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....
13 comments:
The 1955 map you have listed is actually from 1953.
The early 1960's map is from 1962.
Nice comparisons!
Hi Jay,
I will update the 1962 map, thanks!
Regarding the "1953" map, it shows the Church of the Reflection, didn't Mr. Knott move it to the farm in 1955? That's why I bumped the year to 55' but that is a guess. Let me know. I wish these maps had dates printed on them :-)
Wow, this is amazing! You should have spaced it out into several posts, give yourself a break! I'm going to enjoy spending time looking at all of the details of these. Thanks!
Thanks Major! I did consider breaking it into parts but they really need to be together for proper comparisons. I worked on this post on and off for the last week. It was fun scanning and then examining each map. Ok, yes my dreams the last few days have been of Knott's maps! Where is that Observatory again?
Thanks for posting all these! The maps are both interesting and helpful.
I've been putting together a set of KBF maps for the Orange County Archives (where we recently aquired something like 50 boxes of old photos, films and other materials from KBF).
What I have so far is a mixture of originals, photocopies, printed scans, photos of signboard maps, etc -- so the quality varies from map to map. I can't scan them all for you, but if anyone is dying to see these they can visit us, and perhaps I can scan a few for the Web too. Here's a list of some of the maps we have that I don't see here:
Circa mid-1940s (from a matchbook), 1954, 1956, 1957, 1962, 1965, May 1967, 1968, March 1969, circa 1971, circa 1972 (two maps for special events), 1976 (both standard and Halloween), 1977, 1980, 1990 (Ghost Town only), 1994 (Peanuts Festival), 1998, 2000, circa 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007
And yes, the Church of Reflections moved to Knott's in Sept 1955. It may also be helpful to know that your "early 1980s" map dates from 1986.
BTW, is there any chance of seeing a high-res scan of that Japanese Village & Deer Park map you posted back on Feb. 28?
Thanks again!
After re-checking my Knott's files, I stand corrected. You guys are right, that is the 1955 map. The '53 and '54 map are very similar to the '55 version (minus the church). Once again, good job, Tim!
Don't forget the large size souvenir "fun" maps that were available in the early 70s - one by Paul Butler in 1971 & one by Bob Bates in 1976....
For extra fun, here's a map of long lost Jungle Island drawn by Robin Hall just prior to it's demolition...
It's also worth noting that famed Knott's sculptor Claude Bell drew those first earliest ones you show (minus the 1949 one, of course)...
NOTE: Well, I was going to put this on my website for you to look at, but it looks like my site has been hacked! Sorry - I'm going to have to jump through a few hoops to get it back up in my name with new passwords! Grrrr.....
This has quickly become one of my favorite blogs. You are so right about the many changes at Knott’s. It’s really incredible. And you are just going aback to ’49. My question is: the 1950 map has a Chicken Dining Room. OK, fine, but where do the people eat? (you can stop laughing hysterically now).
Awesome post Tim.
I very much miss the park when it was owned solely by the Knott's. So much has been removed. The old clock, the haunted shack and yes, I even miss the "boysenberry smell" inside of the Knott's Berry Tales ride. I know, time moves on. But, sometimes, it's good to just leave well enough alone. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Knott for a lifetime of memories. You are sorely missed.
Hi Jay,
I was looking at your Knott's Berry Farm vintage maps. If I may, your 1970 map is not the map issued for that year. I worked the Annual Pass gate & was a shift leader for the Admissions Dept., during 1970. 1970, Knott's celebrated with "50 Golden Years" (1920-1970). Special wooden nickels with a special logo printed on them were handed out free to all guests as was a multicolored map with the "50 Golden Years" logo on the bottom of the middle panel. I have both in my collection & I am making them available for sale. My name is Bruce, my email is brucehofstetter@dslextreme.com
I have 2013 map if you would like?
Email me @ angelfan242@gmail.com
Knott's used to be such a nice, fun charming park. When did it turn into such a $#!+ hole?
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