Harry Carey made 233-260 films in the days of silent films. His wife, Olive Golden Carey, was also an actress with 80 credits and their son, Harry Carey Junior (nicknamed Dobe) made about 100 films and 100 television shows. A new director, Jack Ford, later known as John Ford, directed is first film for Harry, Straight Shooting in 1917. Harry was a friend of William S. Hart who's ranch is also a County park nearby. Other visitors to the ranch included John Wayne, Garry Cooper, and others.
The first house burned and was replaced by the current adobe house in 1932. The Carry family old the house in 1946. Cloridy (sp?) of Farmer John bought the property about 1952 hoping to raise pigs, but it was too hot for pigs. The house was donated to the County of Los Angeles in 2005 and the developer of the new surrounding housing development restored the house as part of the permit.
The ranch began with 500 acres in the mid-teens and grew to 3000 acres. People from Los Angeles would come out on the weekend to attend rodeos and buy items from the trading post that was swept away by the San Francisquito dam break in 1928. At the time that Carey owned the ranch, about 80 Navajo lived and worked the ranch, including a heard of Navajo sheep.
There is a small adobe stable and a larger wooden stable built by Universal Studios about 1932 in exchange for using the ranch. Joe's Cabin is now the park office. Joe Harris was a long time friend of the Careys.
The park is open Monday - Saturdays, 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Contact the museum for after school programs, on-going art show, outdoor events, Summer Art Adventure Camps for kids. Starting in mid January 09, a tiny tot program.Events, such as movies, are often scheduled.
Tours are offered 12-1 Saturdays.
29350 Avenida Rancho Tesoro
Valencia, CA 91354
661-702-8953
From Copperhill, turn north at Avenida Rancho Tesoro.
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