Pioneertown: The Legend and the Facts
The Legend of Pioneertown
Character actor Dick Curtis once lent an old lady $25. Unable to repay the loan, she gave Curtis a deed to a small plot of sand in California, north of Los Angeles. Curtis later sold the lot for $150 and invested the money in more land through a Southern Pacific Railroad agent. The original $25 investment grew over time, and Curtis found himself owning a substantial amount of desert property. Curtis, who had never seen the land, assumed it was just a large, worthless sand parcel. One day, he decided to explore his investment. Riding up a dusty cattle trail from Yucca Valley, he reached a plateau at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains. Looking at the gently swaying bunchgrass, Curtis declared to his horse, “This is the place.” Whether this legend is entirely true remains uncertain, but itโs a charming part of Pioneertownโs lore. Curtis passed away in 1952 from cancer.
Upcoming Events
Pioneertown Ceremonial Mayor
The Wildest Election in the West!
Pioneertown is calling on YOU to saddle up and help decide its 2025 Ceremonial Mayorโa title that comes with no power, no salary, but a lifetime supply of bragging rights! This is no ordinary election; it’s a celebration of our community’s quirky, charming, and downright wild spirit.
Who Can Vote?
Anyone, Anywhere! Whether you’re a local or just a fan of Pioneertown’s Old West magic, you can cast your vote.
- 1 Free Vote: Every voter gets one free shot to pick their favorite candidate.
- Want to Do More? Add a little extra weight to your pick by buying votes: $3 for 3 votes.
Your votes aren’t just about funโthey support a great cause! All proceeds go to Friends of Pioneertown (501c3), a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the unique history, landmarks, and stories that make our town legendary.
Why Vote?
This isn’t about politicsโit’s about pride! From four-legged furballs to local landmarks, this election shines a spotlight on the colorful characters that make Pioneertown one of a kind. Every vote helps keep our history alive for generations to come.
Mark Your Calendar!
The big winner will be revealed on January 3, 2025. Until then, the campaign trail is heating up! So rally behind your favorite candidateโbe it a clever coyote, a stately cactus, or a beloved community memberโand cast your vote for the title of 2025 Ceremonial Mayor.
Who Can Vote?
Anyone, Anywhere can vote! Whether you’re a local or just a fan of Pioneertown’s Old West magic, you can cast your vote.
- 1 Free Vote: Every voter gets one free shot to pick their favorite candidate.
- Want to Do More? Add a little extra weight to your pick by buying votes: $3 for 3 votes.
Your votes aren’t just about funโthey support a great cause! All proceeds go to Friends of Pioneertown (501c3), a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the unique history, landmarks, and stories that make our town legendary.
Why Vote?
This isn’t about politicsโit’s about pride! From four-legged furballs to local landmarks, this election shines a spotlight on the colorful characters that make Pioneertown one of a kind. Every vote helps keep our history alive for generations to come.
Mark Your Calendar!!
The big winner will be revealed on January 3, 2025. Until then, the campaign trail is heating up! So rally behind your favorite candidateโbe it a clever coyote, a stately cactus, or a beloved community memberโand cast your vote for the title of 2025 Ceremonial Mayor.
Old West Cowboy Gun Fights
Always Free
Gunfighters For Hire
Click for Details
Shows are scheduled on the First and Third Saturday 1pm, 2pm and 3pm – October thru May on Mane Street
For more information about Gunfighters For Hire click here
Mane Street Stampede
Click for Details
Shows are scheduled on the Second and Forth Saturday 1pm sharp from the 1st cool day in October to the 1st HOT day in May/June on Mane Street
For more information about Mane Street Stampede click here
The Bravados
Click for Details
The rebirth of Pioneertown’s first Western performance group. Show days and time vary. At the Wild West Theatre, across from Pappy + Harriet.
For more information about The Bravados at the Wild West Theatre click here
The Founding of Pioneertown
What we do know for certain is that Dick Curtis saw the potential in the area that would become Pioneertown. Envisioning it as an ideal location for a movie ranch, homes, resorts, and dude ranches, Curtis, along with 17 investorsโincluding Roy Rogers, the Sons of the Pioneers, Russell Hayden, Frank McDonald, Tommy Carr, Terry Frost, and Bud Abbottโeach invested $500 in 1946. They formed a corporation based in Studio City and purchased 32,000 acres, encompassing the entire valley where Pioneertown now sits.
Initially planned to be named โRogersville,โ the town was ultimately called โPioneertownโ in honor of Roy Rogers’ singing group, the Sons of the Pioneers. To generate interest in the area, Tim Spencer wrote the song โOut in Pioneertown,โ recorded by Milton Estes & the Musical Millers and the Sons of the Pioneers in 1947. A full-page ad in the San Bernardino County Sun on March 25, 1947, invited people to join Dale Evans, Roy Rogers, and the Sons of the Pioneers as Pioneertown landowners.
Building Pioneertown: A Western Oasis
Pioneertown was designed to resemble an 1880s western town, with Mane Street featuring several businesses housed in fully functional buildings. These businesses included the Golden Stallion Restaurant, Townhouse Motel, Nellโs Ice Cream Palace, The Red Dog Saloon, Whiteโs Grocery, The Golden Nugget Coffee Shop, Maggieโs Feed Barn, Klip โNโ Kurl Beauty Shop, and Trigger Billโs Shooting Gallery, among others. In the late 1940s and 1950s, Pioneertown was a self-contained town, thriving as both a community and a film set.
The Community of Pioneertown
Today, Pioneertown is more than just a historical curiosity; it is a vibrant community. The residents cherish the beauty of nature, the clear night skies, the tranquility, and the small-town feel. The history of Pioneertown is as remarkable as the stunning mountain-desert landscape it occupies.
Pioneertownโs unique blend of legend and history makes it a fascinating destination for visitors and a beloved home for its residents. The history of Pioneertown is almost as incredible as the beauty of this Mountain-Desert area itself.
Pioneertown:
A Tales of Resilience and Community Spirit
Joshua Tree Voice
March 2024
featured on ABC News Localish.
Pioneertown Wildlife Video
The Saturday Evening Post
January 28 1950
Mane Street
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Wild West
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Moving Pictures
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