Will Rogers

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=626 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Historic Park is the former estate of American humorist Will Rogers. It lies in the Santa Monica mountains in Los Angeles, in the Pacific Palisades area.

Our Mission Will Rogers State Historic Park The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. If you want to be “ successful, it’s just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (310) 454-8212. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or call (916) 654-2249. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Will Rogers State Historic Park 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (310) 454-8212 Cover photo courtesy of Larry Underhill © 2001 California State Parks (Rev. 2011) what you are doing.” – Will Rogers W ill Rogers State Historic Park honors one of America’s most-quoted, best-loved humorists. A sought-after source of wisdom, honesty and common sense, Will Rogers holds a place in the public memory more than three-quarters of a century after his tragic death in 1935. Here in the central Santa Monica Mountains, peaceful views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean combine with the practical experiences of a working ranch to bring to life an American icon who “never met a man [he] didn’t like.” In 1944, Will’s widow, Betty Rogers, deeded this 186-acre ranch to the State of California to be enjoyed as a public memorial to her late husband. most of present-day Los Angeles, from the San Gabriel mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Abundant coastal resources enabled both Chumash and Gabrieleno/Tongva people to live relatively peaceful, healthy lives until the 1800s brought Spanish colonization. From 1827 until the early 20th century, this area belonged to The family with Sealyham dog Jock and Brahma calf Sarah, 1929 the vast Rancho Boca de Santa Monica. The founder of Bel Air Estates (named after Mr. Mexican government granted Antonio PARK HISTORY Bell and later renamed Bel-Air). Ignacio and Francisco Javier Alvarado Before European settlement, the land Due to its very steep and rugged canyon grazing rights to the land; later the land comprising the Will Rogers Ranch sat terrain, the area that is now Will Rogers State itself was granted to Ysidro Reyes and along the territorial frontier separating Historic Park remained almost untouched until Francisco Marquez. the Chumash and 1922. That year, while Rogers and his family Part of the acreage Gabrieleno/Tongva were still living in Beverly Hills, Alphonzo Bell “My ancestors didn’t come over on the eventually came into the native groups. The sold Will the first 200 acres of the land that possession of philanthropist, Mayflower, but they met the boat.” Gabrieleno/Tongva would become his beloved family ranch. oilman and real estate Will Rogers region covered developer Alphonzo Bell, Ranch site, ca. 1927 Photo by Larry Underhill Photo by Larry Underhill THE RANCH the family For years Will had Will and Betty had four children. Three longed for a quiet of them—Bill, Mary and Jim—made retreat— a place appearances in some of Will’s films. Bill later where his family could owned and published a local newspaper, the Beverly Hills Citizen. In 1943, Bill resigned live more simply, and during his first term in Congress and where he would have reenlisted in the plenty U.S. Army to fight of room “Outside of traffic, there is nothing under General for his that has held this country back as George Patton in treasured much as committees.” World War II. horses. Will Rogers Will and Betty’s In what is only daughter, now Pacific Mary, worked as an actress until Will’s death Palisades, he saw his in 1935. Jim Rogers eventually joined his dream come true. The home he built there brother Bill at the Citizen. Jim also owned reflects his roots: first and foremost, Will several ranches to the north of Los Angeles. Rogers was a cowboy who loved horses. To create the steep switchback roads leading up to the canyon mesa, Will used mule-drawn grading equipment, now on display in the historic hay barn. At the top he built a six-room “getaway” cabin and a barn to keep his horses. In 1930, Will moved his family from Beverly Hills to the house and the landscaped grounds he had helped design. By 1935 a series of additions had expanded the cabin to a sprawling home with 31 rooms, 11 baths and seven fireplaces. On the grounds, 13 outbuildings stand among the rolling lawns, pastures, riding arenas and a large, well-used polo field. In 1971 the Rogers family’s enlarged ranch house received a listing on the National Register of Hist