I miss the Volcano

Today's post features the Volcano that used to be on the backside of the Gold Mine neslted in the back of the Marketplace. This was one of my favorite things to see at Knott's and it was on the free side of the fence so I was able to see it quite regularly. This is also one of my favorite postcards in my collection. The only thing missing in this picture is the little devil winding his crank that ultimatley lead to the volcanic eruption. He is just off to the right of this view. Unfortunately I do not have a picture of him but you can see him at this link from the OC Archives collection on Flikr. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3402984782_77d7c79657.jpg

Here is the Volcano in it's original location next to the dining room of the Chicken Dinner restaraunt. The Volcano was originally conceived to cover an unsightly stand pipe from the farm's irrigation system.

Here is an enhanced color post card showing the volcano in it's second and final location behind the Gold Mine. The background has been cropped and replaced with a solid dark blue which I assume is meant to resemble a night sky. I always got a kick out of the look on that cowboy's face. He seemed just as perplexed as I was as to what a Volcano was doing there in the middle of the old west.

And finally here is a picture of the volcano from an old farm guide book that shows the volcano from a different angle. I am not sure if this is in the first or second location. I kind of think that this might be the backside of the volcano before the wall of the gold mine was built behind it. I don't know for sure and would love to hear from anyone that does.

_

Sadly the volcano is one of the many casualties of progress at the farm. It was removed along with the Gold Mine in the mid 90's to make room for the construction of the Ghost Rider.

Now that the Ghost rider has been built the area that used to be home to the volcano is a big empty concrete circle. I wish they would have put this back after completing the queue for the Ghost Rider. This was a classic Knott's attraction and I miss it very much.

_

Well that's all for today. Take care and Thanks for readin'

Kodachrome Prints of Ghost Town

Today's post features a little booklet of Kodachrome prints that looks to be from the early 60's or possibly late 50's, not sure. Measuring approx 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" these little pictures are the perfect size for a blog post. The cover has a die cut oval in the center that reveals part of the first page beneath it. There are brief narratives on the back of each picture that describe the photos from a visitor's perspective. so without further adieu, here it is in it's entirety.

"Much to our surprise, we found a real Post Office in Ghost Town."


"Each early California minig town had its General Merchandise store. Ghost Town is no exception. Here we found everything from horse liniment to peppermint stick candy. Even today, there were old-timers playing a game of checkers on the cracker barrel."

"Probably the most unusual thing we did while visiting Knott's Berry Farm was to take a ride on the Stage Coach. This old coach at one time saw service on the Butterfield Stage Line. It was really a thrill to get up on this old coach and ride around the farm."

"Visting this old school took me back many a year. It reminded me of the days long ago when I first attended school. You know the first school I went to looked something like this one."

"Here is a trip you would like. You board the train in Calico Square and are whicked out across Ghost Town Boot Hill Diggin's. They say there is a surprise in store for the passengers on each trip around the farm. I am sure this is so, because before we arrived back in Ghost Town, we were held up by train robbers. Wish you had been here."

"We ventured down a tunnel and eventually came out down in canyon. Here an old-timer showed us how to pan for real gold. This was quite an experience. I slushed the pan back and forth for about three minutes until all the gravel was out of the pan. Much to my surprise, in the bottom of the pan, there were distinct traces of gold. The old-timer placed the gold in a little bottle and I am bringing it home for proof."

"This Chapel is one of the most beautiful settings I have ever seen, so peaceful and serene."

"Picking those luscious boysenberries."

"Out in the parking lot, we found that there were acres and acres of shade trees. It was such a relief to drive our car in under one of the big trees and just rest for a while. Will be seeing you soon."

And here is the back cover. Apparently you were supposed to mail this little book like you would a post card. I guess the post office used to be more gentle with the mail because something like this would not make it through undamaged today. Well I hope that you enjoyed this little book and the brief tour of Knott's a half century ago.

That's all for today. Take Care and Thanks for Readin'

Buena Park Aerial Postcards

Today's post features a mid 90's aerial view of the farm looking Southwest from Beach & La Palma. It looks like the Jaguar Roller Coaster that took the place of large portion of Fiesta Village is still under construction. Still this card shows a farm that still had a Candy Parlour, Reflection Lake, Mystery Shack, Gold Mine, Volcano, Church, Little Chapel, & Boothill & Wagon Camp without Roller Coaster tracks running through them.

And finally here is another shot from a few years earlier looking north. This was before the Boardwalk makeover removed the roaring 20's airfield theme from the area behind the Log Ride & Mine Train.

Well that's it for today.

Take Care and Thnaks for Readin'

Prospector's Day

Today is the 162nd anniversary of the discovery of Gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. In honor of this historic event I am posting this fold over post card with artwork by Paul Von Klieben that was once sold at the Gold Mine in Ghost Town (Above). The artwork is dated 1948 and the card celebrates the Centennial of the Discovery of Gold in1949.

The discovery of gold signifies the beginning of California’s most momentous epoch. It took place at Sutter’s Mill on the American River, January 24th, 1848, but no news of it reached San Francisco until February 1848. Then followed a furore such as the world has never seen. Hearts in the remotest corners of the earth beat with excitement. James W. Marshall, while erecting a sawmill for John A. Sutter, had found the first piece of yellow metal in the millrace at Coloma, 50 miles east of Sacramento. Thousands came to find sudden riches, carrying no more than pick and shovel, exchanging their rifle for a gold pan. The tales told by these treasure hunters are as stories from Never-Never Land. Every man could make a hundred dollars a day; the lucky ones from fifty to a thousand. In less than a year California’s population doubled. With pan and sluice box alone many millions of dollars had been taken from the Placers. Still the people poured into “God’s Country”. Thus the present Highway 49, named after the 49’ers became crowded with mining towns along the rivers and valleys called the Mother Lode. It stretches from Mariposa to Placerville. Tell your friends to these fascinating towns and help celebrate the days of old.

And for good measure here is the back of the postcard which shows that it only cost 3 pennies to send back in '49.

_

Also make sure to stop by Chris Jepsens' blog to celebrate Prospector's day by talking like a Grizzled Prospector. http://ochistorical.blogspot.com/2010/01/talk-like-grizzled-prospector-day-jan.html

_

Well Happy Prospector's Day to all!

_

Take Care, and Thanks for Readin'

Happy Birthday Cordelia

This Saturday Jan the 23rd is Cordelia Knott's 120th birthday so I thought a post was in order to acknowledge the woman whose chicken dinners made ghost town possible. Happy Birthday Cordelia!

Merry Christmas

------------------------------------

Today, Let’s Talk Mott’s, Mott’s Miniatures that is. Formerly housed in Jeffries Barn at Knott’s Berry Farm the Mott’s Miniatures collection/exhibit was a truly extraordinary experience. The exhibit consisted largely of dollhouse size displays themed around the history of American commerce and home life. These displays featured exquisite miniatures many of them antique and many of them made by the various members of the Mott family. Today’s post features a display from Santa’s kitchen, the photos and accompanying text are from a 1998 auction catalog.

“The preferred status of Christmas among all other holidays for the Mott family is patently evident in the intricately detailed Mrs. Santa’s Kitchen. Their extensive collection of Christmas miniatures originated with Allegra’s mother, who had earnestly collected Christmas ornaments throughout the years. Considering the fact that this piece was made during the years of 1975 and 1976, one can appreciate the time and effort spent collecting the fine Christmas treasures that comprise this marvelous exhibit. Represented here is a true combination of the old and the new. The kitchen that opens up through a beautiful stained glass door contains many antique pieces, including real enamelware plates, dishes, utensils, furnishings and the arcade doll house ice box which is made of iron. Also included here is an unbelievably small toy train set that really works, as well as a holly decorated porcelain clock, also fully functional. The apparently red brick oven, full of Christmas treats, was hand carved by Barbara Mott and is actually made of solid pine. It was made to look like brick by a method of using four coats of paint of different colors with the addition of sawdust and talcum powder to the last coat, adding the texturized look. Barbara also designed the miniature houses on the shelves above, as well as the cookies and dough. Santa’s busy elves were hand sculpted and made by Cynthia Baron. The mistletoe and Christmas wreath were created by the Mott’s great grandmother from shells and seed pearls. Wax miniaturist, Helen Cook, made most of the candies, while the tiny strings of tree lights were fashioned by Mr. Wilson.”

That’s all for today, Thanks for Readin’

Have a Merry Christmas!

--------------------------

Toy Shop

Today we are heading over to the Ghost Town Toy Shop Peek-In, but first I need to give an update to my previous post. It looks like Ghost town has dodged another bullet as plans to move Demon Drop in Behind Boothill have been cancelled. Great news and a wise decision on the part of Cedar Fair. http://ocresort.freedomblogging.com/2009/12/02/demon-drop-wont-join-knotts-lineup-after-all/26729/

Now that we have that out of the way let's head over to the Toy Shop in Ghost Town. The Toy Shop is a small peekin between the current Gun Shop and the Boothill Undertaker over in the back corner of Ghost Town near the BirdCage Theatre. Nothing really special about it but it is of course a welcome part of the peek-in family plus it made for a quick post.

Here is a peek inside. This mannequin looks more J.C. Penny than Claude Bell.

That's all for today. Take Care and Thanks for Readin'