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Calico Square

Calico Mine Ride | | Butterfield Stagecoach | Calico Saloon | Calico Railroad | Mission Trail

Calico Mine Ride

The Calico Mine Ride, an ingenious
trip into the depths of an Old West mine, “the Calico Glory Hole!” It opened in
1960 to rave reviews. Its creative use of themed and special effects set a new
standard for future Knott’s attractions.

Timber Mountain Log Ride

The Calico Logging Co. (later the Timber Mountain Log
Ride) opened in 1969 as one of the first Log Rides in the U.S.

Butterfield Stagecoach

The Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Company carried the
United States mails on a route from San Antonio, Texas, through El Paso, Texas,
Mesilla and Tucson to California. The stagecoach at Knott’s is an original
period vehicle.

Calico Saloon

The Calico Saloon, introduced in 1951, incorporated many
of the most popular elements of old saloons throughout the West. They serve
sarsaparilla and boysenberry punch on Calico Square. Shows are presented daily.
So try and get there while the Songfest of the Old West musical and comedic
entertainment is happening. Especially worth seeing is their famous Can-Can
Show.

Calico Railroad

In 1952 Walter Knott bought
America’s last operating narrow-gauge railroad from the 1880s, the Denver and
Rio Grande, and moved it in its entirety to Knott’s Berry Farm. The
steam-powered train was christened Ghost Town & Calico Railroad, proving a
perfect addition to the growing Ghost Town. A special treat is touring the Rio
Grand Southern Railroad President’s private car, the Edna and the Durango, a
parlor car built in 1883. You may be able to request a viewing if you plan
enough in advance.

Mission Models

In the late 1950s the “Mission Trail” was introduced to
the park. This educational exhibit was part of an area originally called “El
Camino Real” or “The King’s Highway” from the original mission trail of the same
name in California. A series of miniature mission models were created by a
renowned Italian artist named Leon DeVolo in 1956. The vinettes were set into an
adobe wall and viewed behind glass and lined the pathway from Calico Square to
Fiesta Village. During the 1980s expansion, the path was altered and most of the
models were removed and put into storage in the attic of the Gold Trails Hotel.
I believe you can still view one remaining model I believe in the pedestrian
underpass around the corner from Indian Trails.