walter and Cordelia were just amazing folks who worked hard and loved their country! The vision that they had! Truly amazing!
@@jbenziggy thanks Jeff! I saw them riding in the Hollywood Christmas parade when I was about 5 years old too! I remember visiting your grandmother's house (near Waterford??). Kevin showed me the ghostly handprint that your guys's little brother had made with paint on his hand on an old tractor tire. Your grandmother was very sweet. When I saw her picture in this video (taken less than 10 years before I met her) she looked amazingly young and was clearly a beautiful woman! I'm glad she lived into her 90s God bless her. My grandmother sang every week on radio for Sister Aimee Semple McPherson's program- she was the soprano soloist for Sr. McP. She was also in movies at MGM and had other famous friends she rarely talked about. Wizard of Oz's good witch Glinda (Billie Burke) came to my grandmother's 2nd wedding (after my grandfather had died) and Nana was a guest of William Randolph Hurst at San Simeon and can be seen in the news reel footage on the tour there. Little bit of relevant trivia from your recent Milton Eisenhower vid, my dad filmed my grandmother shaking hands with Ike Eisenhower at an event in 1964. I'm so blessed by your videos Jeff.
Great video, my wife wrote this.
My grandfather was Walter Knotts attorney in his early years. One day my Grandfather was driving and saw Walter walking down the side walk with his money bag. He pulled over and told Walter to get in his car. Walter said no that’s ok I enjoy the walk, my grandfather said someone is going to hit you over the head and take your money. He took him to the bank and Walter said ok, but I am going to walk back...so he did! It was about a few weeks later and Walter called to say he had been robbed and so he wouldn’t be walking to the bank any more! Did you know that Mrs Knott would sit at the end of the counter and check every dinner that came out of the kitchen?
They were very humble and unassuming people! How refreshing! They reminded me of my grandparents, hard working humble people!
I remember panning for gold there in 1966! I still have the gold in a little bottle. Your videos bring back great memories of my California childhood:)
I am 73, and I went to Knotts the first time in 1955. I loved it. There Fried Chicken and Berry Pie is to die for.
I was born down the street in Dairy Valley (Artesia) in 1950, my parents were from Bellflower and they both knew the Knott's Family and Bill Rigdon, (could be Higdon, not sure, it's been a long time) Bill worked for Walter early on, he was a Blacksmith & Prospector too and helped create many of the attractions and the Gold Panning Pool (where I learned to pan for gold when I was about 4 or 5). In those days there was No Admission to anywhere, it was all free just to walk in. The original stand was on Beach Blvd (Hwy 39), Mrs. Knott's Resturant replaced the old shack and also was on Beach Blvd., then later was a Civil War/Cowboy Shop of sorts, they had Civil War Cannons out in front of it. The Stagecoach Ride was Bill's idea and started in that area, along with the Electric Mini Model T Rides that paralelled Beach Blvd. Skipper Frank was a TV Kid Show Host in the 50's and he and his brother (I think) built a lot of these cars in Mr. & Mrs. Pyette's Barn in Bellflower. The Pyette's lived 2 lot's away from My Grandparents, My Dad's Family on Grand Street. My Mom was born in Bellflower in 1925 (she's still alive and well at 95 years old). Her Grandfather on Her Dad's side was John Fusch from Norwood, Missouri and was a Farmer and built a Carousel for his kids (My Grandpa Fusch & his brothers and sisters) that was pulled by a Donkey. Grandpa & Grandma Fusch went to Church every Sunday and the Knott's Family was part of the Congregation. Grandpa told Walter Knott about the Carousel and later on he found it and made it a part of the Berry Farm in a section called "Old MacDonald's Farm" which was very close to the Gold Panning Pool and the Seal Pool, yeah they had Seal's there too that you could feed them with Anchovies. My Parent's & us kids moved to Garden Grove in 1955 just down the street form the Brand New Disneyland in Anaheim. Great Video ! Brings back memories. Great Channel ! I'm a History Buff myself and watch all of your video's. I'm also a Author of one History Book as well, it's on Amazon (Kindle) just for your Information. It's called "The Return of the Giant Serpent", it's dirt cheap at $3.49 but you can review the first 15 to 20 pages for Free. Darrell Lane
Thank you for the wonderful insight into more of the history of the area and the Knotts, their friends, etc. growing up in L.A. county, we actually preferred Knott’s to Disneyland. In the early ‘70s they had to start charging admission, Mom said it was because of the hippies camping in the parking lot, haha. We always had a lot of fun visiting the park in my childhood. We even saw Pat Boone perform in the former John Wayne Theater. We also visited Calico Ghost Town a few times, and would even drive out to “Scotty’s Castle,” and eat in the cafeteria there and look in the gift shop, but never took the tour. I would enjoy seeing a tour of the castle though, if anyone has documented it.
Darrell Lane..You mentioned Skipper Frank in your comment. I was one of the kids that got picked out of the audience to be a contestant on the cartoon carousel kids show where you would be Skipper Frank’s cohost for that day. The show used to come on before Bozo the. clown in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. Thanks for the history lesson.
Thanks bud for sharing your memories with us. Blessings
Coming from Artesia/Bellflower you must've been a Dutch family? Which congregation did the Knott's attend with your family?
Before you post a comment, maaaaybe edit it... we kinda were drifting off halfway through that loonng novel
Zzz
I remember going there as a child with my parents back in the 1950's, I still enjoy watching the film footage we took and roaming over our pictures.
Great memories!
Kudos to your kid for being a good sport while dad films!
It’s good to see that Sarah’s son was having a great time….
I remember being told during a tour of Independence Hall that the bricks were hand formed in order to give them an "aged" effect to resemble the original building more. The fact the clay and bricks were from Lake Elsinore and Riverside is news to me. I grew up in Riverside and am very familiar with all of the old clay mines around Lake Elsinore.
Thanks for a great walk down memory lane. For the record, I am of the generation who remembers visiting Knotts before there was an admission charge. Those were the days of driving from Riverside and parking at Knotts (in grass lots) and spending a day just walking around the park enjoying the free activities and maybe catching a ride or two. Great times.
I remember visiting Knott's Berry Farm in the 70s and noticed a small trailer home---something very small you would tow behind a car---sitting in a spot highly out of place. I joked to my wife that it was where Walter Knott lived. Then I noticed a police guard standing nearby whose sudden response showed me I was right. He lived there, just as I would have done, smack dab in the middle of the park in his little trailer home, enjoying the place and the people through cracks in his curtains.
I worked at Knott's Berry Farm in 1961-62 but don't remember A trailer and Walter Knott living in it?
@@daveneil3963 This happened in the mid-seventies.
In your day they had a nice house on the property.
I worked there in the mid 1980's in the rides department. I worked in Ghost Town running all the rides and my friend (Supervisor) actually became the head of Knott's. Most fun job I ever had.
I was there in 1963, wow, things have changed. 😂 We went to Disneyland that same year and stopped at Knott's...great time as a kid!!!
Man times were alot better back then..It was a better life...I live in Austin Tx and we made a road trip in 1986 and it was alot of fun we came in a station wagon and we were calling ourselves the grissswalds..lol 😅 we came to knotts,disney,and magic mountain..I was only 12 yrs old but had lots of fun..I just recently visited again in 2023. And I'll take 1986 anyday...Times were just so much better back then..
Loved the video great job👍🏻, the ending got me 🥹
That couple what is an amazing couple!
Going back through your older videos. Love them.
I loved this park as a kid in the 70's! My grandparents had a sweet donkey named Beck and donated her to Knott's Berry Farm when they had to move from the ranch. I think she was there for several years. Thanks for another great video!
We donated a few Mallard ducks that couldn't fly to Knott's in the early 80s.
Never thought Id see the homie Aiden on a History Hunters Video 👌🏻 Small world! Shoutout to Modesto!
Aiden is in a few other episodes too.
@@HistoryHunterSarah That’s awesome! Ill definitely have to check those out
I was there back in July 1970. I have some nice memories.
We went recently and it was a mistake. Soooooo crowded you could barely ride anything. Sad.
I am so glad I found this video. Brings back a lot of memories. As a young boy growing up in North Long Beach I would ride my bike ( 13 miles up and back) to Knotts Berry Farm
It’s possible that our paths crossed at that great amusement park. I am glad you found our video as well. Thank you so much for watching and we hope that you will subscribe to our channel.
I loved Knott's and went there as both a child and as an adult. The last time I was there was probably 20 years ago though. I also have been to Calico Ghost Town a couple of times. Very fun places.
Great video! I'm still playing catch up on all of your videos and enjoying it. According to my mom, Mr. Knott and my great grandfather went in 50-50 on a mule to work both of their farms in the 1920's
That is awesome! Thank you very much for watching our channel! We certainly do appreciate it, Darrel!
I was totally unaware of this place, it's history, and the fact there is a theme park in operation. I have heard the phrase "Knott's Berry" spoken, but always thought that "Knottsberry" is what was being said. (An actual type of berry.) This was a very educational video for me. BTW - John Wayne looked happy.
Thanks for watching! What part of the world are you located to not have heard of Knott's Berry Farm?
@@jbenziggy North East Ohio.
The boysenberry was created not too far from Knott's berry farm in Anaheim by a man who's last name was boysen.
I really enjoy your historical videos and especially appreciate how you hi-lighted Walter and His wife's dedication to each other, Walters reverence for our countries foundation and his incredible dedication to preserving our history.
Thank you very much! Walter was one of the great Americans of our generation! I only wish I could have shaken his hand!
I visited as a kid in 1965 as a tourist from the Mid-west. It seem much smaller and rustic back then. My one great memory was I got to shake the hand of a real American Indian!! Looking back that was a bit exploitive, but the guy had a job and it was exciting for a kid.
I loved this episode. I grew up in california, La Puente then Covina. I remember as a child of 10 or 11 and into the young teens, going to knott's berry farm. I was on the train sitting next to an actor dressed as an indian when there was the fake robbery. I also loved the little chapel where there was a instrumental song playin I wish I knew now. It was great. I'm 73 now came back to massachusetts after I graduated in '67'. But those are 2 memories that stand out. I've shared it with my baby sister who was born in 66 in california but has never seen knott's berry farm. Thank you.
Suzzane - My sister graduated Covina High in 1966, I graduated in 1969. Our family went to Disneyland each year as a special occasion but dinner at Knotts Berry Farm was more often. We would roam around the grounds before dinner until they started charging, then it was just dinner for us. There was so much entertainment growing up in the LA area back then.
@@FeatnikSF I graduated from northview high school in cucina 1967. My mother always wanted to come back to massachusetts so after I graduated we did. Settled in westfield. Only miss california when it's cold and snowy here.
Covina not cucina these darn phones lol
Thank you for showcasing Knott’s Berry Farm! Loved to go there growing up in Southern California! I actually went to a Richard Marx concert at the theatre in the 80’s ! Small, intimate setting vs big concert venues!
WOW, THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
It’s on my bucket list to visit Knott’s Berry Farm and have their famous chicken dinner. I hear it’s the best!
Yes you must visit when the restrictions in California are lifted! And yes the chicken dinners are good but they were probably better when served up by Mrs. Knott!
I hope you get there! It’s cheaper than D-land! Definitely get the chicken dinner and walk under the street to Independence Hall !
It used to be much better when I was a kid.
The last time I ate there, it sadly wasn't anywhere near as good as it was in the 80s.
Same here I want to ride ghostrider
I still think the traditional friend chicken dinner there is the best in the world
The calico mine ride actually feels like a real underground mine. Even smells & sounds like one too..
your a natural at making videos jeff i feel like im watching a show on tv everytime i watch your videos
Wow, thanks. That is the desired effect. I want it to appear more like a TV show than a vlog. I cringe at that terminology. Thank you for reaching out and commenting! Much appreciated, Jeff
A young Knott looks very much like my grandfather when he was very young too.
I love the log ride I can almost smell the ride, it had a very old but clean smell
When we were kids we used to get excited to smell chlorinated water because it reminded us of our vacations to Disneyland and Knott's. That's because the rides had that smell and so did the hotel pools. LOL. The Calico Mine ride also had a distinct smell of concrete and oil.
GREAT doc & great channel. I will be consistently tweeting these out to my 20,000 history lovers. When my new show is up n running I will reach out to have you as a guest. -Jon Robberson
It's so awesome to find out more about our unique and endlessly fun theme park/berry farmers. Stay safe everyone!
Thank you for doing this it brought back a lot of good old memories of Knott's Berry Farm as I was a child.
You are so welcome! I, too, have fond memories of that place as a child and have gone less and less the older I have become. Hopefully we'll all be heading there (spaced out of course) in the coming years to relive the magic! Thank YOU for watching! We hope you will become a subscriber!
I grew up loving this place!
I grew up going to KBF and I don't remember an original berry stand but do remember the remake. Great Video!
That was one of the best shows you've done yet. Yes the Knott's we're special people.
Informative. Entertaining. Reminiscent. Heart Warming - Thanks Jeff & Sarah
Tami Whitelock thanks for enjoying the video! Your feedback made our morning! Please become a subscriber for more. I’m working on lots more! - Jeff.
Such a fun time when being there ,a lot better than Disney Land…thank you for bringing back good memories .
I will be releasing a new video on Sunday (I hope) about a recent visit to Disneyland through the eyes of a "history hunter." We hope you will check it out!
I was there once, on a stopover on our way to visit a school friend in Hawaii. We had a few hours there before leaving our two young kids with my parents, to watch them while we vacationed. I have few memories of the actual park (some are confused with our one visit to Magic Mountain), but the one highlight I think I can safely recall was the 'miniature museum'. Amazing. Actual TV pictures on a screen no bigger than a postage stamp!---This was great fun, learned so many new things. Always wanted to visit Calico, but it's never on my bucket list of going out of my way to see, usually just a passing wave on my way to/from other family destinations.---Sarah, you always give me delight in your reactions to seeing things, and those roller coaster expressions are magical!
I loved going there as a kid in the late 60s. This sure has brought back some good memories
Good deal! Thanks!
This is fantastic. Thank you for that. I love Knotts Berry Farm
Hey thanks, Brian! Glad you liked it! As you can tell, so do I! If you haven't subscribed to my channel, would you? Thanks so much! I will encourage me to create more video adventures!
jbenziggy already did my friend. I’m enjoying your channel.
Been there many times, beautiful place and miss it, I moved back to my home state Idaho,
I worked in matainence paint shop 22 years lots of memorys
Wow. Was it numbered 22 because they had that many maintenance shops? If so, that's a lot!
Love Knotts farm! Thanks for the history behind it.
That was Great 👍. Thank you for sharing 😊
This was an amazing place to visit for a child in the 1960s and the deliciousness of fresh boysenberry juice is yet in my memory.
Great video, as always. I still buy their Boysenberry jam and syrup when I visit the U.S. Have loved Boysenberries all my life and in my younger years we had bushes of them on my granny's dairies. Also, picked some for money in the summer at ranches that used to be on Hatch Rd. in Ceres/Modesto. Want to visit Knott's before I die, it is on my bucket list. Thank you again for producing things worth watching !
Thanks for the compliment! We appreciate it!
The Boysenberry was created by a man with the last name Boysen not too far from Knott's in Anaheim.
Grate episode.
We wish bud had got some credit for his mine and log ride.
He also made the bell inside Independence hall.
Hopefully he is worthy of a history Hunters episode.
After all
Wendell "Bud" Hurlbut
Invented the Hidden switchback Q line.
And he was the inventor of the log flume.
Keep up the grate work.
*great
Awesome. I actually met Mr Knott very early in the morning.... if memory serves me.... New Year's day, 1973 or 74. He was the grand Marshall for the Rose Parade. My father and I were part of a support group for a float, in a moter home parked on Orange Grove blvd.... a Pasadena police officer, knocked on the door, to ask if Mr Knott could use our bathroom...... true story !
That is a really cool story! Walter Knott strikes me as being a stern, no-nonsense and hardworking guy!
@@jbenziggy yep.... no nonsense. He used our restroom, said "thank you,"..... moved on.....
My memory of the park was when we visited in the early 50's. I was probably about 4 or 5 years old.They had a horse that would tell you what your birthday was by walking and picking up some numbers on wooden blocks. And swing the number at you!!! I often wondered what his name was.
Thank's Jeff & Sarah for good memories, always enjoyed Knott's Berry Farm as a kid & adult.Took my family & grandkids there as well. Disney declined are yearly pass one day, so we did'nt have much money do to gas & food. So my wife & I went to Knott's & explained what happened at the ticket booth. The person helping us got on the phone to head office. After they hung up they gave us the afternoon rate for my wife,kids & I. The park had just been open for 3 hours. We always prefer family friendly Knott's over the Mouse 😂
Thank you Jeff & Sarah for fond memories.
Great Trip you 2. Thank you for bringing us along. This was to be My Husband an my Trip this year. Since I have lost him in December 2022. It's been hard. However when you have been with someone for 45 years it just seems as if someone pulled the rug out from under you. Thank you. I have enjoyed this virtual tour and the Opportunity to ride along. Jeff and Sarah, Thank you again.
Visited with my Papa as a kid, still have great memories.. (I'm 53 now).
Great episode about my favorite theme park! I appreciate all the historic details regarding Knotts Berry Farm, and really enjoyed the old footage of the Groucho interview! Well done!
I am glad that you enjoyed this episode. Sarah and I had the unfortunate experience of going to Knotts berry farm last month on a Saturday. It was crowded beyond belief and we waited 2 1/2 hours to ride the ghost rider roller coaster. It was ridiculous. Caution to anyone who reads this… Never go to knots berry farm on the weekend. It is a miserable experience.
@@jbenziggy We went on President's Day and it was very busy, but we returned the following day, and the park was very quiet. We enjoyed the ghost town atmosphere without the large crowd quite a lot.
Knotts Berry Farm has a lot of history I was not aware of. We went in the early 1970’s to see Gary Puckett & the Union Gap in concert. Hopefully their prices of admission won’t get as ridiculous as Disneyland. Thanks for all your research and diligent work on these vlogs. It’s important to archive these things for future generations to come.
Thank you very much for your vote of confidence. You are correct about admission prices being much lower than Disneyland however that is a double edge sword because the crowds when we went to Knott’s recently were miserably crowded. I think we got to ride three rides the whole day. That’s how crowded it was on a Saturday. I don’t think I will ever go there again on a weekend. It’s just too crowded.
Thanks for letting us know that “double edged sword” detail on Saturdays being crowded. I can also see why they don’t pretend to rob the train anymore for safety reasons. We felt like we were right there with you soaking it all in down to that tasty corn 🌽 on the Cobb the nice & patient young man was enjoying in the background there.
My relatives use send us Knotts Berry jelly all the time. They lived close to the farmThat is really good jelly. I enjoyed this video.❤❤❤❤
Beautiful day in Los Angeles. Loved knotts berry farm when I lived in Los Angeles
Great job on this one! My mom is from Garden Grove and I grew up going to Knott’s every summer when we visited my grandfather. I always loved the history and my family’s stories about Knott’s and it will always hold a special place in my heart! Thank you!
Good clean fun. Jeff I loved this segment. Great History and your special entertaining touch. Uh err Sarah is attractive.
I enjoyed this! Great historic film of John Wayne and Glen Campbell and Ronald Reagan. I have never been to Knotts Berry Farm. I went Disneyland when I was 4-5 in 1970 or 69. I would love to sometime now I know all the history. Thanks again Jeff! I am catching up on episodes I haven’t seen yet while you are enjoying Christmas and New Year Holiday! I hope yours will be better than ours! We are happy to be home!! Lol Thanks again for your enjoyable and enlightening channel! -Nina
I have a faint memory of visiting Knotts Berry Farm as a small child. I remember having fun but not any specific memory. I would have been about 3-4 I’m guessing.
Thanks for the videos!
You’re welcome! You should go back to Knott’s when things return to normal.
Looks like a mixture of Patrick Duffy and Tom Skerritt, and I’m absolutely loving it! Thanks for sharing your love of Knott’s!!! Grew up going there, tons of nostalgia. Hope more people make videos like this...
Thanks! I’ve heard the Duffy thing but never Tom Skerritt. Lol. Glad you like our show !!!
@@jbenziggy Been viewing more of your content, and now I’m a new subscriber! Hope you do a video of the old SPADRA CEMETERY near Cal Poly Pomona.
And yes, if you rocked a beard, you’d definitely look like a late 1970’s Tom Skerritt haha
@@zachsprinkles2130 nah. LOL
“Berry “ informative! Learned things I never knew, even after visiting Knotts dozens of time while we lived there from 1980-2000. Sadly California has changed dramatically and unfortunately, not for the better .
That's great. I love the history. Thank you for all your hard work. Keep them coming.
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Great episode! I remember going to Knott's Berry Farm as a kid when it was free. No roller coasters back then, only the log ride and mining train. Riding on the stage coach was fun, too! There also used to be a place where you could pan for gold. Fun times.
Been a KBF passholder for 7 years now and I've never looked back. I've visited the park dozens of times in the past with my wife, siblings, friends, family, and more, and if the Lord allows I'll be visiting the park dozens of times more!
I love the park too but we went on a recent Saturday and it was miserably crowded. It took 2 hours 45 minutes to ride the Ghost Rider. Such a waste of time. I left muttering to myself, “There’s too many people on the planet.”
@@jbenziggy Yeah, I know what you mean. Thankfully Knott’s has plenty to see and do where their roller coasters to me are an afterthought. Ghost Rider is either the very first thing or the very last thing to get in line for since it always has a long queue. Weekdays are better days to go since it’s not as crowded, but the downside is the park closes earlier.
In 1962-1963 we lived off Lincoln Blvd in Buena Park. The only things I remember was at 7 years old, we were let out of school when JFK was killed. And visiting Knotts Berry Farm. Also we would go pick rhubarb somewhere right by the the berry farms and my Mom would make rhubarb pie. I hated it !. I'm not sure if it was owned by Knotts or not, or if it was legal or not to take. Thanks for bringing up these old memories ! You guys are awesome.
Thank you very much, Grant. I think some of our childhood memories are kind of what makes us the people that we are today and holding onto those memories is very important. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences of living in that area. It sounds like you had an amazing childhood!
I grew up in Newport Beach. In the mid 50’s when I was about 12, I first went to Knotts. I remember most the bandits coming aboard the train-shooting their guns. It was loud! Lots of smoke too. Also remember the haunted shack. There was optical allusion where water appeared to flow uphill! My 12 year old brain just couldn’t figure it out. What great memories! Similar to Disneyland in 1955.
Boy! How did I miss this one? I loved every minute of it. I went there at a young age. Thank you. What I find different now is the amount of people carrying back packs. We didn't do that back then. I often wonder what people carry in them that they must.
I think they carry around their lunch to save on amusement park food expense! LOL. Hey, I'm glad you found and enjoyed this video!
I really enjoyed this episode, because I’ve never been to Knotts but often wondered what it looked like. I also love history 👍 thank you.
I’ll be putting out a Disneyland video hopefully this weekend, kind of in the same vein!
Awesome can’t wait to watch and learn 👍
My family moved to northern Orange County in 1950, mainly in Fullerton. Have been here ever since. We visited Knott's (and Calico) often. Ghost town section has always been my favorite. (Thanks also for your thorough historical research.. No one else that I know of has reported the true history of the old, small locomotive, a Porter, beside the blacksmith shop.) Knott, BTW, farmed land out in the Newberry Springs area (Mojave Desert) long time ago.
I used to live in Fullerton. In fact I worked at Knott's Berry Farm in 1961-62 and graduated from Sunny Hills High School in 1962. I went to Fullerton High School my freshman year and we lived on Shadow Ln. close to Hillcrest Park.
@@daveneil3963 My late wife graduated from Sunny Hills H.S. back then. My kids graduated there too. My older sister graduated from Fullerton H.S.
Another great and interesting show. I'm amazed that you find photos and video of events from yesteryear.
I never knew Walter Knott was from my hometown. I have a lot of great memories from Knotts Berry Farm, thanks for the video.
I always like the hall. I grew uo in Los Alamitos. Watching this made me realize I grew up the with the growth og Knotts Berry Farm. Thanks
Our 8th Grade graduating class went there in 1959...it's changed a lot.
Yes it certainly has changed since 1959. I kind of wish it had stayed the small ghost town that it was but I guess to compete they had to introduce all kinds of roller coaster type rides. Thanks for watching and we'd love to have you subscribe!
Thanks so much! I grew up around there and even worked at the Good Time Theater as an usher. I do remember it as the John Wayne Theater as well.
When I worked there in the late 80’s it was called the Toyota Good Time Theater. New Kids on the Block played there once.
Pro Tip: If you secretly talk to the guy who voices Sad Eye Joe and give him information about anyone you're with, he'll work it into the conversation and surprise that person with their personal name and whatever you tell him to say. :)
Loved Knots Berry Farm. One of my favorites from 1969. Hats off to their love of patriotism. GOD BLESS
It is a great place -- just don't go on the weekends. Because it's cheaper than Disneyland, that place gets very crowded on weekends!
love it!
Thank you Run Away!
As I watched the video, I was hoping you would end up at their gravesites in Fullerton and of course, you did. I'm subscribing to your channel and you do a great job visiting different places. I tend to do the same thing once in a while here in Southern California where I live, though I don't have the UA-cam forum you have. Again, fantastic work, from one history buff to another. Keep it coming.
Thank you so much for your generous comments. I truly appreciate the feedback from a fellow history enthusiast. When you stop and think about the great things that the Knotts accomplished, they were truly humble people. I’m glad you like this video!
Great video; Sorry I have never been there in person, but your video is a good substitute; THANKS
Great video! Lots of interesting facts. Love the old footage of Ronald Reagan and the Duke.
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Thank you for sharing. I was there in the 50s when I was a child living in Southern California, born in LA as my dad was a career US Navy.
My 8th grade class visited Knott’s Berry Farm on a field trip. It was fun as a kid.
Knott's has always been my favorite SoCal park. I even have my "certificate" from Knott's from 1971....
Your videos are well done and a pleasure to watch
Thank you! That's very nice to read! We both are honored!
I was just a young kid when I went to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm so I don't really remember a lot of it. A big thanks for this trip down memory lane.
Told you I was Binge watching!!
Thank you Jeff !
You bought back happy memories for me
Thanks for the video!!
You’re welcome! That is a fantastic place filled with nostalgia for me too!
When I was a little boy,I went with my family to Knott's Berry Farm.Tony
I remember visiting Knott’s Berry Farm…many years ago. It was a lot of fun in a world not yet filled with amusement parks.
Went there many a day with my grandma back in the 60-s fun times
🤠Hello Jeff & Sarah, I was at Knott's Berry Farm back in 2011, it was a good theme park, I sure so like Sad eye Joe, would've also have love to see John Wayne's Theater, Big Jake is my favorite John Wayne film, while Tombstone is my all time favorite western movie. Glad you guys had a great time.
I love messing with Sad Eye Joe! Depending on the guy doing the voice, it can be quite entertaining as you saw here!
loved the train , corkscrew and that plume ride
♥️ *I had never wanted to visit there, until seeing your video!*
*Loved this!* 🌹🌹🌹
Just don’t go on a weekend. The crowds could be horrendous on the weekend. Otherwise it’s pretty easy-going Monday through Friday.
I saw no mention of the 'Panning for gold' exhibit. Experienced it many times when I was a kid in the 60's. Lived in Glendale. We were regulars and KBF, as well as, Disneyland.
Silverwood the train still gets robbed. Its always an awesome experience. Great video especially the John Glenn, The Duke, and Reagan clips
My parents our family and their friends would drive up from San Diego in there new then 51 Chevy wagon for chicken dinners Then in the late sixths when attending Long Beach State I would take our daughter over on Sunday afternoon for an outing it was free then except for the train ride.
I was just there last week.. Amazing place with lots of history 😎
Great job. Brought back a ton of memories
chuck chavez hey thanks Chuck! Tell others about my shows! More are coming!
I found out recently that Walter Knott sent a hand-written Christmas card to my grandmother every year (my grandmother had been a music celebrity on radio a long time ago). The
Knott's had a vacation home in Lake Arrowhead and I got to go inside it (years after they had been there). I stood in the kitchen and wondered if Mrs. Knott ever fried up her delicious chicken dinner in there, or if the family was long tired of chicken dinners by then!
That is such a wonderful story you tell! Thanks! I know that Walter and Cordelia were just amazing folks who worked hard and loved their country! The vision that they had! Truly amazing!
@@jbenziggy thanks Jeff! I saw them riding in the Hollywood Christmas parade when I was about 5 years old too! I remember visiting your grandmother's house (near Waterford??). Kevin showed me the ghostly handprint that your guys's little brother had made with paint on his hand on an old tractor tire. Your grandmother was very sweet. When I saw her picture in this video (taken less than 10 years before I met her) she looked amazingly young and was clearly a beautiful woman! I'm glad she lived into her 90s God bless her. My grandmother sang every week on radio for Sister Aimee Semple McPherson's program- she was the soprano soloist for Sr. McP. She was also in movies at MGM and had other famous friends she rarely talked about. Wizard of Oz's good witch Glinda (Billie Burke) came to my grandmother's 2nd wedding (after my grandfather had died) and Nana was a guest of William Randolph Hurst at San Simeon and can be seen in the news reel footage on the tour there. Little bit of relevant trivia from your recent Milton Eisenhower vid, my dad filmed my grandmother shaking hands with Ike Eisenhower at an event in 1964. I'm so blessed by your videos Jeff.
Interesting to learn the history behind the park.