The Knotts in Twentynine Palms

Knott's Sky Ranch Motel, circa 1949

In 1939, Russell Knott -- son of Knott's Berry Farm founders Walter and Cordelia Knott (and a general partner in the "Farm" in his own right) -- bought a second home for himself and is wife Mildred on forty acres in the Twentynine Palms area, purportedly for health reasons. He planted twenty-nine palm trees on this land in 1947 and over the next two years he added five motel units and an airstrip for small planes. The construction work on the motel was done by local pioneer builder Walter Berg.

Russell loved the desert and is purported to be the one who talked his father into buying and restoring the old Mojave mining town of Calico. 

Former Knott's Berry Farm employees John and Mabel Von Alstine were hired as on-site managers for Sky Ranch, although Russell Knott flew in and out periodically from Buena Park to oversee his property. 

Mildred (center) and Russell Knott (right) at their Twentynine Palms home, circa 1940

The motel closed in 1958, John VonAlstine died in 1961, and Mabel VonAlstine left in 1962. 

Russell Knott gifted the land to the Twenty-Nine Palms County Water District on Jan. 1, 1962, which in turn leased the property to the Twentynine Palms Parks & Recreation Department. A ceremony on 1962 dedicated the land as Knott Sky Park. The motel buildings were often used for special events and offices for various county services. For a time, an equestrian arena and an RV park with space for fifty RVs were added. 

Mabel Von Alstine in the Los Angeles Times, Apr. 14, 1952

Today, Knott Sky Park is just a typical community park with baseball diamonds, a playground, trees, and covered picnic shelters. It is located just north of Joshua Tree National Park at 6701-6899 El Sol Ave, in Twentynine Palms.