Will Rogers State Historic Park Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Will Rogers State Historic Park
Hiking trail surrounding the park
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Type	State Park
Location	Santa Monica mountains
Nearest city	Los Angeles, California
Area	186 acres (75 ha)
Created	1944 (1944)
Operated by	California State Parks
Status	Closed due to the Palisades Fire
Website	https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=626


Will Rogers House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places


Location	1501 Will Rogers State Park Road Los Angeles, California
NRHP reference No.	71000149
Added to NRHP	February 24, 1971

Will Rogers State Historic Park is a special park in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles. It's a place where you can learn about the famous American humorist, Will Rogers. The park covers about 186 acres (75 hectares) and was created in 1944. Its main goal was to save Will Rogers' ranch and the beautiful land around it.

The ranch house became a historic landmark in 1971. Sadly, the ranch house and other buildings were destroyed in the Palisades Wildfire in January 2025.

Exploring Will Rogers' Ranch and Trails
- What You Could See at the Ranch
- Hiking and Views from the Park
The History of Will Rogers' Home
Gallery
See also

Exploring Will Rogers' Ranch and Trails

Will Rogers built his ranch in what is now the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. He lived there with his wife, Betty, and their three children. The ranch house was quite large, with 31 rooms, 11 bathrooms, and seven fireplaces.

What You Could See at the Ranch

Around the house, there were stables, corrals, a riding ring, and a roping arena. There was also a golf course and a polo field. Many trails offered amazing views of the ranch and the countryside. After Mrs. Rogers passed away, the ranch became a State Park in 1944.

From 2002 to 2006, California State Parks worked to fix up the ranch house. They rebuilt parts of the house, made it safer from earthquakes, and updated its electrical and heating systems. The house reopened to visitors in March 2006.

Polo field and downtown Los Angeles from the park

Hiking and Views from the Park

Beyond the ranch buildings, trails lead to stunning views of the area. Since the park is on the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains, you can see both the ocean and the mountains. You can hike to a spot called Inspiration Point. You can also follow the Rogers trail around the park or continue into Topanga State Park using the Backbone Trail System.

The History of Will Rogers' Home

The ranch shows how much Will Rogers loved horses. The first thing you would see looking south from the parking area was the polo field. This field is special because it's the only outdoor polo field in Los Angeles County that is regulation size.

Ranch in Movies and TV

The ranch has been a setting for many movies and TV shows. For example, it was used in Star Trek IV to look like Golden Gate Park. The polo field has a gentle slope, which made it a great spot for people to watch the polo games.

Visitor Center and Ranch Buildings

Near the parking area are the ranch buildings. The visitor center used to be the Rogers' garage and guest house. Inside, you could watch a film about Will Rogers' life. There were also photos and information about the Rogers family and the park.

The ranch buildings and grounds were kept just as they were when the Rogers family lived there. This was in the late 1920s and 1930s. The living room of the main house had many Native American rugs and baskets. It also featured Western art by famous artists like Charles M. Russell. A fun item was a porch swing in the middle of the room and a mounted calf. This calf was given to Will Rogers to encourage him to practice roping it instead of his friends!

The north part of the house had the family's bedrooms, Will Rogers' study, and a sunroom. These rooms were also furnished with the family's original items.

Will Rogers Ranch Foundation

Since 2006, a group called the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation (WRRF) has helped the park. They work to protect the park's history and nature. The foundation also raises money for the park. Will Rogers' great-granddaughter, Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry, is on the board of this foundation.

The 2025 Palisades Wildfire

On January 8, 2025, a large fire called the Palisades Wildfire swept through the area. The ranch house and other buildings at the park were destroyed. The land around the ranch was also badly damaged. Luckily, State Parks staff were able to move the horses to safety. They also saved some of the artwork and important items from the ranch house.