Tours of Will Rogers Ranch Include History and Renewal

Will Rogers State Historic Park has resumed its grounds tours to give the public a glimpse into the detective work used to restore the historic buildings, and to celebrate the life of Will Rogers. In the early 1930s, Will Rogers was probably the most popular celebrity in America. Successful as a daily columnist in most of the nation’s newspapers, and a star of radio and movies, the cowboy philosopher had established his career by rising through the ranks of the Wild West shows, vaudeville and the Ziegfeld Follies. His ranch, donated to the state in 1944, reflects many elements of his career, and is a living window on the past. Over the past four years, it has been undergoing a restoration that includes the ranch house, barn and landscaping,. It will be completed later in 2005. Among the myriad ongoing restoration efforts is the reconstruction of Jimmy’s mule barn, named after Rogers’ youngest son. The barn, situated close to the stable, had been part of the ranch operation, housing Jimmy’s horses, draft animals, most notably for the 1932 Japanese Olympic team, and guest horses. The barn was taken apart in 1943 when lumber was in short supply. Docents tell the story of how Betty, Will’s wife, gave the wood to a relative who needed to build a house on land they owned in Santa Monica Canyon. In addition to seeing the newly constructed barn, visitors will also tour the polo field, stable and riding areas, pastures, goat pen, roping corral, hay barn, and blacksmith and carpenter shops. Issues relating to the restoration of the ranch house, projected to reopen in January 2006, will also be discussed. The grounds tours are held on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The cost for parking is $7 per vehicle. Tours are free and all are welcome. Large groups (18 or more people) and school groups can be accommodated at 10 a.m. and should make reservations. The reservation fee for the group picnic area varies according to group size. For further information, including volunteer docent opportunities, contact Michael Allan, State Parks Interpreter at 454-8212, ext. 103.