Knott's Berry Farm in the 1950s - Then & Now

[@RedKoopaPlumber]

My grandma used to work with Mrs. Knotts herself in the chicken diner back before it was a amusement park.

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

Really..................

[@0BRAINS0]

I have one of their older cookbooks, my favorite fried chicken recipe.

[@grannyvapes4154]

My sister used to work at the chicken dinner restaurant.

[@aprildawn8692]

My grandmother was good friends with Mrs. Knott also. The gravy that was served in the restaurant was my grandmother's recipe.

[@nancyhopple750]

I now work at Knotts at the front gate and have enjoyed over twelve years of this magical place. The Knott family have done more for Orange County than any other. Your vlog is absolutely amazing and I appreciate the research you did before making this fun viewing. I have been a Knotts Berry Farm enthusiast since I was a child so this is really taking me back. And...legend has it that the trellis you showed us is actually a Wisteria vine and was Mrs Knotts contribution to that area. Thank you again. You made this old lady smile ! Nancy

[@donalauderdale2626]

I was 4 years old when I when I went to Knotts the very first time. I’m 65 now. We would just go spend the evening there.I will never forget the sounds and smells. There was like only 3 or 4 rides back then and they were like 25 cents a piece. I miss the old Knotts.

[@TOM-pn8sn]

dona lauderdale I remember paper tickets per ride. E tickets were the good ones.

[@sandraweilbrenner67]

I miss the old park too

[@tombuck]

I wish KZbin gave out Emmys because you seriously deserve one for this series.

[@chercatzizzle]

Crazy to see the old photos and movie clips from the 60s... i went to Knotts many times back in the early 60s, and can still remember the smells and sounds of those days... i surely do miss those olden days at Knotts... it was a blast back then... i could tell you some stories of the original FREE Knotts through the late 70s... fun, fun times, so long ago! Thank you Justin for the memories of days long missed... ❤

[@johnpetty7066]

Does anyone else remember trout pools next to a parking lot where you could rent a bamboo pole with some dough bait? They'd charge by the pound for the trout and clean and wrap them for you. Even put them on ice so you could pick them up on your way home. This must have been late 50s or very early 60s. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane Justin.

[@maddrummer910]

My grandma worked at Mrs Knotts chicken diner for many years. She was Walter Knotts favorite waitress and knew him well. I use to talk to her for hours about Knott and Disney who would occasionally join Knott for dinner. My old neighbor was a pool guy in orange County and regularly serviced the Knotts family pool. Mrs. Knotts would give him and his kids park tickets often. They are a wealth of knowledge!

[@wendyandmanny]

Thank you for this video Justin. I love Knott's and I think it doesn't get as much love as other theme parks, so thank you for this look back through history.

[@alison2649]

I can close my eyes and smell that green house/ bathroom area😌Love it

[@shpadoinker]

I grew up in Orange County in the 60's & 70's and remember some of the old KBF. Thanks for the nostalgia.

[@ThePassionOfTheMarc]

My buddy passed away suddenly a couple of weeks ago. He loved to take his sister's kids to Knott's Berry Farm. I've never been but used to pass by it all the time when I drove to Disneyland from San Francisco (friend lived about 10 mins from Knott's Berry). Edit to add: I forgot he told me his sister loves watching this channel!

[@Sarcasticbarber]

The biscuits at Knott’s are so good!😋

[@naomihirsch2796]

My dad and my uncles grew up going to Knott's Berry Farm, then myself and my two siblings grew up going to Knott's. Knott's Berry Farm is such an integral part of both generations' childhood - I can't believe how much has changed just since I was a wee lass. In family photos alone we have the history of Knott's documented, and it's so wonderful to have this video where all those old attractions my dad and grandma have described to me, I can see for myself. I know it sounds super lame, but it makes me feel kind of closer to my family, because Knott's was an important part of their lives, then an important part of OUR lives, and in this way I can better understand what they experienced back then. Anyways, thanks for this video, I enjoyed it immensely!

[@pappy4075]

U should be curator for the Knotts museum. Nobody does better than u

[@dorenerussell8709]

I remember standing on the grave in the cemetery with the beating heart sound. Cool.

[@donniekirk5808]

I grew up living 1/2 way between Knott's and Disneyland. My grandparents, parents of of course since I was with them, we all knew Walter Knott and his wife. Ate many meals there, rode the train and remember riding the old San Francisco Cable cars. They had a general store, with a candy counter; which had smoking pipe shaped Licorice I ate many of those pipes. Rode the stage and they had an indian village across from the train. They added the chapel; and booked weddings there. The had an old carousel, live seals and had chickens and peacocks roaming wild around the grounds. Remember them adding the fence and begin charging admission. My view was that since Disneyland had opened and charged admission, a way for them to expand the park faster, was to charge admission. Also went to Aligator Farm and pottery shop. 1/2 mile North, was the Hollywood Wax Museum. To the East on LaPalma, was the Buena Park Center. My mother worked Christmas season a couple of times at the "Sear's & Roebuck's" store (later re-branded as Sear's. Right after they built the Independence Hall, then Vice-President Nixon, who was running for President came and did a campaign speech on a stage Knott's built just for the occasion.

[@joannecowie3586]

Thank you for this great detailed video. I loved Knotts Berry farm. Many times went from the late 60's all the way up until 2014. I loved Knotts Berry Farm it was like a world of it's own. I loved the train, soap box derby (maybe still there), the little shops, old western set up, the smell of the place, the bottle room, the room that had many buttons, the chair on the wall (which gave an optical illusion), the old stage coach for carrying dead bodies, the stagecoaches, the farm and especially the chicken that played the piano, RIP Ms. Roo Roo, the tunnel from the parking lot into park. I can go on & on. Yes 2014 was the last time I went and will be the last time I will ever go again. All those things are now either a new ride or just pavement an empty space in areas that once was. Whoever took over really took away the history & wonderful atmosphere of the place. It was so special, but however I am happy today that I was able to see all the exciting things that were once there. Thanks again for your video, it's nice looking back at things before my time too.

[@finnjolly]

so that was Nick the devil. loved that little guy many moons ago. It had the neatest sound as he turned the crank.... low rumbling thunder. I so glad you filmed this.

[@rrobinsn84]

Justin! This was fantastic! I’ve never even been to Knott’s but I LOVE it just because of your passion for it and this video was an incredible tribute to their past, present, and future! Can’t wait to see more like this!!!

[@xBATTLESHARKx]

These Then & Now videos are the best! You put a ton of work into them and it shows. Keep up the good work!

[@aculady1]

My brother and I keep hoping someone will post a video of the Devil Guy at work. It was a marvelous contraption. A light would turn on. The Devil Guy would turn the crank and cause some piano hammers to hit a window screen. The sound was amplified and came out through a speaker as volcano eruption sounds.

[@grannyvapes4154]

Hey there Justin. Born in 1953 and a native Californian I grew up in Stanton, just a stone throw from the park. I will dig through my photos for you. Knott's was my old stomping grounds as a kid. Thank you for that blast from the past.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Really enjoyed this, thanks for taking the time to talk about the history of the park!

[@tomklock568]

That volcano was an area that people used to try to sneak in...and found that there was cactus planted to welcome them. They got the point in the end to the delight of security! Thanks for the video brings back memories of when I was a kid going to Knotts!

[@peanutismint]

Just wanted to say I'm really glad that you're getting a hold of all these old photos/film footage lately and doing these comparisons for theme parks and other such areas! It's great content and the kind of stuff I've always wished someone like you would do. Keep it up.

[@bcrich792000]

I always remember passing by the volcano and eyeballing the little devil in the box. He kinda freaked me out.

[@ffurrr]

I love these history videos you’ve been doing! They really set you apart for more amateur vlogers. I pray your channel continues to grow like crazy!

[@k.campbell3708]

Love it. What a geek. 😂😂😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@sheryldixon1395]

Do you remember Jungle Island? The merry go round by the lake? Glass beehives?

[@thomwerner888]

Dude, I love what you are doing with the past and present, for all the parks. Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see more... Thanks.

[@StormAlterWorlds]

These are, by and far, my favorite videos from you. I absolutely love seeing the history of a place, and the hidden nods to that history. This video was fantastic!

[@bockysmith135]

Thank you!!! Brings back memories when i went to Knott's with my Dad.

[@Blockheadgeorge]

I recently picked up this incredible book called “Knott’s preserved” at one of the stores and it is a boat load of Knott’s nostalgia that’s definitely worth $40.00

[@IamtheKingsman]

I'd been there in 1953, panning for gold on several occasions over the years. You'd never come away empty handed. I'd even managed to find a good sized nugget once. It had to have been nearly an ounce of gold that only cost me 25¢ to pan. The last time I went to Knott's Berry Farm was in about June of 1968. I loved all the effort you've put into this video. After watching your video and several other videos about the Farm, I just told my wife that I'd like to go there for our anniversary this year. I think some of the rides would scare us to death (we're both quite elderly) but the Ghost Town, activities, and food look wonderful, and and would be incredibly refreshing in reminiscing an imaginary, relaxing, and very fun piece of the Old West, in the midst of a modern world. Thank you so much.

[@brianandlukas4246]

Great video! Love these history oriented stories. I know you have more in store - please keep them coming!! This is exactly why I am a Patreon!!

[@laurafeierabend559]

Omg thank you so much this was such wonderful memories for me growing up as a kid riding the stage coach and train, i remember panning for gold and watching shows at the camp theatre so much fun. And those hidden gems are so awesome such a big part of the history of knotts...

[@iowndvc]

I grew up in Lynwood in the 1960s. When I was young, in one of the Ghost Town buildings, there was a diorama/audio show portraying the Knotts family's journey to California in covered wagons. Is that still there? My Grandma wouldn't take me to Disneyland, it was too much walking for her, but she would happily go to Knott's and go on some of the rides, like the mine train and the old mule powered merry go round.

[@pdxer8895]

Wow Justin, This is the very mostest and very bestest video. What made Knott's unique? Yes it was once all free. I have a lifetime membership Displayed. You could be outside and going to the steakhouse, and see the fun people were having inside.. Panning for gold, Henry's livery, and most of all Jungle Island. Cedar fair, replaced the peek ins statues. Knott's alive makes no sense without them. Justin, Thumbs up times 1 million.

[@MsMaryLS]

I started going to Knott's Berry Farm when I was about 2 or 3 years old in 1955 - 56. We used to go every year and I loved it so much! I so very much miss all the old stuff that they've taken out! I wanted to show all that old stuff to my children and my grandchildren but I can't now because it's all gone!😩

[@rjkral]

Golly gee this is a rip roarin’ video!! Thanks so much for creating and sharing!

[@norcaldad5983]

It has all been said by others, but you clearly have a passion for these history pieces. Very complete, the amount of research you have done pays off. Excellent!

[@sfmman2000]

This is an exceptional look into some of the history of Knott's! I think video deserves a lot more views.

[@badoocee1967]

As always, a GREAT Narration Justin!🤙

[@lauriegood9607]

We used to go to Knott's berry farm at least 4 times a year. Back in the early 60,s. The best chicken restaurant in the whole world was Mrs. Knott's. After you were served Mrs. Knott would come out on the floor and talk to all her customers. My Godparents were very good friends of hers so she always took a little extra with us. Very sweet and lovely lady. That is what made her so happy as to how her customers enjoyed her food. As a young girl I felt like I was talking to royalty. So many great memories of the past. I will be going down south next year and I will definitely stop by and grab one of her famous chicken dinners. Times were so good back then. If you have never been or stopped to look around you are really missing something wonderful. I will be going back down this next summer and you can bet I will be getting her famous chicken. Yum, yum

[@daveogarf]

I know it's silly, but I LOVE that pistol gag! Gets me laughing every time! Gee, seems just a bit lonely without Ally and London there with you. Got very used to seeing them accompanying you. Please keep up the excellent work, Justin. Having visited Knott's in 1962, the old photos jog a LOT of memories. Thanks!

[@Thesyndicate11111]

Always, always ALWAYS! Entertaining and educational! Don't quit!

[@jaysands6391]

This place has a SOUL that THE MOUSE up the road will never have.

[@ferg1680]

You're at you best with park history, can't wait to see your Disney research... I Love this stuff...keep them coming

[@carmelcastillo8850]

You really worked hard on this video! So cool! Thanks for sharing

[@lizzie.bee.23]

I love these then and nows! Keep it up!!

[@mairisie25]

Awesome Justin. Love the history you provided. Great voices.

[@rosaspanjol673]

Those the then and now fotos are priceless 💎 gems!!..I love 💕 all of them 😘

[@wlonsdale1]

I remember it well. Excellent work!

[@Brownale68]

Amazing job Justin....i absolutely love your then and now stuff.....

[@123gozane]

Im so glad I found your channel. Is awesome to see the vintage Knotts. Subscribing right now!

[@dusty5598]

Knott's history returns to the Wagon Camp. Krazy Kirt and the Hillbilly's are bring back live western type music to the Wagon Camp. These guy are great! The music is fun and its great to heir professional musicians live. The wagon camp music is a part of Knott's Berry farm history and I love to see its return and family's enjoying the shows. please keep it up!

[@yolandadelazerda207]

Pure unadulterated Knotts AWESOMENESS!! Great job Justin!

[@lemoon00]

I love knotts history thanks for helping keep the interest in it alive

[@628DirtRooster]

It's always the hippies messing stuff up. lol Pretty cool that someone sent old video footage.

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

Excuse me?

[@elderlypoodle9181]

@@chaosdemonwolf1 I second your comment !... Excuse me ???? That guys remark left me totally confused.

[@philmcgrath7000]

It was said they had to start charging admission in 1967 to keep the hippies out. My dad used to take us 2 nights a week while mom went to China painting lessons, just to hang out and kill time until it was time to go pick her up. I knew that park inside out!

[@calady11]

Phil McGrath Your correct about Knott's having to charge admission to keep the hippies out. I started going to Knott's back when I was a little kid (in the early 1960's) when it was free and only ride there was the train ride. LOL

[@jacecleo2]

This video is so awesome I had searched for one like a month ago but could not find one.. Thank u soo much for coming through 🤗

[@McCracken257]

Thanks so much for making this video! I just love the history of Knotts. I hope to go see it in person one day!

[@candaceroberts3238]

I was glad to see the covered trains were there. I loved the camp when I was a kid. My first visit was about 1956 or 57.

[@ApacheVertigo]

Best video yet man, great research! Grew up in Riverside, spent a lot of time in the 80s at Knotts!

[@stephanierice6990]

Outstanding work, once again. Thank you for putting the research and time into showing us the world in a new way.

[@TOM-pn8sn]

I still have a picture of me with a old Indian chief at Knotts in 1975.

[@honestmicky]

Excellent video, thanks for posting, much appreciated : )

[@flustereddolphin]

Hey, I caught the release of a video right as it came out! Notification Squad!

[@jeanniearciniega2510]

Thank you for this it brought back so much memories. We lived real close to Knott's back in the 70's my little brother went w/some friends from the neighborhood and he 3 chickens from the park. We never knew until early hrs in the morning long story short my dad made him return the chickens.

[@dud1891]

Hi Justin Love your videos Keep it up

[@sociald4515]

I remember going to the alligator farm with my Grandma...

[@jimbokay5696]

Another entertaining theme park history lesson from Justin. Really need to spend more time in Southern California so I can visit other things besides Disneyland. Was always interested in Knott's since my parents visited there in late 70's. Thanks again, Justin! Keep the history enjoyable!

[@karendixon401]

Oh wow... Thank you for this trip back in time.. you could see the gold sparkling in the sun as they were panning for it...but the price was much higher than 25 cents later or I would have tried it out as a kid. Also a short way down the walkway behind the chicken diner there was a candy shop where you could watch them make it through glass windows. And in the old town an old-timey candy store with rope licorice of several different flavors.. the freshest. I don't know.. but the boysenberry drink and candy and corndogs had alot of flavor back then. The roller coaster by the wagon campfire show ruins it..too bad..because that was one of the key ambiance spots at night with the big campfire roaring and music.. and the old steam train sounds in the background..♨🎶💕🎻

[@fourbuick]

Great video. Great history for Knott's and Southern California in general. Saw Justin at the entrance to Ghost Rider, but didn't want to interrupt his work.

[@johnsonfamilyvidsvlogs3745]

Love this Justin. I grew up in Buena Park in the 70's and 80s. My brother worked at Knott's so I got to go a lot. As well as with field trips.

[@bethgood3214]

That was amazing, great job !

[@7b7BenGazing]

It would be really cool if you could do a comparison of The Santa Cruz beach boardwalk from the 1950’s to today.

[@jessevazquez9542]

Great video! My Mom worked there as a teen in the 60's so she's told us many stories about how it used to be.👍

[@watcher2554]

I loved riding those old cars next to the hi-way because people would honk when you waved at them!!

[@TheJennyWalaShow]

Knott's Berry Farm and others should be paying you guys for all this documentary work.

[@ilaragland2588]

Keep doing these kinds of videos, it makes me so intreeged into the history in parks!

[@donatfairs204]

Great time travel. Thanks for all the history.

[@raelynkay8874]

Even though I wasn't around when the old ravine was there, i would love to see Knott's bring back something similar to that in that area!!

[@paulcaskey]

Until I found this channel, I always thought it was Knottsbury Farm.

[@MountainFisher]

LOL Paul Caskey; That is how my Okie parents pronounced it even though they took us there several times because there was no admission charge. See my other post here.

[@sandraweilbrenner67]

Berry. He invented boysenberries

[@darthjayder2927]

I always love your historic videos

[@markd4926]

Great job! Love these

[@thewholewill81]

One of those san Francisco cable cars from Knott's is in the back of barn 1 at Orange Empire railway museum. They also have a older cable car that knotts turned into a snack bar too.

[@silentbobstash]

Fantastic video!

[@ejgj8894]

Love these then and now videos

[@gbcocean1955]

AWESOME history of the FIRST amusement park in So Cal. Justin!!!

[@ericmueller1987]

Memories of childhood. Very cool!

[@knighriderredux]

Amazing how the cable car ride that was in the old parking lot where Camp Snoopy is now is shaped a lot like the Monza circuit in Italy

[@ChristheShrinerdawg]

I have NEVER been to Knotts Berry Farm in my life, but I think this is way cool!

[@adventureswithkyle]

Another cool vid man!

[@rjkral]

12:14 “but by the 1940s Walter Knott has become a BUILDING MANIAC!!!” So funny!!

[@karenkozak2068]

This was great to see. Great job. I remember the arbor and I think it had honeysuckle and maybe grapes at some point. I panned for gold a few times. I still have a little vial or bottle that had a few gold specks in it. When they gave it to you, it had water in it and a Knotts sticker on it. I am so sad that pit is gone. Sometimes the wait was an hour or more and it was very hot down there. Sometimes we skipped it because of the heat. I also rode ponies and the trails were on the edge of the park. I hope you find some great photos of the water park across the street.

[@robinjohnson5532]

Grandpa took me to Knott's Berry Farm every Sunday back when admission was free.

[@epicoxtra3739]

I could have easily watched two more hours of that :)

[@logankerr8090]

Love these Historical vids!

[@MrMeatHook]

Dude, as a 70’s baby/80’s kid, I TOTALLY remember and loved Ol’ Nick!

[@SoundProdigy]

Love your videos dude!