From Farm to Fun

Walter and Cordelia Knott’s family business has evolved from a berry farm to one of America’s most famous theme parks:

* 1920: Walter and Cordelia Knott arrive in Orange County and settle on 20 acres in Buena Park. They grow rhubarb and varieties of berries, which they sell at a roadside stand.

* 1932: Walter hears that Anaheim resident Rudolph Boysen has created a new berry hybrid by crossing the loganberry, blackberry and raspberry. He obtains six sickly plants from Boysen, who had abandoned the hybridization project. Knott cultivates the plants, names the new variety “boysenberry” and begins selling them at his stand.

* 1934: Cordelia opens Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant near the family produce stand, serving up her first meals for 65 cents each on her wedding china.

* 1940-1942: Walter decides something is needed to entertain visitors lining up for Cordelia’s meals. He brings in old buildings and arranges them into the park’s now-legendary Calico Ghost Town. More buildings and attractions are added later.

* 1960: The park’s first indoor ride, Calico Mine, opens.

* 1966: A replica of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall is built, complete with a 2,075-pound Liberty Bell.

* 1968: Park is fenced and general admission, $2, is charged for the first time.

* 1969: Fiesta Village and the Timber Mountain Log Ride open.

* 1972: Knott’s Scary Farm, which becomes one of Southern California’s most popular Halloween attractions, premieres.

* 1975: The Roaring ‘20s theme area opens, along with Corkscrew, the world’s first 360-degree roller coaster.

* 1976: The 20-story Sky Cabin Tower and the Parachute Sky Jump join the ride mix.

* 1978: Park’s second roller coaster, Montezooma’s Revenge, opens in Fiesta Village.

* 1983: Camp Snoopy opens.

* 1986: Pacific Pavilion becomes home to dolphin and sea lion shows.

* 1987: Fiesta Village is remodeled, and the Kingdom of the Dinosaurs ride opens.

* 1988: The $10-million Wild Water Wilderness area opens, featuring Bigfoot Rapids, a white-water rafting trip ride.

* 1990: Upside-down roller coaster, Boomerang, replaces Corkscrew.

* 1992: Indian Trails opens.

* 1994: Mystery Lodge, a special-effects theatrical attraction with a Native American theme is added.

* 1995: Jaguar, a roller coaster with 2,700 feet of track, starts rolling.

* 1996: Hammerhead, a gondola that spins while it orbits a 360-degree arc, starts.

* 1997: Windjammer, a double-barrel coaster, part of new beach-themed area called Boardwalk, opens and five months later plans are announced for a huge wooden roller coaster.

Sources: Knott’s Berry Farm, Times reports

Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times