Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Little Old House


I’d like to share a discovery I made while researching Knott’s history. There is a little old house in a back corner of Ghost Town (Behind Goldie’s place and across from the Birdcage Theatre) that I believe is the Candle Maker's Shop referenced in the following excerpt from the “Ghost Town History & Reference”

“THE WEAVER’S AND CANDLE MAKER’S SHOPS Moved here in 1953
When we moved here in 1920, this was an old house on a neighboring farm. We don’t know when it was built. We added an additional room onto the weaver’s side in 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Knott went to their first party in this old house after settling here.”

1950's map showing location of what was then "The Candle Maker's Cottage". The Weaver's Cottage is now the gun store. The little old house sits quietly beside it.


Chances are that the house was not new even back in 1920 when the Knott’s first settled in Buena Park which means that it is probably well past the century old mark. This little building fascinates me as it is not only a piece of old west history, but also a piece of Walter & Cordelia’s personal history as well.

The little house is easily overlooked as it is tucked back behind some of the more popular ghost town attractions. The history behind it is even less obvious. I have found that it is often closed but there have been a couple of times when the front door was open and I even saw a lady sitting on the front porch last summer making lace. Unfortunately I have not yet had the opportunity to get interior photos. I am not sure if the general public is allowed inside this structure but I am going to do my best to get some pics of the inside as soon as I possibly can.

If anyone knows anything else about this little house I’d love to learn more about it.

That’s all for today!

Take care, and Thanks for Readin’

6 comments:

ItsNotAPlace said...

Thanks for the little discovery of the history of that house. Very Cool. I will have to take a peek at it next time I am there. Hope you get a chance to shoot those interior photos too!

outsidetheberm said...

Believe the original 'Weaver's Cottage' (now the gun shop) structure is the bulk of the house you are talking about - though could be mistaken. You'll even find inside the remains of a very old fireplace.

Great post. Might require some nosing around! Thanks.

TokyoMagic! said...

Thank you for this fascinating tidbit of information! I walked by that house everyday for years and never knew it's history. Good luck getting the interior shots.

TokyoMagic! said...

P.S. I hope this structure is NOT on Cedar Fair's list for "replacement." I wonder if they know it's history? I wonder if they'd care?

Chris Merritt said...

Here's a little more info on it from the Knotty Post:

THE CANDLE KITCHEN – Truly a family operation, the Candle Kitchen is the property of Marion Grant, her daughter Judith, and son Michael. Located just east of the School House, the Candle Kitchen contains a wonderful adaptation of Grandma’s Kitchen where all types of candles are hand dipped and hand decorated. (‘Shopper’s Paradise’ – KP August 1954)

THE WEAVER’S PARLOR – Esther Heath and Gladys Fick ply their trade of weaving on the old-fashioned loom in the same building as the Candle Kitchen. All types of hand-woven items such as bags, linens, bath mats and beautiful stoles are produced on the old machine. (‘Shopper’s Paradise’ – KP August 1954)

Let's Talk Knott's said...

Thanks for the input everyone! I will post more on this as I learn more.

CM I am really looking forward to reading your book when it comes out!