Flames consume Will Rogers’ historic home in California; destruction spreads to other landmarks

Will Rogers. Trick roper. Actor. Cowboy philosopher. He is famous for his line, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” After becoming one of the highest-paid actors of his time, Rogers developed about 359 acres in what is now known as Pacific Palisades, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. His home was a 31-room ranch house with neighboring guest housing, a stable, corrals, golf course, and riding trails. Now, the horrific Palisades fire has leveled it.

Will Rogers’ home, Topanga Ranch Motel wiped out

Will Rogers’ home wasn’t the only historic loss. The devastating Palisades Fire destroyed historic buildings and multiple structures at two California State Parks Tuesday night. Aside from the loss of Rogers’ historic ranch house and buildings at Will Rogers’ State Historic Park (SHP), the fire also hit the nearby Topanga State Park. There, the fire, fueled by wind gusts up to 80 mph, wiped out the historic Topanga Ranch Motel 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.”

What we know so far

Shortly after the Palisades Fire began around 10:30 a.m. on January 7, the agency closed Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park as a precaution. The fire quickly moved onto State Parks property at Topanga State Park and that evening, into Will Rogers State Historic Park. While a full assessment of the damages and losses isn’t immediately available, here are the significant impacts known:

• Will Rogers’ historic ranch house and other historic buildings destroyed;
• Topanga Ranch Motel and all concessions destroyed;
• State Park employee residences destroyed;
• More than 30 structural losses at Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park.

Park workers were able to evacuate the horses and some of the cultural and historical artifacts, including artwork, at the Will Rogers site 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.

“America’s most beloved citizen”

In the mid-1930s, Will Rogers was considered “America’s most beloved citizen.” From his start in vaudeville theaters 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, Rogers bought land in Santa Monica, where he developed a ranch, eventually growing to about 359 acres. Rogers died in a plane crash in 1935. His widow, Betty, donated the ranch to State Parks in 1944 and it became a historic park.

Ranch Motel had storied background

The bungalow-style Topanga Ranch Motel was built in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst. It 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. It became a popular film and television location. State Parks acquired the motel in 2001. In recent years, plans had been in the works to restore about 20 of the cabins for public use.

Will Rogers’ wit extended to his demise

We leave you with a Will Rogers quote, which he penned just a few years before his death in Alaska.

“When I die, my epitaph, or whatever you call those signs on gravestones, is going to read: ‘I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I dident [sic] like.’ I am so proud of that, I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved.”

The Will Rogers Home may be gone, but his memory will continue.

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