Walter Knott
Birth Name:
Walter Marvin Knott
Birth Date:
December 11, 1889
Birth Place:
San Bernardino, California
Death Date:
December 3, 1981
Place of Death:
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, California
Age:
91
Cause of Death:
Parkinson's disease
Cemetery Name:
Loma Linda Memorial Park
Claim to Fame:
Business and Finance
Walter Knott was an American farmer who created the Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in California. In the 1920s, Walter Knott was a somewhat unsuccessful farmer, whose fortunes changed when he nursed several abandoned berry plants back to health. The hybrid boysenberry, named after its creator, Rudolph Boysen, was a cross between a blackberry, red raspberry and loganberry. The huge berries were a hit, and the Knott family sold berries, preserves and pies from a Buena Park, California roadside stand. In 1934, Knott's wife Cordelia (née Hornaday, January 23, 1890 – April 12, 1974) began serving fried chicken dinners, and within a few years, lines outside the restaurant were often several hours long. To entertain the waiting crowds, Walter built a Ghost Town in 1940, using buildings relocated from Old West towns. Even after Disneyland opened in 1955 a mere 8 miles away, Knott's Berry Farm continued to thrive. Walt Disney and Walter Knott are rumored to have had a cordial relationship; it is known that they each visited the other's park, and they were both members of the original planning council for Children's Hospital of Orange County. Early additions to the farm included a narrow gauge railroad, a San Francisco cable car, a Pan-for-Gold attraction, the Calico Mine Train dark ride and a log flume ride. In 1968, the Knott family fenced the farm, charged admission for the first time, and Knott's Berry Farm officially became an amusement park. Because of his interest in American pioneer history, Knott purchased and restored the real silver mining ghost town of Calico, California in 1951. As a child Walter spent a lot of time in Calico living with his uncle. During World War I he helped to build a silver mill in Calico. This period in his life influenced his decision to buy the town and restore it. In 1966, he deeded Calico to San Bernardino County, California. Walter remained active in the operation of Knott's Berry Farm until the death of Cordelia in 1974, leaving day-to-day park operations to his children.
Fun Facts
The Knott family today no longer owns the theme park; it has since been sold to Cedar Fair. Additionally, The J.M. Smucker Company now owns the “Knott’s Berry Farm” brand of jam and jelly (purchased from ConAgra Foods in 2008).
Cemetery Information:
Final Resting Place:
Loma Linda Memorial Park
701 E Bastanchury Road
Fullerton, California, 92835
USA
North America
Map:
![Map of Loma Linda Cemetery in Fullerton, California](https://thetombstonetourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Loma-Linda-Memorial-Park-Fullerton-CA.jpg)
Map of Loma Linda Cemetery in Fullerton, California
Grave Location:
Coronita LawnGrave Location Description
As you enter the cemetery (with the office on your right) drive straight ahead and make a slight right at the Coronita Lawn section just in front of the mausoleum. Park in front of the flag near the sidewalk on the left. Walter Knott and his wife are buried in the second row. Walter is the fourth marker on the right, and Cordelia is the fifth marker. Their son Russell Knott is in the same row to the right.
Grave Location GPS
33.9018499, -117.91822833Photos:
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Read More About Walter Knott:
- Published Obituary
- Wikipedia Entry
- Walter Knott - OC Historyland
- Walter Knott: Farmer And Theme Park Pioneer
- Wiki for Knott's Berry Farm
- Walter Knott and the Mojave Desert
- Breaking New Ground The Early Years of Knott’s Berry Farm
- The Friendship Between Walter Knott and Walt Disney
- Berry man Walter Knott planted himself in Norco in 1920s
- Creditors hunt for fraud in wife of a grandson of amusement park pioneer Walter Knott
- Knotts Berry Farm Granddaughter Files $8.5M Securities Fraud Claim
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