Anyone know the exact date Walter Knott bought his Buena Park property?

[Tomorrowland_1967]

With Knott's 100th Anniversary coming up ...
What date is the company using as the official "100th" birthday?

Even though it was 1940 when it started as a theme park ... the date Walter Knott bought the property in 1920 would be the more important date.

Anyone know what date that would be?

Must be in some book on the park's history. I'm not having the best luck on the web finding such an obscure piece of info ... with someone who bought a 10 acre lot in Buena Park in 1920. LOL

[MAC1986]

Lithe last time I read Knotts Preserverd, I believe it said December of 1920, I don’t think it stated the date.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Actually, the book Knott's Preserved describes how Walter Knott and his family moved to Buena Park in 1920 to farm on rented land. The land was not purchased until 1927. His farming partner in Buena Park, Jim Preston, decided to leave and Knott bought out the leased land.

There is nothing in the book that I can find about a month or date that Knott first moved to Buena Park.

Using the date of 1920 as the birthday of Knott's Berry Farm is kind of suspect, in my opinion. Better to use 1940 for the opening of Ghost Town or the date for the opening of Cordelia's restaurant or the date when Knott first placed amusements for the restaurant diners. But of course Knott's likes the idea of having been in existence for a century.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Not sure how reliable this is (and the article doesn't cite where the info came from), but Wikipedia's article on Knott's says that the Knott family first arrived in Buena Park on Dec. 29, 1920.

[Eagleman]

Not sure how reliable this is (and the article doesn't cite where the info came from), but Wikipedia's article on Knott's says that the Knott family first arrived in Buena Park on Dec. 29, 1920.

I saw the same Information.........and this when

Walter Knott started Berry farming !
IMO: that would be when the business began .

[SpacemanSpiff]

You'd have to ask to join this facebook group to see the discussion, but multiple people seem to be pretty sure that the date Dec. 29, 1920 is correct.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/811983648826929?view=permalink&id=2788937094464898&comment_id=2789283661096908&ref=m_notif&notif_t=group_comment_reply

[Tomorrowland_1967]

A HUGE thank you to you everyone!! I really appreciate your help! I've checked out that FB page. And now I'm on a mission to acquire some books on Walter. Get more into his family's past.

So .. it seems the December 29, 1920 date is the best date to use. I've read other dates with the first berry stand, to the day the Chicken Dinner restaurant began ... to the first use of the name "Knott's Berry Farm" from Knott's Berry Place. Etc. Though it seems the Knott family have settled on the 1920 date ... as 50th, 60th, and 75th Anniversaries hinged on that date of 1920.

So ... I'm just waiting for Cedar Fair to announce major celebrations for next year.

I sure wish it included a new ride. Like a Knott's Bear-Y Tales type ride.

[SpacemanSpiff]

[QUOTE=So ... I'm just waiting for Cedar Fair to announce major celebrations for next year.

I sure wish it included a new ride. Like a Knott's Bear-Y Tales type ride. [/QUOTE]

Don't forget that the Timber Mountain Log Ride first opened in July 1969, so it's turning 50 this summer.

Hoping that Knott's will give the iconic ride the full celebration it deserves. (If anyone visits Knott's, stop by Guest Relations to let them know or send an email to [email protected].)

[Tomorrowland_1967]

Well I think it’s a forgone conclusion the Dec 29, 1920 date is what Cedar Fair are using ... as it’s well documented - 2020 has been chosen to be the 100th year.

Makes sense the first year is the year Walter started business ... even though it was rented land.

I’m hoping Cedar Fair works up lots of promotions and press events to celebrate!

[pluto888]

Well, this year was really bad for theme parks... I have just watched the newest episode of south park and it is really funny, but as always they explain the state of the society at the moment really well. It is hard, real estate market has been really hit bad. I have a friend who is a real estate investor and he is telling me that there are a lot of scammers that are dealing with shady properties. They want to get rid of those quickly and they find people who are not careful enough. You should work only with safe investors and you can find them on connected investor website.

[Eagleman]

I think Cedar Fair
will go for the 100 th Party - Hopefully 2021
Once the park could open up... Safely .....