Rancho Yucca Loma

Guest ranches were popular in the Victor Valley area of southern California in the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. But the most popular was probably the Yucca Loma Guest Ranch in Apple Valley, during its heyday between the early 1920s through the early 1950s, when many movie stars and other famous people flocked there. This is the story of how a young woman around 1910 had a vision of a place for mental healing at a time when many doctors only treated outward symptoms. Soon the ranch's reputation became known as a refuge for others, a place to escape from Hollywood or other city pressures. Clark Gable, Loretta Young were regular visitors. Several books and screenplays were written here. During World War II the hostess offered service men and their families a place to stay. Oral interviews, newspaper articles, and written accounts are well documented.