Will Rogers' historic home in California destroyed by wildfires

While the loss to the Will Rogers Ranch is devastating, it pales in comparison to the loss of the property and businesses and, more importantly, the lives of those in the surrounding area.

The Rogers family is devastated by the loss of the California ranch and the overwhelming loss of the community. Our hearts go out to all those neighbors who have lost their homes. The community of Pacific Palisades has always been a generous supporter of the Will Rogers State Historic Park. It is the hidden gem of the Palisades.

The family donated the ranch in 1944 to the State of California to act as a living museum to Will Rogers. The Rogers family has always been actively involved and will continue to be involved as we recover from this disaster. State park officials are there right now assessing the situation.

Jennifer Rogers, the family representative, is active with the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, as well as a founding member of the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation, which supports Will Rogers State Historic Park. She is in direct contact with California State Parks, which is currently on-site assessing the situation. State park employees spent time yesterday getting artifacts out of the house, but the situation is still evolving, and we won’t know the full extent of the damage for a few days.