Among the carnage caused by the devastating Palisades Fire were two pieces of California history dating back to a bygone era.
Will Rogers’ historic ranch home, owned by the famous social commentator, actor, and performer, and the Topanga Ranch Motel, built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, have become popular across Southern California in the past two days. He was the victim of a fire that caused a tragedy. California State Parks Director Armando Quintero said:
Both fires had scorched a total of nearly 16,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, destroying an additional 300 structures, including homes and businesses.
“California State Parks mourns the loss of these precious natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,” Quintero said in a statement.
Both buildings were part of the damage sustained throughout Topanga and Will Rogers State Parks as the fire destroyed a state employee’s home and caused more than 30 other structural losses.
Rogers was known for his political commentary in later life and was once one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors. He began his career as a vaudeville performer and was a well-known humorist.
January 8, 2025, in the aftermath of a fire at the historic Topanga Ranch Motel.
(California State Park)
In the 1920s, Rogers purchased land in Santa Monica and developed a 359-acre ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean in what is now Pacific Palisades.
The actual ranch house consisted of 31 rooms with an adjacent guesthouse, stables, ranch, golf course, and hiking trails.
Rogers died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935 at the age of 55.
His widow Betty eventually donated the ranch to the state in 1944, and it became a historic state park.
The family said in a statement Wednesday that they were deeply saddened by the destruction of Rogers’ historic home and “the barn that Jocks built.”
“While the loss of the Will Rogers Ranch is devastating, it pales in comparison to the loss of property, business and, more importantly, the loss of life to the surrounding community,” said Jennifer Rogers Family Representative.・Mr. Rogers said in a statement. statement.
Rogers was born into a Cherokee family in Oklahoma and was considered “one of our most beloved Cherokees,” said Cherokee Nation Superintendent Chuck Hoskin Jr.
“The loss of Will Rogers’ historic home is certainly a tragedy, and the entire Cherokee nation sends our thoughts and prayers to his great-granddaughter Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry and her family,” Hoskin said in a statement. .
Topanga Ranch Motel before the Palisades fire.
(California State Park)
In 1929, Hearst, a native of San Francisco, built the bungalow-style Topanga Ranch Motel across from Topanga Beach.
This 30-room motel was once home to construction workers building the Pacific Coast Highway.
Hotels in the area were expensive, but the Topanga Ranch Motel provided an inexpensive seaside vacation.
Tourists, families, and writers stayed there for decades. The facility was acquired by California State Parks in 2001.
There were plans to restore 20 of the bungalows for public use again.
Immediately after the Palisades Fire broke out on Tuesday, state parks closed Topanga and Will Roger State Parks and beaches, Quintero said.
Other historic or notable losses include:
Palisades Charter High School
The 3,000-student campus suffered extensive damage, including the school’s athletic facilities and bungalows. Adjacent Palisades Charter Elementary School and nearby Marquez Charter Elementary School are at risk of total loss.
Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center
The Torah scrolls were preserved, but the temple and center were destroyed for a community that had called Pasadena home for more than 100 years.
Pearson Playhouse at Theater Palisades
Performances date back to the 1960s and the theater was built in the 1980s. Due to the severe damage caused by the fire, the board of directors has suspended all operations, the statement said.
The Reel Inn
The Reel Inn, one of Malibu’s famous “seafood shacks,” has burned down, the owner confirmed on Instagram. This facility had been in existence for 36 years.
