The Knott's Berry Farm theme park in Buena Park, CA had very humble beginnings. Walter Knott rented acreage alongside what was then the main road to the Orange County beaches to grow fruits and vegetables to the thousands who made the trek down to the ocean. The simple stand quickly became renowned throughout Southern California and built up a steady clientele.
However, once the Great Depression hit, Walter Knott found it increasingly difficult to earn enough money to support his family. He came up with an idea- everyone loved his wife's fried chicken- maybe they could open a restaurant? After much prodding, he convinced his wife to give it a try. They sold only four dinners the first day, but it would become the first of millions.
The success of the restaurant brought new problems. Thousands of customers would descend upon the farm each day, meaning long waits for meals. Walter Knott needed a way to keep them entertained while they waited. Mr. Knott parlayed his interest in the old west to begin building a ghost town for guests to explore. The successful attraction became even more so after DISNEYLAND opened up in neighboring Anaheim. The Farm would become a full fledged theme park in the 1960's.
