Will Rogers House, Pacific Palisades California
Will Rogers House Destroyed in the Los Angeles Wildfires
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- California
- House
Will Rogers acquired the ranch In 1922. Construction began about 1923. The Rogers family moved out to the ranch from Beverly Hills in 1925. Will Rogers made his home there until his death on August 15th, 1935. Mrs. Rogers continued to make her home on the ranch until her death, following which, in 1944, it became a State Park.
Located in Pacific Palisades California, it burned to the ground during the Los Angeles January 2025 wildfires.
Home of the noted American humorist and motion picture actor, Will Rogers. Starting as a cowboy, he became a trick rider, rope artist, philanthropist, columnist, movie star, philosopher, writer, humorist, "Ambassador of Good Will", humanitarian, and the best-loved human being of a generation. The Will Rogers Ranch was presented to the State on August 19th, 1944, and has since then become one of the most popular State parks in California. Will Rogers once said "you must judge a man's greatness by how much he is missed." He would have been embarrassed to know that by his own criterion he was a great man.
This home is located in the Will Rogers State Historic Park, about fifteen miles west of Los Angeles Civic Center just off Sunset Boulevard in the Pacific Palisades. Situated on gently sloping ground, the home is a one and two-story wood frame building. It has a wood shingle roof and wood exterior siding. This ranch home built in about 1926 is of California rustic style with wide overhanging eaves and simple exterior rim and ornamentation. Exterior doors and windows are of wood with both fixed and operable casements and double-hung sash with screens.
Interior walls and ceilings are of either wood panels or lath and plaster. Tile is generously used in kitchens and bathrooms. Many built-in features such as book shelving, cabinetry, and storage closets are well executed. Finished floors are of tile, hardwood, and covered softwoods. The home is comfortably furnished with historic furniture and hangings of the Will Rogers era. Many trophies, collections, and personal effects of Will Rogers are exhibited. The Will Rogers. presented to the State of California for use as a park on August 19th, 1944.
