Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

Buena Park, California photos left to right: California's replica Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Assembly Room, in which the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution were drafted and signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Liberty Bell at Independence Hall are free to see at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. However, admission to Knott's Berry Farm requires a ticket.

Buy Knott's Tickets

When Americans celebrate the nation's formation with flags, fireworks and patriotism, it's hard to imagine how this  powerful (and some say dysfunctional) country came into being, especially living in California.  Events taking place in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776 had no immediate repercussions in California where Spaniards traveled up the coast, building missions and recruiting local Indians to work and reside on newly-claimed lands for the country of Spain. Concerned with Russians in the north and the reestablishment of San Diego, funds were drying out.  They were forced to  abandon San Diego following the revolt of 800 American Indians who stormed onto mission grounds in the middle of the night on November 4, 1775.  Indians pillaged the mission, burned it to the ground and massacred Fray Luis Jayme, also forcing the withdrawal of Fray Fermin Francisco de Lasuen from San Juan Capistrano, founded a few weeks earlier.

So why does California have a free-admission exact, brick-by-brick replica of Independence Hall on the theme park grounds of Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park? Because founder Walter Knott sought to create a reminder of two famous events: the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the U.S. Constitution. An avid proponent of American history and values, Walter Knott constructed the building for the millions of West Coast families unable to travel to Philadelphia to tour the original.