As a youngster in the early 1950's, we used to go to Knott's Berry Farm for the chicken dinner. To keep the diners busy while waiting for dinner, Walter Knott brought in buildings from ghost towns. The first building to arrive was the Gold Trails Hotel, originally constructed in Prescott, AZ. Through the 1940's the ghost town continued to grow. That part of the park is still there and you can still talk to the outlaw in the jail.

In the 1960's and early 1970's, patrons could buy a pass for a nominal amount and wander the park. In the evenings, it was pleasant to sit by the lake and watch the fireworks. There were the original rides like the train and the stagecoach and the shows at the Saloon and the Birdcage Theater. In the 1960's additional rides were added like the Calico Mine Ride and the Timber Mountain Log Ride. (I did not know that this had it name, we have always called it the "Log Ride".) Fiesta Village was added in the 1960's and in 1975, the Roaring 20's area opened. This is where the Corkscrew is located. It was the world's first looping rollercoaster.

The first amusement park designed for kids only, opened in 1983. Camp Snoopy is a great place for children and very popular. In 1998, Big Foot Rapids was opened.

Knott's Berry Farm has continued to grow. The Roaring 20s camp was renamed "The Boardwalk" in 1996. It now has Boomerang, Perilous Plunge, Rip Tide, Sky Cabin, Supreme Scream, Wheeler Dealer Bumper Cars, Wipeout, and Xcelerator.

Fiesta Village had added rides. It has the Dragon Swing, Hat Dance, Jaguar, LA Revolution, Montezuma's Revenge. However, it still has the original Merry Go Round.

Knott's Berry Farm has changed. There are fast rides and roller coasters only for those who are completely fearless. There is Camp Snoopy where the kids can feel "big" with rides just for them. And while it has changed, Knott's Berry Farm retains the charm that it has held from the time I was a youngster. You can still ride the stagecoach and take a train ride. Even when you know it is coming, the outlaws still rob the train. It is more fun when they end up in a shoot out on Main Street. No one ever misses the Log Ride and even on the coldest day, it is a badge of courage to walk off Bigfoot Rapids completely drenched.

The chicken dinner has changed too. The original salad was served with French dressing only and the meal always came with bread and butter pickles. The vegetable choice was cabbage and ham. Today, you have a choice of vegetables and salad dressing but like the rest of the park, the past is just waiting for you. Just ask for the bread and butter pickles.

Learn more about this author, Ann Hinds.
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