The devastating Palisades Fire destroyed historic buildings and multiple structures at two California State Parks last night, including Will Rogers’ historic ranch house and buildings at Will Rogers State Historic Park (SHP).
Both the Historic Park and Foundation were coming up on their centennial.
Thousands have been evacuated as a result of the fires sweeping the Los Angeles area. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory which lies at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Los Angeles, has been temporarily shuttered due to the Eaton fire, which is raging nearby.
The fire fueled by wind gusts up to 80 mph also destroyed parts of Topanga State Park (SP), including the historic Topanga Ranch Motel, often used as a film and TV location, once owned by William Randolph Hearst.
“California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Since yesterday afternoon, we are directing all available resources into the emergency response effort and working to secure and protect as much as we can at affected nearby state parks. We are deeply grateful to our parks staff and all partner agencies for their swift actions. Our top priority remains the safety of the public, our employees and the responders bravely battling the fires.”
Shortly after the Palisades Fire began around 10.30 a.m. on 7th January, State Parks closed Topanga SP and Will Rogers SHP as a precaution. The fire quickly moved onto State Parks property at Topanga SP and that evening, into Will Rogers SHP.
While a full assessment of the damages and losses isn’t immediately available, the significant impacts known include the destruction of Will Rogers’ historic ranch house and other historic buildings at Will Rogers SHP, the destruction of Topanga Ranch Motel and all concessions, and many State Park employee residences.
In all, there have been more than 30 structural losses at Topanga SP and Will Rogers State Historic Park confirmed so far.
State Parks was able to evacuate the horses and four truckloads of cultural and historical artefacts, including artwork, at Will Rogers SHP ahead of the fire.
State Parks continues to support the efforts of first responders battling the Palisades Fire, one of a number of fires burning throughout Southern California.
Will Rogers Ranch Foundation Fundraising
(This information was added to this story on Sunday 12th January 2025): In response to the devastation at Will Rogers State Historic Park, the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation are channeling the legacy and the philanthropic spirit of Will Rogers by taking care of people with its own fundraising campaign, “Rebuilding the Lives of Workers & Docents at Will Rogers State Historic Park”.
“Our plan is simple – provide critical relief to Park workers, docents and volunteers who are displaced and need to rebuild their lives. We will help with: Hotel placements and re-housing grants; grocery vouchers and meal support; essential hygiene and toiletry supplies; basic clothing needs; and funds for transportation
“Many of our park workers and volunteers live a modest life and this emergency has only exacerbated their challenges.
“These dedicated individuals have given many hours of their life to support and care for The Ranch – it’s our turn to take care of them.”
• Rebuilding the Lives of Workers & Docents at Will Rogers State Historic Park
Historic Background
In the mid-1930s, Will Rogers was one of the most popular and highest-paid actors in Hollywood and “America’s most beloved citizen.” From his start in vaudeville theatres with a trick roping act, he rose to worldwide fame as a columnist, “cowboy philosopher,” aviation enthusiast, philanthropist, radio personality and movie star.
During the 1920s, he bought land in Santa Monica where he developed a ranch. Eventually, Will Rogers owned about 359 acres in what is now known as Pacific Palisades, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. At the time of his death in a plane crash in 1935, his ranch consisted of a 31-room ranch house with neighbouring guest housing, a stable, corrals, golf course and riding trails. His widow, Betty, donated the ranch to State Parks in 1944 and it became a historic park.
Built in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst, the bungalow-style Topanga Ranch Motel had 30 rooms that once housed Pacific Coast Highway construction workers. The motel, located across from Topanga Beach, provided an inexpensive seaside holiday vacation retreat for families and writers and was a popular film and television location. State Parks acquired the motel in 2001 and in recent years, plans had been in the works to restore about 20 of the cabins for public use.
• For the latest updates on the wildfires, please visit CAL FIRE’s incidents webpage at fire.ca.gov/incidents. For the latest updates on state parks impacted, please visit parks.ca.gov/incidents
• Will Rogers in Comics: Fawcett and Dell licensed all the big name cowboy stars in the 1950s, leaving smaller publishers like Fox Features to sign up rights to old timers Hoot Gibson and Will Rogers. There’s more information here on those titles on Western Clippings
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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