Paramount’s 2,700-acre movie ranch nears $26m rebuild after wildfire
Paramount Ranch in California is undergoing a $26 million reconstruction after the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed most of its historic film sets. The site remains a significant landmark for American filmmaking history and public recreation.
Why it matters
The restoration preserves a unique piece of cinematic history that serves both as a functional filming location and a public national park.
For nearly a century, Paramount Ranch in California's Santa Monica Mountains was linked to Hollywood filmmaking. The 2,700-acre property was bought by Paramount Pictures in 1927 and used as an outdoor filming location. Between 1927 and 1943, the studio made more than 130 films at the ranch.The ranch was used for productions set in different parts of the world. Over the years, it became known for its Western-style sets and was also used for television productions. Stars including Gary Cooper, Bob Hope and the Marx Brothers filmed there. TV shows such as Gunsmoke, The Dukes of Hazzard and The Bachelor also used the ranch as a filming location.The Park Service acquired Paramount Ranch in 1980, two years after the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was established by Congress.
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