America's First Theme Park: Berries, Chicken, & Ghost Towns

In this episode, Austin will tell the origin story and explain the legacy of America's First Theme Park - Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. The tale of Walter Knott, a poor berry farmer, who lifted his family out of poverty and the Great Depression through ingenuity and an unbelievable work ethic is a great one. Their roadside berry stands quickly evolved to a full-scale chicken restaurant and later into a theme park in its own right. Austin will also discuss Walter Knott's tumultuous friendship with Walt Disney, that later descended into a rivalry with the opening of Disneyland, which was just a couple miles away. Check out the show notes on themeparkhistorypodcast.com for more information, fun facts, and resources!

• Historic Knott's Berry Farm — A few relics of Knott's earliest days still survive - if you know where to look for them.
• Knott’s Preserved Book — A great book for everything you ever wanted to know about Knott's Berry Farms and more.
• Knott's Preserved — Photos of Different Times in Knott's Berry Farm's History
• The History of Knott's Berry Farm: From Roadside Pie Stand to Theme Park - Entertainment Designer — Sifting through the history of Knott’s Berry Farm, one discovers a uniquely American tale of ingenuity and perseverance. What began as a small berry stand on highway 39 through Buena Park, California is now “The Theme Park Californians Call Home.” Unlike nearby Disneyland, which was organized around a very specific vision, Knott’s Berry Farm grew organically from a combination of hard work, the right location, and a commitment to family fun into what is arguably America’s first theme park.
• Interview of Walter Knott
• Venice Amusement Pier
• The History of Holiday World Theme Park — Opened in 1946, Koch says that Santa Claus Land was the "first theme park in the world." It certainly pre-dates Disneyland (which opened in 1955), but arguments could be made that other "theme parks" going back to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition or even Denmark's Tivoli Gardens, built in 1843, preceded Santa Claus Land. And other parks, including Disneyland's neighbor, Knott's Berry Farm, also lay claim to the world's first theme park title.
• Merry-Go-Round in Griffith Park Inspired Walt Disney to Create Disneyland
• When Orange County Was Rural (And Oranges Actually Grew There) | KCET
• T-Shirts by Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast - TeePublic Store | TeePublic — Are you a theme park history expert? Show the world (world showcase that is) with these unique designs and t-shirts inspired by the Fastpass to the Past podcast.
• Pre-Order Our New Book! Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland