Walter Knott

About

Best remembered for founding the famous Knott's Berry Farm theme park, this California berry farmer and pie and preserves merchant also opened a popular restaurant.

Before Fame

Early in his career as a farmer, he grew a type of large berry known as the hybrid boysenberry.

Trivia

He made an appearance in a 1950s episode of the Groucho Marx-hosted program You Bet Your Life.

Family Life

He was born in San Bernardino, California, and raised in the nearby city of Pomona. His marriage to Cordelia Hornaday resulted in a son named Russell and daughters named Virginia, Toni, and Marion.

Associated With

He and Walt Disney both opened successful Southern California theme parks during the middle of the Twentieth Century.