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| The San Francisco Arches, with the California Alligator Farm in the background, 1955. |
(Continued from Part I...) While artist Leon Bayard de Volo built the miniature California Missions for Knott's Berry Farm, others were hard at work creating the El Camino Real
walkway along which the Missions would be exhibited. The side of the path opposite the models was bordered by Reflection Lake and large eucalyptus trees already
lined the way, making an attractive scene. On La Palma Ave., they built a
full-size double-arch “ruin,” called the "San Francisco Arches.” They were the
physical northern boundary of Knott’s El Camino Real, and symbolically
represented the northern end of California’s
actual mission trail. These first arches were completed in 1955.
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| The brand new San Diego Arches, near the depot, 1956. |
A similar double arch was built as the southern terminus of
the trail, near the railroad depot in Calico
Square. These "San Diego Arches" were built
in 1956. A sign was affixed to this set of arches, which read:
EL CAMINO REAL: As you pass thru these Arches, you are starting a journey along the EL CAMINO REAL, the “King’s Highway” and you will follow the footsteps of the Padres who built the California Missions. First is the Mission San Diego – (The first to be founded), and you will travel north until you reach the end of the Kings Highway beyond San Francisco at Sonoma. During the coming year, we shall establish along this route all of the 21 Missions. You will find them in their proper order, each a days march from the other, as the Franciscan Fathers planned. Watch as this project grows and share with us our satisfaction when it is finally completed.
El Camino Real was “open for business,” with the first seven
Mission models on display, by July 1956. More and more missions were added as
the months passed and work continued.
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| Rachel tells a story. |
In Fall 1957, a “rustic framed box” was built near the
southern end of El Camino Real. The box featured a photo of Rachel Cadwalader (the
future Rachel Beeman) of the Wagonmasters singing group and a push-button. When
the button was pressed, a tape recording of Cadwalader’s voice was heard,
inviting guests to “relax a little and enjoy the nostalgia of the Missions.” The
recording also said that visitors walking along Mission Row “can’t help but
relive the days of the Dons” – ignoring the fact that the Rancho Era followed the Mission Era.
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| The Mission Trails Cantina in about 1958. |
In 1958, concessions along the path were re-themed to match
the Early California theme. The new Mission Trails Market (previously the Pet
Shop) sold jam and tourist tchotchkes. The Mission Trails Cantina, serving beverages,
chili, and barbeque sandwiches, opened in February 1958. In 1969, the
compatibly-themed Fiesta
Village section of
Knott’s Berry Farm – a blend of Old Mexico and Early California – opened along
the northern end of the trail.
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| Bayard de Volo with his model of Mission Santa Ines for Knott's. |
Leon Bayard de Volo died in 1962. Walter Knott died in 1981. And starting in the mid-to-late 1980s, the
Missions slowly started disappearing along the El Camino Real.
By 1997, when Ohio’s Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. bought Knott’s Berry Farm from the Knott family, most of the Missions were already gone. In 1998, El Camino Real ceased to officially be an attraction at Knott's. At least a Mission or two remained on display in the tunnel under the stage coach route -- but even those disappeared sometime around 2003.Where did they go, and would they ever be seen again?
By 1997, when Ohio’s Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. bought Knott’s Berry Farm from the Knott family, most of the Missions were already gone. In 1998, El Camino Real ceased to officially be an attraction at Knott's. At least a Mission or two remained on display in the tunnel under the stage coach route -- but even those disappeared sometime around 2003.Where did they go, and would they ever be seen again?
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| Detail from a 1976 Knott's map depicts El Camino Real. (Click to enlarge.) |
7 comments:
I remember clearly the mission models - it was a 'must see' for me, even as a kid (I enjoyed the model-making aspect). And I was probably an odd kid, anyway. :) But I have NO memory of any food or gift stands, and that there were even any in the area is a revelation.
A friend who works there said the models (or, most of them, anyway) are still packed away in the warehouse somewhere.
Does the recording by Rachel Cadwalader still exist?
Major: Not that I know of,... But who knows?
I don't know about that recording but there may still be CDs of the albums. She's my beloved auntie. Uncle Billy is gone now, too. But their son may know. Reply and I'll check for you if you want.
I don't know about that recording but there may still be CDs of the albums. She's my beloved auntie. Uncle Billy is gone now, too. But their son may know. Reply and I'll check for you if you want.
I bought CD copies of all the Wagonmasters albums directly from Billy when he was still with us. (My favorite song of theirs is "I'm Going Home," which was used to end their shows.) Yes, I'd VERY MUCH like to know if the El Camino Real spiel/recording still exists and would love to have a copy. I'd forward it on to the Orange County Archives too. Thank you!
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