Will Rogers California ranch faces closure
Will Rogers spent his life on stage and big screen, writing and flying about the world in airplanes, feeding his frenzy of interest in humanity.
But, he was born to the land. Born Nov. 4, 1879 on his father’s ranch in Oologah, Indian Territory, his father attempted to groom his son for a rancher’s life.
That was not to be, but Will was always drawn to a rural lifestyle.
The California ranch, where he wrote, rode and roped and where he lived at the time of his death in 1935, has been a part of the California state parks system since it was deeded to the state by Will’s widow, Betty, in 1944.
The Oologah birthplace ranch is an Oklahoma State Park and part of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission system.
The 187-acre Pacific Palisades ranch in California is now in danger of closing as a state park. It is on list of about 200 parks that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recommends closing in California’s budget crisis.
The property includes a restored 31-room ranch house, hiking trails, polo fields and horse barns. It is in the middle of elite Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Neighborhood
The Will Rogers Pacific Palisades Ranch in California is surrounded by elite Los Angeles neighborhoods. This photo was taken from a walking trail on the Will Rogers Park ranch property.
Outdoor fireplace
This was the favorite entertainment spot for the Rogers’ family at their California ranch.
Barn
This unique barn is a centerpiece of the Will Rogers’ California ranch.
Will’s great-granddaughter, Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry, is fighting to keep the park open. Descendants and friends have formed a nonprofit foundation with a goal to raise at least $500,000 a year to continue operating the property. Etcheverry-Rogers heads the Foundation.
“We are feeling it’s very possible (the closing) as soon as July 1,” said Rogers-Etcheverry, daughter of Kem Rogers, who represents the family on the Will Rogers Memorial Commission. “Our intention is to keep the doors open. He was such a huge figure in America. People are calling from all over the country wanting to help.”
Trudi Sandmeier, whose grandfather, Emil, worked for the Will Rogers family, is on the Foundation board, along with Wyatt McCrea, grandson of Joel McCrea, who appeared in movies with Will Rogers. Actress Diane Keaton is a board member.
Steve Gragert, director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museums in Claremore and Oologah, pointed out “Rogers’ most prolific years as a writer and actor were spent at the California ranch.
“It would be a historic loss to have that close,” he said. “It’s an oasis in the midst of Los Angeles.”
A $5 million restoration of the grounds and home was completed two years ago, funded by the California State Parks from their share of voter approved funds.
The facility attracts more than 200,000 visitors a year with its visitors center, guided tours of the grounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, pony camp clinics and polo matches held on the grounds.
Hoytanna Benigar and Judy Eagleton, Will Rogers Museum docents, toured the house and park in the spring. Julie Luna, Will Rogers Memorial store manager and special events coordinator, visited in June.
(For more information on the California ranch, visit the Will Rogers Museums website www.willrogers.com and click on links for Will Rogers Historic Park and Will Rogers Ranch Foundation.)
Photos by Julie Luna, Will Rogers Memorial Museums store manager and events coordinator.