Knott's Map - 1980/81?

Time for another Knott’s Berry Farm Map. This one is not dated which drives me crazy, I would place it at 1980/81, maybe a little newer. Since the Motorcycle Chase in now the Wacky Soapbox Racers, this must be 1980 or newer. Check out a super post on the Wacky Racers at Outside the Berm (link).






Major Pepperidge over at “Gorilla’s don’t Blog” made this comment on my last Knott’s map post: “I still have no idea where things are in relation to each other. Unlike Disneyland, which I know a lot better!” This is so true! The last time I was at Knott's I was completely lost and I’ve been going since 1970! Plus these maps seem woefully out of proportion and the farm looks very different today.






The amount of entertainment was amazing. Check out all the scheduled shows plus on the right is Snoopy in person and tons of “roaming” entertainment. Does Knott’s have any entertainment like this today?






And of course this post need some color, so here a nice undated picture of the Stage Coach. Amazingly, the Stage Coach is still running at Knott’s!

Knott's Map - 1979/1980

Not much time for words today, but this item is pretty self explanatory. Knott's Berry Farm Brochure from late 1979 and early 1980, fun times.

Knott's Berry Farm - 1949-ish

Here's a great old Knott's map from 1949-ish. Here is the link to the high resolution version. (link - 11mb). I am not sure on the year, it's not on the map anywhere.





The back side has some super information about Knott's early days. #52 The Birdcage Theater will be the only attraction "calling for a small admission fee". Check out the map too, no "Santa Ana Freeway" on that one, no Disneyland either. (full high resolution scan here - 5mb)

From around or near 1949, I've seen a few of these that say "Steak House Menu" (See one at Jay Jennings awesome Knott's Museum - link). This is the only one I have seen that says "Ghost Town Grill" if you read thru the text in the menu, this was just before the "Steak House" was built. Also some talk of a Hotel on the property "just east and north of the lake" Huh? Check out the prices too, Top Sirloin $2!!!!


Ghost Town Grill - Full download (9.5mb):

Let's match up these six old postcards with the attractions on the Map. These type of postcards are from the late 1940's, with a few referring to "Knott's Berry Place".

First of course, number 22, the Gold Mine!






Number 28, the Silver Dollar Saloon.






Number 35, Goldie's Joint "A questionable structure indeed".






The General Merchandise Store is at number 50.






Number 55, The Covered Wagon & Borax Wagon.






The "Old Borax Mine Train". Not sure what number that would go next to, maybe #29. Last time I was at Knott's, this little train was still there.





Boy does this post need some color! Here is the cover to a nice 1949-51 Guide Book. This is similar to 1952-54 editions, but this one lacks any mention of the Trains at Knott's. Oh, check back on Bonus Sunday for the complete Guide, it's a fun one!




Tomorrow: 1955 Bank of America - It's not exactly what you are thinking and I bet you've never seen one of these.... At least I haven't.

More Knott’s Berry Farm Maps & Sunday Bonus

If you missed the Knott’s Berry Farm Map Comparison Post from earlier in the week, you can see it here (link). Today's post is technically part two.

Today we have 5 great map scans that were donated to the blog. This is so exciting to be pulling this information together from various sources. This is at the core of why I wanted to start this blog.

Christopher Merritt sent me the first three scans on today’s post. Christopher has a new Knott’s book coming out soon that I can’t wait to read!

A 1971 large size souvenir "fun" map by Paul Butler.

Another “fun” map, this one is from 1979 and by Bob Bates. I really like the art work on this one, the boarder is so "fun" to look at.





“For extra fun, here's a map of the long lost Jungle Island drawn by Robin Hall just prior to its demolition.” WOW, now that's rare! Thanks Christopher!





Chris Jepsen over at “O.C. Historical Roundup” (link) donated these next two rare scans from the Orange County Archive (link) a place I plan to visit soon! Thanks for the maps Chris!

From Chris “I think the attached 1953 map may not have actually been released. Note that edits are faintly visible on the street names. (They got Grand and Hwy 39 mixed up.)” – Full Map Scan (link)






Halloween 1976. Did you know “Knott’s Halloween Haunt” started in 1973? I sure didn’t. Check out the “history” tab on this neat website: http://www.ultimatehaunt.com/. - Full Map Scan (link)





Did you notice the Knott’s Bicentennial Logo on the 1976 map above? It’s also featured on the Independence Hall page of the 1976 Souvenir Guide book at the end of this post. This logo looks great, it’s official and classy.





Now as promised on Monday’s Knott’s “B” ticket post (link) today's Sunday Bonus is the entire “Knott’s Souvenir Edition” guide book. TRUST ME, this has got to be the finest guide/magazine that Knott’s ever put together. It’s got tons of original photo’s that are outstanding, be sure to checkout the food sections near the end, yummy....

The text is an easy ready and very informative. IMHO, this guide captures Knott’s at its finest hour. It still had all the great original charm and attractions, plus so many new and exiting things; this was a fun time to be at Knott’s. 36 all color pages cover to cover, this full "magazine size" guide makes for a big PDF file, well worth the download I guarantee it!

Knott’s Souvenir Edition Guide Book 1976 (93mb)

What? You haven’t had enough Knott’s yet???? Tomorrow: Knott's Berry Farm - The "B" Ticket Part 3.

Knott’s Berry Farm Map Comparison Post

This post is BIG and has many links to high resolution scans. Eleven Knott’s Berry Farm maps from 1949 to 2005, there are some gaps in time; any and all contributions of the missing years (or the missing decade of the 90’s) will be gladly accepted.

Blogspot seems to compress or shrink the scans that are uploaded. Most of these maps were scanned at 300 or 400 DPI. The original maps are at least 8” by 12” with some twice that size or more, the true scanned file sizes are around 4 to 8mb each. Blogspot does an OK job, but I think something gets lost in the conversion.

Posted with each map is a link to the full high resolution file - should you want to examine them in super high clarity. Most of these maps have a “back side” that I scanned at high resolution too. Those links are also listed with each map.

A world of thanks to two very helps folks. Richard over at "Viewliner Ltd." (link) was gracious enough to donate his talents to stitch together the 1950 and 1953 maps - Wow these are seamless! The 1949 and 1979 map pictures are courtesy of Jay over at "The Knott’s Berry Farm Museum Blog" – check out his incredible Knott’s collection (link). Thanks Richard and Jay!

All right, let’s get started. For a little frame of reference, here is the only aerial photo of “old” Knott’s that I could find. It’s oriented sideways compared to all the maps, but you get a good idea of how rural the place was. “Year unknown” I would guess early 1950’s. Maybe you can date it based on some of the maps in this post.

For these maps I’ll be quiet and just tell you the year and give you the links.

1949: Full Map Scan (link)

1950: Full Map Scan (link) - Back side (link)






1955?: Full Map Scan (link) - Back side (link)






1962: Full Map Scan (link) - Back side (link)






1966: Full Map Scan (link) - Back side (link)






1970: Full Map Scan (link) - Back side (link)






1973: Full Map Scan (link) - back side A (link)and back side B (link)






1977: Full Map Scan (link) - Back side (link)






1979: Full Map Scan (link)






1986: Full Map Scan (link) - Back side (link) Thanks to Chris Jepsen for the correct year...






2005: Full Map Scan (link)




WOW! If you have spare time, read the backs of some of the older maps - Who knew you could watch wool socks being made on a "very old British Rib Sock machine, it's quite a treat and the socks are lovely too"...

I hope you enjoyed this Knott's Map post, the farm has changed so much it's barely recognizable today. Disneyland almost seems untouched compared to Knott's. Maybe the It's a Small World change doesn't seem so evil after all when you contrast it to the wholesale obliteration that has occurred at Knott's over the decades....