Pioneertown is one of the most
|
Old west towns hold a special appeal and charm to many people due to the influence of movies and television. Pioneertown is such a place near the desert town of Yucca Valley, California. It was built in 1946 as a western themed movie set. However, this set actually has real old west style buildings that the actors would live in while they were filming. These live-in buildings also became part of the films that were shot here.
View of the central portion of Mane Street in Pioneertown, California.
(It is actually called "Mane Street" - not "Main Street".)
Close-up view of the hotel and bath house in Pioneertown.
A covered wagon is parked along the dirt road with
an old red roofed barn in the background.
One of the more well known television series that was filmed here was "The Cisco Kid". Many of Gene Autry's films were also shot in Pioneertown. Roy Rogers was one of the investors who helped to build the town.You can visit this interesting and historic site anytime of the year. Snow can fall occasionally in the winter months as the towns sits at an elevation of 4,200 feet. You can reach the town by taking Highway 62 to Yucca Valley and then turning north on Pioneertown Road. It is located approximately 4.5 miles from Yucca Valley.
The Pioneertown general store is located along Mane Street.
The Jack Cass Saloon stands at the south end of Mane Street.
An old weathered building appears to have had better days.
The image of what old west towns should look like comes alive in Pioneertown. There is a bank and a saloon. An old post office and a hotel. There is also the Church of Pioneertown plus many other authentic looking buildings. From April through October, you can watch re-enactments of western stories play out on Mane Street in the town. See old west gunfighters shoot it out while visiting this historical site. Shows occur on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and are free to view.
The church in Pioneertown sits at the opposite end
of Mane Street from the saloon.
Another view of the church in Pioneertown, California.
This old adobe wall faces Pioneertown Road and is one
of the first things you see as you enter the town.
Closer look at the adobe wall with it's weathered wood beams and post.
You can also capture lots of beautiful desert landscape pictures with your camera in this region of Southern California. Desert wildflowers bloom in the springtime and there are lots of unique rock formations in this part of the country. Many rock climbers come to nearby
Joshua Tree National Park
from around the world to climb some of these unique boulders and rock formations. The town of Joshua Tree is located right next door to Yucca Valley.
This is a view of a very rocky hillside just beyond Pioneertown
to the south. The boulders appear to be stacked in place.
Another look at the beautiful and rocky landscape which lies just to the south of Pioneertown.
A mining company sets up shop in Pioneertown. There is also a local jail and several other structures.
Side Note:
Would you be interested in building your own website? A site that you alone create (out of your own imagination) and which also earns an income for you? Click here for my review of just such an opportunity.
Americans have had a fascination with old west towns for a long, long time. Even before television, western books from writers such as Zane Grey were very popular. I used to love reading old western books as a kid - and still do from time to time. Just make sure that you bring your camera or camcorder with you when you visit Pioneertown so you can preserve a bit of that old western magic for yourself.
View of an old western wagon with Joshua Trees in the background.
One more view of the Pioneertown hotel and bath house.
Return from Old West Towns to Joshua Tree National Park.
To return to the home page, click here.
