Coin Operated Model T Cars

Earlier this week Stuff From the Park posted a couple of pictures of coin operated Model T cars. There was question about were the pictures where taken. I think we established that they were taken at Knott's in Fiesta Village by the Merry-Go-Round.

After some looking around I found an article in the winter 1967 Knotty Post about the man who created and operated these cars (see the article below). There was another Model T car ride Fiesta Village it was called the Tijuana Taxis. This ride was created, owned and operated by Bud Hurlbut.

Knott's First Grizzled Old Prospector

In honor of Talk Like a Grizzled Old Prospector Day, January 24, I'm posting some pictures of whom I believe was the first "Grizzled Old Prospector" at Knott's Berry Farm. These pictures are from 1940 or 1941, I know this because Ghost Town isn't finished yet in some of the pictures. This gentleman has a very grizzled look with his bare feet and tattered clothes. I don't know his name and haven't been able find anything about him in any of the books or publications I have.

The first picture is of him outside the Silver Dollar Saloon and the next is actually the same picture but it's a picture of the picture pinned to a wall with writing on it like they did for all the old postcards.

The next couple are of him trying to get his stubborn burro to move. This first picture shows them in front of the Blacksmith's Shop. And in the next one they are pretty much in the same place just taken from a different angle. It is looking north, the Blacksmith's Shop is to the left, the gap between the buildings is were the Pitchur Gallery will be.

This last one is the "Old Timer" with a very young Marion Knott. If these pictures were taken around '40 or '41 as I figured then she would've been 18 or 19 years old. They are by the old logging wheels, at the time these pictures were taken it was located down at the end of Main Street.

Well that's all for now pardner, ya all be sure to come back soon.

Nixon at Knott's in 1968

With the new year here it's time to get back to doing some posting.

I will start with this short one, in honor of Richard Nixon's 100th birthday. Here's is a couple of photos that appeared in the Fall 1968 The Knotty Post. The Nixon's stopped by to visit the Knott's while on the campaign trail for the presidency.