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I originally published this article six years ago in honor of a significant milestone in theme park history—the Quinquagenary (50th anniversary) of Independence Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm on July 4, 1966. Now, in 2022, it’s been 56 years. That’s not such a round anniversary, but it seemed like a good time to update this article with enhanced photos. This isn’t a “Yester” article about something that’s gone. You can still visit Independence Hall at Knott’s. And you really should.
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Photo, 1966, courtesy of the Orange County Archives, from the Knott’s Berry Farm Collection Dedication of Independence Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm |
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On July 4, 1966—exactly 190 years after the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence at the Philadelphia original—Walter Knott, age 75, proudly dedicated his Independence Hall. Thousands watched the ceremony. The Marine Corps Band provided music. Federal, state, and local officials attended. The crowd sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Twenty days later, Walt Disney would preside over the dedication of New Orleans Square at Disneyland, but today the spotlight was on Knott’s Berry Farm. So why did Walter Knott build Independence Hall? Here’s his answer: I have been asked this same question many times about Ghost Town since we started building it more than a quarter of a century ago. Why build Independence Hall? There are many reasons. It is not only the most historical building in America, but it is one of our most beautiful and stately structures. Our greatest documents — the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution — were both worked out and signed there. Just as Ghost Town vividly reminds us of our gold rush beginnings in California, Independence Hall takes us back to the very founding of our country. Truly, this building is the birthplace of America and the greatest shrine to individual freedom in all the world. Like Ghost Town, Independence Hall is a milestone in the history of the Farm. It is a reminder of some of the most crucial events in all of our history. 
The words above are from a 1969 brochure. In those days, guided tours of Independence Hall at Knott’s cost 50 cents for adults and 35 cents for children. Conducted by “a gracious young lady in Colonial attire,” each tour began with a short film at Heritage Hall, a separate building nearby. |
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brochure © 1969 Knott’s Berry Farm Independence Hall brochure front, 1969 |
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The tour continued to the landmark structure. The first stop inside was the Liberty Bell on the ground floor of the tower, the same spot as the real Liberty Bell in Philadelphia before 1976. Then came the highlight of the tour—the Declaration Chamber—with an audio presentation of the Founding Fathers debating independence from Britain. |
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Photo, 1966, courtesy of the Orange County Archives, from the Knott’s Berry Farm Collection Under construction in Buena Park |
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Independence Hall was built with 130,000 bricks, each with fingerprints and 200 years of weathering, to look as much like the historic landmark in Philadelphia as possible. The replica is 167 feet from ground level to the top of the weather vane. That’s 20 feet taller than Matterhorn Mountain at Disneyland. |
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Photo, 1966, courtesy of the Orange County Archives, from the Knott’s Berry Farm Collection Bud Hurlbut and crew working on Liberty Bell replica |
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The 1966 version of the Liberty Bell has the same dimensions and weighs just five pounds less than the 2,080-pound original. It was a gift from Bud Hurlbut (1918–2011), the concessionaire who created and owned the Calico Mine Ride and other top attractions at Knott’s. The bell’s foundry used sand to provide a weak spot that matched the famous crack of the original. All it would take would be cold water on the hot metal; the contraction would cause the bell to crack in the right spot. At least, that was the plan. The cold water didn’t work. Neither did a sledgehammer. Or a jackhammer. Even 36 hours in dry ice, although much colder than cold water, failed to crack the bell. According to the Los Angeles Times (“Liberty Bell Replica Proves Crack-Proof” by Milt Brouhard, January 4, 1966), “Hurlbut at last tackled the problem in an efficient, though unrealistic, manner. He brought in a heliarc torch and burned through the bell’s hide. Thus the bell is a cut, not cracked, replica.” |
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Photo, 1970, courtesy of the Orange County Archives, from the Knott’s Berry Farm Collection Operation Patriotism observance, July 4, 1970 |
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A passionate political conservative, Walter Knott used Independence Hall for political activities. A 300-seat theater on the second floor was not part of the tour. Walter Knott died in 1981 at age 91. His AP obituary noted, “Knott contributed to the campaigns of Republican candidates and disdained government assistance programs. He refused to accept Social Security benefits when he became eligible for them.” Walter Knott had much to be proud of, but he considered this Independence Hall to be his greatest achievement. It was a dream he had shared with his wife Cordelia for 25 years before it became a reality. |
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Photo, 1979, courtesy of the Orange County Archives, from the Knott’s Berry Farm Collection Cinematographer Frank Thackery with actor Tom Bosley as Benjamin Franklin for The Rebels |
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When Hollywood needs Independence Hall for a movie or television show, there’s no need for the cast and crew to travel to Philadelphia. If you watched the TV miniseries The Rebels, or the action film National Treasure (2004), you were seeing Knott’s Berry Farm. (National Treasure used the real Independence Hall and the replica at Knott’s.) |
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Photo by Chris Bales, 2014 Independence Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm from the other side of Beach Blvd. |
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In October 1996, the Knott family agreed to sell their park to Cedar Fair, L.P. of Sandusky, Ohio. Independence Hall was more than 30 years old and showing its age. One of the first major projects undertaken by Cedar Fair was to close Independence Hall from April 1997 to September 1997 for a thorough refurbishment back to its Opening Day appearance. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2007 Independence Hall replica with Knott’s Soak City next door |
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Photos by M.H. Habata, 2015 Feathered reminders that you’re not in Philadelphia |
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Photos by M.H. Habata, 2015 Heritage Hall, no longer the starting point of tours |
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Knott’s no longer charges admission to visit Independence Hall. It’s outside the gated admission area, near the Knott’s Soak City waterpark. Parking is free for one hour without validation or three hours with a food or merchandise purchase. The guided tours are long-gone. Now you just walk right into Independence Hall and explore it at your own pace. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2007 Liberty Bell replica at Knott’s Berry Farm |
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A recording now tells you about the Liberty Bell, still displayed where it’s been since 1966. |
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Photos by M.H. Habata, 2015 The crack in the Liberty Bell replica at Knott’s Berry Farm |
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Back in the 1960s, Walt Disney pioneered Audio-Animatronics to put President Lincoln in front of an audience. Walter Knott took a simpler, but surprisingly effective, approach to presenting American history. |
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Photo by M.H. Habata, 2015 Declaration Chamber with lights on |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2007 Audio presentation in the Declaration Chamber |
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The meticulously recreated Declaration Chamber darkens. Quills in inkwells on various desks light up as representatives from American colonies who were at those desks debate whether to declare independence. The audio presentation is still surprisingly effective, despite being low-tech. Meanwhile, back In Philadelphia, National Park Service Rangers provide free tours of the real Independence Hall. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Pennsylvania Assembly Room / Declaration Chamber in Philadelphia |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia |
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The Liberty Bell is no longer inside the original Independence Hall. In anticipation of the crowds expected during the American Bicentennial year of 1976, it was moved to its own structure, Liberty Bell Pavilion. The bell made another move in 2003 to a much larger building, Liberty Bell Center, a museum devoted to the famous cracked bell, its history, and its symbolic significance. Be sure to visit Independence Hall. Pick the one that’s more convenient for you. |
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© 2016-2022 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks Updated July 2, 2022 |
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, Curator of Yesterland, July 2, 2022
