Courtesy of Gorilla’s Don’t Blog, this 1967 view of the Butterfield Stagecoach sure does look inviting.
Unfortunately the Stagecoach was not running the day of my visit, my guess is it runs on days when there are more guests at the farm. The Stagecoach is on my growing list of things to photograph on a follow-up visit.
The path the Stagecoach takes is not quite as scenic as it once was, it also appears to be entirely paved.
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The Music Hall and the Bottle House, way back when.
Both as seen today, neither was open.
A close-up of the Music Hall in the 1950’s. Note the neat little center section on the right between the Music Hall and the Bottle House, its still there.
The Music Hall building today. I peaked inside and it looked like Indian stuff, some current and possibly for sale so maybe this store opens still on busy days. The exterior has been updated with bricks, but the doors, windows and lamps look the same.
Here’s the neat little center section between the two buildings, I love this stuff!
The Bottle House no longer has a door on Music Hall side, a few trim changes, but otherwise very original appearing.
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The Bottle House actually has bottles on at least three sides; this side appears in many old photos.
Some odd metallic structures have sprouted in the background, a few trim changes otherwise on this side its 1955 all over again.
“Crumbled Adobe Wall” from a 1950’s souvenir guide.
I have no idea if these are the same walls, but they are crumbled and they are walls.
“Chief Red Feather” in an old (late 40’s / early 50’s) postcard. This postcard scan is from Jay Jennings amazing Knott’s Berry Farm Museum blog (link). Thanks Jay!
I don’t think he’s a Chief, but he was very knowledgeable and polite. He’s part of a dancing show they do 4 times daily on Thursday and Friday (see entertainment schedule at the end of this long post), probably more shows on weekends. Way to go Knott’s! We vintage Disneyland fans should take note: You can ride a Stagecoach and see a live Indian Dance show at the Farm, something you haven’t been able to do at the Park for decades.
Red’s Leather Shop in 1960.
It doesn’t appear to be “Reds” anymore and the roof line has been altered. The rest of the “Leather Shop” seems really old, and wow, it sure smells like an old leather wallet inside!
This little shop was to the left of the Leather shop, I didn’t go inside, it looked empty or like a jail? Does anyone know what this is or was?
The magnificent No. 41 Steam Train in December 1970, thanks Daveland! Is it just me or have they painted the No. 41 several different colors over the years?
Going to the farm too early on a weekday has it’s draw backs, like the Train, the Museum, all of Fiesta Village and most of the food places are closed for the first hour or two (bad show Knott’s). Anyway, here is the No. 41 getting ready to head out for the day. See - its different color!
This looks like a workshop for the train. It didn’t seem long enough to store the entire length of the trains and cars like Disneyland has the ability to do.
The great Log Ride all shiny and new in this October 1970 photo from Daveland.
The area where the above photo was taken was currently roped off, I think they were undoing part of the Halloween sets, so I was not able to get a good shot of the Log Ride today. Its still there running strong.
From 1967 it’s the Calico Mine Train Ride, a super photo from Gorilla’s Don’t Blog.
A larger queue line is the most significant change today. I can't tell if the color of the rock has changed of if its just these photos?
The little mine train ticket booth looks like this original one! I swear the pretty young lady in the “today” photo would not get out of the way!
One of the mine trains from an old postcard set, undated.
Same type of train today, different number.
From a 1975 Souvenir Guide, here’s the other style of mine train.
Same style of mine train today. I was surprised at the “Disneyland” grade of the paint, fit and finish of these little Trains, nice going Knott’s!
Here’s the current entertainment show guide, more than I expected for week days in Mid-November.
If you can stand it, there’s one more part of this series tomorrow; Fiesta Village, Roaring 20’s (don’t get your hopes up), The Lake? Independence Hall, Church of the Reflections and “What’s Missing”….
