Although the Melody Ranch is not open to the public, the annual Cowboy Festival allows some access.
The Melody Ranch museum can be visited by appointment – visit the official website for contact details.
History
1915 – Placerita Ranch established and was formerly located where the Disney Golden Oak Ranch is now, in Placerita Canyon. It was around 110 acres.
Late 1920s – The movie sets on the Placerita Ranch were moved to Oak Creek Road
1930s-1940s – Ranch leased to Monogram Studios
1934 – Gene Autry shoots his first movie ‘Tumbling Tumbleweeds’ on the Placerita Ranch sets and fell in love with the place.
1952 – Placerita Ranch bought by Gene Autry and renamed Melody Ranch.
1962 – A massive fire destroys many of the sets, apart from one building which was saved by Elvis Presley and a crew working on a photo shoot for him, when the fire broke out.
December 1990 – The Ranch is bought by the current owners, the Veluzat family, and a process of rebuilding begins, based on photo reference material of the pre-1960s sets.
Additional Information
- Museum – A museum of authentic memorabilia has been set up on the ranch.
- Gene Autry’s horse ‘Champion’ died at the age of 47 and is buried at Melody Ranch.
Famous Names who’ve shot movies on the Ranch
Randolph Scott, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Gene Autry
Further Information
- Melody Ranch Official Website
- SCVTV Programme about the Melody Ranch and it\’s History (2003)
- Stills gallery of the Melody Ranch
- Cowboy Festival website
Productions shot at Melody Ranch
Feature Film (3) | |||
| Title | Released | Director | IMDB |
| Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood | 2019 | Quentin Tarantino |  |
| Part of the Lancer western scenes were shot on the Melody Ranch | |||
| Priest | 2011 | Scott Charles Stewart | |
| Wild Bill | 1995 | Walter Hill | |
TV Series (4) | |||
| Title | Released | Director | IMDB |
| Westworld (HBO) | 2016 | | |
| Deadwood | 2004 | David Milch | |
| My Three Sons | 1960-1972 | | |
| The barn at Melody Ranch appeared as the outside of the main house. | |||
| Gunsmoke | 1955 | Charles Marquis Warren | |
TV Shows
- Maverick (with James Garner)
- The Magnificent Seven
- Laredo
Movies
- Last Man Standing