Knott's Berry Farm History & Fun in Buena Park / Walter Knott

Great video, my wife wrote this. My grandfather was Walter Knotts attorney in his early years. One day my Grandfather was driving and saw Walter walking down the side walk with his money bag. He pulled over and told Walter to get in his car. Walter said no that’s ok I enjoy the walk, my grandfather said someone is going to hit you over the head and take your money. He took him to the bank and Walter said ok, but I am going to walk back...so he did! It was about a few weeks later and Walter called to say he had been robbed and so he wouldn’t be walking to the bank any more! Did you know that Mrs Knott would sit at the end of the counter and check every dinner that came out of the kitchen?

I am 73, and I went to Knotts the first time in 1955. I loved it. There Fried Chicken and Berry Pie is to die for.

I remember panning for gold there in 1966! I still have the gold in a little bottle. Your videos bring back great memories of my California childhood:)

I was born down the street in Dairy Valley (Artesia) in 1950, my parents were from Bellflower and they both knew the Knott's Family and Bill Rigdon, (could be Higdon, not sure, it's been a long time) Bill worked for Walter early on, he was a Blacksmith & Prospector too and helped create many of the attractions and the Gold Panning Pool (where I learned to pan for gold when I was about 4 or 5). In those days there was No Admission to anywhere, it was all free just to walk in. The original stand was on Beach Blvd (Hwy 39), Mrs. Knott's Resturant replaced the old shack and also was on Beach Blvd., then later was a Civil War/Cowboy Shop of sorts, they had Civil War Cannons out in front of it. The Stagecoach Ride was Bill's idea and started in that area, along with the Electric Mini Model T Rides that paralelled Beach Blvd. Skipper Frank was a TV Kid Show Host in the 50's and he and his brother (I think) built a lot of these cars in Mr. & Mrs. Pyette's Barn in Bellflower. The Pyette's lived 2 lot's away from My Grandparents, My Dad's Family on Grand Street. My Mom was born in Bellflower in 1925 (she's still alive and well at 95 years old). Her Grandfather on Her Dad's side was John Fusch from Norwood, Missouri and was a Farmer and built a Carousel for his kids (My Grandpa Fusch & his brothers and sisters) that was pulled by a Donkey. Grandpa & Grandma Fusch went to Church every Sunday and the Knott's Family was part of the Congregation. Grandpa told Walter Knott about the Carousel and later on he found it and made it a part of the Berry Farm in a section called "Old MacDonald's Farm" which was very close to the Gold Panning Pool and the Seal Pool, yeah they had Seal's there too that you could feed them with Anchovies. My Parent's & us kids moved to Garden Grove in 1955 just down the street form the Brand New Disneyland in Anaheim. Great Video ! Brings back memories. Great Channel ! I'm a History Buff myself and watch all of your video's. I'm also a Author of one History Book as well, it's on Amazon (Kindle) just for your Information. It's called "The Return of the Giant Serpent", it's dirt cheap at $3.49 but you can review the first 15 to 20 pages for Free. Darrell Lane

I remember going there as a child with my parents back in the 1950's, I still enjoy watching the film footage we took and roaming over our pictures.

Kudos to your kid for being a good sport while dad films!

I remember visiting Knott's Berry Farm in the 70s and noticed a small trailer home---something very small you would tow behind a car---sitting in a spot highly out of place. I joked to my wife that it was where Walter Knott lived. Then I noticed a police guard standing nearby whose sudden response showed me I was right. He lived there, just as I would have done, smack dab in the middle of the park in his little trailer home, enjoying the place and the people through cracks in his curtains.

I remember being told during a tour of Independence Hall that the bricks were hand formed in order to give them an "aged" effect to resemble the original building more. The fact the clay and bricks were from Lake Elsinore and Riverside is news to me. I grew up in Riverside and am very familiar with all of the old clay mines around Lake Elsinore. Thanks for a great walk down memory lane. For the record, I am of the generation who remembers visiting Knotts before there was an admission charge. Those were the days of driving from Riverside and parking at Knotts (in grass lots) and spending a day just walking around the park enjoying the free activities and maybe catching a ride or two. Great times.

I worked there in the mid 1980's in the rides department. I worked in Ghost Town running all the rides and my friend (Supervisor) actually became the head of Knott's. Most fun job I ever had.

Here's hoping the park never loses sight of Walter's vision.

I was there in 1963, wow, things have changed. 😂 We went to Disneyland that same year and stopped at Knott's...great time as a kid!!!

Pro Tip: If you secretly talk to the guy who voices Sad Eye Joe and give him information about anyone you're with, he'll work it into the conversation and surprise that person with their personal name and whatever you tell him to say. :)

I loved this park as a kid in the 70's! My grandparents had a sweet donkey named Beck and donated her to Knott's Berry Farm when they had to move from the ranch. I think she was there for several years. Thanks for another great video!

I visited as a kid in 1965 as a tourist from the Mid-west. It seem much smaller and rustic back then. My one great memory was I got to shake the hand of a real American Indian!! Looking back that was a bit exploitive, but the guy had a job and it was exciting for a kid.

I was totally unaware of this place, it's history, and the fact there is a theme park in operation. I have heard the phrase "Knott's Berry" spoken, but always thought that "Knottsberry" is what was being said. (An actual type of berry.) This was a very educational video for me. BTW - John Wayne looked happy.

I loved Knott's and went there as both a child and as an adult. The last time I was there was probably 20 years ago though. I also have been to Calico Ghost Town a couple of times. Very fun places.

It’s on my bucket list to visit Knott’s Berry Farm and have their famous chicken dinner. I hear it’s the best!

I really enjoy your historical videos and especially appreciate how you hi-lighted Walter and His wife's dedication to each other, Walters reverence for our countries foundation and his incredible dedication to preserving our history.

I am so glad I found this video. Brings back a lot of memories. As a young boy growing up in North Long Beach I would ride my bike ( 13 miles up and back) to Knotts Berry Farm

Great video! I'm still playing catch up on all of your videos and enjoying it. According to my mom, Mr. Knott and my great grandfather went in 50-50 on a mule to work both of their farms in the 1920's