Category Development

Pioneertown was founded in 1946 by a group of Western actors who had been several plans to develop the land surrounding Pioneertown and make it a resort.

March 30, 1948 - Lancaster New Era featured image

Desert Real Estate Is Booming

A swarm of newcomers to these parts, mostly promoters from Hollywood, are beating the sage brush here–making out lots, surveying roads and drawing up glamorous plans for proposed clubhouses, airports, swimming pools, apartment hotels and the like.

Out-of-Town Venture Prompts Resignation Of Optimist Member

Williams sent a letter to the club which was read at their Wednesday noon meeting in the Colonial Room of the First Cabin. The real estate man said in the letter he is resigning to devote his time to his new business interest in Pioneertown.

Yucca Valley Group Petitions
State for Burns Creek Water

Pioneertown corporation of Yucca Valley has made an application to the state department of public works, division of water resources, to appropriate one half cubic foot per second of water from Burns Creek, tributary to PEPS creek on the Mojave desert, for domestic purposes, the department announced.

Pioneertown Expansion Announced At Resort in Hills

Pioneertown, a mountain community about 6O miles from Palm Springs, has recently added 12,000 acres to its original holdings of 13,000 acres and is opening its third subdivision. Executives of the Pioneertown corporation also have announced that a utility company will bring in electrical power lines within the next 60 days to replace the corporation’s own generating plant.

Redlands Man Seeks Water
From Bennett Springs

The division has also received an application of the Pioneertown corporation of Yucca Valley to appropriate 20,000 gallons per day from Burns Creek, Tributary to Pipes creek, for domestic purposes, to the cost an estimated $47,500, and that of Richard D. Rutledge of for the mastic water from Mesquite Springs, tributary to Seales lake bed. The work will cost an estimated $1000.

Movie People Build Town In Desert Wastes

October 17, 1948
New York Times
Development

Representing an investment of $600,000 and with a present population of 300 to 350 persons, Pioneertown, to the eye, is a typical frontier community of early wild-West days. It's one business thoroughfare, specifically called Mane Street, is lined on both sides by commercial establishments of various kinds.

Wild West Not So Wild In
Town Built For Westerns

Pioneertown's great white father is producer Philip Kranse, who moved his company here for keeps to make "Cisco Kid" thriller. Now you can't tell where real life ends and the reel life begins.

Genuine Wild West Town
Springs Up in Desert

The Wild West not being so wild anymore, a Western movie company is turning this desert village into a permanent cowtown. This Hollywood version of the good, old days started out to be a resort for Western movie stars with millyuns. Even the stores of the tiny one-street town were built in old-fashioned Western style to make oatburner heroes feel right at home.

Pioneertown, Realtors’ Version of Old West,
Becomes Movie Producer’s Horse Opera Center

The entrance to the village as a sign "Pioneertown Is This-A-Way." Next sign: "Horseless carriages Aint Aloud on Mane St." Even producer Kranse discreetly parks his Cadillac off the dirt street.

Pioneertown, 30 Miles Away,
Will Revive Early Days

A new road to Pioneertown, the final phase of a scenic highway which brings Bear Valley about 55 miles from Palm Springs is now open. Pioneertown, the new old west town in the San Bernardino mountains, is only 30 miles from the Village by way of Indian avenue and a panoramic scenic road.