Meyer's Ranch
I was digging through the archives of an "old" blog from like 2004. I ran across some pix and info about Meyers, it apparently burned to the ground at one point.
"These buildings are historic
for a number of reasons besides the fact that they were built
from the mono-rail that hauled Epsom Salts from Searles Lake over
the mountains. The Myers operated the Wildrose Station (gas and
food) in my early days in Death Valley. Wanda and I ate some of
Mrs. Myers chili on our first trip to Death Valley. Interestingly
enough, Wildrose Station which the Park Service never thought
belonged there, also burned. I don't remember the year of that
burning."
Charles Manson first came to
Goler Wash because the Myers' grand-daughter had told him of the
isolation and beauty of Goler Wash. The Myers wouldn't
give in easily to Manson taking over the ranch, so the "Family"
ended up at the Barker Ranch just down
hill from the Myers Ranch. An attempt was made by Manson to kill
Mrs. Myers, but fortunately for us, the attempt
to get to where she was in the city met with car failure. Mrs. Myers was always a very
gracious host to us when she was at the ranch.
I sent an e-mail to the person that posted that info probably about 10 years ago, I received a brief reply. However, when I asked for more detailed info, I got no reply. If I get another reply from that person, I'll try to post it in the comments section.
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22 comments:
This was my first attempt at authoring a blog post here myself. I had a few technical difficulties, hopefully I can solve them for future posts.
Thanx for the upload.
Thanks Sunset!! Interesting stuff! Is that tall thing a chimney?
Do you know who this person is? Sounds like a Meyers family member maybe?
Wow, good find! Wonder if Cappy was supposed to kill her grandma. Thatd be awful!
And maybe not just the "isolation and beauty of Goler Wash" attracted CM. Also the gold prospecting opportunities perhaps.
There's an article on Mine-Engineer dotcom by Dr. Ralph Pray, who staked a claim for the Keystone Mine there.
He talks about the "Manson Mine", Family girls activity in the area and Paul Watkins staking the "Desert Sun's Gold Dollar lode mining claim". Oh, and gold in them thar hills.
http://www.mine-engineer.com/mining/mansonmine.htm
Yes Katie, I think the person that responded to my e-mail used his real name, I don't think he's a member of the Meyer's family, but he apparently knew them pretty well.
I assume that is the chimney of the Meyers ranch, it may have been made of stone or firebrick, that's why it didn't burn.
I think there was a story where "Cappy" was supposed to kill her grandma, it's pretty sketchy, I think I read they had a flat tire.
Cease2, that story about the "Manson Mine" is very interesting, I just found that like 2 hours ago from a link on the old blog I was reading. Several people on the blog question it's truthfulness.
Finally, there is a post on that blog dated June 12, 2003 at 13:09:35 from a person named "Crystal Voyager". There is speculation on that blog that Crystal Voyager is Maria "Crystal" Alonzo. Alonzo went on to marry William Goucher, Goucher plead guilty to second degree murder in the death of James Willet and received 5 years to life.
Anyway, "Crystal Voyager" is talking about the "upcoming" ATWA gathering. Apparently, this has been going on for a long time.
Thanks Sunset. Great info!
According to Cielodrive.com, Catherine Gillies' grandmother, Arlene Barker, owned both the Myers and Barker ranches.
(Is it Meyer or Myer??)
Anyway, evidently the family had planned to kill Ms. Barker, but their attempts were thwarted because of a flat tire.
Now let's think about this. These guys could rebuild a dune buggy, but couldn't fix a flat tire???
I thought Charlie was "The Wiz", and "nobody beats him". HA HA.
But seriously folks, what kind of plan was that? If they killed Grandma Barker, Catherine wasn't going to inherit the ranches anyway. Too many relatives in line before her.
That was a dumb plan.
Kimchi, what do you think?
I'll tell you what, Grandma Barker must have been a tough old boot living out in the middle of nowhere and doing well.
If there was a confrontation between her and any family member, I'd bet the odds would have been in her favor. LOL.
Ms Barker was probably a hooker.
BTW I googled Crystal Voyager. It is a band's name.
katie8753 said...
Thanks Sunset. Great info!
According to Cielodrive.com, Catherine Gillies' grandmother, Arlene Barker, owned both the Myers and Barker ranches.
(Is it Meyer or Myer??)
Anyway, evidently the family had planned to kill Ms. Barker, but their attempts were thwarted because of a flat tire.
Now let's think about this. These guys could rebuild a dune buggy, but couldn't fix a flat tire???
I thought Charlie was "The Wiz", and "nobody beats him". HA HA.
---------------------------------
I'll ask the Wiz about it when he gets back from the can.
My Love Of Old Hollywood: Hollywood at Home: Rudolph Valentino's Falcon Lair
http://www.cielodrive.com/photo-archive/10050-cielo-drive-aerial-05.php
Rudolf Valentino lived across from Sharon Tate's house. You turned left into Tate's property and right into Valentino's property. Both Valentino and Tate died young and their deaths were international news. People still talk about them both.
http://myloveofoldhollywood.blogspot.com/2012/05/hollywood-at-home-rudolph-valentinos.htm
Sorry, the previous top link was wrong. This is the link to pics of Valentino's home which faced Tate's home.
Katie said:
"(Is it Meyer or Myer??)"
I don't know, I've seen it spelled both ways. I apologize if I spelled it incorrectly, this was my first attempt to author a post here, it was posted pretty quickly and I didn't get a chance to edit it.
From what I can gather, "Meyer/Myers" ranch has always been owned by that family. Barker ranch is owned by the National Park Service, that's why the public is allowed there. Meyers ranch is apparently private property, I'm guessing they didn't want to sell their land to the government. It was apparently rebuilt after this fire and is still semi-occupied to this day.
I read last night the fire depicted in the pix above was caused by arson. Barker Ranch has burned fairly recently, speculation is it was a careless camper. Fire and arson are probably a problem in that remote area. Manson found his way onto the "police radar" in that area for burning a road grader according to that blog.
Myer's ranch is still owned by the Myer's family. They still use it/live there. It's rebuilt and looks nice.
Arlene Barker was not Cappy's Grandmother. Cappy is related to the Myer's family.
Barker Ranch is now owned by the state. They've installed an informative sign with the heading, "Family Getaway"
Myer's Ranch is still privately owned be cause the Myer's boys fought off the Gov't when they came to seize it along with Barker Ranch. I'm not sure, but I believe these "boys" are Cappy's cousins, or brothers.
A quote from a local, lovable soul goes..."Don't fuck with the Myer's boys, they have shotguns and aren't shy." This was said a couple years ago.
Hi Katie, I love your posts so much I'm going to make you a fusilli Katie for Festivus.....
M. P., that link just goes to "Page not found". You wanna try again?
Sunset, I've seen Myers Ranch spelled both ways too. I'm not sure how to spell it. You did a great job on this thread!
Josh thanks for the info. I know that you and Kimchi know a lot more about this subject than I do.
>>>Doc said: Hi Katie, I love your posts so much I'm going to make you a fusilli Katie for Festivus.....>>>
Thanks Doc! I just put my Festivus pole up. LOL.
http://myloveofoldhollywood.blogspot.com/2012/05/hollywood-at-home-rudolph-valentinos.html
Try this link Katie. Sharon used to visit this house.
Thanks Mr. P. That link worked. I love hearing about the old mansions that the stars lived in. What a different life back then.
If you clicked on the link to see the photos of the interior of Falcon Lair when Duke lived there, it looks so gawdy, just like the Hearst Castle.
So Falcon Lair was supposedly haunted, much like Sebring's house?
When I was in my twenties in the early 80s I lived in a small house on the Isle of Palms near Charleston SC which is an area notorious for ghosts. In the front, leaning up against the house, was a marble headstone from a babies grave. The baby had lived exactly 365 days according to the stone.
Sometimes while sleeping there the bed would shake and wake me up. At first it scared me but I got used to it. The shaking was very light but absolutely discernable. It was shaking as if a baby was kicking or pushing on the mattress. I eventually assumed it was that baby that died at age one.
I would speak to the baby when the bed shook at night and grew to become accustomed to these nightly visits.
One week my brother came to visit and he threw away the headstone without asking me. He gave it to the garbage man. The bed never shook again. I was furious at my brother for throwing away the headstone.
Sorry Mr. P. I made an offhand comment to you that might not have been funny to you, so I deleted it.
cappy spells it myer.
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