Knott’s Berry Farm, California 1963 – Calico Mine Ride

This authentic 1960s color photograph, captured in 1963, documents the iconic Calico Mine Ride at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The archival image showcases the ride’s massive artificial mountain, designed by theme park pioneer Wendell “Bud” Hurlbut, featuring realistic rock formations, desert cacti, and a cascading waterfall. The Calico Mine Co. station is visible nestled into the hillside, with a narrow-gauge steam-style locomotive preparing to take guests into the “glory hole” of the mine. In the foreground, park visitors in early sixties attire—including men in short-sleeved button-downs and women with classic mid-century strollers—stroll through the Ghost Town area. Opened in 1960, this attraction was a revolutionary dark ride that heavily influenced future industry designs, including Disney’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. While Knott’s Berry Farm is still standing and remains a major world-class theme park, the Calico Mine Ride underwent a major restoration in 2014 to preserve its historic animatronics and scenery. This factual record preserves the vintage western atmosphere of one of the first major themed attractions in America. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.