Pioneertown, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pioneertown, California
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Saloon, bank, bath house and livery stables on Mane Street, Pioneertown, CA
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 Pioneertown, California
Location in California
Pioneertown, California
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Elevation | 4,055 ft (1,236 m) |
| Population
(2006)
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| • Total | 420 |
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
92268
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| Area codes | 442/760 |
| FIPS code | 06-57358 |
| GNIS feature ID | 247574 |
Pioneertown is a special community in the High Desert area of San Bernardino County, California. It was built to look like an 1880s Old West town. This unique place was created as a shooting location for movies and TV shows, especially Westerns. It has businesses and homes that were part of the film sets.
The main street, called Mane Street, is a historic area. It is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The road leading to Pioneertown from Yucca Valley is a California Scenic Drive. The area around Pioneertown is now protected land.
Contents
History of Pioneertown
Building a Movie Town
Actor Dick Curtis had an idea in 1946. He wanted to build an 1880s-themed town where people could live and work. This town would also be a real movie set. The goal was for film companies to use the businesses and homes in their movies.
Pioneertown's founders wanted it to be a place where people lived. Mane Street was planned to be both a movie set and the town's main shopping area.
Hundreds of Western movies and early TV shows were filmed here. Some famous ones include The Cisco Kid and Edgar Buchanan's Judge Roy Bean.
Stars and the Pioneer Bowl
Dick Curtis, Roy Rogers, and Russell Hayden were some of the first people to help build Pioneertown. Gene Autry filmed his weekly TV show in town for five years. He used the buildings and businesses as part of his film sets.
The Pioneer Bowl is a bowling alley that is still open today. It was the third building built in Pioneertown, back in 1946. It was a place for residents, actors, and film crews to relax after filming. Roy Rogers even made the local newspaper when he opened the bowling alley. He bowled a strike on Lane one! He scored 211 points while wearing his cowboy boots. Dale Evans and 200 townspeople watched him.
Bowling leagues were very popular in America back then. Many local businesses had their own teams that played at Pioneer Bowl. This continued even after Western films were no longer made in town. Many locals remember working as "pin boys" before automatic pinsetters were installed.
The Thompson and White families built the bowling alley together. Mrs. White became Pioneertown's first postmistress. The first post office was actually inside the bowling alley.
Pioneertown Today
In 2020, Mane Street in Pioneertown was officially recognized as a historic district. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
As of 2019, about 420 people lived in Pioneertown.
In July 2006, a large fire called the Sawtooth Complex fire affected parts of Pioneertown. It also burned areas in Yucca Valley and Morongo Valley. Firefighters worked hard to save the historic movie-set buildings. They succeeded, but much of the surrounding desert was damaged.
One of the saved buildings was Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace. This is a famous local club. It was built in the town's original gas station. Many famous musicians, like Eric Burdon and Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, have visited there.
Mane Street in downtown Pioneertown is open for everyone to visit.
Pioneertown is still used as a working movie set. If you want to film or take professional photos, you need a permit.
In 2019, the Kidz Bop Kids filmed their music video for "Old Town Road" in Pioneertown.
In 2023, officials planned to add general business rules to Pioneertown's historic area.
Pioneertown is a popular tourist spot. Visitors can enjoy reenacted Western gun shows and live music. There is also a film museum, pottery classes, and horse camping.
Notable People
- Nancy Wilson (1937–2018), a famous jazz singer and actress, lived here.
Images for kids
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Sign at the entrance to the town on Pioneertown Road
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Chapparosa Saddlery on Mane Street
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Facade of Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace
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"Mane Street" street sign
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Entrance to Pioneer Bowl
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"Likker Barn" and mercantile building
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Pioneertown wide street accommodated camera dolly
