Back to Knott's, Pt. 2

This post focuses on the main (actually, probably the only) reason I visit Knott's Berry Farm: GHOST TOWN! I love the old west town that Walter Knott "collected" and assembled to form a cohesive village of yesteryear. The first shot is a panorama of the Wagon Camp. This shows my main beef with Knott's Berry Farm: the sightlines. You see the old AND the new together, and it really breaks the fantasy effect of feeling like you are back in the Old West.

Gold Trails Hotel:



Those familiar figures outside the hotel that have sat and posed with thousands of guests over the years.



I was SOOOOO disappointed to be told that the peek-ins no longer existed in the Park. Here's Hop Wing Lee's Laundry:



This figure that used to be visible through the window is no longer on display, and neither are the other ones that formerly entertained guests at Knott's. I was told they were damaged during Knott's Scary Farm by the guests.



Apparently this one was spared the chopping block:



A detailed view of the signage:



No peek-in here; it's a real-live horse!



The Blacksmith is real, too, and very friendly with guests:



This gal was making ornaments:



The Post Office is not in use, but it was fun to peek around:









A view of Goldie's:



The Jail is this way:



This was the first time I'd actually seen this guy in action, taking requests for Sad Eye Joe:



The School House was in session:



I could see myself wearing this at times.





I wonder if this ever gets played?



The Calico Saloon:







Boot Hill Cemetery is another example of bad sightlines:





I wonder how much this guy makes a year?



Still more to come! See more Knott's Berry Farm photos at my main website.

Ghost Town: Chinese Laundry

This vintage image from April 30, 1956 shows Hop Wing Lee's Chinese Laundry. Located in Knott's Berry Farm's Ghost Town, it is one of the peek-in shops located on Main Street. According to the website immigrationtounitedstates.org, Chinese laundries were an important niche industry for Chinese immigrant families who came to the U.S. after the California gold rush in 1849:

Chinese laundries developed as a major occupation for the first wave of Chinese immigrants who came to the United States during the mid-nineteenth century. Laundries opened throughout the country and became uniquely identified with this ethnic group. The Chinese launderer stereotype appeared in popular culture and media.

On my first visit to Knott's Berry Farm in 2010, I captured this shot of Hop Wing Lee's, complete with Pepsi-themed trash can.





Flash forward to 2014, and mercifully the Pepsi trash can is gone.





This vintage post card shows how the peek-in originally looked, complete with Andy Anderson carved figure:



Circa 2010:



And how it looks today:



See more Daveland Ghost Town Hop Wing's Chinese Laundry photos at my main website.