Sunday, November 18, 2007

Laundry Day at Stuff From The Park

Sunday's at the Stuff From the Park world headquarters usually involve laundry. So for today, let's head over to Knott's Berry Farm to visit Wing Lee's Chinese Laundry.

Some of the signs are pretty bad reminding me of the Abercrombie and Fitch controversial T-Shirt for Wong's Laundry- Two Wongs will make it white! Of course while we are at Knott's, let's ride the train while our laundry is being washed.

Or we can hang out in the Indian Village area and watch how they wash their buffalo hides.

Or just hang out at one of the buildings on Knott's version of Main Street. I was thinking this was the outside of the "Wacky Shack" but it does not look like that location. Maybe Chris or Outside the Berm can place the location.

10 comments:

Major Pepperidge said...

Nice photos, that look like they could have been taken yesterday. I assume they are from the 50's?

Wish I had a lot more Knott's stuff, as I am getting more and more into the details of that park. Can't wait for Chris' book!

outsidetheberm said...

Great shots! Your fourth photo seems to be from quite an obscure location to us. The tree looks like a Tipuana Tipu - and there were a few locations in the park where these were planted. Based on the tree and the style of the adobe walls our best guess might be near the old adobe ruins or the Steak House, perhaps. Chris might have an idea, too! Thanks for posting it.

Chris Merritt said...

Wow - I am stumped! Originally I thought where the Steak House connected to the "Mules For Hire" building - but the adobe was too uniform on the Steak House - and anyway - it doesn't match up. Perhaps by Fandango Hall?

After looking a bit more - I'd say the back side of the MIner's Bank on School house road - the cracked brickwork matches both color and style, and there was (still is?) a ramshckle looking building tacked on just behind it in this aerial shot from the mid 1950s.

http://www.christophermerritt.com/mysterylocation.jpg

outsidetheberm said...

Good call, Chris. We're going to agree - especially if you look at the other end of that shack (where the two figures are walking), as there is a tree there on that side. Would match that tree side perfectly if the photo was flopped - any chance of that?

Chris Merritt said...

I don't think the pic Patrick posted was flopped - it could match up with that corner - but who knows?

Actually - upond 2nd glance - yes, it could very nicely match up if flopped - I wish that aerial I have was higher resolution, so I could zoom in and try & match the details...

Chris Merritt said...

I don't think the pic Patrick posted was flopped - it could match up with that corner - but who knows?

Actually - upond 2nd glance - yes, it could very nicely match up if flopped - I wish that aerial I have was higher resolution, so I could zoom in and try & match the details...

Matterhorn1959 said...

Hey Chris and OTB- I flipped the photo so it matches now.

Anonymous said...

Nice! It really matches up with Chris' aerial shot now. Thanks!

Chris Merritt said...

The question that comes to mind is - is that building behind the Bank still there? I think it isn't - by the early 70s, a souvenir map shows that area being clear, and the extension of the Roast House being where the "family dinner' animated display was relocated. Anyone (Ken?) know what that ramshackle building was for? It seems tagged on to the back of the bank. It was adjacent to the "gone with the wind" outhouse & the Box House (aka the Knife Maker's Shop)...

outsidetheberm said...

Chris -
The photos I have of that area seem to only show what appears to be the roof of that structure (there are a few gold pans resting on it). Best guess would be that it was a companion 'miners shack' type structure for the others around it - those being the 'barrel house' the 'gone with the wind outhouse' and the other little abodes and peek ins. I'd guess it was supposed to be part of the 'miners outpost' around it. Wish we had an interior view!