Palisades Fire destroys historic homes and buildings at Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park

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Will Rogers’ former ranch house was destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Photo taken January 8, 2025 by California State Parks.

Pacific Palisades –The devastating Palisades Fire destroyed historic buildings and several structures in two California state parks last night, including the historic Will Rogers ranch house and buildings at Will Rogers State Historic Park (SHP). The fire, fueled by wind gusts of up to 80 miles per hour, also destroyed portions of Topanga State Park (SP), including the historic Topanga Ranch Motel once owned by William Randolph Hearst.

“California State Parks mourns the loss of these valuable natural and cultural resources and our condolences go out to everyone affected by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “As of yesterday afternoon, we have been putting all available resources into the emergency response and working to secure and protect as much as possible in the affected nearby state parks. We are deeply grateful to our park staff and all partner agencies for their quick action. Our top priority remains the safety of the public, our employees and the emergency responders who are bravely battling the fires.”

Shortly after the Palisades Fire began around 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, state parks closed Topanga SP and Will Rogers SHP as a precaution. The fire quickly spread to State Parks property in Topanga SP and to Will Rogers SHP in the evening. Although a full assessment of damage and losses is not immediately available, here are the significant impacts:

• Will Rogers’ historic ranch house and other historic buildings in the Will Rogers SHP will be destroyed;
• Topanga Ranch Motel and all concessions destroyed;
• State Park Employee Homes Destroyed;
• More than 30 structural losses at Topanga SP and Will Rogers SHP.

State Parks was able to evacuate the horses and some of the cultural and historical artifacts, including artwork, prior to the fire at the Will Rogers SHP. State Parks continues to support the efforts of first responders battling the Palisades Fire, one of several fires throughout Southern California. For the latest updates on the wildfires, visit the CAL FIRE incidents webpage at fire.ca.gov/incidents. For the latest updates on affected state parks, visit parks.ca.gov/incidents.

Historical background
By the mid-1930s, Will Rogers was one of Hollywood’s most popular and highest-paid actors and “America’s Most Popular Citizen.” From his beginnings in vaudeville theaters with a trick roping act, he achieved worldwide fame as a columnist, “cowboy philosopher,” aviation enthusiast, philanthropist, radio personality and movie star. In the 1920s he bought land in Santa Monica, where he established a ranch. Eventually, Will Rogers owned approximately 359 acres of land in what is now the Pacific Palisades, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. At the time of his death in a plane crash in 1935, his ranch consisted of a 31-room ranch house and adjacent guest quarters, a stable, stables, a golf course and horse trails. His widow, Betty, donated the ranch to State Parks in 1944 and it became a historic park.

Built in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst, the bungalow-style Topanga Ranch Motel featured 30 rooms that once housed Pacific Coast Highway construction workers. Located across from Topanga Beach, the motel provided families and writers with an inexpensive seaside vacation spot and was a popular filming location for films and television shows. State Parks acquired the motel in 2001 and in recent years there have been plans to restore about 20 of the cabins for public use.

Above left: Living room in Will Rogers’ ranch house. Top right: Living room after the fire. Left center: Exterior view of the ranch house. Bottom row: Exterior view of the stables before and after the fire. Photos from California State Parks.

Top and bottom right: The aftermath of the fire at the historic Topanga Ranch Motel. Photos taken January 8, 2025 by California State Parks. Bottom left: The Topanga Ranch Motel before the Palisades Fire. Photos from California State Parks.

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California State Parks ensure the health, inspiration and education of California’s people by helping to preserve the state’s exceptional biological diversity, protecting its most valuable natural and cultural resources and providing opportunities for quality outdoor recreation.