Historic Newspaper Archives

Gene Autry Finds Ideal Locale

Lansing State Journal
June 2, 1949

Like all America, Pioneertown has a history, starting point in its development. In the case of this little old West town, the idea was born when Dick Curtis, a cowboy actor discovered that the country it is around what is now Pioneertown afforded the perfect setting for the making of western movies.

Pioneertown New Resort For Work Weary Actors

Lansing State Journal
June 19, 1949

Movie stars who want to get away from it all have usually done that escaping in space and taken off for Malibu, Palm Springs or Europe. Recently these seeking folks have discovered another dimension. They've gone back in time, too, to a place called Pioneertown. a desert mountain resort where, according to its enthusiasts, "the old west lives again."

California Boasts Arizona-Like ‘Set’

Honolulu Star Bulletin
June 21, 1949

Gene Autry, who usually flies his movie company hundreds of miles in order to obtain authentic backgrounds for his westerns, found what he wanted for "The Cowboy and the Indians" practically in his own backyard–relatively speaking.

2nd Annual Pictorial Pioneertown Gazette

Pioneertown Sun
September 1, 1949

2nd Annual Pictorial Pioneertown Gazette

Jimmie Fidler In Hollywood

Joplin Globe
September 13, 1949

Some miles from Hollywood, and in one of the most torrid districts of southern California, is Pioneertown, a village built especially to serve the producers of western pictures. On the outskirts of the village is a huge billboard which used to read: "Live Here and Live Longer." After toiling there for a week in the Republic film, "Daybreak," Law Ayres borrowed a paint brush and a can of paint and added a single line to that sign. It now bears, below the original slogan, the sarcastic comment, "It only SEEMS longer!"

Town For Producers

The Montgomery Advertiser
September 13, 1949

On the outskirts of Pioneertown is a huge billboard which used to read: "Live Here and Live Longer." After toiling there for a week in the Republic film, "Daybreak," Lew Ayres borrowed a paint brush and a can of paint and added a single line to that sign. It now bears, below the original slogan, the sarcastic comment, "It only SEEMS longer!"

Hale With Autry

The Pittsburgh Press
September 13, 1949

Alan Hale Jr., has an important supporting role with Gene Aurty in Beyond the Purple Hills," filmed at Pioneertown, California.

Gloria Henry Again Autry Lead Lady

The Evening Sun
September 18, 1949

Gloria Henry, young Columbia actress, is the feminine lead opposite Gene Autry in "Beyond the Purple Hills," shooting on location at Pioneertown.

Old West Lives

The Pittsburgh Press
September 18, 1949

The Old West isn't dead yet. It has recently had a re-birth in the founding of a real, old frontier town, Pioneertown by name, that will stand as a living monument to the West that was.

West Lives Again

The Vancouver News Herald
September 27, 1949

The Olde West isn't dead yet. It recently had a re-birth in the founding of a real, old frontier town, Pioneertown by name, that will stand as a living monument to the West that was.