Knott's Berry Farm - Ghost Town Shops (Gold Trails Hotel)

shyguy

6856
Theme Parkologist

Knott's Berry Farm - Ghost Town Shops (Gold Trails Hotel)

« on: October 19, 2018, 03:11 PM »

Geode Shop

The Geode Shop opened in 1986, and is an independently run store that sells geodes, fossils, minerals, and meteorites from around the world.

Even if you're not shopping for rocks, there are quite a lot of interesting things to see on display. This is as much an exhibit as it is a shop.

A mining car full of uncut geodes sits outside the shop. Once purchased, they'll cut these for you on the spot, revealing the crystal formations inside.

Display cases inside are packed full of beautiful cut geodes.

Geodes and fossils.

More fossils.

A display of authentic dinosaur eggs. (not for sale)

Polished gems and jewelry round out the collection of items for sale here.

« Last Edit: November 29, 2018, 05:50 PM by shyguy »

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shyguy

6856
Theme Parkologist

Re: Knott's Berry Farm - Ghost Town Shops (Gold Trails Hotel)

« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2018, 05:42 PM »

Gold Trails Hotel

In 1940, the Gold Trails Hotel was the first building to be added to Knott's Berry Place, as the beginning of Walter Knott's ambitious new Ghost Town. It was found in Prescott, Arizona, disassembled, and rebuilt at the park.

It was to house the Covered Wagon Show, a cyclorama show that told the story of Walter Knott's grandmother and mother as they journeyed west across the desert in a covered wagon. This vintage postcard shows what it looked like in the early 1940s.

Here's on old photo of the cyclorama. (A cyclorama is a diorama with a curved painted backdrop.) The show lasted until 1997, when it closed its doors forever due to declining interest by guests to the park.

The hotel was then refurbished and converted into a small gift shop. (That pair of prospectors seated by the hotel must be wondering what that "newfangled" red track could be.

)

The check out counter retains the theme of an old west hotel.

I think the chandeliers clash a bit with the track lighting.

The shop offers a nice selection of western apparel and souvenirs.

No Knott's Berry Farm shop would be complete without their signature boysenberry products.

« Last Edit: November 29, 2018, 05:49 PM by shyguy »

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JB

1558
^ Ricky Rat

Re: Knott's Berry Farm - Ghost Town Shops (Gold Trails Hotel)

« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2018, 09:39 PM »

I really like the exterior of the Hotel. It's the quintessential Old West building. I especially like the photo that shows the building from an angle: your 'wondering what that "newfangled" red track could be.' photo. Also nice to see that the prospectors, Handsome Brady and Whiskey Bill are still there.

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