I was fortunate as a kid (7 years old) living in Tacoma, to get to go to Knott's in 1956. Back then you could pan for gold and walk around on dirt paths as they weren't paved yet! Also got to eat really fresh blackberry pie in the restaurant! The next day it was onto Disneyland which was only open about a year at that time.... Heck, the paint still smelled fresh!! LOL
That’s about the same time I first visited Knots from SanDiego. I remember the dirt trails, stage and train rides, and great chicken dinner with Berry juice drinks. I was last there in the 90’s . Now live in Castle Rock, Wa.
As an employee in the Roaring 20s area in 1977 I was fortunate to meet Walter Knott in a wheelchair at 88 years old. In 1978 I transferred to the Bank. The bank is located right underneath the front gates! Alot of people don't know that. Once your in the park from the front gate turn to your right and you'll see two big doors...those doors are the elevator entrance to take us employees down to the bank. I counted alot of money down there and would supply all the departments with change. Security would follow me and I made the money deliveries to the park. What an experience!
Dad and Mom took us three brother to Knott's Berry Farm in the summer of 1959. Dad drove our '55 Chevrolet 2 dr 150 Station wagon with a 265 cu. in V8 and '3 on the tree' manual. We towed a Shasta trailer. GREAT times! Thanks, my family!
Nice video! I went to KNOTT'S when it was FREE TO ENTER! Didn't know about the doorbell. I graduated from WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL down the street. I know BERRY FARM!! Alligator farm across the street...not there any longer. Planes of fame, cars of stars, down the street.
The San Fransisco street car that used to roam the parking lot in front of the main entrance now resides at the Orange Empire Railroad and trolly museum in Perris, California.
Here's an extra little trivia bit about that doorbell: A long time ago (back when that area of the park was called "Roaring 20s") when you pressed the doorbell, that little black door behind the small iron cage slid open and you could just barely see the side of a face, which then spoke, saying "Who sent ya?"
That's really cool. We were at Knotts at Christmas time and noticed they've renovated it since we shot this video and now it is much more obvious something is there if you ring the doorbell.
Thanks for the video. I work at knott’s and hoping to go back soon. Worked across from the wilderness dance hall. ( I helped with the mystery lodge show).
Growing up in LA we went to Knotts often. I always liked the grave with the heartbeat and the bottle house, which I seem to recall was one of the many buildings brought over from Calico ghost town.
Yeah. We filmed this right before Christmas but just happened to post it only a few days before the accident. A lot of the signed geodes by celebs that have passed had special placards, so his may have been updated now.
I worked at The Chicken Dinner Restaurant as a server. I started just before Easter in 1969. Mrs. Knott, during a portion of the day took our orders for our dinners. She sat up a bit higher than everyone and could keep an eye out over her smooth running machine, her kitchen. Mama Knott, as many of us called her, would come in through the area where we clocked in and our break room was. A few small steps just adjacent was a door to her home. One of the other waitresses and I used to ride on a float, a smaller version of the Liberty Bell atop the Independence Hall in local parades all over Orange County (predominantly), during holidays and city celebrations. We once won top honors at one of these events and brought back a 4 foot tall Grand Marshall Trophy. We were so excited when we got back on that Sunday afternoon we didn't hesitate a moment to knock on her back kitchen door to show off the prize. She opened the door and the delight on her face was worth everything! BIG SMILE, congratulations, total honest excitement and gratitude is what she gave us that day! What a great lady. At first she intimidated me but I soon came to realize she had a wicked cool sense of humor. I had been there for a couple of years and the Queen Mary had just opened to the public. There was a newspaper concession where you could have any name placed on your headline of choice and take as a souvenir or have it mailed. I bought one and had it mailed to Mama Knott at the park. Now I just waited.....you see, she would be so cute and share cards we gave her by setting them up on the podium where she took our orders. It finally arrived! I spotted it in the mailing tube on the desk when I went to turn in my order. I asked her what that was, she didn't know and reached for it, opened it, read the headline with her name in it and lost it! I don't think anyone in the kitchen had ever seen her laugh like that. My headline of choice was, "Cordelia Knott Jumps Off Queen Mary, Sets Freefall Record!" Not me, I looked at her and told her how disrespectful I thought it was. Her whole face changed as I stepped down. "I LIKE IT." I quickly turned around, told her thanks for taking my order and promptly confessed, "it's a good thing, because I sent it you!" The stern look faded and she just got a huge smile on her face. Good day at work!!
Back in the Fifties, I remember Knott's Berry Farm, when it had free admission. You can also park on the grass parking lot that surrounded Independence Hall. I used to sit on the bench next to the Stagecoach ride and watch the bandit holdup the stage coach many times.
I remember all the old attractions. You used to run to the tracks and place a coin so the train would smash it (I dont think they allow it anymore). The donkey ride (real donkeys). The seals you could feed fish to(where the fiesta food court is now). And the music box monkeys that would go around to the crowd and collect coins...I remember wondering if they were real monkeys.
See, everyone questions me why I want to go here instead of going to sfmm and I’m like this place is so much cooler and has so much more history than any other park
The side with Independence Hall used to be part of the free park (before the water park was built) that had fun trails around a lake, train ride (for a small fee). We lived a few exits from Knotts so my mom would take us there a lot for cheap fun.
Loved Knott's! Haven't been there in years, many great memories there! From a kid, to having high school dances there, to being an adult! Fun times! But definitely not what it used to be.
Knotts was really enjoyable until they replaced a lot of the interesting and educational stuff and fun family rides with extreme vomit roller coasters. Indian trails was bigger and the park celebrated Native Americans. Haunted shack was truly special full scale optical illusions that that guests participated in. Soapbox racers so fun. More relaxed and less stress than disneyland.
Wow! I lived 10 miles from there, went there a couple times a year. Yet, NEVER knew about any of these little Gems! Damn, next time I go back, I'll have to go check them out.
went there at age 13 in '60, as well as Disneyland - I actually enjoyed it more than Disneyland, though I can't remember much about either experience by now... thanks for the memories!
With all due respect I'm almost certain the Panda Express' location is coincidental at best, and is most likely located there since it's not as disruptive to the theming since it's located in the buffer between ghost town and the boardwalk
Growing up in the Valley, we went to Knott's a lot more often than Disneyland. Possibly because Knott's was less expensive(?). Mom and my older sister always spent hours, it seemed like anyway, browsing around in the general store or mercantile place. At that time, Knott's sold these little jars of jams and jellies for a buck each and mom always brought home a big supply of them. This was circa early 70's and I couldn't tell you if the general store is still there
oh i didnt know about the doorbell! definitely check out sad eye joe though. (just search him on youtube and there's tons of vids.) he's down in an alley in ghost town, at the town jail. if you stick your head in the window, he looks like just a statue, but there's an actor playing him over a speak and he'll carry on a conversation with you.
The area the doorbell is located used to be called The Roaring 20s and the doorbell is supposed to be an entrance to a speakeasy. It used to be that you would ring the doorbell and a voice would ask you for a password. Also, this video missed the Birdcage Theater, which is the place where a lot of famous actors like Steve Martin got their start.
I worked at this place for two straight years for the overnight custodian crew I've never been so scared in my entire life it is terrifying at night to work there I saw a ghost in Independence Hall and I saw a little girl on the Snoopy side I wanted to crap my pants but I really needed the job
Wow. I knew none of those secrets & Knott's was the go-to amusement park before Walt built the original Disney Park. My ex's brother was on the Pyro Crew that did the Knott's Scary Farm fireworks so we went as adults every year. Knott's was also our fall back go-to if we got booted from D Land for smokin' 420.
I loved to visit the blacksmith and watch him make horse shoes. He would make you a tiny U with curly ques at the end. I think that was KBF, I hope I'm not getting it confused with another park.
There was one secret that they missed. As you walk down to the black smith barn right across from that there is a little trail that leads to A man in A jail cell and he will talk to you There was another historical ride that they had for children back in the early 1970's that they never never should've taken away it was across from the merry-go-round the 1920's cars that we got to ride.
I saw a charging station by the lockers the last time I was there. I'm not sure about any place else. I usually just bring a portable charger to be safe.
The donkey rides they used to have the island were used to go and play with all the statues made of wood ride the wooden horse that shoot water out of its mouth the train ride the water they used to be there before the parking lot the carousel anybody that knows Knott's Berry Farm knows about this place
THE Mark & Brian? The two guys with a radio show that a large portion of SoCal listened to and grew up with? They also had a short lived TV show? Were extras in a Brady Bunch movie? The guys who's stickers were on lockers in the background on 90210? Those guys?
Oh yeah and knotts has gone cashless so the penny machines only take credit cards and they provide the copperless pennys to smash for you. Ikr that sucks
I was fortunate as a kid (7 years old) living in Tacoma, to get to go to Knott's in 1956. Back then you could pan for gold and walk around on dirt paths as they weren't paved yet! Also got to eat really fresh blackberry pie in the restaurant! The next day it was onto Disneyland which was only open about a year at that time.... Heck, the paint still smelled fresh!! LOL
That’s about the same time I first visited Knots from SanDiego. I remember the dirt trails, stage and train rides, and great chicken dinner with Berry juice drinks. I was last there in the 90’s . Now live in Castle Rock, Wa.
You can still pan for gold I did it
Interesting.
My mom went there in 1962 all the way from Chicago.
Pretty sure you had boysenberry pie, not blackberry pie. That’s what they are famous for.
As an employee in the Roaring 20s area in 1977 I was fortunate to meet Walter Knott in a wheelchair at 88 years old. In 1978 I transferred to the Bank. The bank is located right underneath the front gates! Alot of people don't know that. Once your in the park from the front gate turn to your right and you'll see two big doors...those doors are the elevator entrance to take us employees down to the bank. I counted alot of money down there and would supply all the departments with change. Security would follow me and I made the money deliveries to the park. What an experience!
I did not know about the doorbell! I’m trying that out this weekend when I go! :)
this is actually such a good video 🥺 you deserve so much more recognition!
Thank you.
Dad and Mom took us three brother to Knott's Berry Farm in the summer of 1959. Dad drove our '55 Chevrolet 2 dr 150 Station wagon with a 265 cu. in V8 and '3 on the tree' manual. We towed a Shasta trailer. GREAT times! Thanks, my family!
If you go to the grave yard and you go on a grave you will feel a heart beat.
pro trick : you can watch movies on Flixzone. Been using it for watching a lot of movies these days.
@Misael Zahir yea, been watching on flixzone for since december myself :)
Nice video! I went to KNOTT'S when it was FREE TO ENTER! Didn't know about the doorbell. I graduated from WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL down the street. I know BERRY FARM!! Alligator farm across the street...not there any longer. Planes of fame, cars of stars, down the street.
Western High, class of '73.
The San Fransisco street car that used to roam the parking lot in front of the main entrance now resides at the Orange Empire Railroad and trolly museum in Perris, California.
Here's an extra little trivia bit about that doorbell: A long time ago (back when that area of the park was called "Roaring 20s") when you pressed the doorbell, that little black door behind the small iron cage slid open and you could just barely see the side of a face, which then spoke, saying "Who sent ya?"
That's really cool. We were at Knotts at Christmas time and noticed they've renovated it since we shot this video and now it is much more obvious something is there if you ring the doorbell.
I was going to say that, as I still remember that area. Was sad to see that and Knott's Bear-y Tales go away.
Sad Eye Joe is another one of those attractions that can be easily missed since he is tucked back in a little corner.
That was my favorite. They always had some guy voicing him
You should do a video on Jungle Island that used to be right behind Liberty Hall that place was classic
Thanks for the video. I work at knott’s and hoping to go back soon. Worked across from the wilderness dance hall. ( I helped with the mystery lodge show).
Thanks for watching. Hoping you, and everyone else, can get back soon as well. We love going to Knotts.
Growing up in LA we went to Knotts often. I always liked the grave with the heartbeat and the bottle house, which I seem to recall was one of the many buildings brought over from Calico ghost town.
Vey touching putting John Candy front and center with honors.
He was a rare stone indeed. We miss ya, sir.
Knott's is my favorite theme park! not easy to visit when living over 9k miles away though :(
rip i live like close to knotts
Save up your peso’s.
Got a like just for the Kobe signature hidden gem indeed
Yeah. We filmed this right before Christmas but just happened to post it only a few days before the accident. A lot of the signed geodes by celebs that have passed had special placards, so his may have been updated now.
Kobe who ?Was she famous ? Asian Pop star ?
I worked at The Chicken Dinner Restaurant as a server. I started just before Easter in 1969.
Mrs. Knott, during a portion of the day took our orders for our dinners. She sat up a bit higher than everyone and could keep an eye out over her smooth running machine, her kitchen.
Mama Knott, as many of us called her, would come in through the area where we clocked in and our break room was. A few small steps just adjacent was a door to her home.
One of the other waitresses and I used to ride on a float, a smaller version of the Liberty Bell atop the Independence Hall in local parades all over Orange County (predominantly),
during holidays and city celebrations. We once won top honors at one of these events and brought back a 4 foot tall Grand Marshall Trophy. We were so excited when we got back on that Sunday afternoon we didn't hesitate a moment to knock on her back kitchen door to show off the prize. She opened the door and the delight on her face was worth everything! BIG SMILE, congratulations, total honest excitement and gratitude is what she gave us that day! What a great lady.
At first she intimidated me but I soon came to realize she had a wicked cool sense of humor. I had been there for a couple of years and the Queen Mary had just opened to the public. There was a newspaper concession where you could have any name placed on your headline of choice and take as a souvenir or have it mailed. I bought one and had it mailed to Mama Knott at the park. Now I just waited.....you see, she would be so cute and share cards we gave her by setting them up on the podium where she took our orders. It finally arrived! I spotted it in the mailing tube on the desk when I went to turn in my order. I asked her what that was, she didn't know and reached for it, opened it, read the headline with her name in it and lost it! I don't think anyone in the kitchen had ever seen her laugh like that. My headline of choice was, "Cordelia Knott Jumps Off Queen Mary, Sets Freefall Record!"
Not me, I looked at her and told her how disrespectful I thought it was. Her whole face changed as I stepped down. "I LIKE IT." I quickly turned around, told her thanks for taking my order and promptly confessed, "it's a good thing, because I sent it you!" The stern look faded and she just got a huge smile on her face. Good day at work!!
@@hamsterman2008 Don't be a troll. Show some respect.
I'm proud to be a Knott's employee, I've loved it since I was a kid
Its a great place. We are season pass holders.
Back in the Fifties, I remember Knott's Berry Farm, when it had free admission. You can also park on the grass parking lot that surrounded Independence Hall. I used to sit on the bench next to the Stagecoach ride and watch the bandit holdup the stage coach many times.
I remember all the old attractions. You used to run to the tracks and place a coin so the train would smash it (I dont think they allow it anymore). The donkey ride (real donkeys). The seals you could feed fish to(where the fiesta food court is now). And the music box monkeys that would go around to the crowd and collect coins...I remember wondering if they were real monkeys.
See, everyone questions me why I want to go here instead of going to sfmm and I’m like this place is so much cooler and has so much more history than any other park
My favorite park and I love the speakeasy music when you rang the doorbell.
Walter and cordelia used to live on the property in a double wide trailer behind the chicken restaurant.
... I absolutely love your content, you have come a long way...
... Viva Sidetrack Adventures...
The side with Independence Hall used to be part of the free park (before the water park was built) that had fun trails around a lake, train ride (for a small fee). We lived a few exits from Knotts so my mom would take us there a lot for cheap fun.
👍Excellent video 👍… I learned something knew.Thanks for sharing!
Been going there since I was a kid(in my 40s now) NEVER knew about that doorbell!🤔
Loved Knott's! Haven't been there in years, many great memories there! From a kid, to having high school dances there, to being an adult! Fun times! But definitely not what it used to be.
My dad lived across the street from this place and we used to frequent it in the 60s and 70s before fences. They actually had berries growing there.
My cousin used to run the KBF train. I used to tease him about being held up at gun point every day he went to work!! haha
Knotts was really enjoyable until they replaced a lot of the interesting and educational stuff and fun family rides with extreme vomit roller coasters. Indian trails was bigger and the park celebrated Native Americans. Haunted shack was truly special full scale optical illusions that that guests participated in. Soapbox racers so fun. More relaxed and less stress than disneyland.
Wow! I lived 10 miles from there, went there a couple times a year. Yet, NEVER knew about any of these little Gems! Damn, next time I go back, I'll have to go check them out.
@6:24 years ago when you pressed the button a gorilla head would appear and say "what's the secret password?" like it was a speakeasy.
That's really cool. Thanks for the info.
Are you sure you aren't thinking about the door in the queue for Roger Rabbit at Disneyland?
I don't know about the gorilla, but the door and music were meant to remind one of a speak easy. All part of the roaring 20's theme at Knott's.
went there at age 13 in '60, as well as Disneyland - I actually enjoyed it more than Disneyland, though I can't remember much about either experience by now... thanks for the memories!
With all due respect I'm almost certain the Panda Express' location is coincidental at best, and is most likely located there since it's not as disruptive to the theming since it's located in the buffer between ghost town and the boardwalk
Growing up in the Valley, we went to Knott's a lot more often than Disneyland. Possibly because Knott's was less expensive(?). Mom and my older sister always spent hours, it seemed like anyway, browsing around in the general store or mercantile place. At that time, Knott's sold these little jars of jams and jellies for a buck each and mom always brought home a big supply of them. This was circa early 70's and I couldn't tell you if the general store is still there
REALLY good video I love it
Thank you. I'm glad you like it
@@SidetrackAdventures no problem. I think your channel by the end of the year can hit 1k subs cant wait for more content about knotts berry farm lol.
They have 15k subs now :D
@@M1A1. :0
Around the corner from the Sheriff’s station are old wooden jail cells. In one of them you can hear the prisoner talking 😁
I remember you can pan for gold they would give. You a little bottle so you can put your gold inn
I still have my gold bottle 50 years later
oh i didnt know about the doorbell! definitely check out sad eye joe though. (just search him on youtube and there's tons of vids.) he's down in an alley in ghost town, at the town jail. if you stick your head in the window, he looks like just a statue, but there's an actor playing him over a speak and he'll carry on a conversation with you.
The area the doorbell is located used to be called The Roaring 20s and the doorbell is supposed to be an entrance to a speakeasy. It used to be that you would ring the doorbell and a voice would ask you for a password.
Also, this video missed the Birdcage Theater, which is the place where a lot of famous actors like Steve Martin got their start.
0:38 It's always a good idea to bring a sword along with you when visiting southern California attractions.
Knotts Berry Farm, Is Such An Adorable Park❤️❤️
Yeah. We love it.
Sidetrack Adventures So Adorable❤️
It sure is. Berry much.
I worked at this place for two straight years for the overnight custodian crew I've never been so scared in my entire life it is terrifying at night to work there I saw a ghost in Independence Hall and I saw a little girl on the Snoopy side I wanted to crap my pants but I really needed the job
Omg no way!!!! Is there a story behind the little girl?
Wow. I knew none of those secrets & Knott's was the go-to amusement park before Walt built the original Disney Park. My ex's brother was on the Pyro Crew that did the Knott's Scary Farm fireworks so we went as adults every year.
Knott's was also our fall back go-to if we got booted from D Land for smokin' 420.
I loved to visit the blacksmith and watch him make horse shoes. He would make you a tiny U with curly ques at the end. I think that was KBF, I hope I'm not getting it confused with another park.
They still make those. They have tiny horseshoe keychains now too
Wilderness dance hall is supposedly haunted as well
Do they still have the old west shootout in the street? On second thought, I guess you don’t have to go to theme parks to see that anymore.
I still miss the Volcano with the devil.
Wait, the Beary Tales ride is making a return?
Yes, Beary Tales is coming back as a 4D ride where Iron Reef was.
Sidetrack Adventures thank gosh I hated iron reef
I like Knott's berry farm of the 70s not now
The boothill Cemetery is still there but I don't know if the heartbeat grave still works ill check when i go to Scary farm this coming Oct 9th 2024
I haven't been to Knott;s Berry Farm in 28 years. I still have the penny I pressed there.
This is such a good video
Thank you. We appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed it.
in the room with the replica fire place you see the two steps on the opposite wall ive herd that was the original Entrance to Knotts Berry Farm
I believe it was the original entrance to the chicken dinner restaurant.
Is the penny press machines still there?
Mystery lodge was my favorite place but they took it out years ago
Really? It's still there!
@@user-tm1rx9hd1s I think they just put a new one in
Still nothing there...took it out in 2019
RIP kobe
Yes yeah dids. There was a chicken in a booth. For a quarter. The chicken would play a tune on a piano. Different songs too
I recall that attraction ... that was from my visit in the 70s ❤
Jessica speaks! 😃🥰
There was one secret that they missed. As you walk down to the black smith barn right across from that there is a little trail that leads to A man in A jail cell and he will talk to you There was another historical ride that they had for children back in the early 1970's that they never never should've taken away it was across from the merry-go-round the 1920's cars that we got to ride.
And dont forget the horse thief in jail that you can talk to! Located in ghost town I believe across from the blacksmith tucked in a corner
What about places to plug in my phone?! 🤣
I saw a charging station by the lockers the last time I was there. I'm not sure about any place else. I usually just bring a portable charger to be safe.
At fiesta village , by the entrance there’s outlets
They are renovating Fiesta village...hope they leave the outlets.
have you ever been to the burial site of mr & mrs walter knott wewere visiting one of my uncle's
grave site an I found they were
also there
The donkey rides they used to have the island were used to go and play with all the statues made of wood ride the wooden horse that shoot water out of its mouth the train ride the water they used to be there before the parking lot the carousel anybody that knows Knott's Berry Farm knows about this place
I can remember jungle inland like it was yesterday buying corn from the machine to feed the Ducks
knotts is amazing on mushrooms
totally snubbed Mark & Brian 3:07
THE Mark & Brian? The two guys with a radio show that a large portion of SoCal listened to and grew up with? They also had a short lived TV show? Were extras in a Brady Bunch movie? The guys who's stickers were on lockers in the background on 90210? Those guys?
The waterfall is gone now
Do they still have a old jail house? Do they still serve. Buffalo steak dinners?
Yes on the jail, I don't think so on the buffalo steaks.
I think its the oldest park in California in general
Its Hiram McTavish
Oh yeah and knotts has gone cashless so the penny machines only take credit cards and they provide the copperless pennys to smash for you. Ikr that sucks
"Oldest millstone in Los Angeles"
😂 Buena Park isn't Los Angeles. It's not even L. A. county.
Your voice changed
:)
i have a non-secret for you...when the Knott kids sold the place, the new owners turned it into a shithole slowly but surly
was knott expecting that gem 😆😄
It sucks there cashless now
and as you can see their's not a
soul at independence hall because
noone but seniors care about american history 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
No Knott's just corona virus
Lame
Who could say that about one of the best parks in history! Your lamer than than the definition of lame.
:)