Knott's Berry Farm- Goldie's Place

Knott's Berry Farm is famous for their peek-in ghost Town scenes. Here we see Goldie's Place, Knott's very own house of ill repute. The building has recently been torn down for a major remodel, and is scheduled to be rebuilt. These photographs show the place before the demolition.

The ladies of the night. This picture was taken after dark, when the building's interior lights were on. Though the detail is not quite as good on these figures as some of the other buildings, the mannequins do offer an idealized view of these women.

A close up of one of the figures with its red feather boa.

This is the most prominent figure. Could this be Goldie?

The front door of Goldie's Place. They won't do much business with that huge lock preventing people from entering.

Goldie's Place

A house for 'ladies of the night' was a permanent fixture in most mining towns, so our Ghost Town would not be complete without this building. Goldie has the only parlor in town and it is decorated in shades of her favorite color, red. 

Goldie's Place was built in 1940, and is copied after an old building standing in Bodie before much of that town was burned out.

Visit the Knott's Berry Farm website here.

Tags: Knott's Berry Farm Wax Figure Ghost Town Goldie's Place

Walt Disney World- Olaf II

This figure of Olaf II in the Norway pavilion at EPCOT Center sits on its throne as king and patron Saint of Norway. Olaf II unified Norway and was influential in the conversion of the country from paganism to Christianity. He is honored here at Walt Disney World as Saint Olaf II.

Another view of the figure with flash on to show more detail of the sculpt and of the wardrobe.

A close up of Olaf II. The figure seems contemplative and distinguished.

A sign detailing the life and history of the King.

Another sign explaining the history of the Vikings, and their accomplishments.

A short video of the figure.

Visit the Walt Disney World website here.

Tags: Disney World Olaf II Wax Figure Vikings Norway

National Civil War Wax Museum- The Industrial North

With the textile industry an important part of the Northern economy before the Civil War, the mostly family owned mills needed high tariffs to avoid competition from foreign goods. However, the South wanted low tariffs to to help the export of their major crop, cotton. Here we see one of those Northern family businesses making clothing in a small shop.

A woman ironing the newly woven fabric.

A man and a woman working with a sewing machine.

perhaps this is father inspecting some new fabric.

Visit the American Civil War Museum's website here.

Tags: National Civil War Wax Museum Gettysburg

Madame Tussauds Vegas- Arnold Schwarzenegger

At the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Las Vegas, standing beside Sylvester Stallone, is California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two action stars Share the screen in the new movie The Expendables. Muscles are very difficult to sculpt on wax figures, but this one seems to be done well. Having them hidden under the shirt helps also.

Although the context of the figure is that he is at a large social gathering, it is slightly odd that Mr. Schwarzenegger is in this pose. Is he flexing his muscles? Is he angry?

Another view of the figure, just a bit closer.

What a great job they did on the figure's face. Nice detail, and it really looks like him. I've seen some poor versions of Arnold Schwarzenegger, but this one's excellent.

Visit the Madame Tussaud's website here.

Tags: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Arnold Schwarzenegger

Stars Over Gatlinburg Wax Museum- Fred and Ginger

Here's another photo from Houses of Wax reader Purplepeanut from the Stars Over Gatlinburg Wax Museum in Tennessee. These figures of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (misspelled "Rodgers" on the sign) were in the same room with figures of Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind.

A closer view of the two figures. They did a great job on the sculpts for such a small wax museum.

A close up on the clap board sign with the misspelled name. Thanks again Purplepeanut for these great vintage photos!

Tags: Stars Over Gatlinburg Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers

Hall of Presidents Wax Museum- Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Although primarily an American History museum,the Hall of Presidents Wax Museum in Colorado Springs also had a Fairyland section. They included these tableaux after the Chester A. Arthur exhibit which displayed the twenty-first President as "The Storyteller", reading Alice in Wonderland to his daughter Nell. Here we see The Mad Hatter's Tea Party featuring The Mad Hatter, the March hare, and The Dormouse.

The March Hare, enjoying tea.

The Mad Hatter, who is stuck forever at 6:00.

The Dormouse, who is always drifting in and out of sleep.

Tags: Hall of Presidents Wax Museum Colorado

Hollywood Wax Museum- Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman, Australian actor turned Hollywood heart throb, is represented here in the Hollywood Wax Museum as a wax figure standing near the red carpet in the museum's Hollywood premiere section. Although he is known as a family man and all around nice guy, Jackman appears to be upset at the museum guests as he is flippin' the bird to everyone who passes by!

Another view of Mr. Jackman.

And one more time with the offending appendages just out of view.

Visit the Hollywood Wax Museum website here.

Tags: Hollywood Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Hugh Jackman

News- Jane Lynch at Madame Tussaud's

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Hollywood unveiled their new Jane Lynch figure this week. Lynch, a Hollywood veteran, has become quite popular for her recent role in the fox television show Glee.

The figure dressed as the character Sue Sylvester.

The figure and Ms. Lynch.

Visit the Madame Tussaud's website here.

Tags: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Jane Lynch

Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf- Nelson Mandela

Located in the Humanitarian section of the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf is this figure of former South African President, Nelson Mandela (Born 1918). Mandela served 27 years in prison before being released and subsequently elected president in 1994.

A slightly blurry close up of the figure.

View more information on Mandela here.

Visit the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf website here.

Tags: San Francisco Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Nelson Mandela