A brief and delightful history of Knott's Berry Farm

A 16-minute video of key points in the history of Knott's Berry Farm, hosted by Knott's historian J. Eric Lynxwiler. It looks at the origins of Walter and Cordelia Knott's farm, Chicken Dinner Restaurant, the launch of the Ghost Town area, and subsequent key additions. Video by Mark Eades, ocregister.com.

[@t6834bl]

Growing up in So Cali in the 50's and 60's, this was the Knott's Berry Farm I knew. Thanks for reminding me

[@pamelahsmithsmith2366]

Im replying to your comment from 5 yrs ago!! I just saw a video of Knotts Berry farm today, so much has changed and wanted to see a video of the history, Our family came there in the mid 60's, and like you, enjoyed seeing what it looked like back then.

[@k1e2n3w4]

It was disappointing that the producers skirted over Knott's Halloween Haunt, which is the grand daddy of theme park Halloween attractions. The tradition began in the late 70s when concession workers began decorating their shops and dressing up for Halloween. Park goers loved it, and things just grew from there. It was a totally organic tradition that grew into a phenomena. A lot of parks now do their own version of the Halloween haunt, but Knott's was the first.

[@Yurastupidass]

The Halloween haunt was never again like the original ones. peoples actually scared you on the log ride and other areas. They did away with that so sad. It was so much fun in the 80's.

[@axidhaus]

Studio K and Cloud Nine

[@se7encureton]

Do I want to go to Disneyland ? 100% no.. Do I want to go to knots berry farm? Yes yes pleas It’s been 30 years and I’d love to go right now.

[@badoocee1967]

I Really enjoy these Documentaries. The music, video and narration make me wanna get a cup of coffee, sit next to a fireplace and reminisce. Great video! Thank you!!!

[@barbtaylor3285]

When I was 13 (1961) my friend and I would bike to Knotts Berry Farm . We could walk all around the park I remember so many of the shows and The Ghost Town. We couldn’t pay for any of the rides, but it was fun to just walk around and see all the different parts of the park. One of my favorite memories of my childhood. I loved seeing this look back at Knotts Berry Farm ! Thank you

[@bassetbaby67]

OMG thank you so much for mentioning the Mott's Miniatures! That was my family's business! My Grandparents started it. This is the only video I have found with our shop in it. So many great memories I have working in that old barn

[@abeguar1]

Melissa Trent elaborate!

[@SpookyStregaAL]

OMG i LOVE Mott's Miniatures!!!

[@limerent72]

I don't remember if I'd seen Mott's Miniatures back in 1981 (I was only 9yo). But I love miniatures, and would love to know what became of the collection!

[@square-on-wheels]

Loved Mott's Miniatures!!

[@dawngrove9295]

I loved those miniatures! I could spend hours in there! What happened to all of them?

[@ScottLandOfficial]

I worked as the World’s Tallest Cowboy (stiltwalker) for over 10 years.... Ghost Town was very enjoyable then... and Walter Knott was pushed in his wheelchair to say Hello to his friends and workers at the park. Red Feather was an Indian that took photos with the guests... he was good friends with Walter Knott and they would shake hands and talk... I would watch this daily while working the streets with my routines as a stilt walker. Great times.

[@wookieecantina]

Scott, you're an amazingly talented fellow and no doubt, Knott's added to your repertoire of artistic gifts.

[@kennethcook8857]

The Roaring 20s area is now called Boardwalk, but still has a subtly vintage flavor, with the area around the bumper cars still sporting a hint of the old Roaring 20s theme. Now, in 2021, with Knott's reopened (It was closed for well over a year, due to the pandemic.) and the Knott's 100th Anniversary celebration going on, lots of vintage Knott's rides and attractions are being semi-restored as facades (including the Haunted Shack) and the old 1970s "Knott's Beary Tales" dark ride is back, now an interactive 3-D attraction, complete with boysenberry scented air.

[@BluegrassFiddler812]

No mention of the stagecoaches :( I worked those for a bit and now drive wagon teams in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

[@pinkyhotmessx69]

How cool

[@kriskater]

That’s rad ! 😯

[@JoeA111]

Great memories!!! I grew up across the street and attended Walter Knott Elementary. I remember watching them build the Parachute Jump. We could hear people screaming all night!! They were kind enough to give away free tickets once a year to those who lived close by. Of course we didn't need them as kids because we would always sneak in. A few hundred times!! LOL

[@SteveCarras]

I’ve been going since a kid in 1964?, miss the animals like seals.

[@theo6298]

I love knotts! So much History behind! Walter Knott god bless you!!! Thank you for this amazing park

[@DavidinSLO]

Great amusement park - great memories of taking my kids here when we lived in Los Angeles. In many ways, more enjoyable than Disneyland. Certainly, a better value. That is, "more show for dough".

[@Lil_Angry_Bitch]

Decades ago yes. Now it is a crap hole with a lot less to see for how overpriced it is.

[@kriskater]

@@Lil_Angry_Bitch what is ? :( I love knotts and Disney

[@sandinoyes3882]

My mom used to ride the trolly from Los Angeles to Knotts Berry Farm back in the 40s. All there was was the berry farm. My first memory was mid 1950s. The burros were way out at the corner of the (current) parking lot off Beach

[@mjg239]

I haven't seen ANYONE say this, but Disney's Splash Mountain took a HUGE INSPIRATION from Knott's Timber Mountain Log Ride which opened in the summer of 1969. Especially with the final drop design and the log design moving through a mountain. Lots of Splash Mountain fans look over this fact constantly. And the ride is still open, beloved and operating over 50+ years later.

[@kerriethompson2073]

You could actually roam around Ghost Town for free before the 1970's!

[@pinkyhotmessx69]

Yep we used to always go when I was a kid I still have slides to prove it lol

[@kimopuppy]

The memories. The first eleven years of my life we lived in Garden Grove. I remember when the log ride opened and when the enclosed the park is about when we moved to San Diego. One other note - I remember the alligator farm across the street

[@beyondspace3736]

alligator farm was way back in the 50 and 60s

[@pinkyhotmessx69]

@@beyondspace3736 no it was not it went until the 80s I believe. I definitely remember it as a kid. I was born in 69

[@jogallagher3680]

@@beyondspace3736 7o, We moved to buena Park in 1974 ..the alligator farm still operating...... Ewwww

[@carolynbaylies4171]

My family always went to Knotts Berry Farm. In the 50's and 60's until I got married

[@restlesshomebody]

I used to ride my bike to Knotts Berry Farm, and I would wander around for free. Christmas has never been the same since I moved away and can no longer shop at Virginias Gift Shop. That was backin the late 50's early 60's, and I went there last time about 10 years ago. I prefer Knotts to Disneyland!

[@kennethcook8857]

I grew up with Knott's in the 1960 and 1970s, and yes, it's changed tremendously and is continuing to do so, as do all theme and amusement parks. I still love Knott's so much that I now live right down the street from it and (with a season pass, of course) visit at least once a week. Thanks for this great video.

[@Edera7795]

I remember vising Knott's Berry Farm in 1966, when my family came out to California

[@tbmccoywesterndesign]

Actually the Gold Trails Hotel was built in 1868 at Prescott AZ. and relocated to Knotts in 1940.

[@lohphat]

Once they closed Haunted Shack and moved the pan for gold my childhood version of the park came to an end. I don't recognize the place any more.

[@Lil_Angry_Bitch]

They f***ed this park up the aß.

[@kriskater]

@@Lil_Angry_Bitch what’re you guys talking about ??? Park is stil great ! ?

[@janellplumlee5961]

They forgot to include wacky soapbox racers and windjammer

[@dawngrove9295]

This brings back many good memories for me. As a young girl I could spend so much time looking at the miniatures.

[@thomasgoodwin2648]

'Back in the day' The Sarsaparilla was an entire food group unto itself. Pity it's a schedule A drug now. They also had this amazing dip mix. Regular trips to Knott's for the family were usually timed for when we ran out of mix. SoCal in the 60's. Amazing time and place.

[@limerent72]

What a fun documentary! Eric Lynxwiler is a great historian and narrator. I've only been to Knott's Berry Farm once, in 1981. Camp Snoopy wasn't around then. Would love to visit the park again in the present day. May Knott's Berry Farm keep one foot firmly rooted in its heritage even as it explores more modern forms of entertainment. It's just wild to think it pioneered the theme park concept and still exists to this day! The Knotts were smart not to sell out to Disney.

[@mmommo-hx4dx]

I remember feeding sardines to the seals in a pool in the old Fiesta Village area for 25 cents! Good times!

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Great video!

[@kennethcook8857]

Does anyone remember when the carousel was across the street, near Independence Hall?

[@noneofyourbusines9976]

They ripped out a lot of Orange County history when they redid the Chicken Dinner restaurant. The garden room with the rocks Walter Knott had brought in from the desert near Calico are completely gone,yet the OC register has nothing but praise for this destruction of OC history. You praise & play up OC history today,but in few years when Cedar Faire wants to rip out Ghost town for new coaster,I'll bet you'll be right there putting a positive spin on it,won't you ! $$$ell outs.

[@jonmacdonald5345]

noneof yourbusines they Are Going to rip Ghost town for there New Coaster! The Assimilator!!!!!

[@jonmacdonald5345]

noneof yourbusines they Are Going to rip Ghost town out for there New Coaster! The Assimilator!!!!!

[@beyondspace3736]

noneof your correct , evil is now destroying orange country

[@rossmckinley6942]

I fell off "Old Betsy" when i was a kid and it hurt, but luckily my parents were having dinner right across it at the restaurant. Il'll always love the old Knotts.

[@ThemeParkWorldTour]

Fantastic video, I think you would enjoy my 'tale of cedar point', anyway was hoping to use a little footage from this video on one I am making about the park, all positive stuff and will be sure to credit you and link back to this video. Hope that is ok.

[@isaiah92]

Dope history Mr Knott was a patriot

[@Timinator62]

I went to High School with two brothers who's Dad owned the Knife Shop in Ghost Town. Virginia's Gift Shop was a favorite shopping stop for my Parents and Grandparents and other Family Members from Out of State. I bought many things at the Leather Shop. During my teens, I was there every weekend, the Unlimited Ride Pass was $9.95.

[@SteveCarras]

What separates THIS from Disneyland and it’s sister parks, these days, is little Pride month and huge respect to the earlier twentieth century origins with later day amusement park rides. No drag parade here on a big level! Just cowboys, Indians and snoopy beagle and his human and bird gang! ❤Knotts

[@jonbutcher4079]

Hey. Ok I grew up a block away from Knotts. Just FYI, you forgot to mention the JOHN WAYNE THEATER and the Gypsy Camp. They became the Roaring 20s and the GOOD TIME THEATRE.

[@wookieecantina]

My mother, Aunt Hazel and Uncle Bud all have their roots in Knott's, almost from the beginning. What a terrific place. :)

[@photoxityforever9503]

This was a great video taking me to memories of my past at Knots Berry Farm. I went in the 60's and got to see Andy Divine who my Mother had waited on during WW II a restaurant. Thanks so much for posting this video.

[@SteveCarras]

Even 8 years later now in 2023 virtually of the elements in KBF are still here,

[@ddubsvideos3433]

1966 My Mom met a good friend i met later on in life . He was one of the 1st Glass Blowers there Rex Cravet he was one of the Best in the World . RIP Rex.

[@dehydratedpotato6643]

10:28 I think this videos about knotts but I could be wrong 😂🤦‍♂️

[@SilverWatcher.]

Well done sir I grew up next to knots every so cal person knows you go to knots not Disney. But Disney is fun too.

[@kriskater]

So true ! 😂

[@JoanSmith-t7k]

Were you there at Knotts in the 1960s when admission was free? 😊

[@bm373]

Amazing video. Thank you! ✌🇺🇸

[@sheardsheep8978]

When I was a child they used to steal gold out of you're gold pan.

[@Bwilliams2]

I remember panning for gold in 1967!

[@georgecampos7799]

Great video ❤ thank you

[@vekomaboomerang4094]

The Knott family sold the park to Cedar Fair in 1997 which will be 20 years in 2017. The Parachutes were part of the Sky Cabin from 1976 to 1999/2002. There use to be a water show on Reflection Lake where Silver Bullet is at from 1989 to 2003. Before Xcelerator, the Soap Box Racers used to be in that spot from 1980 to 1996 n Windjammer from 1997 to 2001. Check out the 90's videos.

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Pete Martinez I Remember the Sky Cabin! 👍 It was the Shit!!!!!!!

[@annabellesnightmares]

I would love to go, not going to happen though😥

[@Bruh-up6yx]

Beautiful presentation of my home park.

[@BrVi_7]

I grew up in southern California and for it was all about Knott's Berry farm not Disneyland

[@wlonsdale1]

It's like Disney was for tourists and Knott's for locals.

[@kriskater]

@@wlonsdale1 so true !

[@1970sbm]

Is there a doc on Knott’s Lagoon?

[@rosaspanjol673]

👍Good video 👍… enjoyed it😘!

[@victorphili4008]

you feel like your back inn time

[@victorphili4008]

I would love to go inside of one of the old houses just hang out and smoke some weed

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Victor Phili That's what's up 🗿🚬💨☁☁☁

[@beyondspace3736]

turds like you did nothing to make America great

[@Holobrine]

When did Walter sell it to Cedar Fair?

[@ocregister]

He did not, the family did years ago.

[@texasranchrocks]

Grew up just up the road in La Mirada. My parents sent Christmas cards to the Knotts and we got them back every year. What this guy does not know or is being politically correct.... The hippies of the time were hanging out and sleeping in the park... That is when they started charging 1.00 for entry. They didn't want to but it was a nice family place.

[@rommele.maderal]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@astoriakid41]

I use to operate all 5 rides owned by the Hurlbut amusement company & I worked in their shop also* The Merry go round was alot of fun & easy to operate*

[@paultillmann8584]

What a beauti ful storry .and i love the k'nots berry farm gr jeffrey 🍀🌞☕😘🌴.

[@hannahburnard2961]

Wow well put together video! Make's me appreciate my visit tomorrow even more!

[@VBaskin2010]

It's too bad that he didn't talk about Knott's Scary Farm.

[@jeffsimanson4251]

Keep it coming all knotts berry farm

[@jeffsimanson4251]

I love the videos of knotts berry farm

[@DannyE5240]

My childhood! Thanks!

[@beyondspace3736]

when California was a great state , it was so white and good

[@TheGrandRevo]

?

[@soniacano617]

porfa nesecito cuanto cuestan los boletos para lle var mis hijos

[@yaaalica]

Boomerang was Replaced By Hangtime

[@eddiebranden1]

7:35. Look In the crowd in the upper right corner to the left of the microphone. 😀

[@frontdeskstaff9359]

The FINGER, hahaha

[@redrum8993]

Nice vintage photos but way too many historical errors and editorializing by this nerd. Just go to the Knott's website and you'll learn all you'll need to know from their history section.

[@sardu55]

Still remember waiting in line, back in 1969 on a Sunday for that chicken dinner. I was a kid, out west visiting relatives in Anaheim and was excited to go to Knotts, which was just down the road on Western Ave. from their house. Couldn't figure why people would wait so long for chicken. We finally got in a seated and managed to eat standard issue white people fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy and green beans with a role white people eat. Overall, the food itself didn't really standout but was ok. Went back west years later, as a grown-up, and ate there. Was basically the same as 1969. Someone told me that people used to drive out to Knotts in the post-War days for a Sunday family country run and eat there. Guess the deal carried over to modern times.

[@herbyverstink]

they should bulldoze the whole park and make it one massive roller coaster...charge like $80 bones for 1 trip

[@Lil_Angry_Bitch]

Knott's used to be a cute family park but when Cedar Fair took it over, they turned it into a crappy ugly thrill park for teens. All the charm and beauty was ripped out and replaced with gaudy rollercoaster eyesores.

[@pinkyhotmessx69]

I still have my original vile from the 70s