Spahn Ranch

Spahn Ranch, also known as the Spahn Movie Ranch, was a movie ranch used for filming movies and television programs, usually Western-themed. It had boulder strewn scenery and an 'old Western town' set constructed onsite adaptable to many scripts. The historic Ranch entry was off 1200 Santa Susana Pass Road of the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains above Chatsworth, California, and no longer used. Now part of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park, it is best known as one of the residences of Charles Manson and his group of followers commonly referred to as "The Family" who lived there in the spring of 1968.

History

Movies

The ranch took its name from dairy farmer George Spahn, who purchased the property in 1948. Silent film actor William S. Hart was the ranch's prior owner. Many western-themed movies and television shows, including Duel in the Sun and episodes of Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, and Zorro were filmed on the ranch.

Manson family

Spahn was 80 years old and living at the ranch when he allowed Charles Manson and his followers commonly known as 'The Manson Family' to move in, rent free, in exchange for housework and sexual favors from the group's women, most of whom were under 25. Despite this arrangement, Spahn was never accused of having any role in the murders. In late 1969, Robert Hendrickson began filming the Manson Family at the ranch for his documentary film Manson. There he filmed Spahn, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, Bruce Clayton...
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