Spahn Ranch

Spahn Ranch was a movie production site in the Simi Hills above Chatsworth, covering roughly 55 acres in the Santa Susana Pass area. The property included several western town facades, stables, bunkhouses, and barns scattered across the sloping terrain, providing filmmakers with ready-made settings for outdoor scenes.

Silent film actor William S. Hart founded the property in 1920 as a western film location and later sold it to new owners. George Spahn took over in 1953 and ran the ranch until a fire destroyed all buildings in 1970.

The site was home to horse rentals and film crews during the 1950s and 1960s, when actors and wranglers worked side by side on western sets built for television and cinema. The ranch became a workspace where Hollywood routines mixed with ranch life, creating a small community around movie production.

The site is now part of a state park and accessible to hikers on trails that pass through the former film location. The terrain is hilly and exposed, so visitors should bring water and wear sturdy shoes when exploring the area.

Members of the Manson Family lived at the property in the late 1960s, giving the location a dark notoriety beyond its film history. After the fire, the land remained undeveloped and was eventually absorbed into a protected public parkland.

Location: Los Angeles County

Inception: 1920

Founders: William S. Hart

Elevation above the sea: 415 m

GPS coordinates: 34.27278,-118.62300

Latest update: December 18, 2025 13:13