Will Rogers’ home in LA and the historic Topanga State Park Hotel destroyed in the California wildfires
The historic home of a movie cowboy legend Will Rogers and buildings at Topanga State Park were decimated by the raging wildfires in Los Angeles, according to a press release from California State Parks.
At Will Rogers State Historic Park (WRSHP), where Hollywood’s highest-paid actor lived in the 1930s, a house overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica was destroyed.
Before and after pictures from California State Parks showed the level of devastation of the ranch, where only the fireplaces remained.
“State parks were were able to evacuate the horses and some of the cultural and historical artifacts, including art, to the Will Rogers SHP ahead of the fire,” the statement said.
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The living room inside the Will Rogers ranch house, left, and the living room in the house after the fire. (California State Parks via X)
American sound engineer Franklin Hansen, left, actor and writer Will Rogers and Scottish-born director Frank Lloyd stand on the podium at the 1934 Academy Awards in Los Angeles. (New York Times Co./Getty Images)
The Topanga Ranch Motel and concession buildings were destroyed in Topanga State Park, the agency said.
The houses of park employees were also destroyed in the fire, according to the press release. Between the two state parks, more than 30 buildings were swallowed up.
“California State Parks mourns the loss of these precious natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero.
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At Topanga State Park, the Topanga Ranch Motel and concession buildings were destroyed by wildfires in Malibu, California. (California State Parks)
California State Parks staff are on site working to salvage artifacts and assess the damage.
“Of [Tuesday] afternoon, we are directing all available resources into emergency response efforts and working to secure and protect as much as possible in the affected nearby state parks,” Quintero said. “We are deeply grateful to our parks staff and all partner agencies for their speed of action. Our main priority remains the safety of citizens, our employees and workers who bravely fight fires.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, six forest fires were burning in Los Angeles County, including the Pacific Palisades and Sylmar neighborhoods in Los Angeles and another near the city of Pasadena.
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Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told Fox News that five people were killed the Eaton fire from Wednesday afternoon.
