Knott's Berry Farm and Ghost Town
Buena Park, California  Page 1

In 1920 Knott's Berry Farm started as a ten acre berry farm, which the Knott's leased. They sold berries to people passing along the road.
In 1927 the Knott's bought the ten acre farm. In addition to selling fresh berries, Mrs. Knott made berry pies to sell and serve in the little tea room with five tables.
In 1929, when land prices dropped sharply, the Knott's bought another ten acres.
In 1932 Mr. Knott went to visit Mr. Rudolph Boysen, who lived in Anaheim, California. Mr Boysen had developed a new berry, by crossing a loganberry with a blackberry and a raspberry. He gave Mr. Knott his only six remaining plants and Mr. Knott transplanted the plants to his farm at Buena Park, where they thrived. In honor of Mr. Boysen, Mr. Knott named the berry the Boysenberry. Walter Knott's wife, Cordelia Knott, made jam and pies with the Boysenberry and sold them at their roadside stand.
In 1934 the Knott's added a room to their home and opened their first restaurant where they served chicken dinners.
In 1940 they started to create the " Living Ghost Town", which Mr. Knott considered a tribute to the history of the old west. The Ghost Town provided free entertainment to the many dinner guests.
By 1941 the farm had expanded to over 120 acres, employed up to 400 employees, had over 100,000 visitors and served over 6,000 chicken dinners in just one very busy day.
By 1945 Knott's Berry had expanded to over 200 acres.
In 1946 the Chicken Restaurant seated 880 and the Steak House 450 guests.
In 1947 Knott's Berry Place was renamed to Knott's Berry Farm.
In 1954 the Bird Cage Theatre opened in Ghost Town. 
In 1960 the Calico Mine Ride opened.
In 1968 a general admission fee was charged for the amusement park for the first time.
In 1969 the Calico Log Ride opened.
In 1975 the Corkscrew opened.
In 1976 the 20-story parachute tower "Sky Tower" opened.
In 1978 the roller coaster Montezooma's Revenge opened in Fiesta Village.
In 1983 Camp Snoopy opened.
In 1990 the Corkscrew roller coaster was replaced with the Boomerang roller coaster.
In 1998 GhostRider roller coaster opened.

The following old postcards, travel decals, menus, match books and other items from Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California provide a great visual look back at Knott's Berry Farm and Ghost Town's history. Thanks to Tim Hughes for contributing some great scans to this site.