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: Sad Eye Joe

He's Orange County's longest jailed inmate. He's also probably one of the most visited prisoners, as you can see by the vintage shot below:



Who is he? He's the Ghost Town Jail's Sad Eye Joe at Knott's Berry Farm. The jail out back, seen below, was rebuilt a few years ago.



The figure, carved by woodcarver Andy Anderson, visits with park guests with the help of a hidden voice.





The Sheriff's Office is one of the few original buildings from 1940-41 that is still intact. The poker game scene inside is also by Anderson.



See more Daveland Sad Eye Joe photos at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: Back to Knott's

Daveland reader David W. was very generous in sharing some treasured photos from his family of early Knott’s. Here is David’s commentary:

I have a lot of good memories of Knott's (& that other theme park over in Anaheim). These photos were taken by my Dad who enjoyed photography (these are from before I was around). The Kodachrome colors sure do last. My Grandparents (Dad's parents from Colorado) liked to go to Knott's, and judging by the clothes, these photos are from a few different visits. I recall my parents talking about how my Grandfather was laughing after Sad Eye Joe talked to him at the Ghost Town Jail. The first photo shown here is my Mother (she just turned 88 this month) and the slide
even had the actual day it was taken written on it (April 9,1948). This is the only picture that I have seen where Whiskey Bill has a red shirt.

The 2nd is my Mother (holding her chihuahua) & my Grandparents in the  wagon camp. I believe this was taken in the 1950's (unfortunately the slide was not dated).



Here’s my Mother again, this time standing by The Chapel by the Lake (April 9,1948).



My Grandparents, circa 1950's—I really like the expressions on their faces as they ham it up for the camera!



The final one is of my grandparents at the Pitchur Gallery:



A huge thanks to David for sharing these high quality images from his family’s history.

Had a few requests for the recipe for my Christmas Fruitcocktail Egg Nog Pie (yes, there are still a few retro cooks alive and kicking out there!). It differs slightly from the vintage recipe posted by Tim. Here’s the one I use:

Ingredients: 2 cups prepared egg nog. 1/4 teaspoon salt. 1 envelope Knox gelatin. 1.5 teaspoon vanilla. 1 cup (before whipping) whipping cream (whipped). 1/4 cup sugar. #2.5 can fruit cocktail thoroughly drained (draining is key! otherwise pie will be soupy). 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. 9" pie shell (I made a graham cracker crust; either is fine).

Directions: Mix gelatin, sugar, and salt. Gradually stir in egg nog. Warm over direct low heat until gelatin is dissolved. Chill until mixture mounds when droped from spoon. Fold in whipped cream, flavorings, and 1.5 cups fruit cocktail. Chill again 5-10 minutes until mixture mounds. Heap into baked pie shell. Decorate with remaining fruit cocktail. Chill 2-4 hours.

Note: If you’re going to make this pie, don't ruin it by using low-cal or low-fat or lite-syrup anything; it's a retro pie and needs all the ingredients to be fully leaded!

Be sure to send photos!

See more Knott's photos at my main website.