Return to Ghost Town, Pt. 1

It had been three years since my last visit to Knott’s Berry Farm (and twice as long for the neighboring theme park in Anaheim!), so when history expert/neon aficionado Eric Lynxwiler suggested we meet in Ghost Town, I immediately said “yes”!

Billing itself as “America's 1st Theme Park,” Knott’s Berry Farm is currently celebrating its 100th Anniversary a year late, due to the pandemic. For me, the draw of Knott’s is Ghost Town and its charming recreation of a Gold Rush mining town. The rest of the park…meh.

There are portions of Ghost Town that have drawn controversy because of their perceived “racist” nature. Some stumble upon the hangman’s noose when they first enter and immediately assume that it’s a reference to the lynching of Blacks.

Not so. It pays to read the signage and do the research before jumping to conclusions. It’s a bit unsettling to see this, but I do applaud its inclusion as it provides an opportunity to have a dialogue. Yes, dialogue can be good and allows an acknowledgement of unsavory parts of the past and whether there has or hasn’t been progress made in the years since. Erasing those elements leads to the possibility that those dark events will be repeated.

Eric pointed out all of the ghostly-paint that still exists on the original wooden structures:

I love seeing these remnants of the past that hang on to their existence despite “progress” and the ravage of the natural elements, like sunlight and termites!

The peek-ins are fun glimpses into the businesses of the past, complete with mannequins, originally carved by Andy Anderson.

Want to see the bottles in the Drug Store?

Zooming into the image in the mirror, you can see an ad for Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound, an herbal medicine that was supposed to relieve menstrual discomfort and menopausal symptoms. It contained 20% alcohol!

A card game at the Sheriff’s office:

A winning hand?

Goldie’s Place, a hotel that provides “extra” room service.

The swinging leg should give you an idea of what you might encounter inside:

Goldie:

and her girls:

The puns strewn throughout Ghost Town give it a home-spun charm that is refreshing.

Kind of like the jokes on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland: the last vestiges of non-corporate/spontaneous fun.

The often seen front of the sign:

…and thanks to Eric, I saw the rarely-seen back of the sign:

See more Knott’s Berry Farm Ghost Town photos at my main website.

Knott’s in 3D!

Just when you thought your stomach was safe…I present a trio of Genuine FauxD© Knott’s Berry Farm images from July 1955. Care to take a ride on the Calico Railroad in Ghost Town?

Another view of Ghost Town:



It is so unfortunate this one is blurry; would have loved to zoom in on the wall, the clock...oh this hurts.



See more Knott’s Berry Farm photos at my main website.

Judy at the Calliope

The first shot for today is from September 1965 and shows Mae Mennes playing the calliope at Knott’s Berry Farm. Jim, a former Anaheim resident, sent me this information about a relative who once worked at Knott’s Berry Farm:

My mother-in-law's niece, Judy Glidewell (now Neilson), worked at the Bird Cage Theater in 1966 and 1967 with Steve Martin and Kathy Westmoreland. Judy played the calliope before the shows and also piano. She had graduated from Buena Park High School, and went to Redlands University and later Cal State Fullerton. She is now 70 and lives in Huntington Beach.



I found this newspaper article from a Redlands, California paper in 1967, when Judy, Steve Martin, and another Bird Cage performer performed at a show one evening. The last 3 paragraphs deal with the Bird Cage Theater, Judy, and Steve.



Also, a poster I saw on eBay, but could not buy, can't make it out well, but can see Judy's name in the program.





I love getting information like this. You might recall from previous posts that the Bird Cage is where Steve Martin made his stage debut. Here he is in 1965 with Melody Westmoreland:



Steve let me know that Don Galvan, also listed on the flyer “played banjo out in front of the Bird Cage on the calliope. He was bitter, but a big Mexican movie star at one time.”



Last shot for today is how the Bird Cage Theatre and the Calliope look today. Not bad!



See more Knott’s Berry Farm Bird Cage Theatre photos at my main website.

Back to Knott's, Pt. 3: The Ghost Town Grill

Here is the number one reason why I returned to Knott's after a four year absence: The Ghost Town Grill. The Rumor Mill has been buzzing that possibly this restaurant that has been serving guests since 1946 might actually be on the chopping block.



I believe the two large murals that adorn the interior are by early Knott's art director Paul von Klieben.



Closer...



and very close!



The other mural is above the kitchen window, disguised as a Covered Wagon. I love it!



The Boysenberry Shake came out first. Nothing like starting with dessert!



I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Salad and it was tasty.



We attempted to pump the waitress for info, but she wasn't falling for the bait. If she knew something, this old pro wasn't going to cough up the answers any time soon. All she said was that for years there was talk about restoring/fixing/updating the restaurant but it hadn't happened yet. Only time will tell.



Here's a sneak preview of my next Knott's post. But not necessarily on Monday. I might have something else for you to enjoy.



See more Ghost Town Grill photos at my main website.

Knott's Berry Farm, July 1963

Often, scattered amongst the vintage Disneyland slide sets I purchase are random views of Knott's Berry Farm. Many of the people who sell these estate finds have no idea which is which. Today, Knott's fans can reap the benefits with these July 1963 photos. Here we see the Butterfield Stagecoach attraction; unlike the Disneyland counterpart, it still operates today.



Knott's version of The Autopia; not quite as futuristic! I believe this one was called the Antique Auto Ride. In 1976, it was renamed the Tijuana Taxi.



The Calico Mine Ride attraction, not even quite three years old at the time of this shot:



A detailed view of the train; don't miss the couple in front with the cool boater hats!



More Knott's Berry Farm images at my main website.

Journey Back To 1956 Pt. 2

Welcome back to 1956. The paddlewheel of the mighty Mark Twain is churning round the green Rivers of America at Disneyland.

The more decoratively appointed Bertha Mae Keel Boat can be seen cruising the River.



A closer look:



From the dock side of the river we get an alternative view of the Bertha Mae:



as well as an Indian Canoe:



C'mon people, get the lead out! Start paddling harder!



There's a raft full of peeps ready to explore Tom Sawyer's Island.



A detailed view provides a look at Fowler's Harbor and the original tunnel for the Disneyland Railroad in Frontierland.



Our 1956 photographer sure loved the River!



I am guessing this shot of the Golden Horseshoe was taken from the treehouse (or thereabouts) on Tom Sawyer Island.



By this point in Disneyland history, the Indian Village had already been moved from its original location near Adventureland to its new spot in Frontierland.



Care to ride a canoe?



I love interior images of Fort Wilderness; if only it could be restored to its 1956 glory.



The final two shots in the collection show Knotts Berry Farm, starting with this image of panning for gold.





I have read that panning for gold is supposed to return to Knotts this year. Hooray!



More vintage (and current!) Disneyland images at my main website.