POSSUM TROT - Tourist Spot Now Long Gone

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

In the late 60's I used to take excursions out to the high desert around Barstow, California. Heading east from Barstow, there's a turnoff that leads to Calico Ghost Town - a tourist trap/amusement park owned by Knotts' Berry Farm.

Before you went a mile up Ghost Town Road towards Calico,. there was this amazing bit of Americana. It was on the left side of the road and it was called Possum Trot. Cal Black and his wife Ruby owned several buildings there. In one building, Cal and Ruby sold rock like geodes, agates and other colorful geological specimens.

In the adjoining building, Cal had the Fantasy Theater. Inside it were 100 hand-carved dolls, some children sized and others adult sized. Ruby made clothing for all the dolls. The dolls were on a stage and Cal would be the voice for all the dolls.

Outside, Cal had carved several dolls on platforms which moved with the wind. The place disappeared in the mid-80's but many of his dolls were donated to the Smithsonian. http://www.flickr.com/photos/visionaryr ... 543028456/

[DonnyMac (imported)]

And there are some who say they don't get an education form forums. Great site .... thanks for showing us a great campy part of our past.

Don

[Arab Nights (imported)]

I don't remember the place. Did you see any other shows? People who have been too long out in the desert, God love us, can be kind of hit or miss in our talent. Which is no reason to stop us from doing things.

[Riverwind (imported)]

Did any of you ever ride Angles Flight in LA?

I remember riding it as a kid, it closed down then years later was reborn. As I kid I think the cost was a dime.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_Flight

River