The California ranch home once owned by Will Rogers has been destroyed by a massive fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore shared the news on social media.
“While the loss to the Will Rogers Ranch is devastating, it pales in comparison to the loss of the property and businesses and, more importantly, the lives of those in the surrounding area.” -Jennifer Rogers, Rogers family representative.
Rogers told KRMG the 186-acre ranch to the State of California by Betty Rogers to act as a memorial to Will Rogers.
able to evacuate the horses and some of the cultural and historical artifacts, including artwork, at Will Rogers SHP ahead of the fire.
The state’s parks department said the ranch house, built in 1929, and other historic buildings at the park were lost. Officials were able to evacuate horses and some of the cultural and historical artifacts at the site ahead of the fire.
According to California State Parks, the home is on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the ranch house, the Will Rogers State Historic Park includes a stable, a polo field, riding and roping areas, a golf course and trails.
See more photos of the destruction here.
The Oklahoma Historical Society’s executive director also commented on the loss of the California ranch.
“We are deeply saddened to learn about the fire that destroyed Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles, which includes Will Rogers’ former home and 186 acres of land. This tragedy resonates with the Oklahoma Historical Society because Rogers (citizen of Cherokee Nation) was born in Indian Territory in 1879, and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore is dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of ‘Oklahoma’s Favorite Son.’ Rogers moved to California in 1919 and became Hollywood’s most popular and highest-paid actor in the 1930s. Our thoughts are with the Will Rogers State Historic Park staff, who work directly with the Will Rogers Memorial Museum to share the story of Will Rogers and also with Rogers’ family, who continue to play an active role at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.” OHS Executive Director Trait Thompson said.
Rogers was born on the Cherokee Nation reservation near Oologah. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. also commented on the loss of Rogers’ California home.
Listen to the Oklahoma Women Want to Know podcast with Jennifer Rogers here.