And now, for no particular reason... A tribute to the Glass Blowing Shop at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. The concept art is from the 1940s, the exterior photo is from about 1949, and the interior photo is probably from the 1950s. This building still stands, but it's used as an extension of the General Store. However, you can still watch glass blowing at the Grist Mill near what's left of Boot Hill.
18 comments:
And the concept art is by Paul von Klieben, of course....
I kinda figured,... but it wasn't signed, so I wasn't 100% sure.
Off topic, but what year did they close the archery range? I know it was there at least into the 1980s.
Beautiful shots---Great post.
Thanks---
there was an archery range at Knott's?
Yes, there was a small archery range behind one of the shops (perhaps the knife shop?) near Boot Hill. It was one of my favorite attractions as a kid. And there was hardly ever a line.
It seems the archery range disappeared sometime in the mid-to-late 1990s.
The archery range was behind the old gun shop near boot hill. Will try to find a closing date for you. Sure that Chris M. would have it handy!
I would love to see some old pics of the Knotts parking lot before it was paved and we all parked in the grass under Eucalyptus trees. It was a favorite make out destination for all the teenagers. And it was FREE. So was the little Lagoon area across from Knotts. I used to take my kids there in the 1970's.
I wish I had a picture to include, but I never thought about taking one at the time. I used to work in the Glass Blower's shop in 1971-1972. The owner of the concession at that time was Rasmussen. I can't remember his first name. Most of what was done at that time was what I refer to as glass art welding. Mr. Rasmussen did the larger projects and he taught the 'help' to do smaller projects. I learned how to make elephants and Snoopy. It was a great time!
I am one of the two glassblowers now working in the Gristmill and it was great seeing the pictures of the original glass blowing shop! Thank YOU
Mr. Rasmussen name is Richard J. Rasmussen or just Dick. I'm his son Jay.
I also used to work at the glassblowers shop in the early 70s. I started as a salesgirl, and Dick Rasmussen taught me (and all of us) to make the small stuff. I made elephants, dogs, octopi, etc., in all sizes. I'll never forget when Dick picked up a cup of turpentine (we used to paint the glass), and took a swig of it--he thought it was his coke!
The glass worker in your picture was my Uncle Dick Rasmussen. His brother, and my dad, is Bill Rasmussen who was the original glass worker on Main Street in Disneyland when the park opened. My dad is living in Idaho now and when he isn't golfing, he is sculpting glass in his shop. Seventy plus years ago, dad started working glass and is still going strong today, always thinking about what he can make next... and he is always after two of his daughters to get back behind their torches! -kirstib@msn.com
Thanks for all the Rasmussen background information!
I wish you had pictures too! His name was Richard Rasmussen, be was my great grandfather.
Jason Nielsen
My mother Ruth Nielsen And Dad Nielsen always shopped there. I remember the vase that looks like the one that winds up and has an open widening to the top it was a beautiful green and white. Never to see that again.
Wasn't Bill the glass blower at Disneyland? I knew his daughter Judy
Not sure if you’ll ever see this but figured I’d try. Is your dad still alive? He taught me how to blow glass a good 20 years ago in Prescott. I lost touch with him after he moved to Reno.
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